USA Swimming Sectionals
It’s been more than three years since Will Licon sniffed a berth to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, finishing third in the 200-meter breaststroke at the United States Olympic Trials in Omaha. As his next Olympic-qualifying opportunity approaches, the University of Texas graduate is looking every bit a threat for a trip to Tokyo.
Racing at the USA Swimming Sectionals stop in College Station, Texas on Saturday night, Licon won the 200 breast in 2:10.84, a mark that was more than four seconds clear of Colin Feehery (2:14.89). The 25-year-old Licon was out in 30.35, hit the midway point in 1:03.19 and checked in at the 150-meter mark in 1:37.44. Licon’s personal best sits at the 2:07.62 he posted to win gold at last summer’s Pan American Games.
Also in College Station, Canadian Sydney Pickrem, a three-time bronze medalist at the World Championships, won the 400 individual medley in 4:42.30. That win followed up a victory in the 100 freestyle on Friday night. Sam Stewart backed up his win in the 200 backstroke from Friday night with a strong outing in the 200 freestyle. Stewart, a product of the University of Texas, clocked 1:49.15 to beat Coby Carrozza (1:49.92), who won the 100 butterfly in 53.90. On the women’s side, Claire Rasmus won the 200 free in 2:00.22.
In other action, Lillie Nordmann, a Stanford recruit, was the lone swimmer to break a minute in the 100 butterfly, going 59.89. Esther Gonzalez Medina was first in the 200 breaststroke in 2:29.13 and David Johnston won the 400 medley in 4:23.40.
In short-course action in Carlsbad, California, Michael Andrew won the 100 breaststroke in 52.01 and doubled with a first-place finish in the 50 freestyle, thanks to a time of 19.16.
Ethan Hu was quickest in the 200 butterfly, going 1:43.60, with 200 freestyle victories claimed by Samantha Pearson (1:46.16) and Jude Williams (1:37.79), who earned his third win of the meet. Pearson also won the 50 free in 22.59 while Teagan O’Dell (4:13.42) and Jonathan Affeld (3:49.02) topped the competition in the 400 medley.
