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Women’s 50 Free (Erika Brown)
Tennessee Aquatics swimmer, Erika Brown, moved up one spot from her seed going into finals and overcame the top seed, Anna Santamans. The University of Tennessee senior swam a speedy 24.71, earning herself both a gold medal and a personal best. Brown is now 18th in the world and the third fastest American this year.
Following behind Brown and earning silver in the event was Gretchen Walsh. The 15-year-old from Nashville Aquatic Club, hit the wall at 24.85 and bumped up two spot from her original seed going into finals.
Anna Santamans was originally the top seed going into the event, however Walsh and Brown defeated her in the mad-dash to get the wall. Adding a few hundredths of a second from her prelims swim, Santamans finished with a time of 24.92.
Fourth place went to Auburn University graduate, Aly Tetzloff. Tetzloff had the fastest reaction time coming off the block and hit the touch-pad at 24.97.
Coming into the wall shortly after Tetzloff, and finishing in fifth place with a time of 25.02 was Athens Bulldog Swim Club member, Natalie Hinds.
Catie DeLoof finished in sixth place with a time of 25.11. The University of Michigan graduate is one of four sisters from the Deloof family to be competing at an elite level. Prior to finaling in the 50 free, Deloof also finaled in the 100 free at this years nationals.
Seventh place in the A final went to Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club member Maxine Parker. The 16-year-old finished with a time of 25.21, this was her first final appearance at this years nationals.
Wrapping up the top eight was another 16-year-old, Grace Cooper. The Delta Aquatics swimmer came into the wall at 25.33.
SWIMMING WORLD’S MEET PAGE FOR 2019 Phillips 66 US National Championships
Way to go, Gretchen and Maxine!!!!
Way to go Lady Vols
Congratulations great job