2017 Arena Pro Swim Series – Austin: Day 1 Finals Live Recap

2017 ARENA PRO SWIM SERIES – AUSTIN

• January 13-15th, 2017
• Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
• Live Results
• Meet Preview
• Live Stream
• Day 1 Finals Heat Sheet

Eyes are on Austin, Texas, tonight as swimmers are gearing up for day 1 finals at the 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series – Austin. Tonight’s session brings the finals of the 100 free, 200 breast, 100 fly, and 400 free. Olympians Amanda Weir and Ryan Held headline the 100 free as top seeds. The men’s 200 breast will feature a battle between Josh Prenot, Nic Fink, and Andrew Wilson. Japanese Olympic medalist Daiya Seto and Team USA’s Michael Andrew have set up another exciting race to watch in the men’s 100 fly.

Follow along with us for live updates on tonight’s events.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE

1. Amanda Weir, 54.60
2. Kayla Sanchez, 55.19
3. Alexia Zevnik, 55.21

Olympic veteran Amanda Weir blazed to a 54.60, nearly matching her fastest in-season time over the last 4 years. 15-year-old Kayla Sanchez, a Canadian junior standout, ran down NC State’s Alexia Zevnik, a fellow Canadian, on the back half, clocking a 55.19 to take silver ahead of Zevnik (55.21). Just a couple of tenths shy of the podium was her Canadian teammate Michelle Williams (55.31) and Taylor Ruck (55.43), another junior swimmer who represents Canada internationally.

MEN’S 100 FREE

1. Shinri Shioura, 49.16
2. Ryan Held, 49.32
3. Yuri Kisil, 49.51

NC State’s Ryan Held rocketed to the eraly lead, flipping at 23.53. He wasn’t able to hold off Japan’s Shinri Shioura, however, as Shioura capitalized off his back half speed. At the touch, Shioura took gold in 49.16, while Held was less than 2 tenths back to take silver (49.32). Rounding out the top 3 was Canadian Yuri Kisil in 49.51.

U.S. National Junior Teamer Daniel Krueger was just off the podium, finishing in 4th with a quick 49.89. That’s just 2 tenths shy of his personal best 49.61 from 2016 Junior Pan Pacs. Cal’s Jacob Pebley was also narrowly off his best time, taking 5th in 50.33.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST

1. Melanie Margalis, 2:26.14
2. Breeja Larson, 2:27.37
3. Sydney Pickrem, 2:27.42

U.S. Olympians Melanie Margalis and Breeja Larson battled it out in the 200 breast, with Larson taking the early lead in 1:10.38 at the 100 mark. Through the back half, however, Margalis broke away, touching the wall a full second ahead to take gold in 2:26.14. Larson wound up 2nd in 2:27.37, just holding off fellow Aggie Sydney Pickrem (2:27.42).

MEN’S 200 BREAST

1. Josh Prenot, 2:11.15
2. Nic Fink, 2:11.40
3. Andrew Wilson, 2:13.12

Josh Prenot, Andrew Wilson, and Nic Fink certainly put on an entertaining show in the men’s 200 breast. Wilson showcased his speed on the front half, taking the lead through 100 meters. On the 3rd 50, Prenot pulled up to take the slight edge, and was able to hold off a hard-charging Fink into the finish. Prenot touched first in 2:11.15, just ahead of Fink’s 2:11.40. Wilson held on to take 3rd in 2:13.12.

WOMEN’S 100 FLY

1. Sarah Gibson, 58.94*
2. Rebecca Smith, 59.24
3. Eva Merrell, 59.57

All 3 medalists in the women’s 100 fly finished in the 59-range, and were neck-and-neck the entire race. With each swimmer turning between 27.6 and 27.8 at the 50, it came down to who had the most left in the tank on the 2nd 50. Sarah Gibson had the slight edge, winning in 58.94, while Rebecca Smith took 2nd in 59.24. Top seed Eva Merrell was just behind, taking bronze in 59.57.

*At the finish, the scoreboard showed a tie between Gibson and Smith for 1st place at 59.24. Results were later corrected to show that Gibson won the event in 58.94.

MEN’S 100 FLY

1. Daiya Seto, 52.67
2. Michael Andrew, 53.32
3. Marcos Lavado, 53.85

Japan’s Daiya Seto popped a personal best 52.67 to win the 100 fly. Seto trailed Michael Andrew at the 50, but used a fast turn and underwater to take the lead on the 2nd 50. Andrew faded to 2nd in 53.32, while Marcos Lavado moved into 3rd to take bronze in 53.85.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE

1. Ashley Twichell, 4:08.99
2. Marie-Sophie Harvey, 4:09.69
3. Melanie Margalis, 4:10.54

Ashley Twichell threw down a 4:08.99 to win the women’s 400 free, followed by Canadian Mary-Sophie Harvey in 4:09.69. Those two were the only swimmers under 4:10, but Melanie Margalis returned to the pool for this event, clocking a personal best 4:10.54 to pick up bronze. Barely missing the podium was Great Britain’s Holly Hibbott (4:10.56), who finished .02 behind Margalis for 4th.

MEN’S 400 FREE

1. Anton Ipsen, 3:49.59
2. Naito Ehara, 3:54.31
3. Adam Linker, 3:54.36

NC State’s Anton Ipsen ran away with the men’s 400 free, leading from start to finish to take gold in 3:49.59. His teammate, Adam Linker, also earned a spot on the podium. Linker raced into the wall stroke-for-stroke with Japan’s Naito Ehara. At the touch, Ehara got his hand on the wall slightly faster, taking silver in 3:54.31 to Linker’s 3:54.36 for bronze.