The Week That Was: Katie Ledecky Moves To #1 In World In Santa Clara

Katie Ledecky put up the #1 time in the world in the 400 free this weekend; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

While the Aussies started off their World Champs Trials in Brisbane, Katie Ledecky quietly put up the #1 time in the world in Santa Clara while several other US National teamers put up some world-class times. Check out the highlights from that meet and the rest of the week below:

#5 – USA Women’s Water Polo Punches Ticket To 2020 Olympics With Super Final Win

Photo Courtesy: Catharyn Hayne

The USA Women’s Water Polo National Team punched their ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games with a 10-9 win over Italy earlier today at the FINA World League Super Final this week. Italy started off with a quick 2-0 lead before Team USA battled back to take control of the game starting in the second quarter. Italy kept it close through the rest of the match, but Team USA held their lead until the end courtesy of a strong defense. The victory gave Team USA their sixth straight Super Final crown and confirmed their place at the Olympics next summer in Tokyo, where Team USA will look to win their third straight gold medal.

#4 – James Magnussen Makes Retirement From Swimming Official

Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch

Two-time world champion James Magnussen has retired from competitive swimming. officially calling time on his career in the pool. “At 28 years of age I feel I could have swum at another Olympic Games,” the Australian said in a statement. “But with the lofty standards I have held myself to over the years and the high expectations I have, I believe now is the right time to step away from the sport.” Magnussen has long been a fixture on Australia’s 400 free and 400 medley relays. The 28-year-old was the fastest textile performer of all-time before country-mate Cameron McEvoy beat his mark in the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics, and has 15 international medals to his name including an individual silver from the 2012 London Olympics. The Aussie was also a two-time world champion in the 100 free after winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2013, in Shanghai and Barcelona respectively. He was the first Australian to win a World Championship title in the 100 free.

#3 – Siobhan Haughey Smashes National Records To Open Mare Nostrum Tour

(140817) -- NANJING, Aug. 17, 2014 (Xinhua) -- Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong, China checks her time after the women's 200m individual medley final at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, August 17, 2014. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey won the silver of the match. (Xinhua/Ding Xu) (txt)

Photo Courtesy: Xinhua/Ding Xu

The 2019 Mare Nostrum Series opened this weekend with the first stop in Monaco. Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey was the major star of the first stop, posting Hong Kong’s first ever Mare Nostrum wins and breaking several national records. Haughey won the 200 free (1:56.05) to move into the top 10 in the world in that event, and broke national records in the 50 free (24.85) 100 free (53.32). Her time in the 200 was just a tenth off her own national record, and her 100 free time moves her up to sixth in the world from 2019. You can follow along with the rest of the Mare Nostrum series here.

#2 – Ariarne Titmus Breaks Australian Record in 400 Free To Open Aussie Trials

Photo Courtesy: Ian MacNicol

The 2019 Australian World Swimming Trials opened this week in Brisbane, with Ariarne Titmus taking down the Australian and Commonwealth records on the opening night of the meet. The 18-year-old broke her own national record with a 3:59.35, good for second in the world for 2019 and officially punching her ticket to South Korea this summer. Other notable swims included Mitch Larkin nearly breaking his own Australian and Commonwealth record in the 100 back with a dominant 52.38 win; Kyle Chalmers winning a tight 200 free battle in 1:45.76; and two women breaking 16:00 in the 1500 free with Madeleine Gough ultimately taking the win in 15:56.39. Swimmers from Down Under will be vying for spots on the 2019 World Championship team for next month’s worlds in Gwangju, South Korea through the rest of the week. You can follow along with all sessions of the meet here.

#1 – Katie Ledecky Goes Sub 4:00 At Santa Clara International

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The weekend was the annual 2019 Santa Clara International, where some of the top US National Team on the west coast quietly threw down some world-class performances ahead of this summer’s international meets. Katie Ledecky did what she does best, dropping a sub-4:00 performance in the 400 free to post the top time in the world with a 3:59.28. Simone Manuel also had some strong performances over the weekend, including a pair of season-bests in the 100 free (53.30 – prelims) and a 24.34 in the 50 free, while teammate Katie Drabot won the 200 fly in 2:06.67 to move up to fourth in the world. The contingent from Cal also had an impressive weekend, with Katie McLaughlin posting strong wins in the 100 fly (57.77), 200 free (1:56.48). Teammate Abbey Weitzeil also had a season-best in the 100 free (54.05). You can see all the recaps from the four day meet here.

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