Consistent Nic Fink Fires Off 59-Mid Marker in 100 Breaststroke at Atlanta Classic
One day after Michael Andrew scared the American record in the 100-meter breaststroke, Nic Fink followed with a strong performance of his own at the Atlanta Classic. In an event in which the United States is in need of a boost, primarily for medley-relay purposes, the Americans are looking better with the Olympic Trials on the horizon.
Although he was well off the 58.67 marker posted by Andrew at the TYR Pro Series stop in Indianapolis, Fink was solid in his latest tuneup for Trials. Clocking a time of 59.52, Fink picked up the win by more than a second, as Cal’s Reece Whitley place second in 1:00.53. Fink has been steady throughout his Pro Series appearances and this latest effort revealed Fink is rounding into form at the right time.
Between Andrew’s showing and Fink’s consistency, there is reason for the United States to feel better about its breaststroke situation ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The big concern for the Games is the medley relay, where Great Britain will unleash Adam Peaty on the breaststroke leg. The key for the United States is simply having a breaststroker who will not yield significant ground.
The women’s 100 breaststroke featured a tight finish, with only .08 separating the top-three athletes. Micah Sumrall was swiftest in 1:08.47, followed by Zoie Hartman (1:08.49) and Melanie Margalis (1:08.55).