Pan American Games, Day One Prelims: Brazil’s Guilherme Costa Favored for Gold in 400 Freestyle
The first prelims session of the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile was largely about coasting, as the top athletes had no difficulty advancing to the finals with conservative times. Here is a look at what unfolded during the opening qualifying session.
Women’s 400 Freestyle
The Brazilian pair of Maria Da Silva Costa (4:13.85) and Gabrielle Goncalves Roncatto (4:14.38) advanced as the top two seeds, with American Paige Madden lurking in the third spot behind a swim of 4:14.62. Another American in the field, Rachel Stege, qualified fourth in 4:14.60.
Men’s 400 Freestyle
Brazil’s Guilherme Costa, who finished just off the podium in the event at last summer’s World Championships, cruised through the morning in 3:52.23. Costa should be much faster during finals, where American Jay Litherland will go as the second seed following a 3:55.00 in the prelims.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Canada’s Rachel Nicol will occupy Lane Four in the evening after narrowly earning the top seed for finals. Nicol checked in at 1:08.10, which was .02 quicker than what Argentina’s Macarena Ceballos managed. There was a two-second dropoff following the top two times.
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
No one came close to cracking the minute barrier. In fact, no athletes went under 1:01. American Noah Nichols moved through his two laps in 1:01.10 while Canadian Gabriel Mastromatteo was right behind in 1:01.37.
Women’s 200 Butterfly
Kelly Pash and Dakota Luther set themselves up for a gold-silver sweep in the 200 butterfly by moving on as the top seeds. Pash delivered a mark of 2:10.68, which was slightly quicker than the 2:10.78 of Luther. The showdown between the U.S. standouts should be one of the best duels of the evening finals.
Men’s 200 Butterfly
Mason Laur registered the only sub-2:00 performance of the morning, touching the wall in 1:57.58 for a three-second margin over Erick Gordillo Guzman, who went 2:00.60.
Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay
Brazil and the United States placed first and second in prelims, with the Brazilians taking Lane Four in 3:42.74. Team USA was next at 3:42.87.
Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay
As was the case in the women’s race, Brazil and the United States posted the fastest times, with Brazil going 3:16.15 for the top seed. The United States checked in at 3:16.57.