Katie Ledecky Sets U.S. Open Record with 4:00.51 in 400 Free to Start Second Day
Katie Ledecky’s post-Olympics return now includes two U.S. Open meet records in as many days.
The reigning Olympic silver medalist in the event bested the field by nearly 10 seconds at the Toyota U.S. Open at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Her time of 4:00.51 undercut the record she set two years ago in Atlanta (4:00.81).
Second in the race was Erin Gemmell, swimming for Ledecky’s former club Nation’s Capital Aquatic in 4:10.12. Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s Sierra Schmidt was third in 4:12.53, just two tenths ahead of Canadian Olympian Katrina Bellio.
Ledecky lowered her U.S. Open record in winning the 800 free Wednesday night, going 8:12.81, a time that slots into her stranglehold of the 24 fastest times in history.
Ledecky finished second in the 400 free in Tokyo to Australia’s Ariarne Titmus. Titmus went 3:56.69 to win that Olympic duel, with Ledecky earning silver in 3:57.36. Ledecky holds the Olympic record from her gold-winning performance in Rio in 2016 at 3:56.46, which stands as the world record. Ledecky went 3:59.97 to take silver at World in 2019, behind Titmus (3:58.76).
Ledecky wasn’t the only Olympian to win on night two of the Toyota U.S. Open. Two-time Olympian Leah Smith coasted to victory in the 200 individual medley in 2:11.67, as she continues to branch out from the distance events. Smith, who didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, got the win in her first major meet for Longhorn Aquatics. It’s a best time for Smith, who went 2:13.13 at a TYR Pro Swim Series stop in 2020.
The University of Tennessee’s Summer Smith was a distant second in 2:15.02, edging out Florida’s Abby Hay.
The women’s 50 free went to another longtime standout who missed out on Tokyo, Mallory Comerford. The Cardinal Aquatic Club swimmer won in 25.24, edging current Louisville swimmer Arina Openysheva in 25.33. Third was Camille Spink in 25.36, with Florida’s Talia Bates 25.63.
Bruno Fratus is in fine form after winning bronze in the 50 free in Tokyo. The Brazilian, swimming for Coral Springs Swim Club, won in 22.36. He edged Florida’s Adam Chaney by .01 seconds. Third was Andrej Barna of Cardinal Aquatic Club in 22.43, with Gus Borges fourth in 22.46.
The men’s 400 free went to Florida’s Trey Freeman, who clocked in at 3:49.06. He held off a late charge by Malaysian teen Khiew Hoe Yean in 3:50.52.
Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke was third in 3:52.44.
The men’s 200 IM went to Baylor Nelson of SwimMAC Carolina. He was the only one to break two minutes in 1:59.68. Second was Collyn Gagne in 2:02.59, followed by Florida’s Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero in 2:04.49.
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