2018 Santa Clara Pro Swim Series: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

2018 TYR PRO SWIM SERIES – SANTA CLARA

The last finals session of the 2018 TYR Pro Swim Series – Santa Clara is about to get underway. Follow along here as we update on all of the action. Tonight will feature several 50’s and shootouts, the 400 free, and the mystery 200 IM.

Among races tonight will be Katie Ledecky in the 400 free, as she looks to better her season-best 3:57.94 from the Indy PSS stop. Meanwhile, Lilly King will try to respond to Russia’s Yulia Efimova, who was 29.93 in the 50 breast in Canet earlier today. King reclaimed the world #1 spot in the 100 breast last night after beating Efimova’s Canet time, also done just hours earlier, by a tenth. Sprint kings Nathan Adrian and Caeleb Dressel will also be in action tonight, though Adrian will contest for a 50 free crown while Dressel will race for a win in the 50 fly.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE FINAL

  1. Katie Ledecky 4:00.51
  2. Leah Smith 4:04.72
  3. Melanie Margalis 4:08.84

Katie Ledecky of Stanford was just on top of her Indy splitting in this race, going out in 57.2 at the 100 and then 1:57.8 in the 200 free, but fell off of her pace and wound up just over the 4-minute barrier. She won the race by a considerable margin, though, hitting a 4:00.51, but she was well off of her 3:57.94 from Indy.

Leah Smith of Tuscon Ford Dealers took two seconds off of her season best to take 2nd in 4:04.72, while St. Petersburg Aquatics’ Melanie Margalis cruised under 4:10 for the first time ever with a 4:08.84. That’s the 4th-ranked time in the world this year for Smith. This bodes well for Margalis’s freestyle, as she will try to snag a relay spot on the 4×200 for Pan Pacs.

Of note, 16-year-old Regan Smith from Riptide went a lifetime best 4:14.34 to take fifth.

WOMEN’S 50 FLY (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Kelsi Dahlia 26.36
  2. Penny Oleksiak 26.43
  3. Farida Osman 26.57
  4. Sarah Gibson 26.70

Kelsi Dahlia of Louisville edged a tight field en route to the semis, claiming the top spot in the first round with a 26.36, just ahead of Canadian teenager Penny Oleksiak. Dahlia’s been 25.74 this year from the Mesa PSS and Oleksiak’s been 25.88 from the Commonwealth Games.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Farida Osman 26.05
  2. Penny Oleksiak 26.16
  3. Kelsi Dahlia 26.58
  4. Sarah Gibson 26.75

Former Cal swimmer Farida Osman and Penny Oleksiak beat out Dahlia and Gibson to qualify through to the final.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Penny Oleksiak 26.06
  2. Farida Osman 26.32

It looked like a breathless 50 for Oleksiak, as she eked out the win over Osman with a 26.06, her fastest of the three 50s.

MEN’S 50 FLY (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Jack Conger 23.91
  2. Luis Martinez 23.93
  3. Giles Smith 24.03
  4. Alexandre Perreault 24.04

Jack Conger just sneaks by Luis Martinez for the prelims win here. Caeleb Dressel, the top time this morning, scratched the final.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Jack Conger 23.89
  2. Luis Martinez 24.08
  3. Alexandre Perreault 24.52
  4. Giles Smith 25.15

Looking smooth and unfazed from the first round, which was just minutes earlier, Conger clocked a 23.89 to move on with Martinez to the final.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Jack Conger 23.67
  2. Luis Martinez 24.16

It was all Conger in the final, as he cruised to a 23.67 finish. His season best and personal best still stand at a 23.37 from the Austin PSS back in January.

WOMEN’S 50 BACK (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Kylie Masse 28.12
  2. Olivia Smoliga 28.26
  3. Isabelle Stadden 28.38
  4. Ali Deloof 28.41

Olivia Smoliga, who set the American record in this event at the Mesa shootout with a 27.43, was in control until the final 15 meters, when 100 back world record holder Kylie Masse of Canada inched ahead to get her a the wall, 28.12 to 28.26. 15-year-old Isabelle Stadden of Aquajets and Ali Deloof of Club Wolverine both make it through to the semis.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Olivia Smoliga 28.12
  2. Ali Deloof 28.21

Smoliga got it done in the semis, qualifying along with Deloof on to the final with a 28.12. That happened to be the exact time Masse went in the prelims, but Masse fell out of the top two here.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Olivia Smoliga 28.02
  2. Ali Deloof 28.22

Smoliga raced to the win, despite a little lane line knocking towards the end of the swim. She posted a 28.02, her fastest time of the knock-out, though well off of her 27.43 American Record swim from Mesa. Deloof was just two tenths back, right on her semis time.

MEN’S 50 BACK (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Markus Thormeyer 25.50
  2. Matt Grevers 25.55
  3. Javier Acevedo 25.69
  4. Ryosuke Irie 25.76

It was a largely international make-up for the top four in round 1, as Canadians Markus Thormeyer (25.50) and Javier Acevedo (25.69) finished 1st and 3rd. Japan’s Ryosuke Irie, who is training in San Diego with Team Elite West and David Marsh, was 25.76 for 4th, while American Matt Grevers was 2nd in 25.55.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Ryosuke Irie 25.42
  2. Markus Thormeyer 25.50
  3. Matt Grevers 25.53
  4. Javier Acevedo 25.67

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Ryosuke Irie/Markus Thormeyer 25.68 *TIE*

To the awe of the crowd, Irie and Thormeyer swam to a tie in 25.68. There won’t be swim-off, despite the fans’ chanting.

MEN’S 400 FREE FINAL

  1. Zane Grothe 3:50.53
  2. Jan Switkowski 3:51.17
  3. Jack LeVant 3:51.47

Jack LeVant of the North Texas Nadadores was out in a 1:54.22 and led through 350 meters, but he tightened up and was passed by two swimmers over the final length. Zane Grothe got to the wall in a frenzy with a 3:50.53, while Jan Switkowski slipped ahead of LeVant, too, with a 3:51.17.

That’s still a best time for LeVant, who improves upon his 3:52.86 from last summer. He now ranks 17th all-time in the 17-18 age group.

WOMEN’S 50 BREAST (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Lilly King 31.43
  2. Melissa Rodriguez 31.63
  3. Kim Williams 32.38
  4. Kennedy Lohman 32.42

Two women broke 32 seconds, with world record holder Lilly King winning round 1 with a cool 31.43. Melissa Rodriguez of Mexico was just behind for 2nd in 31.63. Kim Williams (32.38) and Kennedy Lohman (32.42) also make it to round 2.

Keep in mind Yulia Efimova‘s 29.93 from Canet earlier today as we move through the next two rounds.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Lilly King 30.66
  2. Melissa Rodriguez 31.56
  3. Kennedy Lohman 32.15
  4. Kim Williams 32.24

King looked sharper here in the semis, going 30.66 to finish well ahead of 2nd place Rodriguez (31.56), but both will race in the final. King is now within seven tenths of Efimova’s time.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Lilly King 29.62
  2. Melissa Rodriguez 31.24

King was absolutely cooking down the pool, churning out a 29.62 for the new world #1 ahead of Molly Hannis (29.71) and Efimova (29.93). That’s her third-best time ever (she’s been 29.40 WR and 29.60), and the eight-best performance in history.

MEN’S 50 BREAST (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Kevin Cordes 27.70
  2. Nic Fink 27.80
  3. Andrew Wilson 27.91
  4. Miguel Delara/Pavel Romanov 28.04

Kevin Cordes led the way with a 27.70 ahead of Nic Fink (27.80) and Andrew Wilson (27.91). Wilson continues his successful career after graduating from D3 powerhouse Emory.

There was a tie for fourth between Miguel Delara and Pavel Romanov, but the top four times go to the semis, so both will race in round 2.

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Nic Fink 27.82
  2. Andrew Wilson 27.88
  3. Kevin Cordes 28.12
  4. Miguel Delara 28.30
  5. Pavel Romanov 28.80

Fink and Wilson were the fastest of round 2, going 27.82 and 27.88, respectively. They’ll shoot it out in the final round.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Nic Fink 27.67
  2. Andrew Wilson 27.70

Just like in the semis, Wilson was just a tad behind Fink. Fink wins it in 27.67, ahead of Wilson’s 27.70.

WOMEN’S 50 FREE (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Abbey Weitzeil 25.15
  2. Simone Manuel 25.28
  3. Lia Neal 25.29
  4. Katie McLaughlin 25.41

Abbey Weitzeil made it through to what will be a Bay Area showdown in the semifinals. Weitzeil and McLaughlin of Cal will face off against Manuel and Neal of Stanford.

Notably, McLaughlin, who has always wanted to sprint, beat out some top sprinters for a chance to race in round 2. She already went a lifetime best 54.79 in the 100 free earlier in this meet, and her 25.41 here is a best time (beating her old PR from 2013).

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Simone Manuel 25.05
  2. Abbey Weitzeil 25.20
  3. Lia Neal 25.32
  4. Katie McLaughlin 25.58

Manuel and Weitzeil will contend for the crown in the final.

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Simone Manuel 24.67
  2. Abbey Weitzeil 25.64

Simone Manuel pounced for the win here, going 24.67 to finish well ahead of Weitzeil (25.64). Manuel was just off of her season best of 24.59.

MEN’S 50 FREE (SHOOT-OUT)

Prelims (top 9 from morning prelims)

  1. Markus Thormeyer 22.80
  2. Kyle Decoursey 22.87
  3. Tate Jackson 22.89
  4. Oleksandr Loginov 22.91

Canada’s Markus Thormeyer is setting himself up for another win here, going 22.80 ahead of Kyle Decoursey (22.87).

Semis (top 4 from night prelims)

  1. Markus Thormeyer 22.97
  2. Tate Jackson 23.13
  3. Kyle Decoursey 24.00
  4. Oleksandr Loginov 24.33

Final (top 2 from semis)

  1. Markus Thormeyer 23.06
  2. Tate Jackson 23.37

Thormeyer collected another win here, going 23.06 to edge Jackson thanks to a strong back half of his 50.

WOMEN’S 200 MYSTERY IM FINAL

  1. Sarah Darcel 2:16.92

Swimming the race free/back/breast/fly, Cal’s Sarah Darcel earned the win in 2:16.92, passing up three breaststrokers with her final leg, which was fly.

MEN’S 200 MYSTERY IM FINAL

  1. Hiromasa Fujimori 2:04.79

Hiromasa Fujimori of the Phoenix Swim Club finished with breaststroke, but nobody could catch him as he wound up on top in 2:04.79.

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Observer
5 years ago

I mean, these shoot-outs are fun and all but they’re sacrificing a lot of the real speed I like to watch (personal opinion here, you don’t to start an inquisition on me).
23”0 at the men’s 50 free looks pretty ridiculous when you compare to other meets and even other shoot-outs.
Stop making the 50 an endurance competition and BRING THE REAL SPEED BACK!!

Mike
Reply to  Observer
5 years ago

I agree. Its a battle of attrition. I want to see the fastest 50 possible by everyone in the race.

Superfan
5 years ago

I do not understand the point of the shootouts. It’s not a 50 in the end, it is not testing who has the most speed at the time. It’s basically testing endurance which isn’t the 50.

DrSwimPhil
5 years ago

Is it worth having a discussion about these 50’s shoot-outs? When the idea was first presented, I was skeptical but tried to keep an open mind. If I recall correctly, they made these 50’s shoot-outs for tv/fan experience, right? Well what’s happened since…no tv coverage on the given session (but tv covered the other nights), less fans staying around to watch it, and some of the big names not taking part in it.

I get trying something new to spice things up, and they went outside the box, so credit to the organizers for trying, but I think in the end the idea didn’t work as they wanted to.

Observer
Reply to  DrSwimPhil
5 years ago

I like the idea, but maybe instead of doing all the shootouts on the same day try staggering them. The current event lineup is awkward.

Jim C
5 years ago

Ledecky would really be unbeatable if they had a shoot-put format for distance freestyle.

coachymccoachface
Reply to  Jim C
5 years ago

That would be pretty boring

Reply to  coachymccoachface
5 years ago

At a meet I used to compete in they would have ‘the eliminator’ every year, where 8 swimmers would start out with a 200 freestyle and the last place swimmer is knocked out. And then keep doing so with 100m repeats until you had a winner, which is more distance free oriented but still really exciting.

Becky D
Reply to  Jim C
5 years ago

Or something like the Battle of the Sexes they did in the 70s. If I recall correctly, there was John Nabor vs. Shirley Babashoff in a 400 LCM (Nabor did backstroke and won).

Bob
5 years ago

Didn’t Carson foster win the mystery 200 IM. On the video he did, not sure if he got dq though.

Ex Quaker
Reply to  Bob
5 years ago

Double check the date on your video.

Aquajosh
5 years ago

Penny is really setting herself up well to have a fantastic 200 fly this summer.

TheJudga
Reply to  Aquajosh
5 years ago

Looks like training with Florida’s group is paying off! Impressive 50 fly’s

Sum Ting Wong
Reply to  TheJudga
5 years ago

Even if you are Olympic silver at 100 fly .at 16 , within 2 years an age peer will be beating you by a second over 50m .

Ben
Reply to  Aquajosh
5 years ago

It’s too bad she got DQ’d in the heats so we couldn’t see her race it at Santa Clara, but at the same time, it’s better to DQ in a smaller meet like this than a bigger meet.

Aquajosh
Reply to  Ben
5 years ago

She didn’t DQ, she just didn’t swim it. It’s too bad though, her time from Mel Zajac last week would have won it in Santa Clara, and based on the way she’s been swimming, she would have likely been faster.

Pvdh
5 years ago

29.6 in heavy training and in the shootout? Wow. 1:03 incoming.

PACFAN
5 years ago

What happened?

Cate
Reply to  PACFAN
5 years ago

She confronted Dressel and Coach Troy for scratching the butterfly

Peter
Reply to  Cate
5 years ago

In a fist fight??

Cate
Reply to  Peter
5 years ago

On camera. She asked him why he wasn’t swimming as he was on her team. She also got Coach Troy on camera too. She was actually pretty funny. Dressel looked embarrassed.

Pvdh
Reply to  Cate
5 years ago

She didn’t really confront him lol. It wasn’t serious. He came down for an interview and they joked about him scratching the 50.

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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