2022 Winter Junior Championships – East: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

2022 WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST

• December 7-10, 2022
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Short Course Yards (25 yards), Prelims/Finals
• Start Times
  • Prelims @9:00AM ET
  • Finals at 5:00 PM ET (except for day 1 timed finals – 6:00 PM ET)
• Meet Central
• Storylines to Follow
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Stream

FRIDAY PRELIMS HEAT SHEET (GIRLS)

FRIDAY PRELIMS HEAT SHEET (BOYS)

Day three of the 2022 East Winter Junior Championships will feature the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back this morning. Summer McIntosh, who lit the pool up with a 4:27 500 free last night, will be pulling double duty this morning. She’s in the girls 200 free, where she’s seeded in the middle of the pack with an LCM 1:54.79. While she’s down on the psych sheet, there’s no doubt this is McIntosh’s race to lose, especially since she split 1:40 on the 800 free relay on Wednesday night.

McIntosh is also in the 100 fly this morning, which should be very interesting since that’s an event where the superstar may not be as dominant as we’ve grown accustomed to her being. There are a lot of great 100 flyers in the field, including top seed Alex Shackell (51.21), who swam exceptionally well yesterday, and 14-year-old Charlotte Crush (51.46).

16-year-old Lilla Bognar is the top seed in the girls 400 IM by over two seconds, coming in with a 4:05.50. Bognar was up-and-down yesterday, however, swimming very well in prelims, but adding quite a bit of time in finals.

The boys 100 fly looks like it will turn out to be one of the most exciting races of the day. After a stunning 15-16 NAG performance in the 200 IM last night, 15-year-old Thomas Heilman comes into the 100 fly as the second seed (45.81). Seeded a little less than half a second ahead of Heilman is 18-year-old Scotty Buff, who won the 50 free last night, swimming 19.46 in both prelims and finals. Buff is seeded with a 45.40. With both boys swimming out of their minds this week, this should turn out to be a fantastic race.

Heilman is also in the 100 breast, which isn’t an event we see him in a ton at this level of meet. He’s in heat 3 of 12 this morning, seeded with a 56.83. After splitting 30.19 on the breast leg of the 200 IM last night, it will be interesting to see what Heilman can do in a 100 breast.

Buff is also the top seed in the boys 100 back, coming in with a 45.89. He enters just 0.01 seconds ahead of Will Modglin. The other factor in that race is Daniel Diehl, who is seeded fourth with a 46.84. Diehl is without question the fastest LCM backstroker in this field, having just broken the 17-18 NAG in the LCM 100 back twice last week at the U.S. Open. Today we’ll see how the rising backstroke star fares in the yards version of the event.

GIRLS 400 IM – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 4:02.51, Brooke Forde (2016)
• Pool Record: 4:01.57, Brooke Forde (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 4:08.44, Katie Hoff (2004)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 4:00.62, Dagny Knutson (2008)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:58.40, Ella Eastin (2016)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Lilla Bognar (TG) – 4:12.06
2. Emily Thompson (GSCY) – 4:13.18
3. Michaela Mattes (SYS) – 4:13.58
4. Hayden Penny (YSSC) – 4:14.31
5. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 4:14.41
6. Julia Podkoscielny (PCS) – 4:15.13
7. Emily Brown (DCST) – 4:16.57
8. Sydney Sanders (MAC) – 4:16.60

Top seed Lilla Bognar clocked the top time of the morning, swimming a 4:12.06. While she was the top swimmer in the field by over a second this morning, we know Bognar can be faster tonight, as she has a personal best of 4:05.50.

Sarasota’s Michaela Mattes continues to swim well. After taking second in the 500 free last night and breaking 4:40 in the event, Mattes clocked a personal best of 4:13.58 this morning, taking half a second off her previous best. Mattes improved from prelims to finals in the 500 free yesterday, so keep an eye on her tonight.

SwimMAC was the only team with two qualifiers for the ‘A’ final. 15-year-old Avery Klamfoth clipped her personal best of 4:14.81, swimming a 4:14.41 for fifth this morning. She had the fastest breaststroke split in the field, clocking a 1:11.76 on that 100. Teammate Sydney Sanders also swam a personal best, posting a 4:16.60 for eighth place this morning.

BOYS 400 IM – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 3:38.65, Carson Foster (2019)
• Pool Record: 3:33.65, Leon Marchand (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 3:51.46, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 3:42.08, Michael Phelps (2002)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:35.27, Carson Foster (2020)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Landon D’Ariano (GAAC) – 3:47.58
2. Baylor Stanton (GA) – 3:47.74
3. Carter Lancaster (BSS) – 3:50.42
4. Norvin Clontz (MAC) – 3:51.18
5. Andrew Taylor (TBAC) – 3:51.26
6. Will Scholtz (LAK) – 3:51.32
7. Gregg Enoch (CSC) – 3:51.59
8. Amadeusz Knop (SYS) – 3:51.64

There were a ton of personal bests in this morning’s prelims of the boys 400 IM. Landon D’Ariano led the way with a 3:47.58, taking 1.65 seconds off his previous best. He was followed closely by 15-year-old Baylor Stanton, who clocked a 3:47.74, blowing away his previous best by nearly four seconds.

It’s highly unlikely that it would happen tonight, but it’s still worth noting that Stanton is now only 5.66 seconds off Michael Phelps’ 15-16 NAG, which has stood since 2002. Stanton is still only 15, so he still has a lot of time to get down towards that mark.

Another 15-year-old, Norvin Clontz, who broke 4:20 in the 500 free final last night, made the ‘A’ final. Clontz swam a personal best of 3:51.18, taking over three seconds off his previous best.

GIRLS 100 BUTTERFLY – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 50.87, Claire Curzan (2019)
• Pool Record: 48.89, Maggie MacNeil (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 50.64, Claire Curzan (2019)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.51, Claire Curzan (2021)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.24, Claire Curzan (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Alex Shackell (CSC) – 50.97
2. Charlotte Crush (LAK) – 51.52
3. Summer McIntosh (SYS) – 51.91
4. Annie Jia (UDAC) – 52.29
5. Elizabeth Tilt (GOLD) – 52.86
6. Morgan Carteaux (ENSW) – 53.18
7. Anna Boemer (SOLO) – 53.38
8. Sydney Gring (BYNS) – 53.43

Alex Shackell keeps dropping time. This morning, she posted a 50.97 to lead the girls 100 fly, dipping under 51 seconds for the first time in her career. With her performance, Shackell becomes the #3 performer all-time in the 15-16 girls age group and she now sits just 0.10 seconds off the meet record in the event.

14-year-old Charlotte Crush had a very solid morning swim of 51.52, which is just 0.06 seconds off her personal best. Crush was out fast this morning, splitting 23.60 on the opening 50, which was the fastest split in the field.

Summer McIntosh had a strong swim as well, clocking a 51.91 for third this morning. McIntosh will have her work cut out for her tonight with Shackell and Crush, but it should be a thrilling race to watch.

Hannah Bellard, who already qualified for the ‘B’ final in the 400 IM this morning, was ninth in the 100 fly, swimming a 53.81. That swim comes in just under a second off her personal best of 52.83, marking a solid prelims performance on a challenging double. Bellard won the ‘B’ final of the 500 free last night.

BOYS 100 BUTTERFLY – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 45.46, Ryan Hoffer (2015)
• Pool Record: 44.24, Ryan Hoffer (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 45.81, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 45.62, Luca Urlando (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.75, Aiden Hayes (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Scotty Buff (GTAC) – 45.66
2. Thomas Heilman (CA-Y) – 45.99
3. Will Modglin (ZSC) – 46.63
4. Roman Jones (FSPY) – 46.74
5. Ben Irwin (SA) – 47.02
6. Lucca Battaglini (ECA) – 47.12
7. Dylan Smiley (MCDA) – 47.18
8. Chase Swearingen (NAAC) – 47.23

As expected, Scotty Buff and Thomas Heilman led the field in the boys 100 fly this morning. Buff, the 50 free champion from last night and the top seed coming into the event, finished first with a 45.66. That time comes in just 0.26 seconds off his personal best.

Thomas Heilman, the 200 IM champion from last night, had a similar performance, swimming a 45.81, which was 0.18 seconds off his personal best.

Will Modglin had a very good swim this morning, clocking a new personal best of 46.63 to take third. The swim came in well under his previous best of 47.41.

Another swimmer who had a great performance this morning was Ben Irwin, who took over a second off his personal best of 48.16, posting a 47.02 for fifth place.

GIRLS 200 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 1:43.27, Regan Smith (2018)
• Pool Record: 1:39.10, Missy Franklin (2015)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:44.10, Sippy Woodhead (1979)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:42.03, Katie Ledecky (2013)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:40.31, Missy Franklin (2014)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Summer McIntosh (SYS) – 1:43.33
2. Erika Pelaez (EA) – 1:46.05
3. Addison Sauicki (SYS) – 1:47.09
4. Lillie Nesty (GSC) – 1:47.46
5. Lynsey Bowen (CSC) – 1:47.48
6. Kennedi Dobson (EEX) – 1:48.08
7. Sydney Gring (BYNS) – 1:48.18
8. Summer Cardwell (TBAC) – 1:48.25

In her second swim of the morning, shortly after swimming the 100 fly, Summer McIntosh sped to a 1:43.33 in the 200 free, leading the field by nearly three seconds. We know McIntosh can be faster tonight, as she already spit 1:40 on the 800 free relay on Wednesday night.

After breaking 22 seconds in the 50 free final last night, Erika Pelaez clocked a personal best of 1:46.05 this morning, finishing second behind McIntosh. The swim was a personal best by half second, setting Pelaez up well for tonight.

15-year-old Lynsey Bowen posted a personal best of 1:47.48 this morning, finishing fifth overall. Keep an eye on Bowen tonight, as she posted a 4:40.69 for third in the 500 free last night in a massive swim. She was 1:48.60 on the opening 200 of the 500 last night, which, keeping in mind that split includes a flip turn at the end, means we know Bowen can be faster than her 1:47.4 tonight in finals.

BOYS 200 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 1:33.40, Drew Kibler (2016)
• Pool Record: 1:31.96, Drew Kibler (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:34.68, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:33.07, Maximus Williamson (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:32.18, Maxime Rooney (2017)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Kaii Winkler (EA) – 1:34.63
2. Henry McFadden (JW) – 1:35.22
3. Tristan DenBrok (SA) – 1:35.45
4. Daniel Diehl (CUY) – 1:35.48
5. Brendan Whitfield (LY) – 1:36.05
6. Aaron Shackell (CSC) – 1:36.22
7. Sean Sullivan (CSC) – 1:36.24
8. Noah Dyer (MACH) – 1:36.66

Kaii Winkler led the field this morning with a 1:34.63, touching within half a second off his personal best (1:34.18). It was a strong morning swim for the 16-year-old, and we now have to look at the 15-16 NAG Record of 1:33.07 potentially being in jeopardy tonight. Notably, Maximus Williamson set that NAG on Wednesday night leading off the 800 free relay at the Winter Juniors West meet. This morning, Winkler split 21.90, 24.64, 23.90, and 24.19 respectively on each 50. Given that, it seems very possible we’ll see him take the race out a little faster tonight, particularly on the second 50.

Henry McFadden, fresh off a fantastic performance in the 500 free yesterday, posting a personal best of 1:35.22 for second. McFadden was incredibly consistent this morning, splitting 24.25, 24.32, and 24.31 50s #2, 3, and 4 respectively.

Trsitan DenBrok came home with a blistering 23.89 on the final 50 this morning, touching third in 1:35.45.

Also, not to be lost in the shuffle, Daniel Diehl, who was the top seed with a 1:33.68, was 1:35.48 this morning, finishing fourth. Watch out for him tonight, as he’s fresh off an outstanding showing at the U.S. Open last week, as well as a great swim in the 200 IM last night.

GIRLS 100 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 58.19, Alex Walsh (2017)
• Pool Record: 57.23, Sophie Hansson (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:00.02, Alexis Wenger (2015)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 58.19, Alex Walsh (2017)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 57.54, Lydia Jacoby (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Katie Christopherson (SA) – 1:00.50
2. Addie Robillard (RAYS) – 1:00.71
3. Grace Rainey (MAC) – 1:00.80
4. Molly Sweeney (CSC) – 1:00.82
5. Elle Scott (NOVA) – 1:00.99
6. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 1:01.18
7. Samantha Armand (TAC) – 1:01.83
8. Gracie Weyant (SYS) – 1:02.20

Katie Christopherson clocked a personal best of 1:00.50 to lead prelims of the 100 breast this morning, dipping under her previous mark of 1:00.81. She used a great back half of 31.82, which is what allowed her to pull away from her heat this morning.

Right behind Christopherson was Addie Robillard, who broke 1:01 for the first time in her career, swimming a 1:00.71 for second.

This looks like it could really be anybody’s race tonight, as there were five swimmers who went 1:00-point this morning. Notably, Molly Sweeney and Elle Scott both dipped under 1:01 for the first time this morning as well.

Also of note, four 15-year-olds qualified for the ‘A’ final tonight, including Robillard, Sweeney, Scott, and Avery Klamfoth, who was sixth in 1:01.18 – a personal best.

BOYS 100 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 52.21, Michael Andrew (2015)
• Pool Record: 50.18, Max McHugh (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 53.06, Reece Whitley (2014)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 51.75, Michael Andrew (2015)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 51.16, Reece Whitley (2018)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Brasen Walker (RSA) – 53.74
2. Will Scholtz (LAK) – 53.96
3. Will Heck (BSS) – 53.97
4. Alex Ochsenbein (KYA) – 54.16
5. Ethan Schwab (BBD) – 54.23
6. Juan Mora (MERC) – 54.56
7. Wyatt Porch (BSS) – 54.61
8. Jay Gerloff (ODAC) – 54.73

17-year-old Brasen Walker had a massive swim this morning, blowing his previous best of 54.91 out of the water with a 53.74, leading the field. Moreover, his previous best was from March of this year, just nine months ago. He was great on the back half this morning, splitting 28.49 on the second 50, which is what set him apart from the field.’

Walker will have his hands full tonight, however, as Will Scholtz and Will Heck have both been faster than his time this morning. Heck has a personal best of 52.38, which is by far the fastest in the field. Additionally, Wyatt Porch has been 53-point before in the event and could make some noise tonight.

Thomas Heilman finished 17th this morning, clocking a personal best of 55.31.

GIRLS 100 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 50.58, Regan Smith (2018)
• Pool Record: 49.74, Katherine Berkoff (2021)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 51.03, Levenia Sim (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 50.03, Claire Curzan (2021)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.52, Claire Curzan (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Charlotte Crush (LAK) – 51.28
2. Berit Berglund (CSC) – 51.95
3. Erika Pelaez (EA) – 52.19
4. Clare Logan (FSPY) – 53.57
5. Catie Choate (DYNA) – 53.66
6. Carly Meeting (NAAC) – 53.67
7. Jade Castro (NLAC) – 53.70
8. Lila Higgo (BSS) – 53.76

14-year-old Charlotte Crush wasted not time this morning, establishing the top time of the morning in her second swim this session. She posted a 51.28, speeding right past her previous best time of 51.96 in the event. Additionally, Hook’s swim now makes her the #4 performer all-time in the 13-14 girls age group.

Carmel’s Berit Berglund was next in, swimming a 51.95. She was followed closely by Erika Pelaez, who already qualified for the ‘A’ final of the 200 free earlier in the session.

BOYS 100 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 45.58, Ryan Hoffer (2015)
• Pool Record: 44.04, Coleman Stewart (2020)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 47.44, Daniel Diehl (2020)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 45.60, Anthony Grimm (2019)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.63, Ryan Murphy (2014)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Will Modglin (ZSC) – 45.92
2. Ben Irwin (SA) – 46.31
3. Hudson Williams (NAAC) – 46.34
4. Daniel Diehl (CUY) – 46.40
5. Jonny Marshall (FAST) – 46.66
6. Scotty Buff (GTAC) – 46.71
7. Caleb Maldari (MAC) – 46.95
8. Nolan Dunkel (AAC) – 47.02

Will Modglin led the charge this morning, touching as the only swimmer under 46 seconds in the field.

After blowing away his personal best in the 100 fly earlier in the session, Ben Irwin was right back at it here, taking a full second off his time with a 46.31 for second. Irwin also put some great opening speed on display, splitting a sizzling 22.11 on the first 50.

Hudson Williams took half a second off his best to finish third, using a strong back half of 23.89 on the second 50 to earn a spot in the middle of the pool tonight.

Daniel Diehl also swam a personal best, taking fourth in 46.40. It’s hard to know exactly what Diehl’s strategy was with this race, given he already qualified for the 200 free ‘A’ final and knows he’s got a lot of racing today. One thing is for certain: tonight’s ‘A’ final is going to be an electric race.