2023 SEC Championships, Night 2: Maggie MacNeil 20.44 Leads LSU to 200 FR win

adam-chaney-florida-
Adam Chaney; Photo Courtesy: Luke Jamroz Photography

2023 SEC Championships, Night 2: Maggie MacNeil 20.44 Leads LSU to 200 FR win

The second night session of the 2023 SEC Championships presents an oddity, a rare thirst for new blood.

Of the six individual swimming events on the first full night of the meet, only one champion is held over from last year – Jordan Crooks in the men’s 50 free. The top two in the men’s 500 free have moved on – Matt Sates away from Georgia, Kieran Smith to graduation. Women’s 500 free champ Julia Mroszinski didn’t make the A final; her fellow Tennessee high-flyer Ellen Walshe, who won the 50 free last year, hasn’t swum for the Vols this season. Even half of the 200 free relay that Alabama expected to return is absent.

The SEC isn’t usually a static conference. Programs of its pedigree draw talent from all over the world (indeed, the swimmers setting top times Wednesday morning represent four different countries). And so this year’s championships should be no different, even if the faces included are slightly changed.

The action from Tuesday night:

SEC Championships Team Scores

  • (after Night 2)
 Women - Team Rankings - Through Event 15                 
 
  1. University of Florida             502   2. Louisiana State University        378
  3. University of Tennessee           375   4. Georgia, University of            329
  5. University of Alabama             306   6. Kentucky, University of           300
  7. South Carolina, University of,    286   8. Texas A&M University              226
  9. Auburn University                 222  10. University of Arkansas            205
 11. Missouri                          177  12. Vanderbilt University              94
  Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 14                  
 
  1. University of Florida           542.5   2. Texas A&M University              380
  2. Auburn University                 380   4. University of Tennessee           347
  5. Georgia, University of          268.5   6. Universityof Alabama              249
  7. Missouri                        214.5   8. South Carolina, University of,  203.5
  9. Kentucky, University of           162  10. Louisiana State University        131

Women’s 200 freestyle relay

One of those new faces has made an instant impact. Maggie MacNeil set the fastest backstroke relay split in history Tuesday night, and all it did was get LSU up to eighth place (albeit in a near A cut and a school record).

Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic champion unleashed a 20.44 split in the 200 free relay, leading the Tigers to a victory.

She joined Katarina Miluinovich, Peyton Curry and Michaela de Villiers to go 1:26.70. That’s an A cut for the Tigers and their first women’s relay gold medal since 1986. MacNeil’s relay split is the second fastest in history.

Second was last year’s champ Alabama, though absent some key members. Still, with Kalia Antoniou leading off in 21.74, they went 1:27.21 to back up an A cut they already had. Florida was the only team within a second of LSU after MacNeil unleashed her fury. They and Arkansas tallied A cuts. Tennessee was a surprisingly eighth, with Georgia ninth.

Event 7  Women 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
==================================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:24.47  2/16/2022 Virginia
                          K. Douglass, A. Walsh, L. Cuomo, G. Walsh
          SEC: S 1:25.41  2/19/2020 Auburn
                          J Meynen, C Fisch, AJ Kutsch, R Clevenger
     SEC Meet: M 1:25.41  2/19/2020 Auburn
                          J. Meynan, C. Fisch, AJ Kutsch, R. Clevenger
         POOL: P 1:26.20  3/19/2009 Arizona, ARIZ
                          Jackson, Kelly, Schluntz, Baughman
                 1:28.43  A
                 1:29.21  B
    School                           Seed     Finals       Points 
==================================================================================
  1 LSU-LA  'A'                   1:27.63    1:26.70 A       64  
     1) Milutinovich, Katarina SR     2) r:0.19 MacNeil, Maggie GR    
     3) r:0.17 Curry, Peyton SO       4) r:0.11 De Villiers, Miaela FR
    r:+0.65  10.87        22.34 (22.34)
           32.11 (9.77)       42.78 (20.44)
          53.33 (10.55)     1:05.01 (22.23)
        1:15.19 (10.18)     1:26.70 (21.69)
  2 Alabama-SE  'A'               1:27.56    1:27.21 A       56  
     1) Antoniou, Kalia SR            2) r:0.13 Jones, Emily FR       
     3) r:0.10 Petkova, Diana JR      4) r:0.17 Winter, Kailyn SO     
    r:+0.68  10.55        21.74 (21.74)
          32.30 (10.56)       44.06 (22.32)
          54.47 (10.41)     1:05.66 (21.60)
        1:15.85 (10.19)     1:27.21 (21.55)
  3 Florida-FL  'A'               1:27.75    1:27.28 A       54  
     1) Nikonova, Ekaterina SO        2) r:0.14 Mack, Katie SR        
     3) r:0.10 Bates, Talia SR        4) r:0.25 Cronk, Micayla SO     
    r:+0.66  10.82        22.21 (22.21)
          32.35 (10.14)       43.83 (21.62)
          54.11 (10.28)     1:05.59 (21.76)
        1:15.95 (10.36)     1:27.28 (21.69)
  4 Arkansas-AR  'A'              1:29.00    1:28.34 A       52  
     1) Ferraguti, Alessia SR         2) r:0.21 Sansores, Andrea SR   
     3) r:0.03 Cothern, Bella JR      4) r:0.27 Melton, Kobie SR      
    r:+0.64  10.85        22.69 (22.69)
          32.91 (10.22)       44.28 (21.59)
          54.38 (10.10)     1:05.97 (21.69)
        1:16.44 (10.47)     1:28.34 (22.37)
  5 South Carolina-SC  'A'        1:30.17    1:28.65 B       50  
     1) Smith, Janie L SR             2) r:0.31 Chandler, Aubrey JR   
     3) r:0.30 Scholes, Dylan FR      4) r:0.12 Toh, Nicholle JR      
    r:+0.65  10.92        22.28 (22.28)
          32.84 (10.56)       44.39 (22.11)
          54.96 (10.57)     1:06.40 (22.01)
        1:16.83 (10.43)     1:28.65 (22.25)
  6 Auburn-SE  'A'                1:28.99    1:28.70 B       48  
     1) Mulvihill, Lexie O SO         2) r:0.05 Steckiel, Emma JR     
     3) r:0.12 Thamm, Claudia SR      4) r:0.03 Hamilton, Rebekah SO  
    r:+0.62  10.91        22.25 (22.25)
          32.69 (10.44)       44.34 (22.09)
          54.95 (10.61)     1:06.52 (22.18)
        1:17.03 (10.51)     1:28.70 (22.18)
  7 Texas A&M-GU  'A'             1:29.22    1:29.08 B       46  
     1) Kennett, Bobbi G              2) r:0.17 Theall, Olivia        
     3) r:0.09 Buechler, Jordan       4) r:0.18 Stepanek, Chloe       
    r:+0.68  10.82        22.54 (22.54)
          33.10 (10.56)       44.77 (22.23)
          55.60 (10.83)     1:07.42 (22.65)
        1:17.79 (10.37)     1:29.08 (21.66)
  8 Tennessee-SE  'A'             1:29.31    1:29.30         44  
     1) McSharry, Mona L JR           2) r:0.34 Douthwright, Brooklyn 
     3) r:0.33 Burroughs, Julia FR    4) r:0.38 Rumley, Jasmine JR    
    r:+0.66  10.58        22.00 (22.00)
          32.87 (10.87)       44.59 (22.59)
          55.37 (10.78)     1:07.07 (22.48)
        1:17.77 (10.70)     1:29.30 (22.23)
  9 Missouri-MV  'A'              1:29.86    1:29.73         40

Men’s 200 freestyle relay

A year ago, Florida won this event. With three-quarters of the squad back, it would take a lot of Jordan Crooks to deny them.

The team won out, and comfortably so. The foursome of Maguire McDuff, Josh Liendo, Adam Chaney and Alberto Mestre went 1:14.19, an SEC Meet record. The only college time quicker was the 1:14.08 set way back in 2009, in the same Texas A&M pool, by a super-suited Auburn team (1:14.08).

McDuff led off at 19.09. He was followed by three 18s, including Liendo at 18.02.

Crooks did his bit, going out in 18.46. Tennessee was .02 slower than their invitational best this year in 1:15.34 for second. Auburn was third, Kalle Makinen and Nathaniel Stoffle dropping splits in the 18s. Missouri and Texas A&M added A cuts.

 Event 8  Men 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
==================================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:14.08  3/26/2009 Auburn
                          J. Andkjaer, G. Louw, K. Norys, M.Targett
          SEC: S 1:14.08  3/26/2009 Auburn
                          J Andkjaer, G Louw, K Norys, M Targett
     SEC Meet: M 1:15.18  2/16/2022 Florida
                          A Chaney, J Friese, K Smith, M McDuff
         POOL: P 1:14.08  3/26/2009 Auburn University, AUB
                          Andkjaer, Louw, Korys, Targett
                 1:16.80  A
                 1:17.58  B
    School                           Seed     Finals       Points 
==================================================================================
  1 Florida-FL  'A'               1:15.98    1:14.19MA       64  
     1) McDuff, Macguire V SO         2) r:0.24 Liendo, Josh FR       
     3) r:0.25 Chaney, Adam SO        4) r:0.15 Mestre, Alberto 5Y    
     r:+0.62  9.22        19.09 (19.09)
           27.69 (8.60)       37.11 (18.02)
           45.76 (8.65)       55.37 (18.26)
         1:04.28 (8.91)     1:14.19 (18.82)
  2 Tennessee-SE  'A'             1:15.32    1:15.34 A       56  
     1) Crooks, Jordan J SO           2) r:0.25 Santos, Guilherme     
     3) r:0.25 Chambers, Micah JR     4) r:0.27 Scanlon, Scott SR     
     r:+0.59  8.81        18.46 (18.46)
           26.97 (8.51)       36.79 (18.33)
           45.86 (9.07)       56.14 (19.35)
         1:05.41 (9.27)     1:15.34 (19.20)
  3 Auburn-SE  'A'                1:16.43    1:15.94 A       54  
     1) Tirheimer, Logan B JR         2) r:0.23 Makinen, Kalle FR     
     3) r:0.37 Deliyiannis, Mialis SR 4) r:0.05 Stoffle, Nathaniel SO 
     r:+0.61  9.30        19.29 (19.29)
           28.09 (8.80)       38.06 (18.77)
           47.08 (9.02)       57.15 (19.09)
         1:05.76 (8.61)     1:15.94 (18.79)
  4 Missouri-MV  'A'              1:17.94    1:16.39 A       52  
     1) Wilson, Daniel D JR           2) r:0.17 Dahlgren, Jack SR     
     3) r:0.13 Bochenski, Grant SO    4) r:0.15 Hammer, Kevin SR      
     r:+0.70  9.62        19.57 (19.57)
           28.49 (8.92)       38.33 (18.76)
           47.32 (8.99)       57.23 (18.90)
         1:06.11 (8.88)     1:16.39 (19.16)
  5 Texas A&M-GU  'A'             1:18.43    1:16.64 A       50  
     1) Bratanov, Koko D              2) r:0.21 Foote, Connor         
     3) r:-0.01 Nelson, Baylor        4) r:0.27 Gogulski, Ethan       
     r:+0.66  9.57        19.45 (19.45)
           28.46 (9.01)       38.57 (19.12)
           47.51 (8.94)       57.68 (19.11)
         1:06.62 (8.94)     1:16.64 (18.96)
  6 Georgia  'A'                  1:17.48    1:17.10 B       48  
     1) Downing, Dillon SR            2) r:0.23 Hils, Zach SR         
     3) r:0.28 Dunham, Bradley SR     4) r:0.21 Ng, Wesley JR         
     r:+0.63  9.20        19.19 (19.19)
           28.37 (9.18)       38.40 (19.21)
           47.67 (9.27)       57.70 (19.30)
         1:06.84 (9.14)     1:17.10 (19.40)
  7 Alabama-SE  'A'               1:17.85    1:17.26 B       46  
     1) Hawke, Charlie J SO           2) r:0.16 Menke, Matthew SR     
     3) r:0.14 Maas, Derek SR         4) r:0.12 Korstanje, Tim FR     
     r:+0.70  9.56        19.72 (19.72)
           28.63 (8.91)       38.92 (19.20)
           47.86 (8.94)       58.13 (19.21)
         1:06.98 (8.85)     1:17.26 (19.13)
  8 South Carolina-SC  'A'        1:20.12    1:17.43 B       44  
     1) Gropper, Guy SR               2) r:0.29 Shperkin, Mark SR     
     3) r:0.22 Laitarovsky, Mihael SO 4) r:0.12 Groters, Patrick SR   
     r:+0.66  9.56        19.60 (19.60)
           28.79 (9.19)       38.96 (19.36)
           48.00 (9.04)       58.31 (19.35)
         1:07.37 (9.06)     1:17.43 (19.12)

Women’s 500 freestyle

It was the Stege show in the 500. Rachel Stege and Kristen Stege went stroke for stroke over the final 100, but the younger Rachel upstaged (upSteged?) big sis Kristen to win. The Georgia sophomore clocked in at 4:36.31, .04 up on her Tennessee senior sister, who charged late.

It’s the 13th time in 18 seasons Georgia has won the event.

Florida’s Emma Weyant was third, a spot ahead of teammate Tylor Mathieu, who made a big jump from seventh in prelims.

None of the times are NCAA A cuts.

 Event 10  Men 500 Yard Freestyle
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
          SEC: S 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
         POOL: P 4:08.92  3/26/2009 Jean Basson, ARIZ
                 4:11.40  A
                 4:22.35  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Mitchell, Jake   JR Florida-FL        4:12.54    4:09.85 A       32  
    r:+0.70  23.04        47.83 (24.79)
        1:13.35 (25.52)     1:39.17 (25.82)
        2:04.79 (25.62)     2:30.21 (25.42)
        2:55.93 (25.72)     3:20.86 (24.93)
        3:45.72 (24.86)     4:09.85 (24.13)
  2 Magahey, Jake M  JR Georgia           4:13.18    4:10.03 A       28  
    r:+0.68  23.51        48.76 (25.25)
        1:14.16 (25.40)     1:39.68 (25.52)
        2:05.20 (25.52)     2:30.62 (25.42)
        2:55.88 (25.26)     3:20.64 (24.76)
        3:45.54 (24.90)     4:10.03 (24.49)
  3 Mestre, Alfonso  SR Florida-FL        4:12.08    4:10.15 A       27  
    r:+0.71  22.86        48.02 (25.16)
        1:13.27 (25.25)     1:38.82 (25.55)
        2:03.84 (25.02)     2:29.18 (25.34)
        2:54.47 (25.29)     3:20.03 (25.56)
        3:45.90 (25.87)     4:10.15 (24.25)
  4 Linscheer, Giov  FR Florida-FL        4:14.22    4:12.69 B       26  
    r:+0.72  23.74        49.01 (25.27)
        1:14.46 (25.45)     1:40.26 (25.80)
        2:05.82 (25.56)     2:31.52 (25.70)
        2:57.28 (25.76)     3:22.76 (25.48)
        3:48.02 (25.26)     4:12.69 (24.67)
  5 Brown, Eric G    FR Florida-FL        4:14.39    4:12.95 B       25  
    r:+0.70  23.18        48.41 (25.23)
        1:13.86 (25.45)     1:39.84 (25.98)
        2:05.44 (25.60)     2:31.17 (25.73)
        2:56.76 (25.59)     3:22.49 (25.73)
        3:48.03 (25.54)     4:12.95 (24.92)
  6 Bonson, Michael  JR Auburn-SE         4:13.96    4:13.10 B       24  
    r:+0.68  23.54        48.39 (24.85)
        1:14.05 (25.66)     1:39.87 (25.82)
        2:05.31 (25.44)     2:30.71 (25.40)
        2:55.95 (25.24)     3:21.75 (25.80)
        3:47.51 (25.76)     4:13.10 (25.59)
  7 Hawke, Charlie   SO Alabama-SE        4:14.36    4:15.14 B       23  
    r:+0.74  23.36        48.50 (25.14)
        1:14.24 (25.74)     1:40.16 (25.92)
        2:05.58 (25.42)     2:31.37 (25.79)
        2:57.54 (26.17)     3:23.49 (25.95)
        3:49.55 (26.06)     4:15.14 (25.59)
  8 Johansson, Vict  SR Alabama-SE        4:15.04    4:17.64 B       22  
    r:+0.67  23.70        49.45 (25.75)
        1:15.36 (25.91)     1:41.53 (26.17)
        2:07.56 (26.03)     2:33.69 (26.13)
        2:59.80 (26.11)     3:26.12 (26.32)
        3:52.18 (26.06)     4:17.64 (25.46)

Men’s 500 freestyle

The men’s 500 was both quicker and just as dramatic. It involved another notable Michigan transfer.

Jake Mitchell rallied in the final 50, closing in 24.13, to get the win for Florida in 4:09.85. He edged out Georgia’s Jake Magahey, the 2021 NCAA champion who went 4:10.03. Also in the leading pack was Florida’s Alfonso Mestre at 4:10.15, the third A cut of the meet. Mestre had been the top seed out of prelims.

His consolation was Florida going 1-3-4-5 (plus 10 and 11).

 Event 10  Men 500 Yard Freestyle
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
          SEC: S 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 4:06.32  2/19/2020 Kieran Smith, Florida
         POOL: P 4:08.92  3/26/2009 Jean Basson, ARIZ
                 4:11.40  A
                 4:22.35  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Mitchell, Jake   JR Florida-FL        4:12.54    4:09.85 A       32  
    r:+0.70  23.04        47.83 (24.79)
        1:13.35 (25.52)     1:39.17 (25.82)
        2:04.79 (25.62)     2:30.21 (25.42)
        2:55.93 (25.72)     3:20.86 (24.93)
        3:45.72 (24.86)     4:09.85 (24.13)
  2 Magahey, Jake M  JR Georgia           4:13.18    4:10.03 A       28  
    r:+0.68  23.51        48.76 (25.25)
        1:14.16 (25.40)     1:39.68 (25.52)
        2:05.20 (25.52)     2:30.62 (25.42)
        2:55.88 (25.26)     3:20.64 (24.76)
        3:45.54 (24.90)     4:10.03 (24.49)
  3 Mestre, Alfonso  SR Florida-FL        4:12.08    4:10.15 A       27  
    r:+0.71  22.86        48.02 (25.16)
        1:13.27 (25.25)     1:38.82 (25.55)
        2:03.84 (25.02)     2:29.18 (25.34)
        2:54.47 (25.29)     3:20.03 (25.56)
        3:45.90 (25.87)     4:10.15 (24.25)
  4 Linscheer, Giov  FR Florida-FL        4:14.22    4:12.69 B       26  
    r:+0.72  23.74        49.01 (25.27)
        1:14.46 (25.45)     1:40.26 (25.80)
        2:05.82 (25.56)     2:31.52 (25.70)
        2:57.28 (25.76)     3:22.76 (25.48)
        3:48.02 (25.26)     4:12.69 (24.67)
  5 Brown, Eric G    FR Florida-FL        4:14.39    4:12.95 B       25  
    r:+0.70  23.18        48.41 (25.23)
        1:13.86 (25.45)     1:39.84 (25.98)
        2:05.44 (25.60)     2:31.17 (25.73)
        2:56.76 (25.59)     3:22.49 (25.73)
        3:48.03 (25.54)     4:12.95 (24.92)
  6 Bonson, Michael  JR Auburn-SE         4:13.96    4:13.10 B       24  
    r:+0.68  23.54        48.39 (24.85)
        1:14.05 (25.66)     1:39.87 (25.82)
        2:05.31 (25.44)     2:30.71 (25.40)
        2:55.95 (25.24)     3:21.75 (25.80)
        3:47.51 (25.76)     4:13.10 (25.59)
  7 Hawke, Charlie   SO Alabama-SE        4:14.36    4:15.14 B       23  
    r:+0.74  23.36        48.50 (25.14)
        1:14.24 (25.74)     1:40.16 (25.92)
        2:05.58 (25.42)     2:31.37 (25.79)
        2:57.54 (26.17)     3:23.49 (25.95)
        3:49.55 (26.06)     4:15.14 (25.59)
  8 Johansson, Vict  SR Alabama-SE        4:15.04    4:17.64 B       22  
    r:+0.67  23.70        49.45 (25.75)
        1:15.36 (25.91)     1:41.53 (26.17)
        2:07.56 (26.03)     2:33.69 (26.13)
        2:59.80 (26.11)     3:26.12 (26.32)
        3:52.18 (26.06)     4:17.64 (25.46)

Women’s 200 individual medley

It’s two from two for Georgia, with Zoie Hartman packing a punch in breaststroke to win in 1:53.58. That’s the only A cut of the event. The title is Hartman’s seventh of her career; she’s finishing no worse than second in all 10 of her career individual SEC Championships races.

Second was the top seed out of the morning, Tennessee’s Josephine Fuller, who went 1:55.01. Lauren Poole of Kentucky jumped up to third in 1:55.12.

 Event 11  Women 200 Yard IM
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:50.08  3/17/2022 A. Wallsh, Virginia
          SEC: S 1:51.62  2/20/2019 Meghan Small, Tennessee
     SEC Meet: M 1:51.62  2/20/2019 Meghan Small, Tennessee
         POOL: P 1:52.69  2/15/2018 Sydney Pickrem, Texas A&M
                 1:53.66  A
                 1:59.56  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Hartman, Zoie E  SR Georgia           1:54.76    1:53.58 A       32  
    r:+0.74  25.10        53.19 (28.09)
        1:25.93 (32.74)     1:53.58 (27.65)
  2 Fuller, Josephi  SO Tennessee-SE      1:54.09    1:55.01 B       28  
    r:+0.65  24.45        52.46 (28.01)
        1:26.58 (34.12)     1:55.01 (28.43)
  3 Poole, Lauren M  SR Kentucky          1:55.91    1:55.12 B       27  
    r:+0.70  24.61        52.55 (27.94)
        1:26.70 (34.15)     1:55.12 (28.42)
  4 Dixon, Zoe A     FR Florida-FL        1:55.85    1:55.23 B       26  
    r:+0.63  24.87        53.84 (28.97)
        1:27.28 (33.44)     1:55.23 (27.95)
  5 Wright, Cat G    SR Alabama-SE        1:55.82    1:55.99 B       25  
    r:+0.65  25.39        54.94 (29.55)
        1:27.55 (32.61)     1:55.99 (28.44)
  6 Stotler, Sara B  SO Tennessee-SE      1:56.21    1:56.69 B       24  
    r:+0.69  24.62        53.84 (29.22)
        1:28.65 (34.81)     1:56.69 (28.04)
  7 Kwan, Victoria   GR South Carolina-S  1:56.78    1:58.05 B       23  
    r:+0.68  25.30        54.98 (29.68)
        1:29.54 (34.56)     1:58.05 (28.51)
  8 Petkova, Diana   JR Alabama-SE        1:56.31    1:59.35 B       22  
    r:+0.70  25.20        55.18 (29.98)
        1:30.07 (34.89)     1:59.35 (29.28)

Men’s 200 individual medley

The Texas A&M 1-2 came good in finals, with Baylor Nelson leading the way with a decisive win in 1:40.86. Seconds was teammate Kaloyan Bratanov in 1:42.50. they had been 1-2 in prelims. Ben Patton grabbed third in 1:42.98. Nelson was the lone A cut of the event.

 Event 12  Men 200 Yard IM
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 1:37.69  3/24/2022 Leon Marchand, Arizona State
          SEC: S 1:38.13  2/15/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 1:38.13  2/15/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
         POOL: P 1:38.13  2/15/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
                 1:41.22  A
                 1:46.52  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Nelson, Baylor      Texas A&M-GU      1:41.71    1:40.86 A       32  
    r:+0.57  21.98        47.13 (25.15)
        1:15.94 (28.81)     1:40.86 (24.92)
  2 Bratanov, Koko      Texas A&M-GU      1:42.18    1:42.50 B       28  
    r:+0.65  22.67        48.54 (25.87)
        1:18.17 (29.63)     1:42.50 (24.33)
  3 Patton, Ben H    SR Missouri-MV       1:42.51    1:42.98 B       27  
    r:+0.65  22.33        48.39 (26.06)
        1:17.88 (29.49)     1:42.98 (25.10)
  4 Gonzalez Pinero  SO Florida-FL        1:43.53    1:43.09 B       26  
    r:+0.63  22.37        48.08 (25.71)
        1:18.05 (29.97)     1:43.09 (25.04)
  5 Hillis, Dillon   5Y Florida-FL        1:43.23    1:43.19 B       25  
    r:+0.67  22.48        49.03 (26.55)
        1:17.78 (28.75)     1:43.19 (25.41)
  6 Hils, Zach C     SR Georgia           1:42.27    1:43.52 B       24  
    r:+0.66  21.90        47.29 (25.39)
        1:17.61 (30.32)     1:43.52 (25.91)
  7 Maas, Derek E    SR Alabama-SE        1:43.04    1:43.65 B       23  
    r:+0.67  22.32        48.67 (26.35)
        1:18.67 (30.00)     1:43.65 (24.98)
  8 Smith, Julian    SO Florida-FL        1:42.64    1:44.12 B       22  
    r:+0.64  22.40        48.95 (26.55)
        1:18.83 (29.88)     1:44.12 (25.29)

Women’s 50 freestyle

It’s a good thing Gretchen Walsh keeps getting faster, because Maggie MacNeil is on her heels. For the moment, it’s metaphorically. But at NCAAs, the two will showdown in what promises to be one of the events of the meet.

Walsh trimmed a hundredth off her American/NCAA record in the 50 free by going 20.83. Close behind her is MacNeil, who routed the SEC field with a 20.98. She won by three-quarters of a second in a dominant showing. That undercuts her pool record from the Adamson Invitational in the fall and torches the SEC and SEC Championships records set in 2020 by Erika Brown of Tennessee (21.03).

Behind all that history, Mona McSharry edged Kalia Antoniou by .01 to grab second in 21.75. Fourth was Andrea Sansores of Arkansas.

Florida leads after Day 2 of the meet with 502 points. LSU, behind MacNeil and its diving corps, is second in 378 with Tennessee on 375. The Gators are seeking their first title since 2009. Three different schools have accounted for the last four titles.

 Event 13  Women 50 Yard Freestyle
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 20.84  3/17/2022 Kate Douglass, Virginia
          SEC: S 21.03  2/19/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
     SEC Meet: M 21.03  2/19/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
         POOL: P 21.03  11/16/2022Maggie MacNeil, LSU
                 21.66  A
                 22.71  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 MacNeil, Maggie  GR LSU-LA              21.41      20.98SA       32  
    r:+0.65  10.32        20.98 (10.66)
  2 McSharry, Mona   JR Tennessee-SE        21.98      21.74 B       28  
    r:+0.64  10.33        21.74 (11.41)
  3 Antoniou, Kalia  SR Alabama-SE          21.85      21.75 B       27  
    r:+0.67  10.63        21.75 (11.12)
  4 Sansores, Andre  SR Arkansas-AR         22.18      21.97 B       26  
    r:+0.65  10.60        21.97 (11.37)
  5 Nikonova, Ekate  SO Florida-FL          22.11      22.07 B       25  
    r:+0.66  10.70        22.07 (11.37)
  6 Cronk, Micayla   SO Florida-FL          22.25      22.08 B       24  
    r:+0.63  10.73        22.08 (11.35)
  7 Mack, Katie G    SR Florida-FL          22.01      22.14 B       23  
    r:+0.63  10.64        22.14 (11.50)
  8 Stepanek, Chloe     Texas A&M-GU        22.09      22.22 B       22  
    r:+0.69  10.71        22.22 (11.51)

Men’s 50 freestyle

The 50 free is Jordan Crooks’ world. Everyone else is just scenery.

Behind that blinding entry to the exclusive sub-18 club,

Josh Liendo came up short of replicating his morning speed but still had plenty to glean a silver medal in 18.39. he was .04 quicker in the morning. Adam Chaney of Florida completed a stellar night for the Florida sprint contingent in third, his fellow relay gold medalist Maguire McDuff fifth. In between was Tennessee’s Gui Caribe in 18.95. Brooks Curry brought the outside smoke but settled for sixth in 18.99.

The three top-five finishes put Florida in a commanding position in the team race, with 542.5 points to Texas A&M and Auburn tied at 380. Florida is hunting its 11th straight title.

 Event 14  Men 50 Yard Freestyle
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 17.63  3/22/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
          SEC: S 17.63  3/22/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
     SEC Meet: M 18.23  2/17/2016 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
         POOL: P 18.25  2/15/2023 Jordan Crooks, CAL
                 18.88  A
                 19.82  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Crooks, Jordan   SO Tennessee-SE        18.25      17.93MA       32  
     r:+0.60  8.62         17.93 (9.31)
  2 Liendo, Josh     FR Florida-FL          18.35      18.39 A       28  
     r:+0.60  8.93         18.39 (9.46)
  3 Chaney, Adam C   SO Florida-FL          19.04      18.71 A       27  
     r:+0.59  9.14         18.71 (9.57)
  4 Santos, Guilher     Tennessee-SE        19.08      18.79 A       26  
     r:+0.58  8.99         18.79 (9.80)
  5 McDuff, Macguir  SO Florida-FL          18.99      18.95 B       25  
     r:+0.61  9.14         18.95 (9.81)
  6 Curry, Brooks V  SR LSU-LA              19.08      18.99 B       24  
     r:+0.59  8.96        18.99 (10.03)
  7 Tirheimer, Loga  JR Auburn-SE           19.05      19.17 B       22.5
     r:+0.61  9.23         19.17 (9.94)
  7 Downing, Dillon  SR Georgia             19.09      19.17 B       22.5
     r:+0.66  9.16        19.17 (10.01)

Women’s 1-meter diving

Two days, two titles for Brooke Schultz, who does the springboard double for the fourth time in her record-setting diving career. The South Carolina graduate student was tops in prelims, then scored 345.05 to win the event by seven points.

The leaders in the team category both got boosts. Maha Amer went from missing the 3-meter final to second on 1-meter in 337.85. LSU added another two A finalists, Chiara Pellacani third and Monserrat Garcia Lavenant fourth.

Event 15  Women 1 mtr Diving
=========================================================================
          SEC: S 375.53  1/18/2019 Brooke Schultz, Arkansas
     SEC Meet: M 364.30  2/15/2017 Lauren Reedy, Missouri
                 265.00  A
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Schultz, Brooke  GR South Carolina-S   308.25     345.05 A       32  
  2 Amer, Maha       SR Florida-FL         299.60     337.85 A       28  
  3 Pellacani, Chia  SO LSU-LA             297.00     330.95 A       27  
  4 Lavenant, Monts  JR LSU-LA             292.05     328.50 A       26  
  5 Oakley, Joslyn   FR Texas A&M-GU       278.65     295.40 A       25  
  6 Wenzel, Meghan   JR Georgia            281.95     294.05 A       24  
  7 Knight, Kyndal   GS Kentucky           279.95     293.35 A       23  
  8 Verzyl, Sophie   SO South Carolina-S   286.90     275.25 A       22

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x