U.S. Nationals: Carson Foster Takes Top Seed in 400 IM as Finke, Litherland, Kalisz Chase

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Nationals: Carson Foster Takes Top Seed in 400 IM as Finke, Litherland, Kalisz Chase

The men’s 400 IM went the predictable route during prelims of the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis.

Carson Foster and Chase Kalisz won their prelims heats and a pack of Olympians showed up strong.

Foster was at 4:13.13 to take the top seed by two seconds. Bobby Finke , who won the mile, took the second spot in 4:15.15, just ahead of fellow Olympian Jay Litherland (4:15.21). Kalisz was fourth overall at 4:15.78, setting up a huge race with the quartet.

The final heat saw Carson Foster take a big lead heading into the breaststroke leg, then continue to build it and pull away from the field.

In the seventh heat of eight, Olympic champion Kalisz took an early lead through the butterfly and was overtaken slightly by Ian Grum during the backstroke leg before retaking the lead during the first 50 of the breaststroke. He kept that lead despite an extremely strong swim with Baylor Nelson. Kalisz finished in 4:15.78 and Nelson was at 4:17.07.

There was a big difference from the top four to the bottom four of the finals.

Aggie Swim Club’s Baylor Nelson took the fifth spot at 4:17.07, followed by West Virginia’s Danny Berlitz (4:17.46), Cal’s Sean Grieshop (4:17.86) and Wolfpack’s Owen Lloyd (4:18.88).

Jake Foster and Charlie Swanson scratched the event at U.S. Nationals.

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