2020 US Olympian Ashley Twichell put up a solid 9:30.02 in the 1000 yard freestyle to open up the 2020 Cary Speedo Sectionals in North Carolina. Twichell, who has already solidified her spot on the US Olympic Team for this summer’s Games in Tokyo in the 10K open water swim, trains in Raleigh and finished ahead of 16-year-old rising star Charlotte Hook (9:42.51) of the TAC Titans.
Although Twichell graduated college nine years ago, her 9:30 from Thursday would put her second among current collegiate swimmers as Alabama’s Kensey McMahon was a 9:29 in February. Twichell is already an Olympian for this summer but she will also vie for spots on the pool team in the 800 and 1500 at Olympic Trials in 107 days.
Twichell also teamed up with her young age group teammates to anchor the 800 free relay to a 7:10.64 as Twichell split a 1:48.45 on the end. Claire Curzan (1:45.47) and Charlotte Hook (1:46.87) got cooking early, giving clear water to Brooke Zettel (1:49.85) and Twichell. Their time puts them 36th among Division I colleges this season.
The TAC Titans also swept the men’s events on Thursday at the Cary Speedo Sectionals with Braeden Haughey taking the 1000 at 9:05.39, just ahead of teammate Lance Norris (9:07.22).
Haughey anchored the 800 free relay to a win at 6:36.61, splitting a 1:37.79 on the end. Michael Cotter (1:37.18), Lance Norris (1:39.99) and David Greeley (1:41.65) swam the first three legs to give the Titans the win over North Carolina Aquatic Club (6:41.40).
Congratulations