2021 Pro Swim Series-San Antonio (#2): Day 2 Prelims Live Recap

Pro Swim Series – San Antonio (#2)

• March 3-7, 2021
• North East ISD Blossom Athletic Complex, San Antonio, TX
• LCM
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Session Timelines
• Live Stream (USA Swimming)
• Live Stream (Olympic Channel)
• Start Times (Central Time): Prelims: 10 AM, Finals: 7 PM

Thursday morning heat sheets

Day Two of Pro Swim Series – San Antonio will feature World Record-holder Katie Ledecky (400 free), American Record-holders Simone Manuel (100 free), Caeleb Dressel (100 free), and Kevin Cordes (100 breast), and U.S. Open Record-holder Hali Flickinger (200 fly) in addition to a number of U.S. National Teamers.

Women’s 100 Freestyle

• World Record: 51.71 – 7/23/2017 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2017)
• American Record: 52.04 – 7/26/2019 Simone Manuel, USA (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 52.54 – 7/25/2018 Simone Manuel, Stanford Swimming (2018)
• Junior World Record: 52.70 – 8/11/2016 Penny Oleksiak, CAN (2016)
• Pro Swim Record: 53.12– 2016 Sarah Sjostrom (2016)

Top 8:

1. Simone Manuel, Alto Swim Club – 54.36
2. Abbey Weitzeil, California Aquatics – 54.70
3. Katie Ledecky, Nation’s Capital – 54.98
4. Linnea Mack, Team Elite – 55.03
5. Katie McLaughlin, California Aquatics – 55.21
6. Olivia Smoliga, Athens Bulldog – 55.21
7. Regan Smith, Riptide – 55.64
8. Beryl Gastaldello, Aggie Swim Club – 55.29

Lisa Bratton of Aggie Swim Club started things off with a heat 1 win in 57.32, beating her seed time by .7. Natalie Mannion of Sarasota Sharks won heat 2 in 57.36, also improving on her seed time. Katie Crom of Mission Viejo edged Gator Swim Club’s Sherridon Dressel, 57.20 to 57.38 to win heat 3.

Abbey Weitzeil of California Aquatics won the first of the circle-seeded heats in 54.70. Katie Ledecky of Nation’s Capital touched second in 54.98, beating her seed time by .2. Olivia Smoliga of Athens Bulldog (55.21) touched out Team Elite’s Andi Murez for 3rd.

Linnea Mack (55.03) of Team Elite emerged victorious in heat 5, followed by Riptide’s Regan Smith (55.23), Cardinal Aquatics’ Mallory Comerford (55.48), and Allison Schmitt of Sun Devil Swimming (55.54).

Simone Manuel of Alto Swim Club won the final heat in a field-leading 54.36. Katie McLaughlin of California Aquatics touched out Aggie Swim Club’s Beryl Gastaldello, 55.21 to 55.29, for second.

Men’s 100 Freestyle

• World Record: 46.91 – Cesar Cielo Filho, BRA (2009)
• American Record: 46.96 – Caeleb Dressel, USA (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 47.39 – Ryan Held, New York Athletic Club (2019)
• Junior World Record: 47.57 – Andrei Minakov, RUS (2020)
• Pro Swim Record: 48.00 – Nathan Adrian (2016)

Top 8:

1. Maxime Rooney, Pleasanton Seahawks – 49.40
2. Blake Pieroni, Sandpipers – 49.53
3. Andrew Seliskar, California Aquatics – 49.74
4. Zach Apple, Mission Viejo – 49.77
5. Ryan Held, New York Athletic Club – 49.80
6. Coleman Stewart, Wolfpack – 49.93
7. Justin Ress, Wolfpack – 50.00
8. Tate Jackson, Longhorn Aquatics – 50.12

Long Island Aquatic Club’s Billy Swartout won heat 1 in 52.21, taking .2 off his seed time. Heat 2 went to Abrahm DeVine of Team Elite, touching in 51.45 ahead of Kyle Troskot of TCU, Santiago Grassi, and Ryan Lochte (52.04). Lochte has a lifetime best of 48.16 from 2009; he went 49.13 at 2016 Olympic Trials. The fastest he’s been since then was 50.56 at PSS Greensboro in November 2019.

Freddie Rindshoej went 50.58 to win heat 3 ahead of Jorge Iga (50.75) and Ryan Murphy of California Aquatics (50.87). Both Bjorn Seeliger of California Aquatics and Nikola Miljenic of USC were no-shows.

Maxime Rooney of Pleasanton won heat 4 with 49.40, the first sub-50 of the morning. He was followed closely by California Aquatics’ Andrew Seliskar (49.74) and Wolfpack’s Coleman Stewart (49.93).

Blake Pieroni of Sandpipers powered to the finish to take heat 5 in 49.53, just beating Ryan Held of New York Athletic Club (49.80) and Nathan Adrian of California Aquatics (50.25).

The final heat went to Zach Apple of Mission Viejo in 49.77. Caeleb Dressel from Gator Swim Club touched second in 50.25, just ahead of Townley Haas of Nova of Virginia (50.45). Dean Farris, who had been second at the 50 wall, faded to 6th in the heat.

Dressel and Adrian tied for 10th place overall.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke

• World Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King, USA (2017)
• American Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King, USA (2017)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:04.45 – Jessica Hardy, Trojan (2009)
• Junior World Record: 1:05.39 – Ruta Meilutyte, LTU (2014)
• Pro Swim Record: 1:05.57 – Rebecca Soni (2011)

Top 8:

1. Molly Hannis, Tennessee Aquatics, 1:07.89
2. Annie Lazor, Mission Viejo, 1:08.02
3. Emily Escobedo, Condors – 1:09.05
4. Madisyn Cox, Longhorn Aquatics – 1:09.50
5. Melanie Margalis, Saint Petersburg – 1:09.52
6. Micah Sumrall, Gamecock – 1:09.57
7. Letitia Sim, TNT Swimming – 1:10.02
8. Eva Carlson, The Dolphins Portland – 1:10.74

Emily Escobedo from Condors claimed heat 1 in 1:09.05. She was followed by Longhorn Aquatics’ Madisyn Cox (1:09.50) and Liz Roberts from Gamecock (1:11.12).

Molly Hannis of Tennessee Aquatics won heat 2 with 1:07.89, coming to the wall over a body length ahead of Saint Petersburg’s Melanie Margalis (1:09.52) and Clovis Swim Club’s Danielle Herrmann from Clovis (1:11.20). Kathleen Baker, who was a no-show in the 100 free, came in 4th in that heat with 1:11.22.

Annie Lazor of Mission Viejo won the final heat in 1:08.02. Micah Sumrall of Gamecock came in second in 1:09.57. Third place went to TNT’s Letitia Sim with 1:10.02. Bethany Galat of Aggie Swim Club was a no-show in the final heat.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke

• World Record: 56.88 – Adam Peaty, GBR (2019)
• American Record: 58.64 – Kevin Cordes, USA (2017)
• U.S. Open Record: 58.74 – Kevin Cordes/Jaoa Gomes (2017)
• Junior World Record: 59.01 – Nicolo Martinenghi, ITA (2017)
• Pro Swim Record: 58.86 – Adam Peaty (2017)

Top 8:

1. Michael Andrew, Race Pace – 1:00.23
2. Kevin Cordes, Athens Bulldog – 1:00.81
3. Nic Fink, Athens Bulldog – 1:00.97
4. Josh Prenot, California Aquatics – 1:01.83
5. Rafal Kusto, NC State – 1:02.29
6. Will Licon, Longhorn Aquatics – 1:02.35
7. Brandon Fischer, Livermore – 1:02.74
8. Jacob Heidtmann, Team Elite – 1:02.80

Zachary Nelson took heat 1 in a PB of 1:02.81. Nick Alexander (1:05.17) from Team Triumph edged Ryan Lochte (1:05.32) for 2nd. Lochte took 2.3 seconds off his seed time.

Will Licon from Longhorn Aquatics won heat 2 in 1:02.35. Livermore’s Brandon Fischer (1:02.74) and Nils Wich-Glasen from Gator Swim Club (1:02.95) followed.

Michael Andrew won the penultimate heat in 1:00.23. Kevin Cordes of Athens Bulldog almost made up a half-body deficit at the 50 but ended up in second place with 1:00.81. Rafal Kusto from NC State came in third (1:02.29).

Athens Bulldog teammates Nic Fink (1:00.97) and Andrew Wilson (1:01.32) went 1-2 in the final heat, but Wilson was later disqualified for a false start. Josh Prenot from California Aquatics was next in 1:01.83.

Women’s 200 Butterfly

• World Record: 2:01.81 – Zige Liu, CHN (2019)
• American Record: 2:04.14 – Mary Descenza, USA (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:05.87 – Hali Flickinger, Athens Bulldog (2018)
• Junior World Record: 2:06.29 – Suzuka Hasegawa, JPN (2017)
• Pro Swim Record: 2:06.11 – Hali Flickinger, Sun Devil Swimming (2020)

Top 8:

1. Hali Flickinger, Sun Devil – 2:07.20
2. Regan Smith, Riptide – 2:10.79
3. Katie Drabot, Alto Swim Club – 2:10.87
4. Leah Gingrich, Columbus Aquatic– 2:11.19
5. Remedy Rule, Longhorn Aquatics – 2:11.43
6. Haley Anderson, Mission Viejo – 2:11.60
7. Lillie Nordmann, Alto Swim Club – 2:13.84
8. Tess Howley, Long Island Aquatic – 2:13.94

There were only two heats with 11 swimmers in the women’s 200 fly. Regan Smith of Riptide went 2:10.79 to take the first heat ahead of Leah Gingrich from Columbus (2:11.19) and Alto Swim Club’s Lillie Nordmann (2:13.84).

Heat 2 was all Hali Flickinger. She touched in 2:07.20, two body lengths ahead of Katie Drabot of Alto (2:10.87), Remedy Rule from Longhorn (2:11.43), and Haley Anderson of Mission Viejo (2:11.60). Anderson took 1.2 off her seed time.

Men’s 200 Butterfly

• World Record: 1:50.73 – Kristof Milak, HUN (2019)
• American Record: 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps, USA (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps, Club Wolverine (2008)
• Junior World Record: 1:53.79 – Kristof Milak, HUN (2018)
• Pro Swim Record: 1:53.84 – Gianluca Urlando, DART Swimming (2019)

Top 8:

1. Chase Kalisz, Athens Bulldog – 1:59.59
2. Zach Harting, Cardinal Aquatics – 2:00.00
3. Jay Litherland, Dynamo – 2:00.61
4. Zheng Quah, California Aquatics – 2:00.92
5. Jack Saunderson, Wolfpack Elite – 2:00.94
6. Tom Shields, California Aquatics – 2:01.55
7. Caeleb Dressel, Gator Swim Club – 2:01.62
8. Raunak Khosla, Dynamo Swim Club – 2:01.65

Caeleb Dressel cruised to a 2:01.62 win in heat 1 of the 200 fly, about 5.3 seconds off his seed time. Zheng Quah of California Aquatics, who had not swum the 100 free, won heat 2 in 2:00.92, just .02 ahead of Jack Saunderson from Wolfpack. Tom Shields of California Aquatics was 3rd in the heat with 2:01.55.

The final heat was a battle among Chase Kalisz of Athens Bulldog (1:59.59), Zach Harting from Cardinal (2:00.00) and Jay Litherland of Dynamo (2:00.61). Kalisz took it out early and never gave up his lead, but Harting and Litherland closed the deficit over the 3rd 50 and pushed Kalisz to the finish.

Women’s 400 Freestyle

• World Record: 3:56.46 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2016)
• American Record: 3:56.46 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2016)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:57.94 – Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2018)
• Junior World Record: 3:58.37 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2014)
• Pro Swim Record: 3:57.94 – Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2018)

Top 8:

1. Katie Ledecky, Nation’s Capital – 4:04.72
2. Leah Smith – 4:09.76
3. Joanna Evans, Longhorn Aquatics – 4:10.65
4. Katie McLaughlin, California Aquatics – 4:11.35
5. Emma Weyant, Sarasota – 4:11.46
6. Haley Anderson, Mission Viejo – 4:11.65
7. Ashley Twichell, TAC Titans – 4:12.32
8. Ally McHugh, Wisconsin – 4:12.67

14-year-old Claire Weinstein of Westchester won heat 1 in 4:18.72, about 3.5 seconds off her seed time which came from her stunning PSS final in January. Caroline Pennington from TAC Titans came in second with 4:19.00.

Leah Smith dominated heat 2 in 4:09.76. Haley Anderson from Mission Viejo (4:11.65) held off challenges from Melanie Margalis of Saint Petersburg (4:12.83) and 15-year-old Cavan Gormsen from Long Island Aquatic Club (4:13.76). Gormsen was in 3rd place, staying just ahead of Margalis but never quite catching Anderson, until the final 100 when Margalis powered through to a 3rd-place finish. Margalis and Gormsen ended up 9th and 10th overall.

Katie Ledecky won the final heat with 4:04.72, swimming out front all alone for much of the race. Joanna Evans of Longhorn Aquatics went with Ledecky from the start. Swimming in lane 7, she stayed quite close to Ledecky through the 100. Austin Swim Club’s Malia Rausch, in the neighboring lane 8, was with the leaders for the first 100 but then began to fall off pace. Emma Weyant of Sarasota Sharks moved into 3rd at the 150. Evans was only about 1 second behind Ledecky at that point. Ledecky continued to outpace Evans by about 1 second per 50 over the second half of the race, ending up with a 6-second margin at the end. Evans swam alone in second place, finishing with a personal-best 4:10.65. Katie McLaughlin, swimming in lane 1, scorched her final 50 (30.86, the fastest in the field) and blew by Weyant to come in 3rd with 4:11.35 to Weyant’s 4:11.46.

Ashley Twichell went 4:12.32 for 4th in the heat, out-touching Ally McHugh (4:12.67). In the absence of Ledecky and Smith who did not swim, Twichell topped the combined results from the PSS in San Antonio and Richmond in January.

Men’s 400 Freestyle

• World Record: 3:40.07 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• American Record: 3:42.78 – Larsen Jensen, USA (2008)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:43.53 – Larsen Jensen, Trojan (2008)
• Junior World Record: 3:44.60 – Mack Horton, AUS (2014)
• Pro Swim Record: 3:43.55 – Sun Yang (2016)

Top 8:

1. Chris Wieser, DART – 3:55.15
2. Marwan El Kamash, Indiana – 3:55.60
3. Jordan Wilimovsky, KSwim – 3:55.98
4. Will Gallant, Mission Viejo – 3:57.49
5. Jacob Heidtmann, Team Elite – 3:58.06
6. Liam Custer, Sarasota YMCA – 3:58.59
7. Sam Stewart, YMCA Hub Fins – 4:02.31
8. Erge Gezmis, NC State – 4:02.32

DART Swimming’s Chris Wieser won the first of 2 heats of 400 free in 3:55.15. He was out first and stayed in front from start to finish. Mission Viejo’s Will Gallant trailed by about a body length throughout the race and wound up second with 3:57.49. Sam Stewart of YMCA Hub Fins went right at his seed time to finish 3rd with 4:02.31.

Gallant’s time was .4 faster than his finals performance from the January PSS, when he came in 5th overall in the combined results with 3:57.90.

Marwan El Kamash of Indiana flipped first in heat 2, followed closely by Sarasota’s Liam Custer. Custer took over the lead at the 100 wall, while Jacob Heidtmann of Team Elite and Jordan Wilimovsky of KSwim swam even in the third position. Custer held onto the lead through the 200, followed by El Kamash. Wilimovsky pulled into third place. At the 250, El Kamash had retaken the lead. By the 300, it was El Kamash with Wilimovsky in second place and Custer in third. Wilimovsky pulled within .02 of El Kamash at the 350 and Heidtmann flipped even with Custer in 3rd.

Over the final 50 meters, El Kamash outsplit Wilimovsky by almost .4 and Heidtmann came home about half a second faster than Custer. At the wall, it was El Kamash (3:55.60), Wilimovsky (3:55.98), Heidtmann (3:58.06), and Custer (3:58.59). Custer was within half a second of his best.

Jeff Newkirk and Townley Hass declared false start in the 400 free.