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David Marsh met with the media tonight to evaluate SwimMAC Team Elite’s performance this weekend and also to look at the state of USA Swimming at this point in the season. Marsh talks about how breaststroke might be a strength for the US women this summer, and the potential for Maya Dirado.
Original race reports:
Madison Kennedy’s “Breakthrough”
Madison Kennedy jumped from 11th to sixth in the world in the 50 freestyle tonight with her time of 24.45. Her previous season best was a 24.71 from the Orlando stop of the Pro Series.
That time broke Dara Torres’ American textile record of 24.53 from 2007!
Dana Vollmer continued the impressive speed this weekend and raced to a 24.69, which will vault her to tenth.
Abby Weitzeil matched her season best with a 24.72. Simone Manuel posted a 24.78. Kelis Worrell was back on the blocks again, finishing fifth in 25.07.
Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace (25.14), Amanda Weir (25.45), and Isabella Arcila (25.69) also competed in the A final.
Lia Neal won the B final in 25.13.
US Women’s Breaststroke:
Original 100 breast report:
Katie Meili held off a charging Alia Atkinson 1:06.49 to 1:06.84 to win the 100 breaststroke tonight in Mesa. That swim moved Meili from 11th in the world this year to sixth. Atkinson who was out of the top 20 and now sits in 13th.
Molly Hannis was off her season best, world’s fourth 1:06.16, with her third place 1:06.95.
Jessica Hardy raced to a 1:07.09 for fourth. Sarah Haase (1:07.53), Hilde Luthersdottir (1:07.86), Melanie Margalis (1:07.97) and Haley Spencer (1:08.69) rounded out the A final.
Breeja Larson topped the B final in a 1:08.61.
