2016 Arena Pro Swim Series – Santa Clara: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

2016 ARENA PRO SWIM SERIES AT SANTA CLARA

WOMEN’S 200 IM PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Caitlin Leverenz, Cal Aquatics, 2:13.88
  2. Karlee Bispo, Unattached, 2:15.28
  3. Bronte Barratt, St. Peters, 2:16.58
  4. Kim Williams, Unattached, 2:17.68
  5. Keryn McMaster, Chandler, 2:18.14
  6. Sarah Darcel, Island Swimming, 2:18.76
  7. Leah Goldman, PASA, 2:18.99
  8. Sarah-Lee Hevey, Team Quebec, 2:19.07
  9. Chloe Isleta, PASA, 2:20.65

Top seed Maya Dirado along with third seed from Canada Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson scratched this event, as Dirado looks to have been happy enough with her swims the last two days while Seltenreich-Hodgson doesn’t seem to be at this meet.

That left Caitlin Leverenz as the top 200 IM’er today. She picked things up in the penultimate heat, posting a solid 2:13.88 for the morning session’s top time. Karlee Bispo was closest to Leverenz, swimming a 2:15.28 for the 2nd seed tonight.

Australian mid-distance freestyle specialist Bronte Barratt swam a 2:16.58 for third, followed by rising Stanford sophomore Kim Williams (2:17.68). Australian IM’er Keryn McMaster, the 400 IM winner on the first night of competition, sits at 5th (2:18.14).

MEN’S 200 IM PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Conor Dwyer, Trojan, 2:00.47
  2. Mitch Larkin, St. Peters, 2:03.50
  3. Jared Gilliland, Chandler, 2:03.90
  4. Thiago Pereira, Brazilian Swimming, 2:06.38
  5. Max Williamson, Unattached, 2:06.43
  6. Ethan Dillard, Sierra Marlins, 2:06.50
  7. Andrew Liang, Unattached, 2:06.81
  8. Stephen Clendenin, Blue Wave Swim Team, 2:07.34
  9. Jack Lindell, Edina Swim Club, 2:07.48

Conor Dwyer has had a phenomenal meet thus far, and continued to impress this morning with a 2:00.47 in the 200 IM prelims.

Aussie backstroke star Mitch Larkin excelled in another medley event today, swimming a strong 2:03.50 for the 2nd seed going into tonight’s final. He finished ahead of another Aussie, Jared Gilliland of Chandler Swim Club (2:03.90).

Brazil’s Thiago Pereira will have a lot more fuel tonight, as he really slowed down at the finish in the final heat to save up for finals. Pereira was 2:06.38, which was still good for the 4th seed tonight. Dwyer and Pereira are the premier IM’ers of the bunch, and should battle it out tonight. Sub-2:00’s for both of them is likely.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Emily Seebohm, Brisbane Grammar, 2:10.06
  2. Hillary Caldwell, Island Swimming, 2:10.71
  3. Janet Hu, Unattached, 2:11.11
  4. Minna Atherton, Brisbane Grammar, 2:12.31
  5. Amy Bilquist, Cal Aquatics, 2:12.97
  6. Elizabeth Pelton, Cal Aquatics, 2:13.61
  7. Madison White, Unattached, 2:15.14
  8. Catherine Ladd, Santa Clara Swim Club, 2:15.39
  9. Jennifer Lathrop, Unattached, 2:17.07

Janet Hu built up a lead on Australian star Emily Seebohm, perhaps the strongest backstroker in the world right now, but the Aussie pulled out her growingly famous speedy final 50 to touch ahead of Hu. Seebohm was 2:10.06 this morning, ahead of Canada’s Hillary Caldwell (2:10.71).

Hu, meanwhile, hit a lifetime best of 2:11.11, taking four tenths off of her previous mark from November. The rising Stanford junior is an elite short course swimmer, and primarily a sprinter in yard, but her long course times from this meet have yielded some new personal records for her. Friday was her first time under 1:00 in the 100 fly.

Minna Atherton, the young Australian backstroker, touched 4th this morning with a 2:12.31, ahead of Cal’s Amy Bilquist (2:12.97) and Elizabeth Pelton (2:13.61). That’s a new best time for Bilquist, who, like Hu, is showing some progression in long course this spring.

MEN’S 200 BACK PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Mitch Larkin, St. Peters, 1:59.40
  2. Jacob Pebley, Cal Aquatics, 1:59.56
  3. Ryan Murphy, Cal Aquatics, 2:00.84
  4. Abrahm Devine, Unattached, 2:01.69
  5. Jared Gilliland, Chandler, 2:02.60
  6. Patrick Conaton, Unattached, 2:02.68
  7. Leonardo de Deus, Brazilian Swimming, 2:04.65
  8. Peter Brothers, Island Swimming, 2:04.89
  9. Benjamin Ho, PASA, 2:07.17

Yesterday’s 100 back winner, Ryan Murphy, eased his way to a 2:00.84 for the third seed tonight.

He will once again face off with Australia’s Mitch Larkin and his Cal teammate Jacob Pebley— both swimmers were under two minutes this morning, led by Larkin’s 1:59.40. They all should have at least 2-3 seconds to drop tonight, and Pebley is stronger in the 200 than in the 100, which should make for a great battle.

Abrahm Devine, a rising Stanford sophomore, grabbed 4th in 2:01.69, ahead of Chandler’s Gilliland in 2:02.60 and Devine’s Cardinal teammate Patrick Conaton (2:02.68).

WOMEN’S 100 FREE PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Simone Manuel, Unattached, 53.75
  2. Dana Vollmer, Cal Aquatics, 54.21
  3. Brittany Elmslie, Brisbane Grammar, 54.49
  4. Emma McKeon, St. Peters, 54.73
  5. Bronte Barratt, St. Peters, 54.85
  6. Madison Wilson, St. Peters, 54.87
  7. Natalie Coughlin, Cal Aquatics, 55.22
  8. Camille Cheng, Cal Aquatics, 55.36
  9. Farida Osman, Cal Aquatics, 55.97

Simone Manuel was out like a rocket for a very impressive time of 53.75 this morning. Considering the absence of any true American female sprint stars in this quadrennial, Manuel has now been 53.80 and 53.75 this spring, her best non-championship times ever. That isn’t to say that Manuel is automatically a “sprint star” on the world stage now, but she’s already been faster in Mesa and now in Santa Clara than she was last summer at the World Championships. While the U.S. needs an elite, proven, sub-53 sprinter right now, Manuel’s 2nd time under 54 this season is definitely a good sign.

Olympic gold medalists and former world record holders (in different events) Dana Vollmer and Natalie Coughlin went head-to-head in heat 9 of 11, with Vollmer charging to the win at 54.21. Coughlin finished up behind her at 54.9

The Australian contingent showed up big, too. The Campbell sisters weren’t here this weekend, but there were still four Aussies under 55 this morning. Brittany Elmslie (54.49), Emma McKeon (54.73), Bronte Barratt (54.85), and Madison Wilson (54.87) will certainly make this final interesting as they clash with the likes of Manuel, Vollmer, and Coughlin.

MEN’S 100 FREE PRELIMS

Top 9

  1. Nathan Adrian, Cal Aquatics 48.17
  2. James Magnussen, Ravenswood, 49.45
  3. Conor Dwyer, Trojan, 49.66
  4. Kyle Chalmers, Marion, 49.70
  5. Gabriele Santos, Brazilian Swimming, 49.77
  6. Anthony Ervin, Unattached, 49.87
  7. William Copeland, Rockbridge Storm, 50.00
  8. Yuri Kisil, UBC Dolphins, 50.05
  9. Maxime Rooney, Pleasanton Seahawks, 50.10

It was another 48-low for Nathan Adrian, who has been very consistent in this and the 50 free in the months leading up to the Olympic Trials. Adrian set a new meet record while he was at it.

Dwyer continued his stellar meet with a 49.66, good for the 3nd seed behind Adrian and James Magnussen but ahead of Kyle Chalmers. Magnussen was 49.45, while Chalmers put up a 49.70.

Gabriele Santos of Brazil and American sprint veteran Anthony Ervin were also under 50 seconds this morning, at 49.77 and 49.87, respectively.

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KeithM
7 years ago

Simone Manuel was 25.2 in the 50. A full 8 tenths from a her best. Once she has the speed in Omaha she could have some special swims.

Caleb
Reply to  KeithM
7 years ago

She seems much stronger in the 100… I have a feeling she’s not going to make the team in the 50. Wonder if she’ll tackle the 200; she’d have a good shot at the relay, at least in top 6.

tm71
Reply to  Caleb
7 years ago

Plus the 50s are always about the start, so hard to put all eggs in that one easily to break basket.

TAA
Reply to  KeithM
7 years ago

In her swim this morning she reminded me of a female version of Connor Dwyer. So one day maybe she will transition to the 200. She kept her stroke nice and strong for the whole 100 and its scary to think of her doing that for a 200. With a recent 157.9 we can call her the 200 darkhorse candidate.

Observer
Reply to  KeithM
7 years ago

I feel like if the speed isn’t there now it never will be. Usually back half develops during taper

KeithM
Reply to  Observer
7 years ago

It depends. That applies more to middle and distance training. But not for many sprinters were the opposite often holds. The tend to be more explosive after a long taper. As opposed to distance athletes who have shorter tapers and more fuel in the tank in the latter stages of races when they’re tapered. Vollmer was was saying after Charlotte that her back half felt great and that she hoped to add the speed come Omaha.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
7 years ago

Adrian 48.13 – He is on a roll – 47.9 for finals tonight ? why not

bobo gigi
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
7 years ago

His consistency is impressive.

robbos
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Lets see is he can consistently go under 48s like McEvoy!!!!

Uberfan
Reply to  robbos
7 years ago

I have no doubt Adrian can go 47.99 47.88 all day if he wanted to but he wants to save up for trials this is the best Adrian has ever been

robbos
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Still a fair way behind McEvoy though, now his consistency is totally impressive.

bobo gigi
7 years ago

Any idea about the event(s) Conor Dwyer will swim at trials? He looks amazing this week.
200 free?
400 free?
200 IM?

Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

That’s a safe bet, with possibly the 100 free too. I’m not sure how that would fit into his schedule.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Lauren Neidigh
7 years ago

Trials schedule
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2124&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en

Do you think he targets a 4X100 free relay spot?
On the other hand maybe it would be smarter to try that rather than swimming the 200 IM considering that he can’t finish higher than 3rd behind the 2 monsters.

Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Hmm…. He’d swim 100 free final, then there would only be women’s 200 breast before he’d have to swim 200 IM semifinal. Maybe he’ll swim prelims and semis of the 100 free to see how fast he can go. If he doesn’t end up making the 100 free final then he wouldn’t have an issue anyways. But if he does… he only has to beat 2 guys to get a relay spot, which might be much easier to do than going for top 2 in the 200 IM.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

200 and 400 free + relay spot which is very clearly in his hand already

bobo gigi
7 years ago

Any idea about the event(s) Natalie Coughlin will swim at trials?
50 free?
100 free for the relay?
100 back?

E GAMBLE
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

I think Natalie swimming the 50 is a waste of energy. Dana Vollmer is now also in the mix for 50 free with Simone, Abbey, and….. I would concentrate on the 100 free and 100 back.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  E GAMBLE
7 years ago

The 50’s on the last two days of Trials, wouldn’t conflict with anything. Might as well.

TAA
Reply to  E GAMBLE
7 years ago

She seemed to have better in season times last year. A little worried I dont think she is going 59.0 this year.

bobo gigi
Reply to  TAA
7 years ago

As the swimmers get older they need more and more rest.
I would like to hear her in interview to see what she thinks at this point of the season.

TAA
7 years ago

Simone looked good whole 100. Vollmer seemed to tighten up the last 25. I am optimistic we can at least get a relay under 53.

E GAMBLE
Reply to  TAA
7 years ago

I would love to see Simone below a 53.5 tonight for the win.

bobo gigi
Reply to  TAA
7 years ago

I presume you meant a girl under 53.
Hopefully Simone is the first US girl ever to finally break that barrier next summer.
And as a great news never comes alone, we can also hope that Abbey will break it too.
That’s all I wish for US women’s sprint.

Observer
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Abbey was 1:59, 24.7, and 53.9 at a meet last weekend. Her speed will push a lot of girls to fast swims this summer

Stay Human
Reply to  Observer
7 years ago

Which meet??

Observer
Reply to  Stay Human
7 years ago

On deck pass it’s listed as canyons Memorial Day meet. So local for her.

TAA
Reply to  TAA
7 years ago

a relay split in Rio under 53 is what I meant. So we dont lose the medley relay to the aussies on the last leg. I do think Simone, vollmer and maybe Abby W all under 53,5 flat start with Simone maybe at 53.1. Tonight I dont think we will see any drop in time it looked like they were going 100%

bobo gigi
Reply to  TAA
7 years ago

Ok. A relay split under 53 that’s different. No doubt USA will have relay splits under 53. But what that US relay needs is sub 53 girls flat-start.

bobo gigi
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Ok. I’ve finally understood. You talked about the medley relay. 🙂
I think USA loses the medley relay on the free leg if they don’t have a sub 53 girl flat-start. In 2012 it was not important to not have a great sprinter to anchor because USA had 3 monster legs before with Missy, Rebecca and Dana. Anyway everything depends on Missy. The only US backstroker able at her best to play with Seebohm. Lilly King and Dana Vollmer can make everything they can to take the lead before freestyle, USA will need to be at least 1 second ahead if it’s freestyler is in 53 low shape flat-start. If you have a 52.80 girl it changes the scenario.… Read more »

robbos
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Don’t forget McKeon is just getting better, expect her to be either on the podium or near it in RIO & Bohl is also improving, not sure how much a lead Vollmer & King can get.

Smoothswimmer
7 years ago

Ryan Murphy has extraordinary turn and underwater. Maybe this is a side benefit of being/training as a college swimmer?
Or am I wrong?

SwimNerd
Reply to  Smoothswimmer
7 years ago

he’s had that for years. That whole Bolles contingent seems to have some of the best turns in the country if not the world. I.E- Dressel’s freestyle turns, Murphy’s backstroke turns, Schooling’s fly turns. They all set up their walls very well

E GAMBLE
Reply to  SwimNerd
7 years ago

Amen. Lets give credit were credit is due…Sergio and the Bolles program.

John haas
Reply to  E GAMBLE
7 years ago

Stop with the Sergio nonsense. These Bolles guys haven’t swam with Sergio in 3 years yet Sergio still takes all of the credit for their current performances (see NCAA’s this year) . Durden has done a great job w Murphy, so has Eddie with Schooling, and all of the other coaches working with former Bolles kids who continue to vastly improve despite not swimming for the ‘great’ Sergio.

TAA
7 years ago

Hu looked smooth with nice turns/underwaters. Maybe she can final 2back in Omaha

Shibly
7 years ago

Snyder 49.19 in Indy

pianoback
Reply to  Shibly
7 years ago

I believe you mean Schneider

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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