Isabelle Stadden Keeps Firing During Prelims of Fort Lauderdale Open; Notches PR in 100 Backstroke
The first three days of the Fort Lauderdale Open have offered several engaging storylines. There was Katie Ledecky’s No. 5 time in history in the 1500-meter freestyle. There was Summer McIntosh’s narrow triumph over Ledecky in the 400 freestyle. There was Leon Marchand’s 1:53.08 showing in the 200 butterfly. And there was Isabelle Stadden rocketing to the No. 4 performer slot in the 200 backstroke, thanks to a swim of 2:04.37.
What will the final day of competition in South Florida bring? Here’s a look at how the Day Four prelims unfolded to set up action for the evening session at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.
Women’s 100 Backstroke
The women’s 100 backstroke could be the race of the night, with Isabelle Stadden, Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff headlining the field. Coming off her superb performance in the 200 backstroke from Friday night, Stadden set a personal best in prelims of the 100 back, going 58.05. That effort moved Stadden to No. 7 on the all-time performer list. She was followed as the second seed by Smith in 58.25, while Berkoff checked in at 59.09.
Men’s 100 Backstroke
A little more than a month removed from leading the University of Texas to an NCAA team title repeat, Hungarian star Hubert Kos easily led qualifying in the men’s 100 backstroke. Kos, the reigning Olympic champ in the 200 backstroke, clocked in at 54.03, which was well ahead of the 55.95 of Jack Aikins. Kos has already won the 50 backstroke and 200 backstroke in Fort Lauderdale.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
Olympic champion Kate Douglass cruised to the top seed, on the strength of a 2:24.75 effort. Douglass claimed titles in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke on Thursday night and added a runnerup finish in the 50 butterfly on Friday. Ireland’s Mona McSharry posted the second-fastest time of the morning, a 2:25.84, and was followed by Sophia Umstead (2:28.38), Alex Walsh (2:29.34) and Summer McIntosh (2:30.12).
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
The European-record holder in the event, Leon Marchand eased his way to a mark of 2:13.37 for the morning. The Olympic champ was followed as the second seed by Jack Kelly (2:14.28), who has won the 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke at the meet. The 200 breaststroke was the first of two events for Marchand, complementing the 200 individual medley.
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Make it the 12-fastest times in history in the 100 butterfly for Gretchen Walsh, as the world-record holder delivered a performance of 55.39 in prelims. When she visited Fort Lauderdale a year ago, Walsh set a pair of world records in the event, including the current standard of 54.60. Grabbing the second seed for Saturday’s final was Claire Curzan in 58.61.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Ilya Kharun and Josh Liendo, who shared the podium for Canada at the last Olympic Games, qualified first and second in the 100 butterfly. Kharun covered his two laps in 51.48, while Liendo was just behind in a clocking of 51.56. Those were the only times under 52 seconds in the morning. Liendo was the silver medalist in Paris, with Kharun securing the bronze medal.
Women’s 200 Individual Medley
A trio of women went 2:13 in the prelims of the 200 IM, led by Phoebe Bacon. The Team USA veteran touched the wall in 2:13.34, which was ahead of the 2:13.61 by 16-year-old Sadie Buckley. Qualifying third was Regan Smith in 2:13.99, while Alex Walsh went 2:15.56 for fourth.
Men’s 200 Individual Medley
Training partners from the University of Texas dominated prelims of the 200 IM, as Hubert Kos led the way with a qualifying time of 2:00.94. He will face off at night with world-record holder and Olympic champ Leon Marchand, who cruised to a 2:02.28 for fourth in prelims. In second and third place were Mitchell Schott (2:01.34) and Carson Foster (2:01.35).
Women’s 50 Freestyle
Not long after grabbing the top seed in the 100 butterfly, Gretchen Walsh advanced as the No. 1 seed in the 50 freestyle. Walsh’s time of 24.47 was slightly quicker than the 24.49 of Kate Douglass, while Anna Moesch was strong in 24.59. While Walsh will have the 100 fly ahead of the 50 free at night Douglass will first contest the 200 breaststroke.
Men’s 50 Freestyle
Canadian Josh Liendo booked the middle lane for the final of the 50 free, behind a performance of 22.29. That effort was faster than the 22.41 of Trinidad & Tobago’s Dylan Carter. Meanwhile, Ilya Kharun qualified third with a time of 22.52, followed by Ruslan Gaziev in 22.53.