USA Swimming Pro Swim Series, Day 3 Prelims: Summer McIntosh, Leon Marchand Lead 400 IMs
The morning after their sweeps in the 200 individual medleys, Summer McIntosh and Leon Marchand were back in the water Friday in the 400 IMs.
They’re on track for the same results, the two reigning Olympic champions leading the way at the USA Swimming Pro Swim Series In Austin. Both swimmers relished in competing at their home training base, with McIntosh setting the top time by nearly 10 seconds and Marchand nearly five seconds to the good against admittedly limited fields.
The action from Friday morning:
Women’s 200 freestyle
Anna Peplowski led the way in prelims with a time of 1:58.49, one of three swimmers to break two minutes. Joining her in that club are Simone Manuel in 1:59.25 and Claire Weinstein in 1:59.88.
It’s a very American A final, with Rylee Erisman following in 2:00.34. Chloe Stepanek was fifth. Teens Blakeley Hammel and Brinkleigh Hansen are also in the A final.
Men’s 200 freestyle
The American men lead the way in the 200, with Luke Hobson out front. He won the final prelims heat in 1:47.40, .33 seconds up on Chris Guiliano. Gabriel Jett, Ryan Erisman and Carson Foster added 147s from the American contingent. Lucas Henveaux was sixth.
A handful of veterans missed out on the A final. That includes Brooks Curry in ninth in 1:48.66 and Kieran Smith in 10th. Jack Alexy was 12th. A spread of 1.26 seconds separated the top 10.
Women’s 50 butterfly
The youth led the way in the sprint, a thin roster despite the emphasis on sprint prizes as this meet. Charlotte Crush finished first in 26.93. Mena Boardman was second in 27.02, .03 up on Bermudian Emma Harvey. French veteran Marie Wattel was fourth in 27.11. Lindsay Looney wrapped up the A final in eighth in 27.94.
Simone Manuel scratched the 50 fly.
Men’s 50 butterfly
Finn Brooks led the way in prelims with a time of 23.14. HE was .16 up on Maxime Grousset. Caeleb Dressel finished third in 23.65. Fourth was Masahiro Kawane of Japan, with Van Mathias fifth.
This event, like the women’s 50 fly, will go through semifinals Friday night.
Women’s 400 individual medley
No one was catching Summer McIntosh in the morning, the Canadian world-beater going 4:37.89. No one got particularly close, with Emma Weyant second in 4:47.25. It’s then another eight seconds back to Teagan O’Dell in third. Rowyn Wilber was the only other swimmer to break five minutes.
Men’s 400 individual medley
Leon Marchand’s dominance was not quite to that degree but still pretty convincing. The Frenchman led the way with a time of 4:21.60. He’s nearly five seconds up on teen Wilson York.
Third place in prelims was Bobby Finke in 4:26.60, after his revival in this event last year. Gerhardt Hoover went 4:30.18 for fourth place.
Women’s 50 backstroke
Only 17 swimmers were left for the women’s 50 back, which more or less sets an academic semifinal field Friday night. Beryl Gastaldello led the way, the French veteran clocking in at 28.11. Her countrywoman Analia Pigree was third in 28.86.
Second place went to 100 back champ Regan Smith in 28.52. Seven swimmers broke 30 seconds, with Emma Harvey fourth and Charlotte Crush fifth.
Men’s 50 backstroke
The men’s back field was only slightly deeper, with 18 swimmers once Jack Alexy scratched. Shaine Casas paced the field with a time of 25.37. He was .12 seconds up on 100 back bronze medalist Grant Bochenski. Frenchmen Yohann Ndoye Brouard and Mathys Chouchaoui were third and fifth, respectively, with American Luke Barr in between in 25.95.