2019 Speedo Winter Junior Championships–East: Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2019 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – East

• December 11th-14th, 2019
• Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center, Atlanta, Georgia
• SCY (25y) Course
• All the links you need
• Pre-scratch Timeline
• Psych Sheets
• Real-time Results
• Friday Finals Heat Sheets

Day Three will features finals of women’s and men’s 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back, as well as timed finals of the women’s and men’s 4×50 free relays.

Women’s 400 Yard IM – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 4:02.51, Brooke Forde, 2016
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 4:08.44, Katie Hoff, 2004
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 4:00.62, Dagny Knutson, 2008
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 3:58.40, Ella Eastin, 2016

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Kathryn Ackerman, MLA – 4:09.62
2. Olivia McMurray, SWIM – 4:14.66
3. Isabella Paoletti, DST – 4:17.34
4. Yi Xuan Chang, SSAC – 4:17.51
5. Abby Arens, MOR – 4:18.18
6. Paige McCormick, HEAT – 4:19.42
7. Claire Donan, LAK – 4:21.48
8. Madeline Singletary, SA – 4:25.44

Kathryn Ackerman of Michigan Lakeshore won a decisive championship final in the 400 IM with 4:09.62. She led from the outset, turning first at the 50 wall, ceding her lead to Olivia McMurray at the 100, but taking over again and the 150. Ackerman continued to put clear water behind her with each 50 and she touched 5 seconds ahead of second-place McMurray at the finish. Isabella Paoletti of Delaware Swim Team was in 3rd place throughout but had to hold off a very strong finish from Yi Xuan Chang to earn her place on the podium.

Men’s 400 Yard IM – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 3:40.86, Carson Foster, 2018
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 3:51.54, Tyler Lu, 2018
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 3:42.08, Michael Phelps, 2002
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 3:37.52, Andrew Seliskar, 2015

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Carson Foster, RAYS – 3:38.65
2. Jake Magahey, SA – 3:45.37
3. Tyler Christianson, NAAC – 3:46.90
4. Matt Fallon, SVY – 3:46.93
5. Evan McInerny, SA – 3:51.97
6. Conall Monahan, MAC – 3:52.05
7. Nathan Borges, SVY – 3:52.66
8. Baylor Nelson, MAC – 3:54.21

It was a wire-to-wire victory for Carson Foster of Mason Manta Rays as he took down his own meet record with 3:38.65. Foster was never seriously challenged but there was a good race behind him as Swim Atlanta’s Jake Magahey and Somerset Valley’s Matt Fallon battled for position. Naval Academy’s Tyler Christianson came on strong at the end and touched out Fallon by .03 for third place.

Foster moves to #2 all-time for 17-18 boys in the 400 IM, behind only Andrew Seliskar (3:37.52).

Women’s 100 Yard Butterfly – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 51.73, Regan Smith, 2016
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 50.64, Claire Curzan, 2019
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 51.08, Beata Nelson, 2014
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 50.19, Olivia Bray, 2019

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Claire Curzan, TAC – 50.87
2. Tristen Ulett, DYNA – 52.01
3. Gabi Albiero, CARD – 52.64
4. Devon Kitchel, CSC – 53.39
5. Letitia Sim, TNT – 53.59
6. Brooke Zettel, TAC – 53.78
7. Megan Dueul, PACK – 53.85
8. Olivia Peoples, BSS – 54.05

Claire Curzan of TAC Titans blasted to an early lead in the championship final of the 100 fly, hitting the 50 wall in 23.76. That put her nearly a full body length ahead of Dynamo’s Tristen Ulett and Carmel’s Devon Kitchel, who were second and third with 24.6s. Curzan came home in 27.1 to stop the clock in 50.87. She destroyed the meet record of 51.73, set by Regan Smith in 2016. She also took down Beata Nelson’s 2014 National Age Group Record for 15-16 girls of 51.08. It was Curzan’s second-best time in the 100 fly. She broke the 13-14 NAG with 50.64 in March.

Ulett came home in 27.39 to earn the silver medal with 52.01. Gabi Albiero of Cardinal Aquatics powered past Kitchel over the final 50 yards and took third with 52.64.

Men’s 100 Yard Butterfly – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 45.46, Ryan Hoffer, 2015
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 46.95, Michael Andrew, 2014
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 45.62, Gianluca Urlando, 2018
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 44.91, Tom Shields, 2010

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Tim Connery, MAC – 46.73
2. Tristan Dewitt, FORT – 47.16
3. Boyd Poelke, MAC – 47.22
4. Matthew Fenlon, BAD – 47.26
5. William Cole, LAK – 47.53
6. Matthew Jensen, UDAC – 47.75
7. Holden Smith, RPC – 47.84
8. Carl Bloebaum, RAYS – 47.85

SwimMAC Carolina’s Tim Connery came from behind to secure the victory in the men’s 100 fly final. Tristan Dewitt of Fort Wayne turned first at the 50 wall with 21.81, while Boyd Poelke of SwimMAC, Matthew Fenlon of Badger Swim club, William Cole from Lakeside Swim Team, and Connery all flipped together just a tick behind Dewitt. Connery’s second half was nearly half a second faster than anyone else in the field and the only sub-25. He powered through to get the win in 46.73. Prior to this meet his fastest 100 fly time was 48.06.

Dewitt was able to hang on for second place in a crowded field. He touched in 47.16, just ahead of Poelke (47.22), Fenlon (47.26), and Cole (47.53).

Women’s 200 Yard Freestyle – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 1:43.27, Regan Smith, 2018
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 1:44.55, Missy Franklin, 2010
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 1:42.03, Katie Ledecky, 2013
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 1:40.31, Missy Franklin, 2014

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Micayla Cronk, BD – 1:44.67
2. Ella Bathurst, TEAM – 1:46.41
3. Paige Hetrick, BRAD – 1:47.02
4. Sara Stotler, PSA – 1:47.61
5. Kaylee Williams, CW – 1:47.65
6. Kathryn Ackerman, 1:48.51
7. Olivia McMurray, SWIM – 1:50.48
8. Rebekah Hamilton, HAS – 1:50.52

Micayla Cronk of Blue Dolfins went out quickly and set the pace, flipping at 24.09 at the 50. Already up by half a body length, she continued to build her lead over the next three 50s. She won with 1:44.67, just 3/10 off her PB from Florida High School Championships in November. Tampa Elite’s Ella Bathurst established herself in the second position at the halfway point and never let up. She clocked a 1:46.41 for a PB by 4/10. Paige Hetrick from Bradford Family was third throughout the race. She finished with a time of 1:47.02, a full half-second ahead of Sara Stotler from Planet Swim and Kaylee Williams of Club Wolverine.

Men’s 200 Yard Freestyle – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 1:33.40, Drew Kibler, 2016
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 43.90, Michael Andrew, 2014
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 1:33.30, Drew Kibler, 2017
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 1:32.18, Maxime Rooney, 2017

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Wyatt Davis, CSC – 1:34.58
2. Jake Mitchell, CSC – 1:34.59
3. Jake Magahey, SA – 1:35.36
4. Jack Alexy, SHY – 1:35.52
5. Hugh Svendsen, MAC – 1:36.15
6. Garrett Boone, ATOM – 1:36.50
7. Jack Aikins, SA – 1:37.22
8. Liam Smith, UDAC – 1:37.32

The men’s 200 free was the most exciting final of the night. From start to finish it was anyone’s race. Jack Alexy of Somerset Hills Y was first out of the gate, turning in 21.98 at the 50. Wyatt Davis of Carmel Swim Club and Jack Aikins from SwimAtlanta were not far behind with 22.0s, while the next wave was led by Carmel’s Jake Mitchell and Mecklenburg’s Garrett Boone. Davis and Boone hammered their second 50s and moved to the lead. Mitchell and SwimAtlanta’s Jake Magahey moved up on the third 50 while Davis and Boone continued to battle for the lead. The final 50 is where it all shook out in the end. Davis came home in 24.0, Mitchell moved up to challenge his teammate. As they slugged it out over the final 25 yards, it looked like Mitchell might have the advantage but Davis got his hand to the wall first. By .01. Magahey, Alexy, and Hugh Svendsen of SwimMAC slipped by Boone. Other than the .01 difference between first and second places, the final results masked the ongoing drama of the final. It was much closer and much more exciting than it seemed on paper.

Women’s 100 Yard Breaststroke – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 58.19, Alex Walsh, 2017
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 1:00.02, Alexis Wenger, 2015
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 58.19, Alex Walsh, 2017
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 58.10, Miranda Tucker, 2016

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Abby Arens, MOR – 59.82
2. Letitia Sim, TNE – 1:00.44
3. Alicia Henry, DYNA – 1:00.69
4. Zoe Skirboll, RXA – 1:00.89
5. Grace Rainey, MAC – 1:00.95
6. Gabi Albiero, CARD – 1:01.40
7. Adeline Farrington, SA – 1:01.47
8. Claire Donan, LAK – 1:02.25

Abby Arens from Marlins of Raleigh, Zoe Skirboll from Racer X, and Letitia Sim were the leaders at the halfway mark, with Arens enjoying a slight advantage over the other two. She notched it up over the second half of the race and pulled away from the field, ending up with the only sub-minute in the final. Arens finished with 59.82, her second-best time ever. Sim of TNT Swimming touched just first in the next wave of finishers with 1:00.44. Alicia Henry from Dynamo slipped past Skirboll to take third with 1:00.69.

Men’s 100 Yard Breaststroke – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 52.21, Michael Andrew, 2015
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 53.06, Reece Whitley, 2014
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 52.75, Michael Andrew, 2015
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 51.16, Reece Whitley, 2018

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Josh Matheny, PEAQ – 52.56
2. Tim Connery, MAC – 53.19
3. Reid Mikuta, SGSA – 53.26
4. Tyler Christianson, NAAC – 54.01
5. Noah Nichols, PSDN – 54.10
6. Hentry Bethel, CCAC – 54.46
7. Matthew Segal, CW – 54.53
8. Matt Fallon, SVY – 54.54

Josh Matheny of Team Pittsburgh notched his second-best time ever in winning the 100 breast with 52.56. Matheny controlled the race from the outset, splitting 24.9/27.5 for the best front half and the best back half. Tim Connery of SwimMAC, with 25.1/28.0, tried to challenge Matheny but he finished second in 53.19. It was a PB by .6. Swim GSA’s Reid Mikuta pushed Connery the whole way, splitting 25.1/28.1 and placing third with 53.26. That marked a 1.7-second improvement for Mikuta off his previous PB of 54.92.

Women’s 100 Yard Backstroke – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 50.72, Katharine Berkoff, 2018
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 51.09, Regan Smith, 2016
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 50.58, Regan Smith, 2018
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 49.66, Regan Smith, 2019

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Claire Curzan, TAC – 51.55
2. Tristen Ulett, DYNA – 52.76
3. Rye Ulett, DYNA – 52.87
4. Casey Chung, CW – 53.52
5. Paige Hetrick, BRAD – 53.57
6. Annabel Crush, LAK – 53.59
7. Ellie Waldrep, BAY – 53.71
8. Emily Lenihan, LAK – 53.96

After her meet record and National Age Group record in the 100 fly earlier in the evening, Claire Curzan took home a second gold medal in the 100 back. Surrounded by Dynamo’s Ulett sisters in lanes 3 and 5, Curzan shot out to an early lead, going up by nearly a body length at the 50. She extended her lead over the second half of the race and got the win with 51.55. Tristen Ulett went 52.76 to touch out her sister, Rye Ulett (52.87).

Men’s 100 Yard Backstroke – Finals

• SC Juniors Meet Record – 45.58, Ryan Hoffer, 2015
• 13/14 National Age Group Record – 47.83, Michael Andrew, 2008
• 15/16 National Age Group Record – 45.60, Anthony Grimm, 2019
• 17/18 National Age Group Record – 44.63, Ryan Murphy, 2014

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Wyatt Davis, CSC – 45.80
2. Adam Chaney, RAYS – 47.16
3. Nathaniel Stoffle, SPAC – 47.27
4. William Cole, LAK – 47.44
5. Anthony Rincon, TWST – 47.63
6. Holden Raffin, MSC – 48.55
7. Jack Aikins, SA – 48.68
8. Evan Petty, NAC – 48.79

Carmel’s Wyatt Davis took it out quickly but it looked like Adam Chaney of Mason Manta Rays, swimming in lane 1, would prove to be a challenger. Davis turned in 22.1 at the 50 wall with Chaney just .40 behind him. Davis shut it down over the second half, though, outsplitting Chaney by .94. Davis took home the gold with 45.80. Chaney and Nathaniel Stoffle battled for the silver medal with Chaney getting the touch, 47.16 to 47.27.

Women’s 4×50 Freestyle – Timed Finals

• SC Juniors Meet: # 1:29.04 12/7/2018 Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club (B Semenuk, S Moore, M Parker, K Douglass)
• 13-14 NAG: 1:33.30 TAC Titans 2019
• 15-16 NAG: 1:30.99 Virginia Gators 2017
• 17-18 NAG: 1:30.09 SwimMAC 2015
• 15-18 NAG: 1:29.04 Chelsea Piers A.C. 2018

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg – 1:31.45
2. Cardinal Aquatics – 1:32.08
3. Blue Dolfins – 1:32.54
4. SwimMAC Carolina – 1:32.56
5. Mason Manta Rays – 1:32.90
6. Bolles School Sharks – 1:32.97
7. Club Wolverine – 1:33.00
8. Carmel Swim Club – 1:33.21

Club Wolverine won heat 1 of the 200 free relays from lane 1 with 1:33.00 (Abbey Ketslakh 23.65, Casey Chung 22.95, Mia Keranen 23.50, and Sydney Stricklin 22.90) but ended up with only the 7th-fastest time overall.

It turned out to be a lucky lane because Mecklenburg won the next heat from the outside, as well. Lindsay Flynn (22.39), Teresa Ivan (23.00), Liza Whitmire (22.74), and Katie Rauch (23.32) combined for 1:31.45 to beat Cardinal Aquatics (1:32.08), Blue Dolfins (1:32.54), and SwimMAC (1:32.56).

Men’s 4×50 Freestyle – Timed Finals

• SC Juniors Meet: # 1:19.03 12/6/2012 Bolles School Sharks (C Dressel, S Condorelli, E Goossen, J Schooling)
• 13-14 NAG: 1:25.63 Scottsdale Aquatic Club 2013
• 15-16 NAG: 1:22.51 Mason Manta Rays 2018
• 17-18 NAG: 1:19.55 Nation’s Capital S.C. 2015
• 15-18 NAG: 1:19.29 Scottsdale Aquatic Club 2016

Top 8 Finishers:

1. SwimAtlanta – 1:19.45
2. Spartan Aquatics – 1:21.29
3. Mason Manta Rays A – 1:21.45
4. Carmel Swim Club – 1:22.03
5. Mason Manta Rays B – 1:22.10
6. Lakeside Swim Team – 1:22.17
7. Aquatic Team of Mecklenburg – 1:22.47
8. SwimMAC Carolina – 1:22.49

Swimming in lane 8, SwimAtlanta smoked the field in the fastest heat of 200 free relays with 1:19.45, coming within .42 of the meet record with splits from Jake Magahey (20.03), Jack Aikins (19.64), Connor Hinkes (19.98), and TJ Pittenger (19.80). Spartan Aquatic came to the wall just ahead of top-seeded Mason Manta Rays for second place. Adam Chaney split 19.30 on the Rays’ anchor but couldn’t catch Grant Allison (19.85) who held onto the lead he inherited and claimed the silver medal.

Upper Dublin Aquatic Club won the first heat of relays in 1:22.70 and ended up 9th overall.

                     Women - Team Rankings - Through Event 23                     
 
  1. Dynamo Swim Club                  271   2. SwimMAC Carolina                224.5
  3. SwimAtlanta                       192   4. Club Wolverine                    167
  5. Cardinal Aquatics                 154   6. Lakeside Swim Team                140
  7. Tac Titans                        130   8. Carmel Swim Club                  125
  9. Aquatic Team Of Mecklenburg     123.5  10. Blue Dolfins                      105
 11. Mason Manta Rays                   80  12. Bolles School Sharks               79
 13. Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics        61  14. Tampa Elite Aquatics               58
 15. Marlins Of Raleigh                 57  16. Swim Florida                       45
 17. Baylor Swim Club                   37  18. Phoenix Swimming                   33
 19. Tnt Swimming                       31  19. Bradford Family YMCA               31
 21. Treasure Coast Aquatics            28  22. Badger Swim Club,Inc.              22
 22. Planet Swim Aquatics               22  24. Somerset Valley YMCA               21
 25. Pack Swim Team of Pittsford        17  25. Racer X Aquatics                   17
 25. Huntsville Swim Association        17  25. Lake Erie Silver Dolphins          17
 29. Delaware Swim Team                 16  30. Stamford Sailfish Aquatic Club     15
 31. Upper Palmetto YMCA Stingrays      14  32. Hudson Explorer Aquatic            13
 33. Long Beach Aquatics                12  33. Fort Wayne Swim Team               12
 35. Farmington Family Y Stingrays       9  36. Gator Swim Club                     8
 37. Sarasota Sharks                     7  37. Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club       7
 39. New Albany Aquatic Club             6  40. Tennessee Aquatics                  5
 40. Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team        5  40. Irish Aquatics                      5
 40. Upper Dublin Aquatic Club           5  44. Kingfish Swimming                   4
 44. Team Greenville                     4  44. Unattached Csi                      4
 44. Coast Guard Blue Dolphins           4  48. Piedmont Family Ymca/Cyac           2
 48. Athens Bulldog Swim Club            2  48. Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club        2
 48. South Carolina Swim Club            2

                      Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 24                      
 
  1. SwimMAC Carolina                  299   2. SwimAtlanta                       256
  3. Mason Manta Rays                  254   4. Carmel Swim Club                  239
  5. Upper Dublin Aquatic Club         155   6. Lakeside Swim Team                148
  7. Aquatic Team Of Mecklenburg       104   7. Spartan Aquatic Club              104
  9. Dynamo Swim Club                  100  10. Somerset Valley YMCA               73
 11. Carpet Capital Aquatics Club       60  12. Naval Academy Aquatic Club         44
 13. Badger Swim Club,Inc.              39  14. Woodbridge Aquatic Club          32.5
 15. Club Wolverine                     30  16. Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club       27.5
 17. Swim Gsa                           27  18. Marlins Of Raleigh                 26
 18. Team Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics     26  20. Somerset Hills YMCA                24
 21. North Carolina Aquatic Club        21  21. Fort Wayne Swim Team               21
 23. Cleveland Swim Institute         19.5  24. Bolles School Sharks               19
 24. Gator Swim Club                    19  26. Enfinity Aquatic Club              18
 27. Nashville Aquatic Club             17  28. Pine Crest Swimming                16
 29. Canton City Schools                15  30. Tidal Wave Swim Team               14
 30. Poseidon Swimming Inc              14  32. Tampa Bay  Aquatics                13
 32. Phoenix Swimming                   13  32. Zionsville Swim Club               13
 32. Munster Swim Club                  13  36. Race Pace Club - KY                12
 36. Fishers Area Swimming Tigers       12  38. North Penn Aquatic Club            10
 39. Blazing Barracudas                  9  39. Unattached MACG                     9
 39. Firestone Akron Swim Team           9  42. Tac Titans                          8
 43. Snow Swimming                       7  43. Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA             7
 43. United Swim Club                    7  43. Flood Aquatics Swim Team            7
 47. Waves Of Wilmington,Inc.            6  48. Mercury Swimming                  5.5
 49. Ridgefield Aquatic Club             5  50. Trinity Prep Aquatics               4
 50. Dayton Raiders                      4  52. McCallie / Gps Aquatics             3
 52. Summit City Aquatics                3  52. Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics         3
 52. Greater Toledo Aquatic Club         3  52. Vacationland Swim Club              3
 57. Unattached                          2  57. Southwest Y Michigan Swimming       2
 57. Marietta Marlins, Inc               2  57. Tide Swimming                       2