Kate Douglass Nails Two More Top Seeds During Day Two Prelims of Atlanta Classic; Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel In Finals
A late entry into the Atlanta Classic, Kate Douglass has taken advantage of her racing opportunities this weekend. After claiming victories in the 100-meter breaststroke and 100 butterfly on Friday night, Douglass secured a pair of top seeds for Saturday evening’s finals. The University of Virginia standout is obviously still carrying momentum from her superb collegiate season.
Douglass opened her Saturday slate with a 24.56 clocking in the 50 freestyle, the sole performance under the 25-second barrier. Later in the session, Douglass checked in with a 2:25.09 mark in the 200 breaststroke, a swim that was nearly seven seconds quicker than No. 2 qualifier Summer McIntosh (2:31.98), who is contesting several “off” events this weekend.
Macguire McDuff was fastest in the prelims of the men’s 50 freestyle, going 22.45 to finish almost a half-second ahead of Caeleb Dressel (22.92). Dressel is competing in his first meet since withdrawing from last year’s World Championships. On Friday, Dressel posted a runnerup showing in the 100 butterfly, which was won by Canadian Joshua Liendo. Liendo is lurking in the 50 free as the sixth seed, following an easy effort of 23.17.
American distance ace Katie Ledecky produced a morning effort of 4:01.80 to easily secure the top seed for the final of the 400 freestyle. Coming off a win in the 200 freestyle on Night One, Ledecky could push the four-minute barrier at night as she continues her preparation for a summer showdown in the 400 freestyle with McIntosh and Aussie Ariarne Titmus.
Virginia’s Jack Aikins went 54.58 to lead the field in the men’s 100 backstroke.
Other top seeds for Night Two finals went to:
Women’s 200 Butterfly: Callie Dickinson (2:12.97).
Men’s 200 Butterfly: Martin Espernberger (1:58.22)
Women’s 100 Backstroke: Josephine Fuller (1:01.46)
Men’s 200 Breaststroke: Aleksas Savickas (2:18.55)