Arena Grand Prix – Santa Clara editorial coverage is proudly sponsored by Arena USA. Visit ArenaUSA.com for more information on our sponsor. For all the latest coverage, check out our event coverage page. Also, take a look at some amazing photography in our Facebook photo gallery.
SANTA CLARA, California, June 20. ALTHOUGH she’s having a bit of a mythical head-to-head with her nemesis Katie Ledecky, NBAC’s Lotte Friis managed to still find success with a winning time in the women’s 400-meter free at the Arena Grand Prix.
Last night, Friis picked up the 1500 free title, but Ledecky stole her thunder with a world record time just minutes later. Tonight, Friis managed to win the middle distance event in 4:06.83, but couldn’t come close to the world-best 4:03.09 Ledecky had just clocked in Texas at The Woodlands Senior Invitational.
Canada’s Brittany MacLean (4:07.23) and Gators’ Andreina Pinto (4:07.25) made Friis work, finishing just .4 behind the winner. NBAC’s Cierra Runge raced to fourth tonight in 4:08.01.
BlueFish’s Elizabeth Beisel (4:08.67), Becca Mann (4:12.30), A&M’s Sarah Henry (4:12.72), NBAC’s Gillian Ryan (4:13.51) and Bulldogs’ Amber McDermott (4:15.06) also put up A final times tonight.
Stanford’s Maya DiRado touched out Pleasanton’s Moriah Simonds, 4:13.52 to 4:13.65, in the B final of the middle distance event. Dynamo’s Kylie Stewart checked in with a third-place time of 4:14.90.
Catherine Breed (4:15.82), Madisyn Cox (4:18.13), Bulldogs’ Shannon Vreeland (4:18.66), SwimMAC’s Kathleen Baker (4:19.70), NCAC’s Danielle Siverling (4:19.78), and NOVA’s Emma Nunn (4:21.30) comprised the rest of the consolation heat.
