2014 Santa Clara Grand Prix: Elizabeth Beisel Shines on Day 3; Wins 400 IM and 200 Backstroke

The big question of the day is, “Can Arkady Vyatchanin defend his Grand Prix backstroke streak?”

New York Athletic Club swimmer Arkady Vyatchanin has been on an absolute tear the past several months, going undefeated in the 100 and 200 back over the past 3 grand prix events. Vyatchanin hasn’t lost either of those races on the Grand Prix stage since Austin, way back in January. Here he’ll get to tussle with a few of the guys who beat him in Austin, though – Jacob Pebley and Olympic champ Matt Grevers, who won the 100 in Austin. Other big challengers will be Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary and rising Texas sophomore Jack Conger.

In total, Saturday’s finals will see the 400 IM, the 200 free, the 200 back, the Nathan-Adrianless 50 free, and the 800 free relays.

2014 ARENA GRAND PRIX AT SANTA CLARA

• Live results
• Live video (when meet starts)
• Psych sheets
• Saturday Night Heat Sheet
• Saturday Night Timeline
• Thursday, June 19-Sunday, June 22
• Fri-Sun: Prelims 9AM/Finals 5PM (Pacific Time), Thurs: Finals 4PM (Pacific Time)

Women’s 400 IM – FINALS

Caitlin Leverenz looked fantastic through the butterfly leg, she touched the 100 meter wall at 1:02. Elizabeth Beisel used her powerful backstroke to move back into the lead, touching at 2:12.8. Leverenz fell back a few spots during the backstroke leg.

Beisel had the lead at the 200 and wasn’t going to give it up. She maintained a 3-4 body length lead through her 100 breaststroke and into the freestyle. Leverenz took advantage to pull into second during the breaststroke, followed closely by the young Becca Mann. Elizabeth Beisel crushed this 400 IM, winning with the fourth fastest time in the world, 4:33.52.

Beisel was still in a training suit in Charlotte and the change to a knee skin today for a test of rest appears to have paid off today. She was 6 seconds faster than her previous best in season time.

Becca Mann was right at her best time, using her endurance freestyle to carry her through her final 100 freestyle. She touched in second with a 4:39.78. Caitlin Leverenz was third with a 4:43.05.

Celina Li won the B-final of the women’s 400 IM with a time of 4:48.67. 16 year old Emily Overholt dropped close to five seconds to finish second at 4:48.93.

Men’s 400 IM – FINALS 

Sebastian Rosseau took out a strong first 100, touching the wall at 57 for his butterfly. Kalisz sat right on his hip through the butterfly and stayed there through most of the backstroke leg. In the last 15 meters of the backstroke legs, Kalisz snuck ahead of Rosseau leading into his strongest stroke; breaststroke.

Kalisz pulled ahead, giving himself a 5 body length lead into the freestyle. He touched the wall for the win with a time of 4:11.71. That time will stand as the fifth fastest time in the TYR world rankings.

Sebastian Rosseau finished second with a 4:17.49 and Jay Litherland was third at 4:18.29. Jay Litherland is headed to Georgia next year along with the 5th place finisher, Gunnar Bentz. They will both have the opportunity to train with Chase Kalisz.

Ous Mellouli won the B-final of the men’s 400 IM with a 4:19.13.

Women’s 200 Freestyle – FINALS

Missy Franklin took out her first 50 freestyle strong, flipping first at 27.86. She held that lead through the 100, touching at 47.42. Missy Franklin reached in to win the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56.93. It would have been really fun to watch her race against Katie Ledecky. Ledecky is swimming at the TWST Senior Invite in Houston, TX this weekend. Ledecky won the 200 free at that meet with a 1:56.45.

Missy Franklin’s future teammate, Cierra Runge, finished second with a time of 1:58.35. She dropped a little over a second from her morning swim. Simone Manuel had a strong final 100 to finish third at 1:59.01, and Liz Pelton was fourth at 1:59.67. Brittney Maclean was the only other finalist under 2 minutes, touching the wall with a 1:59.92.

Gillian Ryan won the B-final of the women’s 200 freestyle with a time of 2:01.32.

Men’s 200 Freestyle – FINALS

Michael Phelps has always been an animal underwater, using his walls to his advantage. He is out way faster than this morning. This morning he was out at 54.0, compared to his 52.47 tonight.

Yannick Agnel had a huge final 100, winning the race with a huge time of 1:46.99. Michael Phelps finished second with a 1:48.20.

Michael Wynalda won the B-final of the men’s 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.47.

Women’s 200 Backstroke – FINALS 

Liz Pelton, the top seed coming into the finals, led into the 100 with a slight lead. At the 150, Elizabeth Beisel pulled ahead to take the lead after an extraordinary 400 IM. She had a little bit more of a break between her races, but it wasn’t much longer. She claims her second win of the night with the 6th best time in the world this year. She touched the wall with a time of 2:09.11.

Liz Pelton finished second at 2:09.73 just in front of her teammate Missy Franklin at 2:09.86. Missy Franklin is the world record holder in the 200 meter backstroke and Liz Pelton is the American Record holder in the 200 yard backstroke.

Hilary Caldwell finished fourth at 2:10.85 and Kylie Stewart was 5th with a 2:10.85.

Tasija Karosas won the B-final of the women’s 200 backstroke with a 2:12.85.

Men’s 200 Backstroke – FINALS

Make it four in a row for Arkady Vyatchanin. His stroke rate was a little faster than it was this morning, leaving the rest of the field behind him. He looked so smooth, as usual, winning the race with a time of 1:55.30. That time will stand as the fifth fastest time in the world this year. His first half looked good, but his back half was really impressive, splitting a 58.4. He was the only swimmer under a minute in the final 100.

Tyler Clary touched the wall at 1:58.41 for second. Connor Green, the future Cal Bear, finished third in front of Jacop Pebley. Green was 1:59.26 and Pebley was 1:59.92. They were the only four swimmers under 2 minutes tonight.

Drew Cosgarea won the B-final of the men’s 200 backstroke with a time of 2:03.01.

Women’s 50 Freestyle – FINALS

The 50 free is always a toss up; nail your start; nail the finish. Cheyenne Coffman defended her morning swim, getting her hand on the wall first tonight with a time of 25.12. Madison Kennedy finished second with a time of 25.23, and 16 year old Amy Bilquist finished third with a best time of 25.32. Bilquist had a fantastic yards season. She went 22.15 in the 50 yard freestyle and 48.9 in the 100 yard freestyle. She will be entering her senior year of high school.

Simone Manuel was fourth at 25.44 and Maddy Schaefer finished fifth at 25.52.

Technical issues iced the B-final heat of the women’s 50 freestyle, but that didn’t seem to be an issue for Lia Neal, who won with a time of 26.21.

Men’s 50 Freestyle – FINALS

Bruno Fratus just missed 21 seconds, finishing first with a 22.03. His time leaves him tied for 15th fastest in the world this year. Anthony Ervin finished second with a 22.53; a slight drop from his morning swim. Josh Schneider had a .40 drop to claim the bronze with a 22.63, and Matt Ellis was fourth at 22.71.

George Bovell won the B-final of the men’s 50 freestyle with a time of 22.71.