Pan American Games, Day Two Prelims: Maggie Mac Neil Chasing Another International Title
The second day of action at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile brought the individual debut of Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil, who contested the 100-meter butterfly and cruised into the final. Meanwhile, reigning champ Fernando Scheffer of Brazil positioned himself to chase a repeat in the 200 freestyle.
Here is a look at what took place in the Day Two prelims.
Women’s 200 Freestyle
Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey and the United States’ Camille Spink were the lone athletes to dip under two minutes during the morning. Harvey paced the field into the finals with a swim of 1:59.31 while Spink touched the wall in 1:59.94.
Men’s 200 Freestyle
Brazil maximized its entries in the prelim heats of the 200 free, sweeping the top three slots. Breno Martins covered his four laps in 1:47.59 and was followed by countrymen Murilo Setin Sartori (1:47.63) and Fernando Scheffer, the 2019 titlist who went 1:48.03. Americans Zane Grothe and Coby Carrozza were fourth and fifth in respective times of 1:48.17 and 1:49.10.
Women’s 100 Butterfly
The American tandem of Kelly Pash (58.34) and Olivia Bray (58.84) occupied the top slots in prelims, with Valentina Becerra Quintanilla finishing third in 59.70. But the favorite for the final will undoubtedly be Canada’s Maggie Mac Neil, the Olympic and world champion who eased through her prelims swim in 59.73.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Luke Miller put together a strong showing in the morning, cracking the 52-second barrier in the 100 fly with an effort of 51.99. Brazil’s Vini Lanza, a longtime staple on the world stage for his country, was second in 52.78 and figures to have more when the medals are on the line at night.
Women’s 200 Backstroke
Kennedy Noble earned the top seed for the final of the 200 backstroke, clocking in at 2:13.54 to finish just ahead of Brazil’s Alexia Tavares Assuncao (2:13.61).
Men’s 200 Backstroke
Ian Grum and Jack Aikins have positioned the United States for a gold-silver sweep. Grum topped qualifying behind a performance of 1:59.21 while Aikins was the other athlete in the field to go under two minutes. Aikins stopped the clock in 1:59.28.
Mixed 400 Freestyle Relay
The United States comfortable landed the No. 1 seed for the final, thanks to a time of 3:28.96. Team USA will be looking for its first relay title of the meet. Canada checked in second at 3:30.05 while Brazil went 3:32.02 for the third seed.