Friday night the University of Louisville hosted the inaugural TYR Derby Pro meet, in advance of the Kentucky Derby.
The meet featured eight men and women who swam in a shoot out style, with the last two finishers in each round getting knocked out.
The women started with Alia Atkinson, Amanda Kendall, Amanda Weir, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Kelsi Worrell, Ivy Martin, Maddie Locus, and Megan Romano.
For the men, Josh Schneider, Caleb Weir, Derek Toomey, Joao de Lucca, Thomas Dahlia, Kristian Gkolomeev, Michael Andrew, and Roland Schoeman went head to head.
Women’s Meet
In round one, Worrell touched first in 21.92, and Martin was just behind in 21.94. Vanderpool-Wallace touched third in 22.00. Weir (22.35), Locus (22.61), and Atkinson (22.62) also slipped into the semi final. Kendall (22.65) and Romano (22.94) finished seventh and eight and did not advance.
Locus and Weir were the next two out, touching in 22.42 and 22.73 in the semis. Vanderpool-Wallace was first to the wall this time in 21.73, faster than any swimmer in prelims. Worrell followed in 22.00 and Martin touched third in 22.03, while Atkinson narrowly stayed in the running with a 22.39.
Vanderpool-Wallace won the final round with a 21.43, earning the top prize of $4,000. Martin touched second in 21.83 to take home $3,000, while Worrell (22.06) and Atkinson (22.55) earned $2,000 and $1,000 for their performances in the finale.
Men’s Meet
In their first race of the night, Schneider led the way in 19.41, followed by Andrew in 19.47 and Gkolomeev in 19.50. de Lucca (19.56), Schoeman (19.57) and Toomey (19.76) followed. Weir (19.86) and Dahlia (20.20) did not advance.
Gkolomeev and Schneider tied in 19.38 in their second trip off the blocks. Andrew touched in 19.45, ahead of de Lucca’s 19.55. Toomey and Schoeman posted times of 19.74 and 19.93, preventing them from earning a third swim.
In the finals, Schneider posted the fastest time of the night, touching in 19.14. Gkolomeev was the runner up with a 19.34, while Andrew and de Lucca rounded out the field in 19.47 and 19.58.