TYR Pro Series: Lilly King, Katie Ledecky Headline Fast Opening Prelims Session in Mission Viejo
With USA Swimming’s decision to adopt a morning-finals format for this week’s TYR Pro Series stop in Mission Viejo, there is a distinct Olympic feel to the competition. This summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, of course, will operate with morning finals. Many of the biggest names in the American arsenal are racing at the Marguerite Aquatics Center, including Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel, and the meet is an excellent tuneup opportunity just two months shy of the United States Olympic Trials in Omaha.
Here is an event-by-event breakdown of the Thursday-night preliminaries.
Women’s 200 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky was not messing around in her first swim of the meet, as she bolted to an early advantage and clocked 1:55.40 to take the top seed for tomorrow’s finals by nearly three seconds. Ledecky was out in 56.44 and came home in 58.96. Seeing a sub-1:55 performance in the morning seems likely for the reigning Olympic champion in the event.
Allison Schmitt, the 2012 Olympic champion, earned the second seed in 1:58.20, with Katie McLaughlin going 1:58.30 for the third seed. Those times at this point in the season are encouraging for the United States as it seeks to win a third straight Olympic gold medal in the 800 freestyle relay.
Event 3 Women 200 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 1:52.98 7/29/2009 Federica Pellegrini, ITA
American: A 1:53.61 7/31/2012 Allison Schmitt, USA Olympic Team
U.S. Open: O 1:54.40 6/25/2012 Allison Schmitt, North Baltimore
Jr World: J 1:55.43 7/24/2019 Junxuan Yang, CHN
Pro Swim: P 1:54.43 2016 Katie Ledecky
2:00.24 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
2:01.69 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Katie Ledecky 24 Nation's Capital 1:54.59 1:55.40Jq
r:+0.65 27.42 56.44 (29.02)
1:26.20 (29.76) 1:55.40 (29.20)
2 Allison Schmitt 30 Sun Devil Swimmi 1:56.01 1:58.20 q
r:+0.67 28.19 57.96 (29.77)
1:27.94 (29.98) 1:58.20 (30.26)
3 Katie McLaughli 23 California Aquat 1:56.48 1:58.30 q
r:+0.69 28.59 58.47 (29.88)
1:28.55 (30.08) 1:58.30 (29.75)
4 Madisyn Cox 25 Longhorn Aquatic 1:58.52 1:58.31 q
r:+0.72 28.01 57.84 (29.83)
1:28.31 (30.47) 1:58.31 (30.00)
5 *Joanna Evans 23 Longhorn Aquatic 1:59.26 1:58.43 q
r:+0.67 28.07 57.76 (29.69)
1:28.34 (30.58) 1:58.43 (30.09)
6 Hali Flickinger 26 Sun Devil Swimmi 1:57.65 1:58.49 q
r:+0.69 28.26 58.31 (30.05)
1:28.64 (30.33) 1:58.49 (29.85)
7 Emma Nordin 21 Sun Devil Swimmi 1:59.36 1:58.51 q
r:+0.69 28.47 57.96 (29.49)
1:28.26 (30.30) 1:58.51 (30.25)
8 Abbey Weitzeil 24 California Aquat 2:00.11 1:58.65 q
r:+0.67 27.28 57.41 (30.13)
1:27.93 (30.52) 1:58.65 (30.72)
Men’s 200 Freestyle
International athletes headlined the prelims of the men’s 200 freestyle, with Jordan’s Khader Baqlah grabbing the No. 1 position for the final by the slimmest of margins over Batur Unlu of Turkey. Baqlah and Unlu each won their heats, thanks to respective times of 1:47.91 and 1:47.92. Qualifying third for the final was Andrew Seliskar, who went 1:48.38 and will be a top contender for the Olympic Trials title in the event.
Caeleb Dressel came through in fourth place with a solid marker of 1:48.69. While Dressel will be busy at the Tokyo Games, likely racing the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, a question mark surrounds whether he might handle a leg on the American 800 freestyle relay. By going 1:48 at this point in training, Dressel is certainly moving in the right direction.
Event 4 Men 200 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 1:42.00 7/28/2009 Paul Biedermann, GER
American: A 1:42.96 8/12/2008 Michael Phelps, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:44.10 7/1/2008 Michael Phelps, Club Wolverine
Jr World: J 1:46.13 12/18/2018Elijah Winnington, AUS
Pro Swim: P 1:44.82 2016 Sun Yang
1:49.65 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:50.79 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 *Khader Baqlah 22 Gator Swim Club- 1:47.72 1:47.91 q
r:+0.69 24.99 52.29 (27.30)
1:20.00 (27.71) 1:47.91 (27.91)
2 *Batur Unlu 18 Una MAAC-GA 1:47.08 1:47.92 q
r:+0.64 25.03 52.31 (27.28)
1:20.02 (27.71) 1:47.92 (27.90)
3 Andrew Seliskar 24 California Aquat 1:45.71 1:48.38 q
r:+0.62 25.00 52.54 (27.54)
1:20.44 (27.90) 1:48.38 (27.94)
4 Caeleb Dressel 24 Gator Swim Club- 1:47.31 1:48.69 q
r:+0.62 25.05 53.03 (27.98)
1:21.03 (28.00) 1:48.69 (27.66)
5 Patrick Callan 21 Una CW-MI 1:47.36 1:48.73 q
r:+0.67 25.31 52.82 (27.51)
1:20.65 (27.83) 1:48.73 (28.08)
6 Drew Loy 23 Gator Swim Club- 1:49.87 1:48.98 q
r:+0.66 25.20 52.52 (27.32)
1:20.90 (28.38) 1:48.98 (28.08)
7 Zane Grothe 28 Boulder City Hen 1:47.90 1:49.11 q
r:+0.72 26.19 54.22 (28.03)
1:21.94 (27.72) 1:49.11 (27.17)
8 *Zheng Quah 24 California Aquat 1:48.29 1:49.44 q
r:+0.57 25.23 53.42 (28.19)
1:21.39 (27.97) 1:49.44 (28.05)
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Reigning Olympic champion Lilly King made a statement in the prelims of the 100 breaststroke, as the Indiana University product checked in with a time of 1:05.32. King split 30.42 on her first 50 and came home in 34.90 to easily garner the top seed for the final, where a push at sub-1:05 seems possible. The swim marks the second time in the past few weeks in which King has broken 1:06.
Earning the second seed for the final was Lydia Jacoby, an Alaskan high school standout who is committed to the University of Texas. The 17-year-old turned in a time of 1:06.99 to finish just ahead of Annie Lazor, who went 1:07.09. Six women broke 1:08 in prelims, an impressive total given the point of the season.
Event 5 Women 100 LC Meter Breaststroke
==================================================================
World: W 1:04.13 7/25/2017 Lilly King, USA
American: A 1:04.13 7/25/2017 Lilly King, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:04.45 8/7/2009 Jessica Hardy, Trojan
Jr World: J 1:05.39 8/20/2014 Ruta Meilutyte, LTU
Pro Swim: P 1:05.57 2011 Rebecca Soni
1:09.55 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:10.99 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Lilly King 24 Indiana Swim Clu 1:04.93 1:05.32Jq
r:+0.68 30.42 1:05.32 (34.90)
2 Lydia Jacoby 17 Unattached-AK 1:07.57 1:06.99 q
r:+0.64 32.03 1:06.99 (34.96)
3 Annie Lazor 26 Mission Viejo Na 1:06.03 1:07.09 q
r:+0.69 31.63 1:07.09 (35.46)
4 Emily Escobedo 25 Condors Swim Clu 1:07.11 1:07.49 q
r:+0.64 32.31 1:07.49 (35.18)
5 Molly Hannis 29 Tennessee Aquati 1:06.43 1:07.55 q
r:+0.69 32.42 1:07.55 (35.13)
6 Kaitlyn Dobler 19 Unattached-OR 1:06.97 1:07.80 q
r:+0.64 31.20 1:07.80 (36.60)
7 *Diana Petkova 20 Una BAMA-SE 1:08.78 1:08.06 q
r:+0.70 32.11 1:08.06 (35.95)
8 Micah Sumrall 30 Gamecock Aquatic 1:07.40 1:08.18 q
r:+0.70 32.60 1:08.18 (35.58)
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
Two months shy of the Olympic Trials, the United States is in search of a breaststroker that can be provide a potent-enough leg on the medley relay to give the Americans a shot at gold in Tokyo. Could Nic Fink be that guy? The Georgia graduate and member of several U.S. international teams led qualifying in the 100 breaststroke with the only sub-minute mark of the evening. Fink touched the wall in 59.89.
Michael Andrew, who will also be in contention in Omaha, was third in 1:00.36, with the Americans sandwiching Bulgaria’s Lyubomir Epitropov, who was 1:00.32. Andrew Wilson was fourth in 1:00.51.
Event 6 Men 100 LC Meter Breaststroke
==================================================================
World: W 56.88 7/21/2019 Adam Peaty, GBR
American: A 58.64 7/23/2017 Kevin Cordes, USA
U.S. Open: O 58.74 6/30/2017 Kevin Cordes/Jaoa Gomes, Unattached-SE
Jr World: J 59.01 8/23/2017 Nicolo Martinenghi, ITA
Pro Swim: P 58.86 2017 Adam Peaty
1:01.97 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:03.29 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Nic Fink 27 Athens Bulldog S 59.94 59.89 q
r:+0.73 28.39 59.89 (31.50)
2 Lyubomir Epitro 21 U of Tennessee-S 1:00.96 1:00.32 q
r:+0.68 28.34 1:00.32 (31.98)
3 Michael Andrew 21 Race Pace Club-S 59.14 1:00.36 q
r:+0.67 28.16 1:00.36 (32.20)
4 Andrew Wilson 27 Athens Bulldog S 58.93 1:00.51 q
r:+0.61 28.55 1:00.51 (31.96)
5 Michael Houlie 20 U of Tennessee-S 59.64 1:00.77 q
r:+0.61 27.30 1:00.77 (33.47)
6 Kevin Cordes 27 Athens Bulldog S 1:00.21 1:01.13 q
r:+0.70 28.73 1:01.13 (32.40)
7 Tommy Cope 23 Club Wolverine-M 1:01.21 1:01.15 q
r:+0.61 28.19 1:01.15 (32.96)
8 Reece Whitley 21 Unattached-PC 1:00.05 1:01.20 q
r:+0.71 29.14 1:01.20 (32.06)
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Longtime Team USA staple Kelsi Dahlia is starting her surge toward Omaha, as she covered her prelim of the 100 butterfly in 58.10. The veteran will be pressed this summer by a rising crop of youngsters, including teenagers Claire Curzan and Torri Huske. Katie McLaughlin qualified for her second final during the session, as she followed up advancing in the 200 freestyle with a 58.83 outing that secured the second seed.
Event 7 Women 100 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 55.48 8/7/2016 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
American: A 55.98 7/29/2012 Dana Vollmer, USA Olympic Team
U.S. Open: O 56.38 1/15/2016 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
Jr World: J 56.46 8/7/2016 Penny Oleksiak, CAN
Pro Swim: P 56.38 2016 Sarah Sjostrom
59.59 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
1:00.69 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Kelsi Dahlia 26 Cardinal Aquatic 57.06 58.10 q
r:+0.61 27.25 58.10 (30.85)
2 Katie McLaughli 23 California Aquat 57.23 58.83 q
r:+0.71 27.92 58.83 (30.91)
3 *Beryl Gastalde 26 Aggie Swim Club- 57.69 59.35 q
r:+0.63 27.40 59.35 (31.95)
4 Natalie Hinds 27 Athens Bulldog S 58.67 59.36 q
r:+0.64 27.17 59.36 (32.19)
5 Lillie Nordmann 18 Alto Swim Club-P 57.96 59.40 q
r:+0.69 28.01 59.40 (31.39)
6 Rachel Klinker 20 Unattached-PC 59.18 59.43 q
r:+0.71 28.04 59.43 (31.39)
7 Madeline Banic 23 Tennessee Aquati 59.95 59.46 q
r:+0.65 27.19 59.46 (32.27)
8 Rhyan White 21 Univ Alabama Swi 1:03.09 59.63 q
r:+0.69 28.01 59.63 (31.62)
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Guatemalan Luis Martinez paced the way in the 100 butterfly, as the 2019 Pan American Games silver medalist in the event was the lone swimmer under the 52-second barrier. Martinez touched the wall in 51.96, with Tom Shields going 52.17 to advance as the second seed. Andrew Seliskar went 52.31 for the third seed and Michael Andrew, racing his second consecutive event, clocked 52.43.
Two-time defending world champion Caeleb Dressel qualified seventh for the final in 52.60, having contested the 200 freestyle earlier in the session.
Event 8 Men 100 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 49.50 7/26/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
American: A 49.50 7/26/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
U.S. Open: O 50.22 7/9/2009 Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
Jr World: J 50.62 7/29/2017 Kristof Milak, HUN
Pro Swim: P 50.92 3/6/2020 Caeleb Dressel, Gator Swim Club-
53.37 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
54.19 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Luis Martinez 25 Unattached-SE 51.44 51.96 q
r:+0.64 24.41 51.96 (27.55)
2 Tom Shields 29 California Aquat 51.59 52.17 q
r:+0.72 24.40 52.17 (27.77)
3 Andrew Seliskar 24 California Aquat 51.34 52.31 q
r:+0.62 24.41 52.31 (27.90)
4 Michael Andrew 21 Race Pace Club-S 51.33 52.43 q
r:+0.65 24.00 52.43 (28.43)
5 *Eric Friese 22 Una GSC-FL 54.18 52.45 q
r:+0.66 24.35 52.45 (28.10)
6 Ryan Murphy 25 California Aquat 52.13 52.59 q
r:+0.60 24.82 52.59 (27.77)
7 Caeleb Dressel 24 Gator Swim Club- 49.50 52.60 q
r:+0.62 24.94 52.60 (27.66)
8 Santiago Grassi 24 Unattached-SE 51.88 52.86 q
r:+0.61 24.31 52.86 (28.55)
Women’s 400 Individual Medley
The field for the 400 individual medley included the majority of the leading contenders for Trials, and it was Hali Flickinger who posted the fastest time of the night. Best known for her prowess in the 200 butterfly, Flickinger was the only athlete to go under 4:40, as she stopped the clock in 4:39.13. Right behind were Madisyn Cox (4:40.11), Ally McHugh (4:40.25) and Brooke Forde (4:40.59).
Melanie Margalis, who had a breakthrough swim of 4:32.53 last year, went 4:44.09 for fifth.
Event 9 Women 400 LC Meter IM
==================================================================
World: W 4:26.36 8/6/2016 Katinka Hosszu, HUN
American: A 4:31.12 6/29/2008 Katie Hoff, North Baltimore
U.S. Open: O 4:31.07 6/19/2015 Katinka Hosszu, HUN
Jr World: J 4:35.94 12/31/2020Yiting Yu, CHN
Pro Swim: P 4:31.07 2015 Katinka Hosszu
4:47.72 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
4:51.79 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Hali Flickinger 26 Sun Devil Swimmi 4:38.84 4:39.13 q
r:+0.75 29.77 1:02.68 (32.91)
1:39.64 (36.96) 2:15.59 (35.95)
2:55.39 (39.80) 3:36.37 (40.98)
4:08.50 (32.13) 4:39.13 (30.63)
2 Madisyn Cox 25 Longhorn Aquatic 4:37.23 4:40.11 q
r:+0.71 29.27 1:03.06 (33.79)
1:39.56 (36.50) 2:15.39 (35.83)
2:54.86 (39.47) 3:35.05 (40.19)
4:08.26 (33.21) 4:40.11 (31.85)
3 Ally McHugh 23 Wisconsin Aquati 4:38.09 4:40.25 q
r:+0.78 31.07 1:05.58 (34.51)
1:42.06 (36.48) 2:17.55 (35.49)
2:57.17 (39.62) 3:36.96 (39.79)
4:09.44 (32.48) 4:40.25 (30.81)
4 Brooke Forde 22 Alto Swim Club-P 4:36.06 4:40.59 q
r:+0.69 30.02 1:03.86 (33.84)
1:42.27 (38.41) 2:18.93 (36.66)
2:57.70 (38.77) 3:36.76 (39.06)
4:09.72 (32.96) 4:40.59 (30.87)
5 Melanie Margali 29 Saint Petersburg 4:32.53 4:44.09 q
r:+0.68 30.35 1:04.56 (34.21)
1:42.19 (37.63) 2:18.62 (36.43)
2:58.06 (39.44) 3:37.55 (39.49)
4:11.41 (33.86) 4:44.09 (32.68)
6 Leah Smith 25 Unattached-AZ 4:40.38 4:45.38 q
r:+0.67 30.66 1:04.98 (34.32)
1:42.18 (37.20) 2:18.65 (36.47)
3:00.48 (41.83) 3:41.89 (41.41)
4:13.82 (31.93) 4:45.38 (31.56)
7 Haley Anderson 29 Mission Viejo Na 4:43.00 4:47.06 q
r:+0.78 30.65 59.85 (29.20)
1:43.19 (43.34)
3:42.63 ( )
4:15.63 (33.00) 4:47.06 (31.43)
8 Bethany Galat 25 Aggie Swim Club- 4:43.28 4:50.11 q
r:+0.60 30.06 1:03.82 (33.76)
1:43.37 (39.55) 2:21.21 (37.84)
3:00.94 (39.73) 3:28.94 (28.00)
4:50.11 (1:21.17)
Men’s 400 Individual Medley
Cal’s Sean Grieshop, a member of the Golden Bears’ runnerup squad at the recent NCAA Championships, led the way into the final by more than a second, on the strength of a 4:18.13 performance. Charlie Swanson went 4:19.43 to grab the second seed, with Ecuador’s Tomas Peribonio third in 4:21.95.
Event 10 Men 400 LC Meter IM
==================================================================
World: W 4:03.84 8/10/2008 Michael Phelps, USA
American: A 4:03.84 8/10/2008 Michael Phelps, USA
U.S. Open: O 4:05.25 6/29/2008 Michael Phelps, Club Wolverine
Jr World: J 4:11.50 10/29/2020Ilia Borodin, RUS
Pro Swim: P 4:08.92 2018 Chase Kalisz
4:23.24 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
4:25.99 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Sean Grieshop 22 Unattached-PC 4:13.90 4:18.13 q
r:+0.64 27.69 58.56 (30.87)
1:32.11 (33.55) 2:03.95 (31.84)
2:40.79 (36.84) 3:17.81 (37.02)
3:48.35 (30.54) 4:18.13 (29.78)
2 Charlie Swanson 23 Club Wolverine-M 4:11.46 4:19.43 q
r:+0.67 26.77 57.66 (30.89)
1:32.25 (34.59) 2:05.78 (33.53)
2:41.36 (35.58) 3:17.97 (36.61)
3:49.43 (31.46) 4:19.43 (30.00)
3 *Tom Peribonio 25 Gator Swim Club- 4:16.87 4:21.95 q
r:+0.61 27.44 58.79 (31.35)
1:31.99 (33.20) 2:05.03 (33.04)
2:41.71 (36.68) 3:19.69 (37.98)
3:50.99 (31.30) 4:21.95 (30.96)
4 *Jarod Arroyo 20 Una SUN-AZ 4:16.67 4:22.64 q
r:+0.67 27.74 59.37 (31.63)
1:33.58 (34.21) 2:07.16 (33.58)
2:43.56 (36.40) 3:20.69 (37.13)
3:52.21 (31.52) 4:22.64 (30.43)
5 Grant Sanders 23 Gator Swim Club- 4:18.28 4:23.86 q
r:+0.70 27.07 57.74 (30.67)
1:31.87 (34.13) 2:06.15 (34.28)
2:44.26 (38.11) 3:21.69 (37.43)
3:53.35 (31.66) 4:23.86 (30.51)
6 Josh Prenot 27 California Aquat 4:18.74 4:24.92 q
r:+0.66 27.59 59.40 (31.81)
1:34.77 (35.37) 2:08.76 (33.99)
2:44.32 (35.56) 3:20.61 (36.29)
3:53.80 (33.19) 4:24.92 (31.12)
7 Mikey Calvillo 20 Indiana Swim Clu 4:16.98 4:26.99 q
r:+0.69 27.57 59.39 (31.82)
1:34.32 (34.93) 2:07.98 (33.66)
2:46.39 (38.41) 3:25.68 (39.29)
3:57.08 (31.40) 4:26.99 (29.91)
8 Keaton Jones 16 Swim Neptune-AZ 4:24.89 4:27.42 q
r:+0.76 26.95 58.19 (31.24)
1:31.40 (33.21) 2:04.28 (32.88)
2:44.62 (40.34) 3:25.54 (40.92)
3:56.70 (31.16) 4:27.42 (30.72)
