Katie Ledecky Caps Orlando Sectionals With Dominant Victory in 1500 Freestyle
Wrapping up an impressive weekend at the Southern Zone Sectionals in Orlando, American great Katie Ledecky unleashed her latest spectacular performance in the 1500-meter freestyle. Representing Gator Swim Club, Ledecky touched the wall in 15:40.63, an effort that was just off the time that handed her the inaugural gold medal in the event at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Already victorious in the 200 freestyle, 400 free, 800 free and 400 individual medley, Ledecky’s Sunday marker is the 16th-fastest in history. Only Ledecky, Denmark’s Lotte Friis and New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle have been faster than what Ledecky clocked at Sectionals. Ledecky owns the world record at 15:20.48 and has the 12-fastest times in history.
En route to her fifth triumph of the meet, Ledecky was 4:11.26 at the 400-meter mark and came through at 800 meters in 8:22.61. While she had several strong showings during the weekend, Ledecky’s mid-1:54 swim in the 200 freestyle was probably her best of the competition. Ledecky was quicker in the 200 freestyle and 800 freestyle than she was in Tokyo.
Since the Tokyo Games, Ledecky has changed her training base from Stanford University to the University of Florida, where she is a volunteer assistant coach and working under coach Anthony Nesty.
Michael Andrew won the 200 breaststroke in 2:14.98.