Texas A&M started off preliminary races strong by placing three swimmers in the top eight 400-yard individual medley finishers. The Aggies were led by Sydney Pickrem, who posted the morning’s fastest time in 4:07.36. Her teammate, Lisa Bratton, touched third with a time of 4:07.79. Tennessee’s Amanda Carner was second fastest.
In the men’s heats, Tennessee’s Sam McHugh was first in preliminaries. The sophomore touched in 3:44.36. He was followed by Georgia’s Gunnar Bentz, who touched in 3:44.76, and Joe Patching of Auburn. Patching, the winner of last night’s 200-yard individual medley, posted a time of 3:45.12.
Texas A&M’s Sarah Gibson had a monster swim in the 100-yard butterfly. The junior posted a time of 50.99. She was followed by teammate Beryl Gastaldello (51.61) and Tennessee’s Madeline Banic (52.05).
Caeleb Dressel of Florida continued his dominating meet by taking first place in the 100-yard butterfly preliminaries. The U.S. National Team member posted a time of 45.14. Auburn’s Arthur Mendes was second with a time of 45.72 and Logan Rysemus was third in 46.02.
In the women’s 200-yard freestyle, Georgia’s Brittany MacLean placed first with a time of 1:44.51. She was followed by teammate Meaghan Raab and Texas A&M’s Claire Rasmus. Raab touched in 1:45.26 and Rasmus posted a time of 1:45.81.
Georgia’s Matias Koski took first in men’s prelims. He posted a time of 1:34.23. Auburn’s Hugo Morris was second with a time of 1:34.31 and Mitch D’Arrigo took third with a 1:34.59.
Finals begin at 6 p.m.
If memory serves Pickrem, who hopes to make it to Rio this summer as part of Team Canada, was top qualifier last night in 200 IM.
Wonder if Austin Staab has his fingers/toes crossed that Dresssel doesn’t get into the 43s tonite (for that matter how ’bout a certain Mr. Schooling?)
Chip Fields