2019 TYR Pro Swim Series Clovis: Erica Sullivan, Chris Wieser Climb American Ranks in 800 Free Runner-Up Finishes
![erica-sullivan-](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/erica-sullivan-tyr-pro-indy-2018-0086-1024x768.jpg)
The first night of racing at the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series Clovis featured the women’s and men’s 800 Freestyle. The meet will run from June 12-15 in Clovis, California at the Clovis North High School Aquatics Complex.
While Leah Smith and Akaram Mahmoud earned the two victories of the night, it was Erica Sullivan and Chris Wieser that earned season-best times after placing second overall in the event. Both Sullivan and Wieser moved to third in the American season rankings with their times. Sullivan also worked her way into the worldwide top-ten for the year.
Women’s 800 Freestyle
Leah Smith cruised to victory in the opening event of the meet. Her time of 8:22.87 was off her season-best 8:16.33 from the Richmond stop of this Pro Swim Series. She was not far off her pace at the halfway point, coming in at 4:09.88 today opposed to 4:07.53 in Richmond.
Erica Sullivan dropped a lifetime best for second place in 8:27.06. The swim moves her from fourth to third in the United States rankings this season, passing Ashley Twichell (8:28.16 – Winter Nationals). The time also moves Sullivan from fourteenth to eighth in the world rankings for this year.
Megan Dalke (Canada) also raced to season best for third place in 8:56.43. She was followed by Claire Tuggle (8:56.88), Ayumi Macias (8:58.26), Averee Preble (8:59.48), Lauren Case (9:03.17) and Natalie Mannion (9:10.28).
![leah-smith-](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/leah-smith-_PB69578-700x500.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Men’s 800 Freestyle
Egypt’s Akaram Mahmoud was off to an early lead in the men’s race. Chris Wieser made a move on the back half but ran out of room to run him down. Wieser ultimately took second, 8:00.86 to 8:01.98. The swim was a season-best for Wieser, and only one second off his lifetime best of 8:00.40 from 2017. He now holds the third-fastest time for Americans this year behind Zane Grothe and Jordan Wilimovsky.
Mahmoud’s final time was also a season-best, seven seconds ahead of his 8:07.48 from the Des Moines stop of the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series. Mexico’s Ricardo Vargas Jacobo was third in 8:09.75.
Rounding out the top eight finishers were Sawyer Grimes (8:11.88), Alexander Pratt (8:16.54), Scott Pekarske (8:22.06), Aidan Reagan (8:23.14) and AJ Sheppard (8:48.77).
![akaram-mahmoud-](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/akaram-mahmoud-2016-ncaa-mens-swimming-0491-700x500.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
She also went out faster than her 100/200and400 free from last Sunday! “Gamer”
Sullivan popped a 1500 Fly last weekend too ?
Congratulations