U.S. Nationals: Ryan Held Swims Personal Best and Wins National Title in 50 Free
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Men’s 50 Free (Ryan Held)
Defending his top seed from this mornings prelims session and taking home a national title in the men’s 50 free was 2016 Olympian Ryan Held. Held swam a quick time of 21.87, dropping one hundredth of a second off of his personal best. Held is now 13th in the world for 2019 and is the third fastest American this year.
Two swimmers will be sharing the podium tonight for silver. Mission Viejo Nadadores swimmer, Robert Howard tied with Bowe Becker. Becker had a faster reaction time off the block, but Howard powered through at the flag as the two both hit the touch-pad at 22 seconds flat. Let it be noted that both of them swam personal bests.
Finishing in fourth place was Payton Sorenson. This was the BYU swimmers debut appearance in any final session at this years nationals. Sorenson swam a personal best with a time of 22.18.
Hitting the wall at 22.25 was David Curtiss, finishing in fifth place.
Erik Risolvato moved up one seed, finishing in sixth place, the Athletes In Action swimmer posted a time of 22.32.
Seventh place finisher in the A final of the men’s 50 free was Gus Borges. The Brazilian Native and University of Michigan swimmer had one of the fastest reactions off the blocks, but lost speed at the flipturn, coming in at 22.46.
Jack Thorpe wrapped up the A final of the sprint event coming in eighth place with a time of 22.56.
SWIMMING WORLD’S MEET PAGE FOR 2019 Phillips 66 US National Championships