U.S. Nationals: Claire Curzan Scratching 100 Butterfly Final With Non-COVID Illness
After placing fourth in the 200 backstroke final Wednesday evening and then fourth in the 100 butterfly prelims Thursday morning, Claire Curzan is withdrawing from the event’s final. Curzan has been dealing with a non-COVID illness this week, and she made the decision to withdraw after a 100 fly swim (58.82) that was more than 2.5 seconds off her season-best time, a 56.35 that ranks her third in the world for 2022.
The 18-year-old’s status for the remainder of the meet is unclear. She is entered in the 100 backstroke Friday and the 50 freestyle Saturday.
Curzan is one of just a handful of World Championship team members who chose to come to U.S. Nationals, with many others opting for a break from big meets after qualifying for and then swimming in Budapest. At her first Worlds, Curzan won individual bronze in the 100 backstroke plus four relay medals, golds as part of the U.S. women’s 400 medley relay and mixed 400 medley relay and bronzes on the women’s 400 free relay and mixed 400 free relay.
With Curzan out, Texas’ Emma Sticklen is set to move into the championship final after she placed ninth in the morning in 59.65. Gabi Albiero posted the top time in the 100 fly prelims at 57.92, with Gretchen Walsh finishing just behind at 57.99. Both swimmers swam under 58 seconds for the first time in the morning heats.
