TYR Pro Swim Series – Mission Viejo: Torri Huske Notches Impressive Double; Claire Curzan Shines in 100 Back (Women’s Recap)

TYR Pro Swim Series – Mission Viejo: Torri Huske Notches Impressive Double; Claire Curzan Shines in 100 Back (Women’s Recap)

The summer campaign is fast-approaching, with the United States National Championships scheduled for five weeks from now, followed by the World Championships in Fukuoka. Consequently, athletes are fine-tuning their preparation, including Claire Curzan and Torri Huske. As the TYR Pro Series stop in Mission Viejo came to a conclusion on Saturday night, Curzan and Huske each contested three finals, including head-to-head duels in the 100-meter butterfly and 50 freestyle.

Here is what unfolded during the Night Four finals at the Marguerite Aquatic Center.

Women’s 800 Freestyle

Already the winner of the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle, the Sandpipers’ Bella Sims earned her third freestyle victory of the meet when she prevailed over 16 laps in 8:29.85. A University of Florida recruit, Sims surged to a two-second advantage over the opening 100 meters and never looked back. She was followed in second place by 14-year-old standout Kayla Han, who touched the wall in 8:32.88.

Women’s 100 Backstroke

Contesting the first of three finals on the evening, Claire Curzan claimed a comfortable triumph in the 100 backstroke, going 59.00 for a half-second decision over Isabelle Stadden (59.56). Curzan was out in 28.89 and came home in 30.11, with the race serving as the opening act of a night that was also scheduled to include the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle. Olivia Smoliga was the third-place finisher in 1:00.01.

Having recently announced she will take a redshirt year from competing for Stanford University ahead of the 2024 Olympic Trials, Curzan will have several opportunities to represent the United States at the next Olympiad in Paris. Although the 100 backstroke is one of the deepest events in the American arsenal, Curzan has demonstrated considerable improvement in the 100 back over the past year.

Women’s 200 Breaststroke

American ace Lilly King completed a sweep of the breaststroke ace by dominating the field over four laps. King turned in a clocking of 2:25.34 in the 200 breaststroke, a win which backed up earlier first-place showings in the 50 breast and 100 breast. King was never challenged and looks in strong shape on the road to the World Championships, where King is the reigning gold medalist in the 200 breast. Canadian Tess Cieplucha was the runnerup in 2:28.14.

Women’s 100 Butterfly

Reigning world champion Torri Huske put together a dominant effort in the 100 fly, going sub-57 in a stacked field. Huske checked in with a winning time of 56.84, thanks to splits of 26.63 and 30.21. Huske’s showing was enough to hold off Claire Curzan, who earlier won the 100 backstroke. In the fly, Curzan turned in a swim of 57.26 and placed ahead of Kelly Pash, who went 57.89.

Women’s 200 Individual Medley

Just minutes after she came out on top in the 100 fly, Torri Huske picked up a win in the 200 medley, as her mark of 2:11.88 was fast enough to defeat Alicia Wilson (2:12.62). Huske opened with a fly split of 27.28 and followed with a backstroke leg of 34.46. Huske went through the back half with a breaststroke split of 39.13 and a freestyle anchor of 31.01.

Women’s 50 Freestyle

Wrapping up a double in the sprint-freestyle events, Abbey Weitzeil stormed to first place in the 50 freestyle in 24.59, an effort that was .23 clear of Poland’s Kasia Wasick (24.82). Simone Manuel finished third in 25.22, the best effort of her comeback and since joining the training group at Arizona State. Claire Curzan was fourth in 25.29, the event her third of the session.

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