TYR Pro Swim Series: Loaded 200 IM Final Set with Michael Andrew Leading
The final night of the TYR Pro Swim Series stop in San Antonio will begin with a loaded duel in the 200 IM, where Michael Andrew grabbed the top seed in prelims.
Andrew set the pace in 1:59.60 Saturday morning, one of three swimmers under two minutes. Second is Leon Marchand, the deposed then reinstated 400 IM champ, in 1:59.72. Third is 100 back/100 fly champ Shaine Casas, who opted for this instead of the 200 back. He went 1:59.86 in the morning session.
Chase Kalisz (fourth in 2:00.65) and Jay Litherland (2:02.97) are also in the A final.
The final night session will add a rematch of both American Olympians from the Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 200 back. Phoebe Bacon led the way in 2:10.66 in the morning, just .22 up on Rhyan White. Leah Smith was the third seed, though she’ll face a decision for finals after grabbing the top seed in the 200 IM (2:14.12). Melanie Margalis and Beata Nelson were second and third, respectively, in that event.
The 100 free sets up a showdown of Olympians, with Claire Curzan and Erika Brown tying for first in the morning in 54.58 seconds. Third is Katie Ledecky in 54.72, followed .01 back by Natalie Hinds.
The men’s 100 free provides plenty of storylines, as well. Andrej Barna of Louisville grabbed the top seed in 49.41 seconds, one of nine swimmers under 50-point in what will require a swim off if no one scratches. Maxime Rooney was second, .04 back. Another hundredth back was a tie between Ryan Held and Drew Kibler. Caeleb Dressel was seventh in the morning in 49.67. The tie for eighth is between Zach Apple and Brett Pinfold.
The men’s 200 back is mainly an international affair. Yeziel Morales of Puerto Rico is the top seed by more than four seconds after going 2:02.55 in the morning. Second is Texas A&M’s Slovenian international Anze Erzen in 2:06.61.
The evening session also features the 1,500 free, in which neither Ledecky nor Smith are entered. Sierra Schmidt is the top seed among nine women, while Marwan Aly ElKamash leads the men’s field of 12.