2014 Charlotte Grand Prix: Hosszu with two top seeds, Kalisz vs Clary in 400 IM set up after day 2 prelims

The first full day of action at the 2014 Charlotte Grand Prix gets underway this morning, and it couldn’t kick off any bigger.

The 200 free, perhaps the marquee event of the meet is the very first to go off. It’ll be, among other things, the longest test yet ofย Michael Phelps‘s still-young comeback. But he’ll have to showdown with French superstar and NBAC training partnerย Yannick Agnel,ย as well as their teammatesย Conor Dwyerย andย Matt McLeanย plus a whole host of others.

The women’s 200 free should be a great one itself, withย Allison Schmittย holding the top seed but Hungarian machineย Katinka Hosszuย nipping at her heels.

In the 100 breast,ย Micah Lawrenceย willย look for the winย in front of her hometown SwimMAC crowd against Jessica Hardy. There’s the men’s 50 back, featuringย David Plummerย andย Nick Thoman,ย before Phelps returns to swim the 100 fly in the first double of his comeback.

The session also features the 400 IM, with Hosszu taking on recent NCAA gradย Elizabeth Beiselย and SwimMAC’sย Tyler Claryย tangling with the NCAA champ who recently broke Clary’s American record,ย Chase Kalisz.

This morning will wrap up with the 50 breaststrokes. Here are all of the events to go down today for both men and women: 200 free, 100 breast, 50 back, 100 fly, 400 IM, 50 breast, with the 400 free relay added at night.

Keep refreshing this page for live recaps of the events as they happen.

Day 1 recap

2014 ARENA GRAND PRIX AT CHARLOTTE

Women’s 200 Free – PRELIMS

After absence in Mesa while preparing for the Brazilian Championships, the Maria Lenk Trophy,ย Katinka Hosszu is back to try and continue domination of scoring in the American Grand Prix Circuit with a huge prelims swim of 1:57.86. That’s just off of her season best, but puts her comfortably out ahead in what by her standards is a light session: she’s swimming only two events, the 200 free and the 400 IM.

Americanย Allison Schmitt took 2nd in 1:59.23, and is probably the only swimmer with the mettle to challenge Hosszu in finals.

Virginia freshmanย Leah Smith is the 3rd seed in 2:00.18. Smith usually swims very well at these “bumper season” (aka, April/May) Grand Prix meets, so this result was a positive, but certainly no surprise. Anything around a 1:59-low in finals would be exciting for her.

Kathleen Baker from the home team SwimMAC was a 2:00.79 for the 4th seed, followed by Gillian Ryan (2:01.25),ย Cierra Runge (2:01.29),ย andย Becca Mann (2:01.48). Newly-turned Georgia proย Melanie Margalisย and Canadianย Sam Cheverton tied for 8th in 2:02.36, which will require a swimoff for the B-Final.

That’s a loaded B-Final that will include names likeย Chloe Sutton (2:02.47),ย Megan Romano (2:02.54),ย Shannon Vreeland (2:02.76), andย Elizabeth Beisel (2:02.90).

Men’s 200 Free – PRELIMS

Grand Prix series points leaderย Conor Dwyerย continued his reign early here, nabbing the top seed and inside lane for tonight’s 200 free. Dwyer went 1:49.31, one of just two swimmers under 1:50 this morning. Second seed is new proย Connor Jaeger,ย best-known as a miler, but who always seems to show great freestyling range down to the 200. The Michigan post-grad went 1:49.90.

Behind them, Dwyer’s teammateย Matt McLeanย beat our Jaeger’s teammateย Anders Nielsenย for the third seed. McLean went 1:50.00 after finishing second in the 800 last night, and the Danish Nielsen went 1:50.93 for fourth.

That kicked off a line of swimmers with Michigan Wolverine ties. Michael Wynalda,ย who also just wrapped up his college years in Ann Arbor, went 1:51.27 to take the five-seed, former Michigan NCAA championย Tyler Claryย took 6th with a 1:51.30, and current Club Wolverine proย Michael Kluehย was 1:51.52 for the 7th seed.

Perhaps the two biggest names in the field came in at the bubble for the championship final. French starย Yannick Agnelย barely snuck into the big dance with a 1:51.61, while his NBAC training partner Michael Phelpsย just missed out, taking 9th place in 1:51.69.

Update: It appears Agnel has been disqualified for a false start, moving Phelps up to 8th overall. Phelps, however, has scratched the race for finals to focus on his 100 fly.

Phelps will lead a powerful B final, though, that includes Olympiansย Charlie Houchinย andย Thiago Pereira,ย plus Florida’sย Mitch D’Arrigoย andย England’sย Lewis Coleman.

Women’s 100 Breast – PRELIMS

Swimming in front of a home crowd, SwimMAC’sย Micah Lawrenceย took the top seed in the women’s 100 breast, going 1:08.41. She’s one of three SwimMAC-ers in the top 8, joiningย Katie Meiliย (1:09.87, 3rd) andย Emma Reaneyย (1:10.49), just beginning her summer with the club after winning the NCAA 200 breast title for Notre Dame.

17-year-oldย Lilly Kingย of Newburgh jumped into an inside lane with the 2-seed – her 1:09.57 just beat out Meili for second. Fourth isย Emily McClellan,ย now going pro after a breakout career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. McClellan went 1:10.10.

Tennessee Aquatics’ย Molly Hannisย sits sixth (1:10.63) with Olympianย Jessica Hardyย just behind in 1:10.88. The final entry into the championship final will be former Texas NCAA champย Laura Sogarย in 1:11.19 – she just beat out current Texas Longhornย Gretchen Jaques.

Men’s 100 Breast – PRELIMS

Mike Alexandrovย has been a staple of the breaststroke events on this Grand Prix circuit, and he took the top 100 breast seed at 1:02.52. Now with the New ย York Athletic Club, Alexandrov leads by just about a half second over Canada’sย Matthew Ackmanย (1:02.94).

Brendan McHughย jumped in with the third seed at 1:03.05. Louisville Cardinalย Kameron Chastainย went 1:03.38 to come in just behind him for the fourth slot.

Tennessee proย Brad Craigย and Badger Swim Club’sย Cody Millerย (just turned pro after his Indiana Hoosier college days) claimed the next two spots in 1:03.69 and 1:03.95, respectively.

17-year-oldย Ross Palazzoย just touched out Louisville’s Thomas Dahliaย for 7th, so both will presumably swim in the A final tonight. Palazzo went 1:04.29 representing Hudson Explorer, while Dahlia put up a 1:04.33.

Great Britain’sย Christopher Steeplesย is just on the outside looking in with a 1:04.45.

Women’s 50 Back – PRELIMS

It’s been a good day for Michigan swimmers, andย Ali Deloofย continued that by taking the top spot in the women’s 50 back. She went 28.97, the only swimmer under 29 seconds in the morning session.

At night, though, she’ll have to contend with some big names. 26-year-oldย Carolina Colorย went 29.03 for second,ย Megan Romanoย was 29.18 for the Athens Bulldogs, and 17-year-oldย Kathleen Bakerย put up a 29.22 for the home SwimMAC squad. They sit 2-3-4.

Belarus swimmerย Sveta Khaklovย is just .01 back of Baker, with SMU college starย Isabella Arcilaย a tenth back of that in 29.33.

Gator Swim Club’sย Fernanda Gonzalez Ramirezย and SwimMAC’sย Ashlyn Koleticย round out the top 8, going 29.54 and 29.57.

Men’s 50 Back – PRELIMS

Continuing the Michigan theme, Club Wolverine proย Junya Kogaย won prelims of the men’s 50 back, going 25.57. Just behind him, though, is New York Athletic Club’sย David Plummer,ย who won the silver medal in the 100 back at Worlds last summer and might be even more dangerous in a 50. Plummer went 25.70.

Also under 26 seconds were Great Britain’sย Charlie Boldisย (25.96) and Badger Swim Club’sย James Wellsย (25.97).

Penn State college starย Shane Ryanย went 26.04 to just beat out his former Big Ten rivalย Miguel Ortiz.ย Ortiz, now a pro with Club Wolverine, was 26.19.

Also into the A final are Albert Subirats,ย competing for Auburn Aquatics, and 15-year-oldย Michael Andrew.ย Subirats was 26.24 and Andrew 26.31.

The B final is led by Bolles School’sย Omar Pinzonย and also features SwimMAC and Queens starย Matthew Josa,ย Wisconsin Badgerย Drew Teduitsย and NYAC’s Zach McGinnis.

Women’s 100 Fly – PRELIMS

Canada’sย Katerine Savardย leads the 100 flyers into tonight. The 20-year-old went 59.29 for CAMO, hoping to add to her win at the Orlando Grand Prix in this event.

Kristel Vournaย went 59.51 for the second seed, and U.S. Olympianย Claire Donahueย joined them under a minute with a 59.85. Those three should have a great battle tonight for the win and the $500 prize.

SwimMAC’sย Arianna Vanderpool-Wallaceย went 1:00.59 and now sits fourth, ahead of two college swimmers: Virginia’s Ellen Williamson (1:00.72)ย andย Ivy Martinย of Wisconsin (1:00.89).

Rounding out the top 8 isย Kate Millsย at 1:01.20 andย Louisville star Kelsi Worrellย with a 1:01.21.

Men’s 100 Fly – PRELIMS

ACC Swimmer of the Yearย Pavel Sankovichย had a spirited battle with comeback kidย Michael Phelpsย in the fastest of the prelims heats, with Sankovich just touching out Phelps 53.23 to 53.26. Those two immediately shot to the top of the standings and stayed there, and should be set to repeat their battle from the center lanes in tonight’s final. With Phelps scratching the 200 free, we’ll see how much fresher he’ll show up for this race at night.

NCAA championย Dylan Boschย sits third. The South African went 54.01 and sits just a tenth up on Texas commitย Joseph Schooling.ย Schooling’s 54.12 is right in the hunt with Ohio State grad and SwimMAC proย Tim Phillips’ย 54.16.

Brazilian Olympianย Thiago Pereiraย sits sixth in 54.26, withย Ben Colleyย just behind (54.48).

The Bolles School’sย Mario Todorovichย just touched out SwimMAC’sย Matthew Josaย for the final A heat spot, 54.51 to 54.54.

Joining Josa in the B areย Albert Subiratsย (54.64), andย Eugene Godsoeย (54.70).

Women’s 400 IM – PRELIMS

In her second swim of the morning, Hungary’sย Katinka Hosszuย took her second top seed, reminiscent of her Orlando Grand Prix performance where she was nearly unbeatable. Her 4:39.53 leads the field by over 5 seconds coming out of prelims, and Hosszu likely has more in the tank for tonight as she makes a run at the overall Grand Prix points lead.

New NBAC transferย Becca Mannย nabbed seed #2 out of an early heat, going 4:44.69. She’s a little over two seconds up on Florida gradย Elizabeth Beiselย (4:47.18), who is just kicking off her pro career.

Vietnamese nationalย Vien Nguyenย went 4:48.15 after a solid swim in the 1500 last night. Behind her is Bluefish swimmer and University of Minnesota commitย Brooke Zeigerย in 4:50.49.

Another youngster, 17-year-oldย Hannah Moore,ย went 4:51.93 for sixth, just ahead of Louisville’sย Tanja Kylliainen,ย just named to Finland’s European Champs team this week. Kylliainen went 4:52.40.

8th place went toย Kaitlyn Pawlowiczย in 4:52.49.

A few strong young swimmers just missed the A final: 18-year-oldย Madisyn Coxย is 9th (4:54.59), Georgia commitย Megan Kingsleyย 10th (4:55.81) and 14-year-oldย Madison Homovichย 11th (4:55.92).

Men’s 400 IM – PRELIMS

Tonight’s men’s IM race is a battle of generations. Once the greatest 400 IMer in NCAA history,ย Tyler Claryย saw his dominant NCAA and American record shattered earlier this year by the greatest 400 IMer of the current college ranks,ย Chase Kalisz.ย This morning, Kalisz took the top seed over Clary, but both appear to have plenty of room to move come finals in what should be an outstanding race.

Kalisz went 4:20.24, now representing North Baltimore after wrapping up his college season with Georgia. Clary, a Michigan grad now with SwimMAC, went 4:24.81.

And behind those two is one of the up-and-comers from even the next generation down the road: NCAP’sย Andrew Seliskar.ย The 17-year-old went 4:26.78, and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against those top two tonight.

Connor Jaegerย continued to have a strong showing of versatility at this meet. The 800 free winner from last night also had a high finish in the more sprint-oriented 200, and now grabbed 4th in the 400 IM at 4:27.25.

He’s followed by two of the Georgia-bound Litherland triplets –ย Kevinย went 4:27.35 for fifth, whileย Jayย took sixth in 4:27.38. Current Georgia Bulldogย Ty Stewartย went 4:27.89, and Bluefish’sย Connor Greenย rounded out the A final with his 4:28.42.

That leaves the third Litherland,ย Mick,ย just outside in 4:29.88, along with Florida Gatorย Sebastien Rousseau,ย who is tenth in 4:30.75.

Women’s 50 Breast – PRELIMS

The 50 breaststrokes come at the end of the session, setting up a sort of rematch of the 100s which happen earlier on. For the women,ย Jessica Hardyย took this second, shorter opportunity to get back ahead of SwimMAC’sย Micah Lawrence,ย who took the 100s fastest time despite Hardy coming in with the top seed.

Hardy went 31.39 to steal lane 4 for the final, with Lawrence second in 31.58. Just .01 back is 17-year-oldย Lilly King,ย who is having a great meet after taking the 2-seed in the 100 breast. King, competing for Newburgh, went 31.59.

Tennessee’sย Molly Hannisย went 31.74 to sit fourth, just ahead of UW-Milwaukee gradย Emily McClellan‘s 31.80. SwimMAC proย Katie Meiliย went 32.06 for sixth place just behind McClellan.

Texas’sย Gretchen Jaquesย hit 32.51 and Texas alumย Laura Sogarย was 32.75 to get both Longhorns into the A final in 7th and 8th.

Men’s 50 Breast – PRELIMS

The men’s 50 breast was the final event of prelims. This time it was UPenn gradย Brendan McHughย who put up the top time, a 28.23 that leads the field by just under a tenth.

NYAC’sย Mike Alexandrovย is in hot pursuit of double wins for the night. The top seed in the 100 breast, Alexandrov went 28.31 to grab second here. Just as in that 100, Canadianย Matthew Ackmanย follows him. Ackman went 28.64.

Texas Longhornย Imri Ganielย was 28.75, withย Juan Arellanoย joining him as the last man under 29 at a 28.88.

Tennessee gradย Brad Craigย (29.00), and Louisville’s duo ofย Kameron Chastainย (29.14) andย Addison Brayย (29.16) will round out the championship heat for tonight.

Club Wolverine’sย Zach Haydenย went 29.26 to lead the B final, with 15-year-oldย Michael Andrewย hot on his heels at 29.32.

 

Finals will begin at 6 PM Eastern Time. Stay tuned to SwimSwam for continuing live coverage!

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Whathappened
9 years ago

Dan Wallace (UF) swam 4IM today… I suppose his suspension is over? Troy really stood up for what was right..

TheTroubleWithX
Reply to  Whathappened
9 years ago

I suspect UF has no official control over what he does for USA or international meets.

bobo gigi
9 years ago

Sorry. you can erase my previous posts.
It looks like I had a few problems with my name. ๐Ÿ™‚

Another ESPN article about MP!
http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/10938720/michaek-phelps-trying-new-things-yearns-win

bobo gigi
9 years ago

1.51 for MP in the 200 free prelims is a very decent swim so early in his comeback.
He could have probably swum 1.49 in final. As he did before at this period of the year.
I’ve made a few researches and he wasn’t much faster in the previous years.

2011 Charlotte Grand Prix
1.51.04 in prelims
6th place in final in 1.49.89

2012 Charlotte Grand Prix
1.51.20 in prelims
2nd in final in 1.48.01

It was a good test to evaluate his overall condition.

bobo gigi
9 years ago

I didn’t watch the prelims, as always for the Grand Prix.
So I’ve just read the results.

Yannick Agnel with a false start? Seriously? ๐Ÿ™„
Anyway, it looks like he didn’t swim a very beautiful race. His season continues to be very average. Hopefully the fireworks are scheduled for July.

And what happens with all these scratches before the prelims? Where is Cassidy Bayer? Where is Nick Thoman?

For the rest I see that MP has scratched the 200 free final. What a surprise!
Very good decision. He probably wanted to test his condition with a double in prelims. Now all for sprint in final. I think he’ll win tonight but with a slower time than in… Read more ยป

anon2
9 years ago

go Brendan! Didn’t realize he was still swimming! I don’t know how he’s doing it along with law school….would love to see him make the national team this summer…and if luck is on his side, a solid year of training after law school graduation next year might be enough to make the olympic team.

lane 0
9 years ago

wow live results are up BEFORE the live stream

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson swam for nearly twenty years. Then, Jared Anderson stopped swimming and started writing about swimming. He's not sick of swimming yet. Swimming might be sick of him, though. Jared was a YMCA and high school swimmer in northern Minnesota, and spent his college years swimming breaststroke and occasionally pretending โ€ฆ

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