Katie Ledecky Cruises To Win In 1500 Freestyle To Grab Fourth Title Of U.S. Open
The end of the 2022 long-course season arrived for Katie Ledecky on Saturday night, and it wrapped up as would be expected: With a dominant victory in the 1500-meter freestyle. Claiming a fourth title at the U.S. Open in Greensboro, Ledecky blew away the field in the 30-lap discipline, thanks to a time of 15:44.13. The victory complemented earlier triumphs in the 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle.
En route to her win in the 1500 freestyle, Ledecky was more than 20 seconds off her world record. Yet, it was also a performance that has been bettered by only seven other athletes, that fact proof of Ledecky’s historic prowess in the longest event on the pool program. On this night, Ledecky finished 34 seconds clear of runnerup Beatriz Dizotti of Brazil, who touched the wall in 16:18.40.
For most, a quartet of titles would be considered an impressive showing, but for Ledecky, the weekend in North Carolina was a mixed bag. Her effort in the 400 freestyle, in which she clipped Canadian teen Summer McIntosh by .08 as both women went sub-4:00, will certainly be viewed as a positive. However, Ledecky was not pleased with her win in the 200 freestyle. If nothing else, though, her efforts in Greensboro will serve as data points for Ledecky and coach Anthony Nesty, and will allow them to map out a gameplan for the 2023 campaign.
Overall, the 2022 season must be considered a success for Ledecky, who corralled world titles in Budapest during the summer in the 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle.