In true form, Argentina’s distance stalwart Delfina Pignatiello stole away with the win in the women’s 1500 free at the 2019 Pan American Games, clocking in at 16:16.54 to better Kristel Kobrich Shimpl’s (16:18.19) mark by over a second and a half. Pignatiello holds the tenth fastest time in the world this year, which she set earlier this summer at the Mare Nostrum Series in Barcelona. Coming off a decisive 800 free win earlier this week, the Argentinian is poised to make some international noise in the coming year.
Rebecca Mann managed to tally another medal for the United States, as her time of 16:23.23 was good enough for third. The University of Southern California senior was able to acquire a healthy lead over compatriot Mariah Denigan (16:27.50), a Kentucky native headed into her junior year of high school. The Class of 2021 youngster still forced her name on the scene despite missing the podium, touching ahead of Brazil’s Viviane Jungblut (16:30.00) and Mexico’s Ayumi Macías (16:35.34) in order to lock down fourth. Brazil’s second-in-command distance weapon, Ana Marcela Cunha, clocked in at 16:39.83 for seventh, gaining a commanding lead over María García (17:13.27) of Peru.
