29-year-old Ashley Twichell finished in second in the 10K on Friday at the 2019 Open Water Nationals and was the top finishing American at the event. She punched her ticket to the World Championships with her swim on Friday in Miami and also has a chance to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. The top two Americans at the Open Water Nationals qualify for Worlds and the top ten finishers at Worlds will automatically qualify for the Olympics.
Twichell talked about how she just missed making the Olympic team in 2012 and 2016 and how exciting is to have a chance to make her first Olympics in a couple months.
Twichell also talked about how she is able to stay focused in a two hour race like the 10K and how she is able to stay composed in such a tight race.
Ashley Twichell and Haley Anderson have qualified for the 2019 World Championships in the 10K.
Twichell finished first among U.S. swimmers in the 10K at the 2019 USA Open Water National Championships in Miami on Friday.
Anderson finished second among U.S. athletes and also qualified for worlds.
Brazil’s Ana Macela Cunha finished first overall in the race in 2:00:00.17.
Twichell followed in 2:00:00.67, followed by Anderson (2:00:01.10).
Both swimmers can automatically qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if they finish in the top 10 at worlds, which begin in July in Gwangju, South Korea.
Hannah Moore looked to have finished third among U.S. swimmers but was disqualified after receiving two yellow cards from officials for interfering with other swimmers, the second occurring around a turn. She appealed the decision, but it was denied.
Erica Sullivan finished third among U.S. swimmers and fourth overall at 2:00:06.00, followed by KathrynCampbell (2:00:13.55) and Becca Mann (2:00:14.65).
