OKLAHOMA CITY – SwimMAC’s Katie Meili won a pair of titles tonight at the King Marlin Elite Pro-Am.
Meili nearly set a lifetime best in the women’s 200-yard IM with a 1:54.43 for the win. That’s her second-best time ever behind the 1:54.20 she clocked at Winter Nationals this month. Bispo picked up her second medal of the night with a second-place 1:56.61, while SPA’s Bailee Nunn took third in 2:00.93.
Meili doubled up with a 2:09.71 to win the women’s 200-yard breast. That’s in her top 10 times all time, and just off her in-season best of 2:09.35 from the Oklahoma City Elite Pro-Am meet a year ago. Schroeder Y’s Gwen Worlton finished second in 2:16.65, while Ashley Pales finished third overall in 2:17.41.
In the 50-yard free shootout, Jimmy Feigen dominated the finale with a 19.15 for the win against BJ Hornikel, that placed second in 19.91. Meanwhile, Karlee Bispo put up a 22.14 to 22.62 victory against Katie McLaughlin for the women’s 50-yard free victory.
Wisconsin’s Michael Weiss crushed his lifetime best in the men’s 200-yard IM. He clocked a time of 1:43.99 for the win, well under the 1:48.68 top time USA Swimming has listed for him from the Minneapolis stop of the Arena Grand Prix. Adam Mania placed second in 1:45.75 with Alexandru Coci finishing third in 1:46.12.
PASA’s BJ Johnson hit the wall in 1:54.10 for the men’s 200-yard breaststroke title. That’s his first time missing 1:53 at this meet in two years as his lifetime best is a 1:53.04 from 2013 and his second best is a 1:43.71 from 2012. Terrapins’ Sean Mahoney posted a second-place time of 1:54.82, while Trojan’s Julian Fletcher finished third in 2:01.57.
PASA’s Eugene Godsoe captured the men’s 100-yard back title in 45.25, while NYAC’s Zach McGinnis posted a 46.95 for second. Adam Mania placed third overall in 46.95. Courtney Campbell won the women’s 100-yard back in 54.59 with Elizabeth Jordana placing second in 56.94. Carla Gonzalez touched third overall in 57.03.
Swim Florida’s Stephanie Peacock smashed the women’s 500-yard freestyle field with a 4:42.67, while Haley Yelle earned second in 4:48.13. Danielle Kudis placed third in 4:50.76. Mission Viejo’s Grant Shoults won the men’s 500-yard free in 4:17.52. Wisconsin’s Michael Weiss took second in 4:17.55 with Mission Viejo’s Nick Norman earning third in 4:20.64.
Editor’s Note: The meet is one of two dueling Oklahoma City-based Elite Pro-Ams this weekend. John Brown, the original head coach and founder of the meet when it began more than 20 years ago, has since moved on from the Kerr-McGee, then Chesapeake, and now American Energy Swim Club to the King Marlin Swim Club. He is hosting this version of the meet at the Oklahoma City Community College, the historic hosts of the fun winter-based short course yard professional event. Meanwhile, the meet’s founding club, American Energy is hosting another version of the 23rd annual Oklahoma Elite Pro-Am at the Mitch Park YMCA with Josh Davis at the forefront of the event.
Results: King Marlin Elite Pro-Am