Beyond Distance Freestyles, Katie Grimes Likely a Factor in 400 IM at International Team Trials
Last summer was a breakout stretch for teenager Katie Grimes. The distance standout from Sandpipers of Nevada first qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 800-meter freestyle, joining American legend Katie Ledecky in the event. She then just missed the podium in her Olympic debut, finishing just a second out of the bronze-medal position.
At the upcoming USA Swimming International Team Trials at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, Grimes is expected to have a major impact. Not only is she a favorite to qualify for the World Championships in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, a berth in the 400 freestyle is also within reach. What about contention in a fourth event?
Although the freestyle events are her specialty, Grimes’ proficiency in all strokes and distance acumen will make her a contender in the 400 individual medley. Heading into Trials, Grimes is the No. 5 seed in the event, off a time of 4:41.37. Obviously, a time in that territory would be well off what is required to secure a ticket to Budapest.
But Grimes produced a mark of 4:00.66 in the 400-yard medley at the Winter Juniors-West, an effort that suggests a sizable drop is on the way in the big pool. Of course, short-course performances do not always correlate with long-course outings, but Grimes is a proven performer in the 50-meter pool, so a personal-best swim is far from a longshot.
With Olympic medalists Emma Weyant and Hali Flickinger in the field at Trials, Grimes will have to turn in a spectacular performance to qualify for the World Champs. And even if she doesn’t nail down a bid to the summer showcase, seeing her progress in the event would be a positive sign for an athlete with a promising future.
