2018 PSS Columbus: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

2018 PRO SWIM SERIES – COLUMBUS

This morning, we saw lifetime bests from Justin Ress in the 100 free (49.14) and Michael Andrew in the 100 fly (52.47), as both went the session’s fastest time. Leah Smith powered to a 4:06.19 in the 400 free as the only finisher under 4:10, and we’ll get to see Rio gold medalists Kelsi (Worrell) Dahlia and Lilly King in action in the 100 fly and 200 breast, respectively.

Dahlia and Mallory Comerford are also set to race in the 100 free A final, where Margo Geer posted the top seed this morning at 54.07.

WOMEN’S 100 FLY – FINALS

  1. Kelsi Dahlia – Louisville post-grad, 57.29
  2. Amanda Kendall – Indiana post-grad, 58.91
  3. Asia Seidt – Kentucky, 59.11

Dahlia ran away with this one, blasting a 57.29 to improve upon her 57.38 season best from the Indy PSS in May. She was also just .02 off of her fastest in-season time ever, a 57.27 from the Mesa PSS stop in April of 2016.

Dahlia is now ranked 5th in the 2018 world rankings.

2017-2018 LCM WOMEN 100 FLY

RikakoJPN
IKEE
08/11
56.08
2Sarah
SJOESTROEM
SWE56.1308/04
3Kelsi
DAHLIA
USA56.4408/11
4Emma
McKEON
AUS56.5408/11
5Madeline
GROVES
AUS57.1904/06
View Top 26»

Amanda Kendall with the IU post-grad group was 2nd in 58.91, while Kentucky’s Asia Seidt snuck in for 3rd at 59.11. That’s an enormous best time for Seidt, whose 1:00.26 from the prelims today was her old PR.

Aliena Schmidtke of the Ohio State post grad group was touched out by Seidt, taking fourth in 59.33, just ahead of Louisville’s Mallory Comerford (59.36). Indiana Swim Team’s Christie Jensen was 59.69 for 6th.

MEN’S 100 FLY – FINALS

  1. Michael Andrew – Race Pace Club, 51.86
  2. Giles Smith – Phoenix Swim Club, 52.55
  3. Chase Kalisz – Athens Bulldogs Swim Club, 53.52

After going 52.47 for a tenth off of his old best, Michael Andrew has improved even more tonight. His time of 51.86 is his first venture under 52 seconds, ever, and he now ranks 15th in the world standings. The only American ahead of Andrew now this season is Jack Conger with his #2-ranked 51.00.

Giles Smith of Phoenix Swim Club raced to 2nd, looking to gain a lot of ground on Andrew towards the end of the race. Smith touched at 52.55.

IM’er Chase Kalisz lowered his morning time, a 53.73, to a 53.52 tonight to take third in a tight field.

Out of the B final, Noah Lense of Ohio State Swim Club rocketed to a 53.25 to win. His time would’ve placed third in the A final.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE – FINALS

  1. Leah Smith – Tucson Ford/Arizona post-grad, 4:04.23
  2. Cierra Runge – Arizona State post-grad, 4:08.99
  3. Allison Schmitt – Arizona State post-grad, 4:09.27

This race was all Leah Smith, as expected. She was out in 58.57 at the 100 and 2:00.19 at the 200, with Allison Schmitt the lone person remotely close to her for most of the race.

Smith’s season best was 4:04.72 before today, done in Santa Clara at that PSS stop. Tonight, her 4:04.23 just improves upon that. She now ranks 5th in the world for 2018.

2017-2018 LCM WOMEN 400 FREE

KatieUSA
LEDECKY
05/17
3.57.94
2Ariarne
TITMUS
AUS3.59.6608/11
3Bingjie
LI
CHN4.01.7509/01
4Leah
SMITH
USA4.02.2107/28
5Jianjiahe
WANG
CHN4.03.1403/03
View Top 26»

Schmitt’s pursuants caught up to her, though, as Cierra Runge got her at the wall, touching in 4:08.99. Kaersten Meitz from the Purdue post-grad group was just short of Schmitt, settling for 4th at 4:09.32.

That was a season best for all of the top four, while this is Meitz’s fastest in-season time ever, the previous mark standing at 4:09.46 from last May. Her best ever is a 4:08.38.

MEN’S 400 FREE – FINALS

  1. Zane Grothe – Indiana post-grad, 3:48.69
  2. Anton Ipsen – NC State post-grad, 3:49.62
  3. Patrick Callan – Trident Aquatics Club, 3:53.44

Zane Grothe was out very fast, well ahead of the field, while Anton Ipsen made a huge move over the last 100 meters. Both men spinning furiously at the end, it was Grothe who held on with a 3:48.69, as Ipsen grabbed 2nd in 3:49.52.

Michigan commit and Trident Aquatics Club swimmer Patrick Callan wound up in third at 3:53.44.

Three men were bunched up for 4th, 5th, and 6th. Marcelo Acosta of Louisville was 4th in 3:54.47, followed by Nick Hogsed of Ohio State at 3:54.50 and Felix Aubock of Michigan touching 6th in 3:54.66.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST – FINALS

  1. Lilly King – Indiana, 2:24.83
  2. Annie Lazor – Unattached, 2:26.55
  3. Mariia Astashkina – Louisville, 2:27.87

This was all Lilly King, the world record holder in the 100 breast. She was out at 1:09.31 after 100 meters, and finished it out in 2:24.83, a tenth ahead of her season best from Indy. She remains at 19th in the world rankings.

Annie Lazor, who swam undergrad for Auburn and is racing Unattached – Mission Viejo, grabbed 2nd with a 2:26.55. That time is her 4th-fastest ever.

Louisville’s Mariia Astashkina was 2:27.87 for 3rd, edging out Michigan’s Miranda Tucker (2:28.22).

MEN’S 200 BREAST – FINALS

  1. Chase Kalisz – Athens Bulldogs Swim Club, 2:10.97
  2. Evgenii Somov – Louisville/Russia, 2:13.28
  3. Reece Whitley – Penn Charter, 2:13.51

2018 TYR Pro Series points leader Chase Kalisz wins it here, going 2:10.97 in his second race of the session. He has already picked up a third place finish in the 100 fly tonight. He’s already been 2:09 this year, a lifetime best, but he was well ahead of the rest of the field.

Louisville/Russia’s Evgenii Somov took 2nd in 2:13.28, just able to hold off Penn Charter’s Reece Whitley. Whitley’s time of 2:13.51 edged out Takeharu Fujimori, who was 4th in 2:13.53.

Devon Nowicki of Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics hit a 2:14.55 to win the B final. His old PR was well back at 2:17.07, a great swim for the Oakland University swimmer.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE – FINALS

  1. Siobhan Haughey – Club Wolverine,  53.86
  2. Margo Geer – Indiana post-grad, 54.20
  3. Allison Schmitt – Arizona State post-grad, 54.34

Siobhan Haughey raced past Margo Geer at the finish, clocking a 53.86 to win, just off of her LTB. Geer settled for 2nd in 54.20, ahead of Allison Schmitt‘s 54.34. Schmitt already raced the 400 free tonight, where she placed third.

Mallory Comerford took fourth in 54.63, while Gabby Deloof broke 55 for the first time ever for 5th, touching at 54.98.

Catie Deloof won the B final in 55.33, beating her sister Ali Deloof (56.23). That’s a season best for C. Deloof, and it’s within a tenth of her 55.27 LTB from the 2017 US Open. The Michigan women are looking great so far this meet.

MEN’S 100 FREE – FINALS

  1. Blake Pieroni – Indiana post-grad, 49.04
  2. Justin Ress – NC State, 49.20
  3. Zach Apple – Indiana, 49.41

Sporting a beard, Indiana post-grad member Blake Pieroni touched the field out for the win here tonight with a 49.04. That ties his season best from Indy’s PSS stop in May, which also stands as his fastest in-season swim ever.

Justin Ress of NC State took 2nd in 49.20, just off of his morning LTB of 49.14, while Indiana’s Zach Apple was third in 49.41, improving slightly upon his morning swim.

NC State post-grad member Ryan Held finished fourth in 49.85, the last person to break 50.

Carson Foster couldn’t improve upon his morning swim of 50.37, but that time does still rank at a tie for 6th all-time in the 15-16 rankings.

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bobo gigi
6 years ago

Impressed by Allison Schmitt’s day. 54.34 after swimming a very decent 400 free. She’s really back.
Here’s a recent article about her on the USA Swimming website.
https://www.usaswimming.org/news-landing-page/2018/07/05/allison-schmitt-is-back-in-the-water-and-more-excited-than-ever

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Happy to see her back too . a 54 in the 100 free is a serious indication of her shape building up for this summer

Pvdh
6 years ago

I don’t understand how a guy can do 51.8 100 fly, 21.7 50 free and still not put together a good 100. Maybe it’s coming soon, but seeing him go 51.8 100 is fly is pretty funny as it’s the harder race, imo, over 100 free

Superfan
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

To me, it is poor technique in his breathing. On the 50 he doesn’t breathe so it isn’t a hindrance but he can’t do that in a 100

Sqimgod
Reply to  Superfan
6 years ago

He definitely has the endurance for 100 free. His technique for it just isn’t there yet. I.e his breathing is messed up and he kinda overotates and his elbows are rlly low.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Superfan
6 years ago

stroke technique and breathing rhythm , thats whats lacking there

Philip
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

I didn’t see you last week criticizing Govorov when he could only swim a 53 something in the 100 fly after a WR in the 50 fly.

Pvdh
Reply to  Philip
6 years ago

Govorov is clearly a guy who can’t do 100s. He’s not a flyer. That’s just sprinting ability. Andrew now has 2 good 100s and his situation with the 100 free is just odd.

Double Arm Freestyle
Reply to  Philip
6 years ago

Plus Michael Andrew has also previously shown a very good 2IM so it’s obvious he has the ability to do other stuff but what’s holding him back now is his training (including technical)

Jump
6 years ago

I think college will help Whitley’s speed. I heard the announcer say he is now 6’10”. I think my grandma can swim the first 50 faster than him, but he looks so strong on the back half of his races. I am just waiting for him to bust out a 200M breaststroke significantly under 2:10. Trials is going to be rough in the 200M breaststroke (Licon, Cordes, Miller, Prenot, Fink, Wilson, Roy, Kalisz?, Whitley).

Gator
6 years ago

Wow big swim by Callan….go Blue

taa
6 years ago

Surprised that Schmitty looks so strong. Probably a solid pick for the 4x 200 relay now.

Hswimmer
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

Runge also!

taa
Reply to  Hswimmer
6 years ago

Her and Becca Mann looks to be back at it also. For the relay it is so crowded
Ledecky, Smith, Schmitt, Margalis, Comerford, Maclaughlin, Runge, Manuel, Drabot, Franklin. Thats 10. Tuggle not quite ready only a 2:03 just now.

Caleb
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

Smith and Margalis seem like pretty safe picks… and yeah I’d say Schmitt might have the edge for the 4th spot. Looking forward to her race tomorrow. Comerford “should” be in the 1:55 range but it’s been a while and she hasn’t done it. Lots of contenders.

Yozhik
Reply to  taa
6 years ago

Let’s wait for her 200 free race tomorrow. Her 54.34 at 100 is very good especially if to remember that it came after 400 race where she had 2:02 at first half. That makes me to believe that she will break up with this 1:59 peloton headed by Missy Franklin and will join Marsalis’ group of real contenders for the place in 4×200 relay. I wish her luck with that.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

looking forward to see how Justin Ress gets into the Under the 49 Barrier …..

DRESSEL IS GOD
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

2020 will be nutso. Dressel, Held, Pieroni, Adrian, Andrew, Chadwick, now Ress, maybe Hoffer and Foster. So many more, and just for the US. Now imagine everyone together…

E Gamble
Reply to  DRESSEL IS GOD
6 years ago

Hoffer? He has not figured out LCM.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  DRESSEL IS GOD
6 years ago

they could build up 2 relays with that potential , insane !!!!

Dansad
Reply to  DRESSEL IS GOD
6 years ago

Don’t forget Townley

Loulou
6 years ago

Hope Leah Smith steps up and cimments her position as the #2 400free in the world this summer

Yozhik
Reply to  Loulou
6 years ago

The difference in in-season times between Leah Smith and Ariarne Titmus is about 3sec. It is a lot of job to do for Leah.
It interesting if Leah gets tapered for Nationals. From one hand it’s better to do for Pam Pac to be in the best form competing against Titmus. On the other hand she probably wants to secure her place in National team in individual 200 event. And there she faces strong competition. The spot at 800 event is not given neither.

USA
Reply to  Yozhik
6 years ago

Titmus’ 4:00.9 was done at the Commonwealth games, that’s not in-season.

EagleSwoop
Reply to  USA
6 years ago

Titmus went 4:01.7 last week as well. I think that’s the swim Yohzik is referring to.

Double Arm Freestyle
Reply to  EagleSwoop
6 years ago

Titmus said herself she was partially rested last week

JimSwim
Reply to  Yozhik
6 years ago

But all Leah needs to do at Nats is secure a spot on the PanPac roster then she can enter anything she wants and grab World Champ spots right?

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  JimSwim
6 years ago

yep

Yozhik
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

Are you sure that she is allowed to race individual 200 or 800 at PanPac if she isn’t on the podium at Nationals in those events but got on the team somehow else? If she isn’t good at Nationals she won’t get chance to fix the situation at PanPac and therefore will miss 2019 WC in individual events where she wasn’t at least third at Nationals.
Is my understanding of selection process incorrect?

Double Arm Freestyle
Reply to  Yozhik
6 years ago

I believe once you’re on the Pan Pacs squad you can enter any event

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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