U.S. World Short Course Trials, Day One Finals: Ryan Erisman Moves to No. 5 All-Time American in 800 Freestyle
The first night of the United States World Short Course Championships Trials was brief, but Cal’s Ryan Erisman provided a highlight by winning the men’s 800-meter freestyle in commanding fashion. Racing at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois, Erisman clocked a time of 7:34.84, a time that was more than 12 seconds clear of runnerup Leonardo Barbieri Alcantara (7:47.31).
There were only four entries in the men’s opening distance event, so Erisman was largely racing against the clock. He bolted to the front of the field from the start and became the fifth-fastest American performer in the history of the event. Through his victory, Erisman secured a bid to the World Short Course Championships, which will be held at the Water Cube in Beijing from December 1-6.
Erisman is coming off a stellar summer, one in which he registered career-best times in the long-course pool from the 200 freestyle through the 1500 freestyle, along with the 400 individual medley. He’ll be back in the pool in Suburban Chicago during the last three days of Trials, seeking to bolster his schedule for Beijing.
In the women’s 1500 freestyle, only Minnesota’s Katie McCarthy contested the event, posting a B qualification time of 16:10.50 in her battle with the clock.