Editorial content for the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa is sponsored by Arena. For full Swimming World coverage, check out our coverage page.
The men’s side of the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa started out with a win from Marcelo Acosta of the University of Louisville in the 800 meter free in 8:10.85.
Acosta used a strong back half to haul in Daniel O’Connor of Mission Viejo and held off Nick Norman, also from Mission Viejo, for the event win.
O’Connor took out the event hard and had a body length lead at the 200 mark. Acosta and Norman caught up with O’Connor and the three swam stroke for stroke from the 500 mark until Acosta started to pull away ever so slightly with a 100 to go. Norman had an extra gear for the last 75 meters, but Acosta was able to hold him off for the win.
Norman finished second in 8:11.14 with O’Connor finishing in third in 8:12.76.
Felipe Tapia from Chile swam to a fourth place finish in a time of 8:18.75.
Tapia, who swam in heat two of this event and not in the same heat as Acosta, Norman and O’Connor, lead his heat from start to finish and took advantage of the timed final format.
Top 8 finishers in the men’s 800 free:
1. Marcelo Acosta, UOFL- 8:10.85
2. Nick Norman, MVN- 8:11.14
3. Daniel O’Connor, MFN- 8:12.76
4. Felipe Tapia, Chile- 8:18.75
5. Ty Fowler, FORD- 8:20.46
6. Sheng Jun Pang, Singapore- 8:25.93
7. Nick Hogsed, FORD- 8:26.01
8. Shane Forker, MVN- 8:26.33