Editorial content for the 2019 USA Swimming National Championships coverage is sponsored by FORM Swim Goggles. See full event coverage.
Follow FORM on Instagram at @FORMSwim #swimwithform
Men’s 200 Free (Elijah Winnington)
Australia’s Elijah Winnington made a comeback this evening with a time of 1:46.19, dropping over a second from prelims to claim the victory. Winnington, who was fourth at each turn, was 1.29 seconds off of countryman’s Clyde Lewis’ fastest time of the year, 1:44.90 from the semifinal round of the World Championships. Winnington is using U.S. Nationals as a major meet for his summer as he was unable to earn a spot on the Aussie squad for Worlds.
Winnington is now ranked 16th in the world for 2019 and is the fourth fastest Australian this year.
Kieran Smith gained .04 to come in second with a time of 1:46.25. Taking an early lead was Dean Farris, who faded down the final lap and came in third with a time of 1:46.45. Farris was first to the 100 mark with a time of 50.92. Following the top three was Maxime Rooney, the recent Texas transfer who took fourth with a time of 1:46.78.
Smith is also notably the second fastest American this year behind Andrew Seliskar.
In fifth was Patrick Callan (1:47.36), with sixth going to Trenton Julian (1:48.03). In seventh was Mitch D’Arrigo (1:48.37), and in eighth was Jordan Pothain (1:48.98).
Another name to point out is Luca Urlando, the teenager who dominated the B final with a time of 1:46.51 and figures to be a contender for Olympic berths next summer in several events.
