2014 US National Championships: Day 1 Finals Live Recap

2014 US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – DAY 1 – FINALS

• Live Results 
• Live Stream (Available Once Meet Starts)
• Wednesday, August 6th – Sunday, August 10th
• Irvine, CA – William Woollett, Jr. Aquatic Center
• Prelims 9AM/Finals 6PM Pacific Time
• Wednesday FINALS Heat Sheet
• Wendesday FINALS Timeline
• Psych Sheets
• Selection Procedures and More

All eyes are turned toward Irvine, California as the first finals session of the 2014 US National Championships begin. With every major international competition roster spot through next summer on the line, the pressure will be felt.

The night kicks off with the women’s 200 butterfly. Cammile Adams had the fastest time of the morning at 2:08.06. She is already ahead of her winning time from last summer and she looked as smooth as ever this morning. She is the favorite going into finals, but keep your eyes on Maya DiRado and Katie McLaughlin. DiRado found her way into the A-final thanks to a scratch from Elizabeth Beisel. Although she was 2:11.98 this morning, she was 2:08.28 last year. Katie McLaughlin is young, but she is another swimmer that has been 2:08 in her career.

Tyler Clary is the favorite to win the men’s 200 butterfly. He has the fastest lifetime best time by two second in this event. Pay attention to Tom Luchsinger and Bobby Bollier tonight. They will be aggressively challenging Chase Kalisz and Kyle Whitaker through the second half. Andrew Seliskar is also tenths away from the Junior World Record that he set at the 2013 Junior World Championships at 1:56.42.

Simone Manuel and Missy Franklin will be throwing down for the win in the women’s 100 meter freestyle. Manuel and Franklin both posted swims that ranked top 10 in the world this year. Simone Manuel is also .17 seconds away from Missy Franklin’s meet record of 53.43. This is an important event because four swimmers are guaranteed a roster spot on the Pan Pac team.

Can Michael Phelps‘ back half run down the aggressive first 50 of Nathan Adrian and Anthony Ervin? It will be interesting to watch, that’s for sure. There are 7 US Olympians in the final heat of the men’s 100 freestyle. Seth Stubblefield is the only non-Olympian in the final, which is promising as he is the youngest swimmer in the final. The average of this final is 27 years old, which means this up coming Olympic Games in 2016 may be the last for several of these athletes. Again, the top four athletes in this race are guaranteed a spot on the Pan Pac team.

Tonight’s distance events are more important because only the olympic events can secure your spot on the pan pac roster. Katie Ledecky could probably swim this race with her eyes closed and still win, so the race will be for second. The winner is guaranteed, but second and third place will most likely make the team as well, depending on how many swimmers double up in events. Lindsay Vrooman had the fastest time from the afternoon session at 8:29.06.

The men’s race should come down to three swimmers: Connor Jaeger, Sean Ryan, and Michael McBroom. This trio has been the dominant force in US distance swimming for the past year. They are the only three that have been under 15 minutes in this race. Keep your eye out for Jordan Wilimovsky, Zane Grothe, and Arthur Frayler, as those three have looked good all season. 2012 Olympian, Andrew Gemmell, had the fastest swim during the afternoon distance session at 15:07.82.

To view the recap from day 1 prelims, click here. 

To view the day 1 finals preview, click here.

WOMEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• 2013 US National Champion: 2:08.10 – Camille Adams
• Meet Record: 2:05.96 – Mary T. Meagher – 1981
• World Record: 2:01.81 – Zige Liu – 2009
• American Record: 2:05.96 – Mary T. Meagher – 1981
• US Open Record: 2:05.96 – Mary T. Meagher – 1981
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 2:11.13 – Megan Kingsley
• 17-18 NAG Record: 2:06.96 – Kathleen Hersey – 2008
• 15-16 NAG Record: 2:05.96 – Mary T. Meagher – 1981
• 13-14 NAG Record: 2:07.01 – Mary T. Meagher – 1979
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 2:11.18 – Madison Wright

At the 100 meter mark, Cammile Adams had a slight lead on the field at 1:01.67. She was slightly ahead of Flickinger and McLaughlin. The same trio powered through the final 100, but it was Cammile Adams that secured her Pan Pac Roster spot with the 7th fastest time int he world this year. She touched the wall at 2:07.12. Adams ran away with the race on the final race, making an exciting race for the second place position. In the final 15 meters, it was Katie McLaughlin that put her head down and drove into the wall. She finished second with her time of 2:08.74. Hali Flichinger finished third at 2:08.77. Maya DiRado took advantage of her A-final swim to  finish fourth with a 2:09.76. That gives DiRado and Flickinger an outside chance of making the Pan Pacs team. Katie McLaughlin should be in for sure.

Kate Mills finished in fifth at 2:09.88. She was the final swimmer under 2:10. Sixth place jumped up to 2:11.13, where Emma Nunn reached in to finish.

Rounding out the final 8 in the women’s 200 butterfly was Courtney Weaver and Cassidy Bayer at 2:12.22 and 2:12.30, respectively.

Into the final 50, it was Tina Bechtel in lane four and Noelle Tarazona racing to the finish. Bechtel from Univeristy of Kentucky Swim Team won the b-final of the women’s 200 buttefly with her time of 2:09.57. Tarazona finished second with her time of 2:10.49.

Hannah Kukurugya from Crown Point Swim Club won the C-final of the women’s 200 butterfly, dropping three second to a time of 2:10.10. She made a five second drop at junior nationals between prelims and finals to finish at 2:10.6. Today was a .4 second drop from last week.

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• 2013 US National Champion: 1:55.57 – Tom Luchsinger
• Meet Record: 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps – 2008
• World Record: 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps – 2009
• American Record: 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps – 2009
• US Open Record: 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps – 2008
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 1:57.68 – Dan Madwed
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:53.93 – Michael Phelps – 2003
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:54.58 – Michael Phelps – 2001
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:59.02 – Michael Phelps – 2000
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally at selection meets):1:59.23 – Robert McHugh

It was all Tom Shields of California Aquatics in the final of the men’s 200 butterfly. He took it out very aggressivley, leading the first 50 and hitting the 100 in 54.22. Tyler Clary was in second down the third lap of the race. Clary tried reeling him in in the final 100, but Shields had too much of a lead. Shields touched the wall to secure his Pan Pac’s roster spot and the national title with his time of 1:55.09. Clary finished second with his time of 1:56.00. Chase Kalisz finished third, dropping slightly from his morning swim at 1:56.50. Finishing in fourth was Andrew Seliskar. He touched the wall at 1:56.65, just off of the junior world record in this event of 1:56.42.

Kyle Whitaker went 1:56.67 to finish fifth, followed by Bobbly Bollier at 1:57.95.

Rounding out the top 8 of the men’s 200 butterfly was Tom Luchsinger and John Martens at 1:58.13 and 1:58.27.

Ben Colley from North Carolina Aquatic Club looked strong, pulling ahead on the third 50 of the men’s 200 butterfly. He touched the wall to win a 1:56.54. That is just over a second drop for Colley from his morning swim, moving him into the top 20 in the world this year. Steve Schmuhl finished second from lane 8 with his time of 1:58.64.

Justin Lynch from Terrapins Swim Club dropped over a second from his morning swim to win the C-final of the men’s 200 butterfly with his time of 1:59.26.

WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• 2013 US National Champion: 54.43 – Missy Franklin
• Meet Record: 54.43 – Missy Franklin – 2013
• World Record: 52.07 – Britta Steffen – 2009
• American Record: 53.02 – Amanda Weir – 2009
• US Open Record: 53.30 – Cate Campbell – 2008
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 54.39 – Margo Geer
• 17-18 NAG Record: 53.36 – Missy Franklin – 2013
• 15-16 NAG Record: 53.63 – Missy Franklin -2011
• 13-14 NAG Record: 54.03 – Missy Franklin – 2009
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets):56.06 – Alexandra Meyers

Simone Manuel hit the wall first at the 50 at 25.64. The back half of the women’s 100 freestyle final was insane, with Missy Franklin, Shannon Vreeland, and Abbey Weitzeil charging fast. Missy Franklin had a great finish, touching the wall for the win at 54.43. That time ties her meet record from last year. Simone Manuel finished second at 53.66. Shannon Vreeland was third at 54.14 and Abbey Weitzeil was fourth at 54.38. The top four finishers in this event are now officially on the Pan Pac’s roster.

Lia Neal finished fifth at 54.47, followed by Margo Geer at 54.51 for sixth.

Rounding out the top 8 was Natalie Coughlin and Amanda Weir at 54.52 and 54.80.

Allison Schmitt won the B-final of the women’s 100 freestyle with her time of 54.74. Madison Kennedy finished second with her time of 54.86.

Stanzi Moseley from Roadrunner Aquatics won the C-final of the women’s 100 freestyle with her time of 55.28.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• 2013 US National Champion: 48.10 – Nathan Adrian
• Meet Record: 47.58 – Jason Lezak – 2008
• World Record: 46.91 – Cesar Cielo – 2009
• American Record: 47.33 – David Walters – 2009
• US Open Record: 47.58 – Jason Lezak – 2008
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 48.91 – Matt Grevers
• 17-18 NAG Record: 48.97 – Caeleb Dressel – 2013
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.28 – Caeleb Dressel – 2013
• 13-14 NAG Record: 51.30 – Michael Andrew – 2014
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets):50.44 – Kyle Gornay

With 7 US Olympians in the final of the men’s 100 freestyle, you knew it was going to be close. Flipping first at the 50 is Nathan Adrian at 22.8, with Ervin at 22.9. Nathan Adrian worked his way into the finish to win the race with a time of 48.31. Ryan Lochte reached in from Lane 8 to finish second with his time of 48.96. Jimmy Feigen was just behind Lochte at 48.98. Conor Dwyer secured the final Pan Pac roster spot with his time of 49.06.

Anthony Ervin finished in fifth at 49.08, followed by Matt Grevers in sixth at 49.12. Michael Phelps was .4 seconds slower than he was this morning. He reached in to finish seventh. Seth Stubblefield finished in 8th place with his time of 49.34.

In a very close race, Jack Conger reached in to win the B-final of the men’s 100 freestyle with his time of 49.28. Darian Townsend finished second in his first meet as an American citizen with his time of 49.53.

Blake Pieroni from Indiana University Swim Team and Townley Haas from NOVA of Virginia tied to win the C-final of the men’s 100 freestyle. They both touched the wall at 49.69.

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – FINAL HEAT

• 2013 US National Champion: 8:22.41 – Katie Ledecky
• Meet Record: 8:17.12 – Janet Evans – 1988
• World Record: 8:11.00 – Katie Ledecky – 2014
• American Record: 8:11.00 – Katie Ledecky – 2014
• US Open Record: 8:11.00 – Katie Ledecky – 2014
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 8:29.71 – Haley Anderson
• 17-18 NAG Record: 8:11.00 – Katie Ledecky – 2014
• 15-16 NAG Record: 8:13.86 – Katie Ledecky – 2013
• 13-14 NAG Record: 8:28.54 – Becca Mann – 2012
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally at selection meets):8:40.69 – Courtney Harnish

Katie Ledecky took her first 400 out aggresively, as she normally does. She held under her WR pace through the 400, but fell of slightly around the 450 meter mark. She split 4:05.44 at the 400. She closed the final 400 to win the event with a time of 8:18.47. That time is four seconds faster than she was last year at Nationals in Indianapolis. Cierra Runge finished second with her time of 8:24.69. Becca Mann was third at 8:26.64.

Lindsay Vrooman led a group from the afternoon session to finish fourth through seventh. Vrooman’s afternoon time of 8:29.06 held up to finish fourth tonight. Katy Campbell was fifth at 8:30.46, followed by Leah Smith at 8:30.86 for sixth.

Courtney Harnish and Sarah Henry round out the final 8 of the women’s 800 freestyle at 8:31.88 and 8:32.42, respectively.

MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – FINAL HEAT

• 2013 US National Champion: 14:53.34 – Connor Jaeger
• Meet Record: 14:45.54 – Peter Vanderkaay – 2008
• World Record: 14:31.02 – Sun Yang – 2012
• American Record: 14:45.29 – Larsen Jensen – 2004
• US Open Record: 14:45.54 – Peter Vanderkaay – 2008
• Time to make the 2013 US National Team (#6 Nationally At Selection Meets): 15:13.41 – Arthur Frayler
• 17-18 NAG Record: 14:45.29 – Larsen Jensen – 2004
• 15-16 NAG Record: 15:03.91 – Bobby Hackett – 1976
• 13-14 NAG Record: 15:31.03 – Jesse Vassallo – 1976
• Time to make the 2013 US Junior National Team (#6 Nationally at selection meets):15:35.07 – Kevin Litherland

Connor Jaeger posted the fourth fastest time in the world this year to earn his spot on the Pan Pac’s team. He stayed calm the first 400 and settled into his pace as the race progress. Michael McBroom and Jaeger stayed even through the 1000, until Jaeger began to pull ahead. Jaeger finished with the fourth fastest time in the world this year at 14:51.06. Jordan Wilimovsky came on strong after the 800, slowly reeling in McBroom. It came down to a final 15 meter spring between McBroom and Wilimovsky, but McBroom got his hand on the wall for second, touching at 14:56.17. Wilimovsky had his best in-pool performance by 19 seconds with a third place finish at 14:56.34. He has done very well in open water competition. Sean Ryan finished fourth at 15:07.49.

Andrew Gemmell posted the fifth fastest time of the day from the afternoon heats of the 1500 freestyle. He finished fifth with his time of 15:07.82. Janardan Burns was sixth with a 22.8 second drop to 15:11.35. Michael Klueh finished seventh at 15:11.37 and Ryan Feeley was 8th at 15:14.18.