By Kate Walter, Swimming World Intern.
The first night of the 2019 Speedo Sectionals in Greensboro was full of nail-biter races, personal bests and victors of all ages. From Zachary Brown’s dominant performance in the 200 fly, to Lakeside Swim Team’s impressive relay standings, there was certainly no lack of excitement. Two teams in particular, Kentucky Aquatics and Wolfpack Elite, had very strong showings throughout tonight’s finals, with swimmers from both teams heavily populating the heats.
Full results can be found on Meet Mobile under “2019 ESSZ Summer Long Course Championship”. Click here to go to the results page.
Women’s 800 Free
Emily Ilgenfrtiz of Georgia Tech kicked of the evening of racing with an impressive 8:45.90 in the 800 freestyle, getting her hand to the wall 11 seconds before Bryn Handley of Kentucky Aquatics (8:56.63). Kentucky Aquatics went two and three in this event, with Handley’s teammate Ashley Neas touching in 9:00.19. Madeline Morello of Wolfpack Elite finished in 9:02.19, with Payton Neff of Kentucky Aquatics coming in fifth (9:04.56). Kelly Rodriguez rounded out the Kentucky Aquatics Squad with a 9:09.01 for sixth place. Rachel Klinker (9:10.23) of Lexington Dolphins and Madeleine Bachand of Marlins of Raleigh (9:13.15) finished seventh and eighth.
Men’s 800 Free
Curtis Wiltsey’s 8:11.09 in the Men’s 800 freestyle gave the Wolfpack Elite swimmer a comfortable seven second win in the event. Hank Siefert of Kentucky Aquatics came in second with a 8:18.42 and Jakob Clark of Metroplex Aquatics placed third (8:25.05). Daniel Blake, (8:30.25) Michael Moore, (8:34.40) Jared Carter, (8:34.96) Trent Lakes (8:39.46) and Bode Ringenbach (8:43.49) followed.
Women’s 200 IM
In the Women’s 200 IM, Emily Barksdale of Gamecock Aquatics came first in a time of 2:15.15, finishing over a second before Bailey Bonnett of Kentucky Aquatics (2:16.87). Kylee Alons of Wolfpack Elite was seeded first coming into finals but ended up finishing third, touching the wall in 2:17.29. Alon’s teammate Emma Muzzy placed fourth (2:18.71), narrowly edging out Lauren Poole of North Baltimore Aquatic Club (2:18.88). 17-year-old Claire Donan of Lakeside Swim Team came home in a time of 2:19.04, while teammate Annabel Crush finished in seventh, (2:20.16). Rounding out the ‘A’ Final for the 200 IM was Lauren Edelman of Kentucky Aquatics (2:22.45).
Men’s 200 IM
Zachary Hils of Lexington Dolphins surged to victory in the Men’s 200 IM (2:03.41), outouching Nicholas Smith of Kentucky Aquatics (2:03.73). Wolfpack Elite’s Paul Le took third, dropping a second off his prelims swim with a 2:04.45. Glen Brown (2:05.16) of Kentucky Aquatics and Alexander Taylor (2:06.35) of SwimAtlanta placed fifth and sixth, respectively, both swimming faster than their prelim times as well. Next to the wall was Kyle Barker of Kentucky Aquatics (2:06.65), edging out Michael Moore of the Marlins of Raleigh (2:06.95). The fourth athlete from Kentucky Aquatics to compete in the final was Timothy Ellett, coming in eighth place with a 2:07.70.
Women’s 50 Free
At 31-years-old Madison Kennedy of SwimMAC Carolina proved age is just a number in the women’s 50 freestyle, cruising to first place with a 25.51. Kennedy was the only athlete in the field to go a 25, beating Emma Cole of North Carolina Aquatics (26.21) and Annabel Crush (26.45). Close to follow was Unattached Anna Landon (26.58), Melissa Pish of Duke (26.69) and Riley Gaines of Kentucky Aquatics (26.76). Unattached swimmer Kayla Purcell (27.04) and Wolfpack Elite’s Sirena Rowe (27.22) came in seventh and eighth place.
Men’s 50 Free
Jacob Molacek secured Wolfpack Elite’s second win of the evening, touching the wall in a time of 22.67. Skyler Cook-Weeks of Queens University, took home second place (23.03), with John Mitchell of Kentucky Aquatics (23.18) and Allen Ross of Gamecock Aquatics (23.27) right on his tail. Wolfpack Elite swimmer Jacob Johnson placed fifth with a 23.54, followed by John Long of Queens University (23.55), Jason Head of Kentucky Aquatics (23.60) and Hunter Tapp (23.73) to round out the final.
Women’s 200 Fly
At 16-year-old, Amanda Ray of New Wave Swim Team emerged victorious in the intense field of the 200 fly, with a 2:13.32. Isabella Gati of Kentucky Aquatics was right behind with a 2:14.03, along with Easop Lee, going a 2:14.22. Diving into the pool once again after the 200 IM Final, teammates Lauren Edelman (2:14.37) and Bailey Bonnett (2:14.75) of Kentucky Aquatics touched the wall in fourth and fifth place. The final finishers in this competitive field were Jessica Nava of Cavalier Swimming (2:15.85), Rachel Klinker of Lexington Dolphins (2:17.12) and Ashely Worden of the Marlins of Raleigh (2:18.38).
Men’s 200 Fly
Zachary Brown of the Marlins of Raleigh dominated in the Men’s 200 fly, finishing four seconds ahead of any other competitor with a time of 1:57.14. Behind him was Mason Wilby of Kentucky Aquatics (2:01.33), Unattached Philip Manoff (2:01.38) and Thomas Bried (2:01.68) of Ace Aquatic Club, John Healy of Marlins of Raleigh (2:02.89) and Wilby’s teammate, Daniel Orcutt (2:05.04). The top six finishers in this event all dropped time from their prelims swims. Coming in sixth and seventh place were John Frith of Queens University (2:05.19) and Jackson Mussler (2:06.07) of Lakeside Swim Team.
Women’s 400 Free Relay
Relay Teams from Lakeside Swim Team went one and two in the Women’s 400 free relay, finishing in 3:53.66 and 4:00.09, respectively. Following the Lakeside Teams was the YMCA of the Triangle Area (4:01.85), The Marlins of Raleigh (4:05.18), and South Carolina Swim Club (4:07.17).
Men’s 400 Free Relay
The Men’s Lakeside Swim Team relay team (3:32.11) continued their teammates winning streak, touching the wall six seconds ahead of the second place Marlins of Raleigh Team (3:38.21). Finishing next was the YMCA of the Triangle Area (3:38.66), The Lakeside Swim Team “B” team (3:38.76), and South Carolina Swim Club (3:51.57).
The action continues tomorrow in Greensboro with prelims starting at 9 a.m. EST and finals at 6 p.m. EST.
Go Marlins!