{"id":589361,"date":"2024-06-21T10:12:21","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T17:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=589361"},"modified":"2024-06-21T10:12:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T17:12:21","slug":"olympic-trials-day-6-prelims-katie-ledecky-stays-true-to-form-ashley-twichell-sneaks-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/olympic-trials-day-6-prelims-katie-ledecky-stays-true-to-form-ashley-twichell-sneaks-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympic Trials Day 6 Prelims: Katie Ledecky Stays True to Form; Ashley Twichell Sneaks In"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S Olympic Trials Day 6 Prelims: Katie Ledecky Stays True to Form in First: Ashley Twichell Sneaks In <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In an event where the audience generally knows the outcome of the first-place finisher, we were left debating who was going to occupy the remaining seven spots in the final on Saturday, especially with the scratch of Katie Grimes<\/strong>. The final seats were all taken by swimmers in the final two heats of the morning’s prelims swim.<\/p>\n

Sixteen-year-old rising star Kayla Han<\/strong>, took an early command of the second heat of the circle. But her job was not over so quickly as she had 2024 Olympic qualifier, Paige Madden<\/strong>, third place finisher in the 400-meter free, Jillian Cox<\/strong>, World Junior Champion, Katie Hurst<\/strong>, and the most decorated open water swimmer, Ashley Twichell,<\/strong> to answer to throughout the remainder of the race \u2013 not an easy heat to race in the slightest.<\/p>\n

In the end it wasn\u2019t enough, as Cox took first with a time of 8:31.58, which will seed her in the second position at finals. Madden touched with 8:31.80 for the third seed and Hurst will be fifth with a time of 8:32.24. Twichell snuck into the final in the eighth-place position with a time of 8:33.93.<\/p>\n

Then there was the ending that we all knew was going to happen: Katie Ledecky<\/strong> got in the water and did what she does best \u2013 distance freestyle. To no one\u2019s surprise, she won the heat and will be seeded first in the final with a time of 8:17.70.<\/p>\n

The rest of the Olympic Trials heat was left to battle each other in Ledecky\u2019s wake. Solidifying her spot in second in the heat was Aurora Roghair<\/strong> with a time of 8:31.59 \u2013 she will be seeded third going into the final. Rachel Stege<\/strong> also earned a second swim, in the sixth seed position, with a time of 8:32.38.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n