U.S. Nationals: Third Times a Charm, Bobby Finke Takes Home Another National Title

Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

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Men’s 800 free (Bobby Finke)

Bobby Finke is racking up national championship titles this week. In addition to his gold medals in the men’s 1500 free and the men’s 400 I.M., Finke adds another one to the collection. Posting a time of 7:47.58, Finke earned himself his third national title as he won the men’s 800 free tonight. Finke held solid 29’s throughout the race, and swam a personal best, dropping nearly four seconds. Finke is now ranked 11th in the world in the 800 free and is the fastest American this year.

Second place went to Boulder City Henderson Swim, Zane Grothe. Grothe started the race of quick before settling into his pace and hitting the touch-pad at 7:50.47, nearly three seconds behind Finke.

Michael Brinegar, a Mission Viejo Nadadores swimmer, finished in third with a time of 7:54.56. The Indiana University junior split mainly 30’s and scattered 29’s throughout the race in order to solidify a spot on the podium tonight.

Just shy off qualifying for the podium was Australian swimmer, Elijah Winnington,. Finishing in fourth place, Winnington hit the wall at 7:55.11. Winnington has two national titles so far from this years competition; one of which he swam last night in the A final of the men’s 400 free.

Finishing in fifth place was Ross Dant. Dant, a NC State swimmer, split strong 29’s in the beginning of the race, but lost endurance and dropped into the 30’s for the majority of the remaining 50’s. Coming in at the wall at 7:56.03, Dant was right behind Brinegar.

After being scratched into the event, Eric Knowles finished in sixth place with a time of 7:57 flat.

Italian swimmer, Johannes Calloni, swam a time of 7:58.76, finishing in seventh place. Despite not swimming a personal best, Calloni was very consistent with his splitting as he maintained mid 30’s throughout.

Another individual thrown into the ring of fire after scratches form prelims was Jake Mitchell. Mitchell held his own and finished in eighth with a time of 7:59.15.

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