By Bryan Gu, Swimming World Intern.
The women’s 200 free final was Bulldog territory tonight as 5/8 of tonight’s A final swimmers were current Georgia Bulldogs. Shauna Lee, Class of 2019, dominated the race from start to finish as she won in a quick 2:00.57 dropping almost three seconds from her seed time of 2:03.55. Fellow Bulldog Meryn McCann, a Junior World Medalist in the 800 LCM freestyle relay, took second in 2:03.35, barely out touching 16 year-old Olwyn Bartis’s 2:03.37
On the men’s side Nicholas Hogsed took first in 1:50.61, while Walker Higgins of TNAQ-SE took second in 1:50.91. Age group phenom Aldan Johnston, who holds the 13-14 200 freestyle age group record, out touched Harvard standout Dean Farris to take third in 1:51.46.
Similar to last night’s 200 fly, the 100 back was won by young talent as 14-year old Annabel Crush of LAK-KY dropped a new best time to win the event in 1:02.10. Recent Princeton Commit and Trials qualifier Stephanie Nelson took second, with a time of 1:02.20, while Caroline Baddock of Auburn University took third.
On the men’s side, Farris took this event as redemption for the 200 free, as he picked up his first victory of the night in 56.62. University of Kentucky teammates Joshua Swart and David Dingess rounded out the podium with second and third place finishes respectively.
Ellie Masterson won the women’s 400 IM despite being the 5th seed, dropping more than seven seconds from her entry time to win in 4:52.93. The margin between all those on the podium was fairly large as Morgan Belli came second in 4:54.70 and Danielle Dellatorre came third in 4:57.43.
Northwestern commit and Trials qualifier Jeffrey Durmer won the 400 IM in 4:26.82. Noah Cairns of UNC came second in 4:28.17.
Full results can be found on Meet Mobile – Speedo Long Course Sectionals 2017 (ESSZ)
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