Ledecky Well Ahead of 800 Freestyle Prelims Field

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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World record holder Katie Ledecky pulled her way through the first half of her morning swim. At the halfway mark she posted a 4:05.43. She finished in 8:10.91, well ahead of anybody else. Swimming under 8:14.10 made her the owner of all ten of the fastest times in this event. This morning’s swim was the third fastest in history.

Leah Smith entered today’s prelims with the world’s tenth fastest time of 8:24.87. Swimming in the first circle seeded heat, Smith was out in 4:10.57, ahead of her heat at the halfway mark. She finished in 8:21.64. That swim moves her to the fifth fastest time in the world this year.

Ashley Twitchell posted an 8:28.96 for the third spot. Haley Anderson swam an 8:30.96 to potentially add to her Open Water schedule.

Lindsey Vrooman touched in 8:31.53 for the fifth spot in tomorrow night’s final. Cierra Runge touched in 8:31.59 for sixth.

Stephanie Peacock (8:31.81) and Sierra Schmidt (8:32.46) have also likely earned lanes in tomorrow night’s final, pending the results of the B flight heats.

Becca Mann has been as fast as 8:24.49 this year, good for the world’s ninth best swim. This morning she clocked an 8:32.92, keeping her out of the final.

Photo Courtesy: Omega Timing

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