Maxime Rooney was able to fend off an incredible comeback effort from Zane Grothe to take gold in the men’s 200-meter free at USA Nationals. Rooney, 17, burst into an early lead in the race with the only first 50 split under 25 seconds. As the race waned on, however, the SEC Champion Grothe began to storm back. Rooney was able to win by the slimmest of margins in 1:47.10, while it was too little to late for Grothe and his 1:47.11 finish.
The win marked Rooney’s first national title, and he was doubly rewarded with a world junior record, which can be set by swimmers 18 years and younger. Japan’s Reo Sakata formerly held the record with a 1:47.23.
Rooney: 24.83/27.14/27.49/27.64
Grothe: 25.70/27.51/27.51/26.39
Rooney’s win makes it two straight victories for 17-year olds on day two at Nationals. Claire Adams of Carmel won the 100-meter back final before Rooney took to the water, also breaking a world junior record.
Blake Pieroni was a nearby third with a 1:47.30, while Towny Haas finished right after him in 1:47.55. Frank Dyer took fifth with 1:48.47, and Michael Wynalda‘s 1:49.50 clinched sixth. Tom Kremer (1:50.03) and Trevor Carroll (1:50.13) rounded out the championship final.
2015 USA Swimming Long Course Summer Nationals: Live Results – Results
