TYR Pro Series, Day Two Finals: Torri Huske Edges Regan Smith in Superb 100 Butterfly Duel; Caeleb Dressel Tops 100 Fly Field

TYR Pro Series, Day Two Finals: Torri Huske Edges Regan Smith in Superb 100 Butterfly Duel; Caeleb Dressel Tops 100 Fly Field

With just three months until the start of the United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, every racing opportunity is important for athletes targeting a bid to the Olympics in Paris. On Thursday night in Westmont, Illinois, several athletes took advantage of strong fields and got in their latest preparation for the summer ahead.

The second day of the USA Swimming TYR Pro Swim Series unfolded in the Midwest, with names such as Caeleb Dressel, Regan Smith and Lilly King headlining the action. Here is an event-by-event breakdown of the night’s races.

Meet Results

Women’s 200 Freestyle

Courtesy: Peter Bick

Surging to a commanding lead during the early stages of the race, Simone Manuel fended off some late charges and delivered a victory in the 200 freestyle. Manuel touched the wall in 1:57.80, which was just .01 quicker than Brazil’s Maria de Oliveira da Silva and clear of the 1:58.08 of Claire Weinstein.

Training at Arizona State, Manuel is best known for her sprint prowess in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, but has always been a strong performer over 200 meters. She went out in 27.13 and came through the midway point in 56.66. While the field closed on Manuel down the stretch, the Team USA veteran had too much of a cushion to overcome.

The triumph by Manuel is the latest positive sign in her pursuit of a bid to the Olympic Games in Paris.

Men’s 200 Freestyle

Behind a strong back half, Drew Kibler pulled away from the field and posted a winning time of 1:46.02. Sitting in second place through the 100-meter mark, Kibler split 27.27 on the third length and closed in 27.26 on the final lap to finish comfortably ahead of Cal’s Gabriel Jett, who was the runnerup in 1:47.16. Jett was followed by Kieran Smith in 1:47.21.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke

Olympic champion Lilly King put together a dominant triumph, as she bolted to the lead on the opening lap and never looked back. King earned the win in 1:06.68, which was more than two seconds quicker than the 1:08.89 of runnerup Andrea Podmanikova. King went out un 31.26 and returned in 35.42.

King is looking to qualify for her third Olympic Games this summer. The American star was the gold medalist in the 100 breaststroke at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and followed with a bronze medal in the event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke

Iceland’s Anton McKee went wire-to-wire to prevail in the 100 breaststroke. McKee touched the wall in 1:00.48, which was comfortably ahead of the 1:01.02 of Tommy Cope. Finishing in the third spot was Will Licon, who covered his two laps in 1:01.21.

Women’s 100 Butterfly

Heading into the final of the 100 butterfly, there was anticipation for a duel between Team USA stars Torri Huske and Regan Smith. The showdown was not disappointing, as both athletes turned in stellar times, with Huske getting the victory in 56.13. Smith was right behind in 56.36, with third place going to high school standout Leah Shackley in 58.39.

Courtesy: Peter Bick

A former world champion in the 100 fly, Huske went out in 26.03 for her opening 50 meters, early speed which allowed her to build a .80 margin on Smith. Down the last length, Smith cut into Huske’s lead, as she split 29.53. However, Huske closed in 30.10, which was quick enough to maintain her early edge.

Huske’s performance confirms her status as one of the frontrunners for the title at the Olympic Trials. As for Smith, she’ll certainly be a factor if she opts to include the 100 fly on her program, which will undoubtedly feature the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke and 200 fly.

Men’s 100 Butterfly

Courtesy: Peter Bick

Reigning Olympic champion and new father Caeleb Dressel reeled in the field over the closing 50 meters to grab first place in his preparation for the Olympic Trials. Dressel stopped the clock in 51.27 to register a half-second win over Dare Rose (51.77). Dressel was third at the turn in 24.34, trailing Santo Condorelli and Rose, but the world-record holder went 26.93 for his last lap to pull away.

By going 51-low, Dressel provided a barometer that his training toward Trials is progressing nicely. His remaining events during the weekend, the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, will bring additional clarity.

Women’s 400 Individual Medley

Teenagers Leah Hayes and Katie Grimes finished first and second in the 400 medley, with Hayes the sole swimmer in the field to crack 4:40. In second through the first half of the race, trailing Grimes, Hayes moved into first place on the first length of breaststroke and didn’t look back. She touched the wall in 4:39.36.

Grimes checked in with a 4:40.98, but will be a major presence at the Olympic Trials. Grimes was the silver medalist in the 400 IM at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka and has already qualified to contest the open-water 10K at the Paris Games.

Men’s 400 Individual Medley

Celebrating his 30th birthday, Chase Kalisz came out on top of his prime event. After sneaking into the final with an eighth-place time in prelims, Kalisz led from the start during the evening session, ultimately winning in 4:13.52. That time enabled Kalisz to defeat David Johnston, who touched in 4:14.94.

Kalisz is the reigning Olympic champion and continues to excel, now into his 30s. He went through the butterfly leg in 56.42 and had almost a two-second lead on Jay Litherland at the midway point. In routine Kalisz fashion, he was more than three seconds up on Johnston after the breaststroke. Litherland finished in third place in 4:16.38.

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