2022 U.S. Open Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2022 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• November 30-December 3, 2022
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Long Course Meters (50 meters)
• Start Times:
  • Prelims: 9 AM (ET)
  • Finals: 6PM (ET)
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results

The final day of the 2022 U.S. Open in Greensboro, NC is here. This morning’s prelims session will feature heats of the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, and 200 fly. The 1500 free will also be swum as timed finals, with the slower heats taking place in the afternoon ahead of the finals session.

It’s another big day f0r Regan Smith, who has been swimming exceptionally well in her first major LCM meet since moving to Tempe to train under Bob Bowman. Smith is the top seed in the women’s 200 fly and 200 back, an event in which she is the World Record holder as well, this morning.

After winning the women’s 50 free on Thursday night, Louisville’s Gabi Albiero is set to race in the women’s 100 free as well.

After swimming very well in the men’s IM’s this week, Chase Kalisz, another ASU pro swimmer, is the #2 seed in the men’s 200 breast.

WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 2:03.35, Regan Smith (2019)
• American Record: 2:03.35, Regan Smith (2019)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 2:07.09, Regan Smith (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:05.08, Phoebe Bacon (2022)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:13.59

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Regan Smith – 2:08.50
2. Summer McIntosh – 2:09.76
3. Josephine Fuller – 2:12.46
4. Emma Atkinson – 2:12.64
5. Leah Shackley – 2:12.77
6. Torie Buerger – 2:14.22
7. Rye Ulett – 2:14.64
8. Caroline Bentz – 2:14.79

Regan Smith led prelims of the women’s 200 back this morning, cruising to a 2:08.50. It was a relaxed swim for last night’s 100 back champion, as she went out in 30.22 on the first 50, then split 32s on each of the remaining 50s. Smith has been on a roll this week in Greensboro, which makes it feel like the U.S. Open Championship Record of 2:07.09 is poised to go down tonight. The U.S. Open Record of 2:05.08 could potentially be within Smith’s range tonight as well.

Summer McIntosh had a very solid swim this morning, establishing a new personal best with a 2:09.76. McIntosh looks like the only swimmer in the field who will have a shot at giving Smith a race tonight.

Virginia Tech had a good showing here, seeing Emma Atkinson and Caroline Bentz both advance to the ‘A’ final tonight.

MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• American Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 1:54.59, Nicholas Thoman (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:53.08, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:01.69

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Daniel Diehl – 1:57.62
2. Nico Garcia – 2:01.28
3. Amadeusz Knop – 2:01.35
4. Baylor Nelson – 2:01.77
5. Andrew Simmons – 2:01.83
6. JT Ewing – 2:02.01
7. Caleb Maldari – 2:02.02
8. Jack Aikins – 2:02.28

17-year-old Daniel Diehl set himself apart from the rest of the field in the men’s 200 back this morning, speeding to a 1:57.62 to touch first by nearly four seconds. The performance matched Diehl’s personal best in the event, which he had originally swam in late July at the Y Nationals meet over the summer. Having recently turned 17, Diehl’s time now makes him the #11 performer all-time in the 17-18 boys age group. If he’s able to drop 0.02 seconds tonight, he’ll break into the all-time top for the age group.

Diehl broke the 17-18 boys National Age Group Record in the LCM 100 back twice yesterday, also winning the event.

Diehl was one of a handful of junior swimmers to make it to the ‘A’ final tonight in the event. Amadeusz Knop, JT Ewing, and Caleb Maldari are all 18-and-under swimmers who made the top eight this morning as well.

WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 51.71, Sarah Sjostrom (2017)
• American Record: 52.04, Simone Manuel (2019)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 53.42, Erika Brown (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 52.54, Simone Manuel (2018)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 55.79

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Gabi Albiero – 55.11
2. Beata Nelson – 55.45
3. Camille Spink – 55.46
4. Lillie Nordmann – 55.75
5. Tristen Ulett – 55.96
6. Katarina Milutinovich – 56.05
7. Erika Pelaez – 56.09
8. Addison Sauickie – 56.15

50 free champion Gabi Albiero led the field this morning with a 55.11, touching 0.34 seconds ahead of Beata Nelson to take the top seed for tonight’s final. The final has been set up to be an exciting race, with Albiero, Nelson, Camille Spink, Lillie Nordmann, and Tristen Ulett all swimming 55s this morning.

Keep an eye on 16-year-old Erika Pelaez tonight as well. Pelaez had a great summer, where she swam a 54.65 100 free at Summer Nationals. She’s one of two 16-year-olds who made the ‘A’ final tonight, with Addison Sauickie finishing eighth this morning.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 46.86, David Popovici (2022)
• American Record: 46.96, Caeleb Dressel (2019)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 47.69, Zach Apple (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 47.39, Ryan Held/Caeleb Dressel (2019/2021)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 49.99

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Andrej Barna – 48.61
2. Josh Liendo – 49.12
3. Victor Alcara – 49.22
4. Chris Guiliano – 49.23
5. Alberto Mestre – 49.45
6. Ali Khalafall – 49.46
7. Kaii Winkler – 49.56
8. Matt King – 49.66

Andrej Barna had a very strong swim this morning in the men’s 100 free, clocking a 48.61 to finish as the only swimmer in the field under 49 seconds. Barna was excellent on the second 50, splitting 25.36 to pull away from the field in his heat.

Josh Liendo was second this morning, swimming a 49.12.

16-year-old Kaii Winkler nearly posted a personal best this morning, speeding to a 49.56 for seventh place. Not only was his swim good enough to earn him a spot in the ‘A’ final tonight, Winkler was just off his personal best of 49.47, which he swam at Jr Pan Pacs this summer.

WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 2:18.95, Tatjana Schoenmaker (2021)
• American Record: 2:19.59, Rebecca Soni (2012)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 2:22.00 Emily Escobedo (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:20.38, Rebecca Soni (2009)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:31.69

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Gillian Davey – 2:30.02
2. Mona McSharyy – 2:30.37
3. Brynn Curtis – 2:30.80
4. Ashleigh Oberekar – 2:31.84
5. Grace Rainey – 2:32.25
6. Molly Mayne – 2:32.52
7. Miranda Tucker – 2:32.68
8. Alexis Yager – 2:32.94

Gillian Davey led a women’s 200 breast field in which no one was under 2:30 this morning. The Kentucky swimmer pulled away on the final 50 this morning, splitting 38.86 on the last lap.

Ireland’s Mona McSharry came in second with a 2:30.37. McSharry competes collegiately for Tennessee. Another Irish swimmer, 17-year-old Molyy Mayne, made the ‘A’ final as well, taking sixth with a 2:32.52.

MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 2:05.95, Zac Stubblety-Cook (2022)
• American Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 2:09.67, Cody Miller (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:15.99

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Chase Kalisz – 2:12.44
2. Angus Menzies – 2:13.81
3. Aleksas Savickas – 2:13.85
4. AJ Pouch – 2:14.78
5. Lyubomir Epitropov – 2:15.17
6. Brandon Fischer – 2:15.69
7. Ben Delmar – 2:15.88
8. Coleman Modglin – 2:17.30

Chase Kalisz established himself as the early leader this morning and held onto his lead to post the top time of the morning. Kalisz broke the Championship Records in both the 200 and 400 IMs earlier in the meet. He’s quite a bit off the CR of 2:09.67 right now, but he’s been swimming well, so that mark could be within his reach tonight.

AJ Pouch was the top seed coming into this morning and ended up coming in fourth this morning with a 2:14.78. Pouch is the only swimmer other than Kalisz who was seeded under the Championship Record.

WOMEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 2:01.81, Zige Liu (2009)
• American Record: 2:04.14, Mary Descenza (2009)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 2:07.20, Susan O’Neill (1999)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:05.85, Hali Flickinger (2021)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:13.69

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Regan Smith – 2:10.52
2. Lindsay Looney – 2:11.47
3. Charlotte Hook – 2:11.59
4. Tess Howley – 2:12.24
5. Dori Hathazi – 2:14.52
6. Maria Jose Mata Cocco – 2:15.33
7. Katie White – 2:15.81
8. Jenna Bridges – 2:16.33

In her second race of the morning, Regan Smith clocked a 2:10.52 to lead the field in the women’s 200 fly by nearly a second. She established herself as the leader early in the race, splitting 28.88, then went 33.08, 34.07, and 34.49 respectively on the remaining 50s. Tonight will be an exciting race, as it will be our first look at Smith in an LCM 200 fly final since she teamed up with Bob Bowman, who certainly has a history of success coaching the event.

Lindsay Looney, who also trains at ASU and competes for the NCAA team, was second this morning in 2:11.47.

Dori Hathazi, a Washington State freshman, was fifth this morning with a 2:14.52. In her first few months in Pullman, Hathazi has already broken the WSU program record in the yards 200 fly. She’s also a Hungarian National Champion in the SCM 200 fly, so keep an eye on her tonight.

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 1:50.34, Kristof Milak (2022)
• American Record: 1:51.51, Michael Phelps (2009)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 1:55.60, Luca Urlando (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:52.20, Michael Phelps (2008)
• 2024 Olympic Trials Cut: 2:00.49

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Nicolas Albiero – 1:57.06
2. Zach Harting – 1:57.20
3. Leonardo de Deus – 1:59.12
4. Hector Cruz – 2:00.45
5. Connor LaMastra – 2:01.56
6. Gustavo Saldo – 2:01.70
7. Matheus Ferreira de Moraes – 2:02.81
8. Mussin Adilbek – 2:02.94

The Louisville duo of Nicolas Albiero and Zach Harting posted solid swims this morning, going 1:57.06 and 1:57.20 respectively. Albiero was out faster than Harting, then as he is want to do, Harting came home very well, splitting 30.41 and 30.67 on the final two 50s.

Luca Urlando’s Championship Record of 1:55.60 looks like it may go down tonight.

Brazil’s Leonardo de Deus was the only other swimmer in the field under 2:00 this morning, taking third with a 1:59.12.