TYR Pro Series, Day Two Prelims: Katie Ledecky Notches Solid 400 Free in Prelims
Following an evening of distance racing, in which Katie Ledecky made her return to competitive waters after a year hiatus brought in by COVID-19, the USA Swimming TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio opened with preliminaries on Thursday morning. Competition was held in the 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle. Here is a look at how the prelims unfolded in each of those events, which are being used as tuneups for this summer’s Olympic Trials.
Women’s 100 Freestyle
The reigning co-Olympic champion in the 100 freestyle, Simone Manuel returned to competition for the first time in a year by claiming the top seed in best event. Manuel comfortably posted a time of 54.36 to best the other two sub-55 efforts in the field, a 54.70 by Abbey Weitzeil and a 54.98 by Katie Ledecky. Look for Manuel to push for a sub-54 performance during the evening session.
For Ledecky, her showing in prelims was a sign that she is carrying solid speed to go with her always-present endurance. Following Ledecky in fourth place was Linnea Mack in 55.03. Competing in an event that is not one of her main disciplines, Regan Smith advancd to the final in 55.23.
Event 3 Women 100 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 51.71 7/23/2017 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
American: A 52.04 7/26/2019 Simone Manuel, USA
U.S. Open: O 52.54 7/25/2018 Simone Manuel, Stanford Swimmin
Jr World: J 52.70 8/11/2016 Penny Oleksiak, CAN
Pro Swim: P 53.12 2016 Sarah Sjostrom
55.56 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
56.29 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Simone Manuel 24 Alto Swim Club 52.04 54.36 q
r:+0.73 26.26 54.36 (28.10)
2 Abbey Weitzeil 24 California Aquat 53.18 54.70 q
r:+0.67 26.17 54.70 (28.53)
3 Katie Ledecky 23 Nation's Capital 55.17 54.98 q
r:+0.67 26.86 54.98 (28.12)
4 Linnea Mack 25 Team Elite 54.78 55.03 q
r:+0.73 26.14 55.03 (28.89)
5 Kathryn McLaugh 23 California Aquat 54.15 55.21 q
r:+0.70 26.98 55.21 (28.23)
5 Olivia Smoliga 26 Athens Bulldog S 54.15 55.21 q
r:+0.68 26.58 55.21 (28.63)
7 Regan Smith 19 Riptide 55.64 55.23 q
r:+0.72 26.79 55.23 (28.44)
8 *Beryl Gastalde 26 Aggie Swim Club 53.40 55.29 q
r:+0.62 26.39 55.29 (28.90)
Men’s 100 Freestyle
One of the guys with a great deal to prove this summer is Maxime Rooney, whose opportunity to race for Texas at last year’s NCAA Championships was wiped out by the pandemic. Rooney had a stellar summer in 2019 and could be in line for an Olympic berth to Tokyo in several months. He topped the men’s 100 free field in San Antonio in 49.40, one of six swims under the 50-second barrier.
Blake Pieroni was right behind Rooney in 49.53 while Andrew Seliskar (49.74), Zach Apple (49.77) and Ryan Held (49.80) followed. Nathan Adrian, the Olympic champion from 2012, finished 10th in prelims and will race in the consolation final after a time of 50.25. He was matchd by Caeleb Dressel, the reigning world champion.
Event 4 Men 100 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 46.91 7/30/2009 Cesar Cielo Filho, BRA
American: A 46.96 7/25/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
U.S. Open: O 47.39 7/31/2019 Ryan Held, New York Athleti
Jr World: J 47.57 10/30/2020Andrei Minakov, RUS
Pro Swim: P 48.00 2016 Nathan Adrian
49.74 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
50.49 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Maxime Rooney 22 Pleasanton Seaha 47.61 49.40 q
r:+0.61 23.44 49.40 (25.96)
2 Blake Pieroni 25 Sandpipers Of Ne 47.87 49.53 q
r:+0.64 23.90 49.53 (25.63)
3 Andrew Seliskar 24 California Aquat 48.80 49.74 q
r:+0.61 23.75 49.74 (25.99)
4 Zach Apple 23 Mission Viejo Na 47.69 49.77 q
r:+0.62 23.97 49.77 (25.80)
5 Ryan Held 25 New York Athleti 47.39 49.80 q
r:+0.61 23.57 49.80 (26.23)
6 Coleman Stewart 23 Wolfpack Elite 49.84 49.93 q
r:+0.61 24.04 49.93 (25.89)
7 Justin Ress 23 Wolfpack Elite 49.18 50.00 q
r:+0.67 23.97 50.00 (26.03)
8 Tate Jackson 24 Longhorn Aquatic 47.88 50.12 q
r:+0.71 23.97 50.12 (26.15)
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Despite the absence of Olympic champion Lilly King from the field, the women’s 100 breaststroke featured a strong lineup, with Molly Hannis leading the morning performances with a 1:07.89 mark, the only effort under 1:08. Hannis had a strong International Swimming League campaign in late 2020 and will battle in the final with Annie Lazor, who came in at 1:08.02.
Well-known names occupied the third through sixth positions. Emily Escobedo, better known for her 200 breaststroke ability, was third in 1:09.05, followed by Madisyn Cox (1:09.50), Melanie Margalis (1:09.52) and Micah Sumrall (1:09.57).
Event 5 Women 100 LC Meter Breaststroke
==================================================================
World: W 1:04.13 7/25/2017 Lilly King, USA
American: A 1:04.13 7/25/2017 Lilly King, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:04.45 8/7/2009 Jessica Hardy, Trojan
Jr World: J 1:05.39 8/20/2014 Ruta Meilutyte, LTU
Pro Swim: P 1:05.57 2011 Rebecca Soni
1:09.55 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:10.99 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Molly Hannis 28 Tennessee Aquati 1:06.43 1:07.89 q
r:+0.69 32.30 1:07.89 (35.59)
2 Annie Lazor 26 Mission Viejo Na 1:06.03 1:08.02 q
r:+0.69 31.92 1:08.02 (36.10)
3 Emily Escobedo 25 Condors Swim Clu 1:07.11 1:09.05 q
r:+0.66 32.80 1:09.05 (36.25)
4 Madisyn Cox 25 Longhorn Aquatic 1:07.30 1:09.50 q
r:+0.66 26.54 1:09.50 (42.96)
5 Melanie Margali 29 Saint Petersburg 1:07.20 1:09.52 q
r:+0.65 32.92 1:09.52 (36.60)
6 Micah Sumrall 30 Gamecock Aquatic 1:07.40 1:09.57 q
r:+0.70 33.07 1:09.57 (36.50)
7 Letitia Sim 18 TNT Swimming 1:08.31 1:10.02 q
r:+0.66 33.06 1:10.02 (36.96)
8 Eva Carlson 18 The Dolphins Por 1:10.81 1:10.74 q
r:+0.70 33.25 1:10.74 (37.49)
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
The search for a reliable 100 breaststroker for the American medley relay at this summer’s Olympic Games will be a major storyline over the next few months, particularly with Great Britain featuring Adam Peaty on that leg. As the 100 breaststroke concluded in San Antonio, Michael Andrew held the top seed for finals following a 1:00.23 showing.
Kevin Cordes (1:00.97) and Nic Fink (1:00.97) were also under 1:01. In finals, it would be a positive development if one of the athletes could clock a time in the 59-mid range or faster to provide some indication that a 58-second effort is manageable at the peak of competition in the summer.
Event 6 Men 100 LC Meter Breaststroke
==================================================================
World: W 56.88 7/21/2019 Adam Peaty, GBR
American: A 58.64 7/23/2017 Kevin Cordes, USA
U.S. Open: O 58.74 6/30/2017 Kevin Cordes/Jaoa Gomes, Unattached-SE
Jr World: J 59.01 8/23/2017 Nicolo Martinenghi, ITA
Pro Swim: P 58.86 2017 Adam Peaty
1:01.97 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:03.29 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Michael Andrew 21 Race Pace Club 59.14 1:00.23 q
r:+0.70 27.88 1:00.23 (32.35)
2 Kevin Cordes 27 Athens Bulldog S 1:00.21 1:00.81 q
r:+0.71 22.47 1:00.81 (38.34)
3 Nic Fink 27 Athens Bulldog S 59.94 1:00.97 q
r:+0.71 22.25 1:00.97 (38.72)
4 Josh Prenot 27 California Aquat 1:00.76 1:01.83 q
r:+0.67 29.28 1:01.83 (32.55)
5 *Rafal Kusto 21 NC State Univers 1:03.00 1:02.29 q
r:+0.65 29.12 1:02.29 (33.17)
6 Will Licon 26 Longhorn Aquatic 1:00.68 1:02.35 q
r:+0.70 26.21 1:02.35 (36.14)
7 Brandon Fischer 32 Livermore Aqua C 59.86 1:02.74 q
r:+0.71 29.06 1:02.74 (33.68)
8 *Jacob Heidtman 26 Team Elite 1:03.04 1:02.80 q
r:+0.71 29.71 1:02.80 (33.09)
Women’s 200 Butterfly
It can be argued that Hali Flickinger, Regan Smith and Katie Drabot are the top-three favorites to represent Team USA in Tokyo in the 200 butterfly, and that’s exactly the order the women finished during prelims. Flickinger was easily the fastest of the bunch, as she pushed the pace in the morning and exited the pool with a time of 2:07.20.
Smith, the world-record holder in both backstroke events, was timed in 2:10.79, with Drabot just behind in 2:10.87. The 200 fly is likely Smith’s third event on her Olympic Trials program.
Event 7 Women 200 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 2:01.81 10/21/2009Zige Liu, CHN
American: A 2:04.14 7/30/2009 Mary Descenza, USA
U.S. Open: O 2:05.87 7/25/2018 Hali Flickinger, Athens Bulldog-G
Jr World: J 2:06.29 4/15/2017 Suzuka Hasegawa, JPN
Pro Swim: P 2:06.11 3/5/2020 Hali Flickinger, Sun Devil Swimmi
2:12.56 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
2:14.59 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Hali Flickinger 26 Sun Devil Swimmi 2:05.96 2:07.20 q
r:+0.72 28.89 1:00.68 (31.79)
1:33.40 (32.72) 2:07.20 (33.80)
2 Regan Smith 19 Riptide 2:06.39 2:10.79 q
r:+0.74 29.29 1:02.81 (33.52)
1:36.40 (33.59) 2:10.79 (34.39)
3 Katie Drabot 23 Alto Swim Club 2:06.59 2:10.87 q
r:+0.73 29.24 1:02.09 (32.85)
1:35.74 (33.65) 2:10.87 (35.13)
4 Leah Gingrich 31 Columbus Aquatic 2:09.84 2:11.19 q
r:+0.71 29.75 1:03.34 (33.59)
1:37.15 (33.81) 2:11.19 (34.04)
5 *Remedy Rule 24 Longhorn Aquatic 2:09.58 2:11.43 q
r:+0.66 29.46 1:02.54 (33.08)
1:36.59 (34.05) 2:11.43 (34.84)
6 Haley Anderson 29 Mission Viejo Na 2:12.88 2:11.60 q
r:+0.76 30.09 1:03.78 (33.69)
1:37.71 (33.93) 2:11.60 (33.89)
7 Lillie Nordmann 18 Alto Swim Club 2:07.43 2:13.84 q
r:+0.73 29.84 1:03.97 (34.13)
1:38.21 (34.24) 2:13.84 (35.63)
8 Tess Howley 16 Long Island Aqua 2:10.25 2:13.94 q
r:+0.71 30.47 1:03.84 (33.37)
1:38.14 (34.30) 2:13.94 (35.80)
Men’s 200 Butterfly
It was a rather sluggish morning in the men’s 200 butterfly as Chase Kalisz was the lone swimmer to break two minutes, his 1:59.59 good for the top seed over the 2:00.00 of Zach Harting. Jay Litherland checked in at No. 3, with Zheng Quah going 2:00.92 and Jack Saunderson on 2:00.94.
Tom Shields and Caeleb Dressel also finished in the top eight with respective times of 2:01.55 and 2:01.62.
Event 8 Men 200 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 1:50.73 7/24/2019 Kristof Milak, HUN
American: A 1:51.51 7/29/2009 Michael Phelps, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:52.20 7/2/2008 Michael Phelps, Club Wolverine
Jr World: J 1:53.79 6/30/2017 Kristof Milak, HUN
Pro Swim: P 1:53.84 6/14/2019 Gianluca Urlando, DART Swimming-SN
1:59.63 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
2:01.19 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Chase Kalisz 26 Athens Bulldog S 1:56.55 1:59.59 q
r:+0.72 26.26 57.24 (30.98)
1:28.40 (31.16) 1:59.59 (31.19)
2 Zach Harting 23 Cardinal Aquatic 1:55.26 2:00.00 q
r:+0.62 27.09 57.84 (30.75)
1:28.62 (30.78) 2:00.00 (31.38)
3 Jay Litherland 25 Dynamo Swim Club 1:57.99 2:00.61 q
r:+0.78 26.99 57.67 (30.68)
1:28.69 (31.02) 2:00.61 (31.92)
4 *Zheng Quah 24 California Aquat 1:56.61 2:00.92 q
r:+0.60 26.63 57.66 (31.03)
1:29.05 (31.39) 2:00.92 (31.87)
5 Jack Saunderson 23 Wolfpack Elite 1:57.81 2:00.94 q
r:+0.62 26.95 58.16 (31.21)
1:29.00 (30.84) 2:00.94 (31.94)
6 Tom Shields 29 California Aquat 1:56.12 2:01.55 q
r:+0.76 26.66 57.80 (31.14)
1:28.98 (31.18) 2:01.55 (32.57)
7 Caeleb Dressel 24 Gator Swim Club 1:56.29 2:01.62 q
r:+0.61 27.60 58.81 (31.21)
1:30.27 (31.46) 2:01.62 (31.35)
8 Raunak Khosla 20 Dynamo Swim Club 1:59.22 2:01.65 q
r:+0.68 27.40 58.48 (31.08)
1:30.24 (31.76) 2:01.65 (31.41)
Women’s 400 Freestyle
After winning the 1500 freestyle on Wednesday night, Katie Ledecky moved into another one of her domains and put down an excellent prelim swim in the 400 freestyle. Earning the top seed by more than five seconds, Ledecky touched the wall in 4:04.72. Earlier in the session, she qualified third in the 100 freestyle.
Leah Smith, long the United States No. 2 in the distance ranks behind Ledecky, went 4:09.76 for the second seed, with Joanna Evans (4:10.65) and Katie McLaughlin (4:11.35) following.
Event 9 Women 400 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 3:56.46 8/7/2016 Katie Ledecky, USA
American: A 3:56.46 8/7/2016 Katie Ledecky, USA
U.S. Open: O 3:57.94 5/17/2018 Katie Ledecky, Stanford
Jr World: J 3:58.37 8/23/2014 Katie Ledecky, USA
Pro Swim: P 3:57.94 5/17/2018 Katie Ledecky, Stanford Swimmin
4:13.28 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
4:16.89 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Katie Ledecky 23 Nation's Capital 3:59.28 4:04.72 q
r:+0.68 28.38 58.98 (30.60)
1:29.54 (30.56) 2:00.56 (31.02)
2:31.24 (30.68) 3:02.52 (31.28)
3:33.67 (31.15) 4:04.72 (31.05)
2 Leah Smith 25 Unattached 4:01.29 4:09.76 q
r:+0.68 28.82 59.79 (30.97)
1:31.25 (31.46) 2:03.10 (31.85)
2:34.93 (31.83) 3:06.95 (32.02)
3:38.62 (31.67) 4:09.76 (31.14)
3 *Joanna Evans 23 Longhorn Aquatic 4:11.06 4:10.65 q
r:+0.70 28.58 59.37 (30.79)
1:30.52 (31.15) 2:02.24 (31.72)
2:34.08 (31.84) 3:06.13 (32.05)
3:38.83 (32.70) 4:10.65 (31.82)
4 Kathryn McLaugh 23 California Aquat 4:12.79 4:11.35 q
r:+0.71 29.27 1:01.07 (31.80)
1:33.14 (32.07) 2:04.96 (31.82)
2:36.38 (31.42) 3:08.51 (32.13)
3:40.49 (31.98) 4:11.35 (30.86)
5 Emma Weyant 19 Sarasota Sharks 4:09.07 4:11.46 q
r:+0.74 29.48 1:00.63 (31.15)
1:32.36 (31.73) 2:04.12 (31.76)
2:36.06 (31.94) 3:08.15 (32.09)
3:40.12 (31.97) 4:11.46 (31.34)
6 Haley Anderson 29 Mission Viejo Na 4:07.77 4:11.65 q
r:+0.76 29.26 1:00.64 (31.38)
1:32.30 (31.66) 2:04.23 (31.93)
2:36.05 (31.82) 3:08.12 (32.07)
3:40.28 (32.16) 4:11.65 (31.37)
7 Ashley Twichell 31 TAC Titans 4:07.77 4:12.32 q
r:+0.75 29.92 1:01.47 (31.55)
1:33.16 (31.69) 2:05.11 (31.95)
2:36.79 (31.68) 3:09.01 (32.22)
3:41.17 (32.16) 4:12.32 (31.15)
8 Ally McHugh 23 Wisconsin Aquati 4:07.08 4:12.67 q
r:+0.78 29.70 1:01.18 (31.48)
1:33.08 (31.90) 2:05.43 (32.35)
2:37.36 (31.93) 3:09.46 (32.10)
3:41.36 (31.90) 4:12.67 (31.31)
Men’s 400 Freestyle
Chris Wieser of DART took the top spot in the men’s 400 freestyle off of a prelim swim of 3:55.15, which was slightly faster than the 3:55.60 of Marwan El Kamash. Jordan Wilimovsky, coming off a win in the 1500 freestyle on Wednesday, qualified third in 3:55.98.
Event 10 Men 400 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 3:40.07 7/26/2009 Paul Biederman, GER
American: A 3:42.78 8/10/2008 Larsen Jensen, USA
U.S. Open: O 3:43.53 6/29/2008 Larsen Jensen, Trojan
Jr World: J 3:44.60 4/1/2014 Mack Horton, AUS
Pro Swim: P 3:43.55 2016 Sun Yang
3:54.21 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
3:57.29 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Chris Wieser 25 DART Swimming 3:50.23 3:55.15 q
r:+0.63 26.63 55.71 (29.08)
1:25.26 (29.55) 1:55.31 (30.05)
2:25.10 (29.79) 2:55.95 (30.85)
3:25.58 (29.63) 3:55.15 (29.57)
2 *Marwan El Kama 27 Indiana Swim Clu 3:48.62 3:55.60 q
r:+0.73 26.64 56.22 (29.58)
1:25.91 (29.69) 1:55.88 (29.97)
2:25.69 (29.81) 2:55.91 (30.22)
3:26.43 (30.52) 3:55.60 (29.17)
3 Jordan Wilimovs 26 KSwim 3:50.63 3:55.98 q
r:+0.67 27.23 56.79 (29.56)
1:26.43 (29.64) 1:56.56 (30.13)
2:26.43 (29.87) 2:56.52 (30.09)
3:26.45 (29.93) 3:55.98 (29.53)
4 Will Gallant 19 Mission Viejo Na 3:53.61 3:57.49 q
r:+0.66 27.33 56.64 (29.31)
1:26.35 (29.71) 1:56.67 (30.32)
2:26.72 (30.05) 2:57.06 (30.34)
3:27.36 (30.30) 3:57.49 (30.13)
5 *Jacob Heidtman 26 Team Elite 3:53.60 3:58.06 q
r:+0.70 26.90 56.66 (29.76)
1:26.57 (29.91) 1:56.94 (30.37)
2:27.01 (30.07) 2:57.42 (30.41)
3:27.84 (30.42) 3:58.06 (30.22)
6 Liam Custer 16 Sarasota Sharks 3:58.14 3:58.59 q
r:+0.68 26.77 56.03 (29.26)
1:25.67 (29.64) 1:55.66 (29.99)
2:26.06 (30.40) 2:56.80 (30.74)
3:27.86 (31.06) 3:58.59 (30.73)
7 Sam Stewart 24 YMCA Hub Fins 4:02.13 4:02.31 q
r:+0.67 26.89 56.41 (29.52)
1:26.99 (30.58) 1:57.85 (30.86)
2:29.11 (31.26) 3:00.90 (31.79)
3:31.99 (31.09) 4:02.31 (30.32)
8 *Erge Gezmis 23 NC State Univers 3:54.01 4:02.32 q
r:+0.73 27.92 58.62 (30.70)
1:28.82 (30.20) 1:59.94 (31.12)
2:30.71 (30.77) 3:01.59 (30.88)
3:32.17 (30.58) 4:02.32 (30.15)
