Summer McIntosh Obliterates 4:30 Barrier in 500-Yard Freestyle; Only Katie Ledecky Has Been Quicker
Before Summer McIntosh entered the water for the 500-yard freestyle at Winter Juniors-East on Thursday night, only two athletes had broken the 4:30 barrier in the event. That club increased to three, thanks to McIntosh posting the eighth-fastest time in history at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Later in the evening, at the Winter Juniors-West, Bella Sims and Katie Grimes also went under 4:30.
Representing the Sarasota Sharks, McIntosh blazed to a time of 4:27.52. Only Katie Ledecky has been faster, as the American legend owns the seven-fastest performances of all-time, including a 4:24.06 clocking for the fastest mark in history. In addition to Ledecky, McIntosh joined a special group that also includes Leah Smith, whose best time sits at 4:28.90.
There was no doubt the 16-year-old Canadian was primed to produce a spectacular performance. Following a prelims swim of 4:34.15, McIntosh significantly increased her speed off the start, going through the opening 100 yards in 50.94 and hitting the 200-yard mark in an eye-popping 1:44.45. Over the second half of the race, McIntosh raced against the clock, ultimately delivering a time that – as crazy as it might sound – was somewhat expected.
Although unknown in short-course yards, McIntosh has established herself as one of the world’s premier all-around swimmers. More, she is one of the top 400 freestylers in the Olympic-sized pool, and her prowess in that event figured to translate into the smaller pool. Clearly, that scenario unfolded, with McIntosh claiming the title in North Carolina by 12-plus seconds. Sarasota teammate Michaela Mattes was the runnerup, going 4:39.93.
On the opening night of Winter Juniors-East, McIntosh showed she was in tremendous form, as she powered her club to victory in the 800 freestyle relay behind a leadoff split of 1:40.19.
Event 5 Women 500 Yard Freestyle
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SC Juniors: M 4:27.52 12/8/2022 Summer McIntosh, Sarasota Sharks-
Pool Record: P 4:29.54 12/4/2014 Katie Ledecky, NCAP-PV
Name Age Team Prelims Finals HyPts Points
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=== A - Final ===
1 Summer McIntosh 16 Sarasota Sharks- 4:34.15 4:27.52M 1079 20
r:+0.77 24.34 50.94 (26.60)
1:17.66 (26.72) 1:44.45 (26.79)
2:11.39 (26.94) 2:38.39 (27.00)
3:05.70 (27.31) 3:33.12 (27.42)
4:00.73 (27.61) 4:27.52 (26.79)
2 Michaela Mattes 17 Sarasota Sharks- 4:45.15 4:39.93 937 17
r:+0.80 25.97 53.59 (27.62)
1:21.56 (27.97) 1:49.71 (28.15)
2:18.13 (28.42) 2:46.52 (28.39)
3:14.99 (28.47) 3:43.78 (28.79)
4:12.03 (28.25) 4:39.93 (27.90)
3 Lynsey Bowen 15 Carmel Swim Club 4:44.36 4:40.69 929 16
r:+0.77 25.11 52.61 (27.50)
1:20.56 (27.95) 1:48.60 (28.04)
2:17.14 (28.54) 2:46.15 (29.01)
3:14.93 (28.78) 3:43.66 (28.73)
4:12.61 (28.95) 4:40.69 (28.08)
4 Libby Grether 17 DCST-OH 4:46.72 4:48.16 848 15
r:+0.73 26.25 54.83 (28.58)
1:23.69 (28.86) 1:52.75 (29.06)
2:22.33 (29.58) 2:51.34 (29.01)
3:20.48 (29.14) 3:49.72 (29.24)
4:18.98 (29.26) 4:48.16 (29.18)
5 Amanda Barnard 16 NOVA of Virginia 4:49.64 4:49.01 839 14
r:+0.78 26.87 55.47 (28.60)
1:24.36 (28.89) 1:53.49 (29.13)
2:22.77 (29.28) 2:52.17 (29.40)
3:21.68 (29.51) 3:51.33 (29.65)
4:20.55 (29.22) 4:49.01 (28.46)
6 Maddie Waggoner 18 Jersey Wahoos-MA 4:48.76 4:49.25 837 13
r:+0.76 26.41 54.85 (28.44)
1:23.60 (28.75) 1:52.94 (29.34)
2:22.46 (29.52) 2:52.01 (29.55)
3:21.43 (29.42) 3:51.01 (29.58)
4:20.63 (29.62) 4:49.25 (28.62)
7 Lilla Bognar 16 TG-SC 4:48.52 4:51.08 818 12
r:+0.62 26.57 54.95 (28.38)
1:24.05 (29.10) 1:53.42 (29.37)
2:22.98 (29.56) 2:52.24 (29.26)
3:21.84 (29.60) 3:51.77 (29.93)
4:21.72 (29.95) 4:51.08 (29.36)
8 Summer Cardwell 18 TBAC-FL 4:49.42 4:52.83 800 11
r:+0.73 25.99 54.54 (28.55)
1:23.45 (28.91) 1:52.78 (29.33)
2:22.59 (29.81) 2:52.44 (29.85)
3:22.63 (30.19) 3:52.72 (30.09)
4:23.36 (30.64) 4:52.83 (29.47)