The unprecedented 2015 Futures Championships continued on day three at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.
From the Marlins of Raleigh, fifteen-year-old Grace Countie earned gold in the 50 meter freestyle with a time of 26.05, fourteen hundredths under the Olympic Trials time standard of 26.19. Andrea Hillen, age thirty-two, touched second with a time of 26.39, proving that there is no age limit to fast swimming. Third place went to Hannah Baker with a time of 26.67.
The women’s 200 meter breaststroke was won by thirteen-year-old Abigail Arens from the Marlins of Raleigh, racing to a time of 2:34.32. Arens was under the Olympic Trials time standard of 2:34.99. Erin Barry finished second with a time of 2:36.34, while thirteen-year-old Lauren Barakey moved into third place with a time of 2:38.97.
In the women’s 200 meter butterfly, unaffiliated Morgan Carr from the state of West Virginia dropped an impressive three seconds from prelims, finishing with a time of 2:15.28. Second place Katherine Trace also dropped time, swimming a 2:16.23, nearly five seconds faster than her prelims race. Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Watts touched third with a time of 2:17.59.
The men’s 200 meter butterfly was won by Thomas Kealy of Wilton Y Wahoos Swim Club, finishing with a time of 2:02.16, about three seconds faster than his entry time. Corey Gambardella was close behind, taking second with a time of 2:02.57, while fifteen-year-old Zachary Brown dropped approximately five seconds from his entry time, swimming a 2:04.71 to earn third place.
Antonio Lanzi, representing the University at Buffalo Swim Team took home the win in the men’s 50 meter freestyle, touching the wall at 23.47. Second was earned by Brent Benedict, swimming a time of 23.53, while Drew Damich took third with a time of 23.67.
The men’s 200 meter breaststroke victor was Brian Ramsey from Mount Lebanon Aqua Club with a time of 2:19.71. Second place went to Michael Craddock, close behind with a time of 2:19.83, while Kevin Gu finished third with a time of 2:21.95.
In the women’s 100 meter backstroke, Krystal Lara from Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics took home an easy win with a time of 1:03.41. Securing second place was Chloe Hicks with a time of 1:04.58, while third went to fifteen-year-old Alyssa Helak, touching the wall with a time of 1:04.68.
On the men’s side, Connor Kalisz from North Baltimore Aquatic Club emerged victorious with a time of 56.96. Kalisz was a little more than two hundredths under the Olympic Trials time standard of 57.19. Earning second was Logan Burton with a time of 57.52, while Brent Benedict placed third with a time of 57.55.
Erica Wirth from Berkeley Aquatic Club won the women’s 400 meter freestyle easily with a time of 4:19.71. Emily Mayo came in second place with a time of 4:22.90, while Alyssa Helak stole third with a time of 4:24.22.
The men’s 400 meter freestyle was won by Richard Mannix from Badger Swim Club with a time of 3:58.74. Hassler Carroll was only three hundredths behind, finishing in a time of 3:58.77. Kevin Miller dropped almost twenty-eight seconds from his seed time, taking third place with a time of 4:01.24.
Currently, the Marlins of Raleigh lead the meet with 459 points, while Machine Aquatics are in second with 384.5 points. Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics are holding onto third place with 213 points.