2017 U.S. Open: Day 1 Distance Freestyle Heats

2017 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, August 2nd – Sunday, August 6th, 2017
• East Meadow, New York
• LCM (50m)
• Psych Sheets
• Meet Info
• Day 1 Prelims Heat Sheet
• Live Results

Women’s 800 Free

• American Record: Katie Ledecky, 8:04.79, 2016
• U.S. Open Record: Katie Ledecky, 8:06.68, 2016
• Meet Record: Stephanie Peacock, 8:24.36, 2012

Mariah Denigan of Northern Kentucky Clippers won the first heat of women’s 800m freestyle, dropping over 6 seconds to touch in 8:49.04, and rising to #56 on the all-time list for 13-14 girls. Princeton-bound Courtney Tseng of La Mirada won the next heat over her teammate Kathleen Sulkevich, 8:54.00 to 8:55.75. Courtney Evensen of University of Missouri won the next heat in a best-by-6.3-seconds 8:45.34 for the second-fastest swim thus far.

Haley Yelle of Mansfield Aquatic Club took over the lead in heat 4 with 8:44.22, a 6.2-second improvement over her seed time. Twins Grace Kowal (8:45.37) and Molly Kowal (8:45.71), in next-door lanes, touched second and third in the heat.

Cassy Jernberg of Schroeder YMCA put up the top time of the afternoon, winning the last heat before finals in 8:40.71, her best by 7.1 seconds. Kira Zubar of University of Missouri (8:43.10) and Geena Freriks of Kentucky Aquatics (8:43.95) battled for second in the heat. The trio posted the fastest times of the session.

Leaders after early-round heats:

1. Cassy Jernberg, SSTY 8:40.71
2. Kira Zubar, UMIZ 8:43.10
3. Geena Freriks, KYA 8:43.95
4. Haley Yelle, MAC 8:44.22
5. Courtney Evensen, UMIZ 8:45.34
6. Grace Kowal, HOKI 8:45.37
7. Molly Kowal, OSU 8:45.71
8. Autumn Finke, SPA 8:47.13

Men’s 1500 Free

• American Record: Connor Jaeger, 14:39.48, 2016
• U.S. Open Record: Peter Vanderkaay, 14:45.54, 2008
• Meet Record: Glen Housman, 14:58.55, 1991

Kevin Miller of Athens Bulldogs jumped out to the early lead with a heat 1 win of 15:31.09, or a 28.5-second drop. Arik Katz of Sarasota YMCA went 15:32.38 to win the second heat from the outside lane. The 15-year-old moved up to #32 on the all-time list for 15-16 boys with the swim. Adam Destrampe of Indiana University took 11.7 seconds off his seed time to win heat 3 with 15:39.70.

Miller held on to his top spot until heat 4, when Walker Higgins of Tennessee Aquatics and UGA dropped nearly 18 seconds to win in 15:30.84. 16-year-old Will Barao was second in the heat with 15:41.55, a 9.6-second drop.

Andrew Brady of Snow Swimming destroyed his previous PB, going 15:17.90 for a 20.7-second drop and the fastest time overall. Behind him in the heat were Alamo Area’s Mikey Calvillo and Bearcat Aquatics’ Chris Bready, whose respective 15:28.61 and 15:30.40 were the second- and third-fastest swims of the session.

Leaders after early-round heats:

1. Andrew Brady 15:17.90
2. Mikey Calvillo, AAAA 15:28.61
3. Chris Bready, CATS 15:30.40
4. Walker Higgins, TNAQ 15:30.84
5. Kevin Miller, ABSC 15:31.09
6. C. Smith, SRQ 15:32.24
7. Arik Katz, SYS 15:32.38
8. Jack Collins, BAD 15:32.72