Chase Kalisz Delivers Promising 400 IM En Route to Atlanta Classic Triumph
With the United States Olympic Trials just a month away, any performance at this point in the year will be used to gauge preparedness for what will unfold at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. So, consider the effort of Chase Kalisz in the 400-meter individual medley at the Atlanta Classic to be a positive sign for the Team USA veteran.
The reigning Olympic silver medalist in the event, Kalisz put together a promising showing, as he recorded a time of 4:13.64 to hold off Jay Litherland (4:14.94). Bobby Finke, who is expected to have a big summer in the distance-freestyle events, finished third in 4:17.36.
While Kalisz was the world champion in both medley events in 2017, he has not shown that form for the past few years. Now, with the Tokyo Games on the horizon and the United States Olympic Trials next month, Kalisz appears to be putting the pieces of his puzzle together. If Kalisz can continue to move forward, he certainly has the talent to contend for gold in the 400 medley in Tokyo, where a duel with Japan’s Daiya Seto would be enticing.
En route to his victory, Kalisz was out in 57.03 for the butterfly leg and was 2:02.46 at the midway point, and following a backstroke split of 1:05.43. A 1:11.10 breaststroke split gave Kalisz a 300-meter split of 3:13.56 and set the stage for a 1:00.08 freestyle leg.
A down-to-the-wire finish highlighted the women’s version of the 400 medley, with Lauren Poole going 4:42.32 to edge Summer Smith and her time of 4:42.53.