The 2021 Art Adamson Invitational hosted the first night of finals at Texas A&M on Wednesday.
There were several strong performances, but the two things that stand out most from the first finals session was the sprinting of Brooks Curry and the incredible depth display put forth by the USC women in several events.
• Shaine Casas swims during prelims
Women’s 500 Free
USC freshman Marlene Kahler won the 500 free in an extremely close race. She touched the wall in 4:43.35 for an NCAA “B” cut, just five hundredths ahead of Texas A&M sophomore Chloe Stepanek (4:43.40).
Men’s 500 Free
USC junior Victor Johansson swam a B cut to win the 500 free by three seconds to win at the Art Adamson Invite. He won in 4:14.48, ahead of teammate Alexei Sancov (4:17.88).
Women’s 200 IM
USC went 1-2-3-4 in all B cuts to sweep the top spots in the women’s 200 IM.
Junior Isabelle Odgers won the race in 1:55.89 to hold off teammate Calypso Sheridan (1:58.67). USC’s Aela Janvier was next (1:59.01), followed by Nicole Pavlopoulou (1:59.56).
Men’s 200 IM
Texas A&M senior Kaloyan Bratano won the men’s 200 IM in 1:43.46, ahead of USC’s Trent Pellini (1:44.29).
Women’s 50 Free
The USC sprinting and depth came together for another 1-2-3 finish for the Trojans at the Art Adamson Invite.
Kaitlyn Dobler won the 50 free in 22.09, ahead of teammates Anicka Delgado (22..19) and Laticia Transom (22.42). All three were B cuts.
The Trojans had three others in the final as well with Jade Hannah (fifth, 22.78), Hanna Henderson (seventh, 23.03) and Marta Ciesla (eighth, 23.05).
Men’s 50 free
LSU Olympian Brooks Curry won the men’s 50 free in 19.09, an NCAA B cut. He was nearly four tenths ahead of the rest of the field and looked like the start of a strong meet.
He finished ahead of USC’s Artem Selin (19.38) and Nikola Miljenic (19.39).
Women’s 400 Medley relay
USC dominated the 400 medley relay at the Art Adamson Invite as Sheridan, Dobler, Delgado and Transom teamed for a 3:31.79, an NCAA provisional cut.
It was five seconds ahead of Texas A&M’s Aviv Barzelay, Andrewa Perttula, Olivia Theall and Stepanek (3:36.57).