U.S. Nationals: Katie Ledecky Hits Another Best Time in 200 Fly Time Trial

Katie Ledecky -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Nationals: Katie Ledecky Hits Another Best Time in 200 Fly Time Trial

Katie Ledecky’s experimentation with “fun” events at U.S. Nationals continued Friday as she raced in a time trial of the 200 butterfly. Ledecky concluded her slate of typical events Thursday when she won the 400 IM to finish the meet three-for-three (after previously topping the field in the 800 free and 200 free), and the 400 IM was a personal-best time. She hit her fastest time ever once again in the 200 fly time trial.

Ledecky touched in 2:15.20, erasing her previous top time of 2:15.69 set back in May 2014, which was also the last time Ledecky competed in the event. She was out in 1:02.81 over the first 100 meters, but she faded on the back stretch. Usually, that indicates a lack of fitness, but that’s certainly not the case for Ledecky. She is not accustomed to racing butterfly, and she paid for her early speed on the last length, where she split 37.04.

Ledecky is expected to conclude the meet with another time trial, this time in the 200 IM, on Saturday.

Also racing in Friday’s time trial session was Leah Smith, who swam the 100 breaststroke and finished in 1:11.10. The 400 free World Championships bronze medalist finished was just off the Nationals qualifying time of 1:10.99, but the time is believed to be her lifetime best by five seconds, with her previous recorded best a 1:16.18 in 2015.

Grant House went under 49 seconds for the first time in the 100 freestyle as he clocked 48.98. The Arizona State swimmer and NCAA Championships runnerup in the 200-yard free previously swam a time of 1:46.68 to take fourth in Wednesday’s 200 free final.

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