2023 Minnesota Invitational – Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2023 Minnesota Invitational 

• November 29-December 2, 2023
• Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Short Course Yards (25 yards)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 AM (CT)
  • Finals: 6 PM (CT)
• Live Results
• Day 1 Finals Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Recap 
• Day 2 Finals Live Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Live Recap 

The penultimate night of the 2023 Minnesota Invite is set to kick off at 6pm (CT) in Minneapolis. Tonight’s session will feature the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and 400 medley relay.

Heading into the third night of finals, California holds the lead for both the men and the women in the team scoring.

Cal juniors Robin Hanson (1:33.81) and Jack Alexy (1:33.83) will highlight tonight’s 200 freestyle final. Separated by just 0.02 this morning, the two will swim side-by-side in the championship final. The swim by Alexy this morning represented a big personal best, eclipsing his previous marker of 1:35.52 from 2019.

2023 Fukuoka World Champion Dare Rose will swim in lane 4 of the 100 butterfly final. He recorded a time of 45.60 this morning, which is less than a second away from his 44.75 best time from the 2023 NCAA Championships.

The Cal backstroke group will be on full display in tonight’s session, with Isabelle Stadden (51.67) and Destin Lasco (44.91) claiming the top seeds in the 100 backstroke this morning. Lasco was nearly a full second faster than he was in prelims last year (45.74), and almost as fast as he was in finals (44.88).

Arizona claimed two top seeds during this morning’s prelim session: Julia Heimstead in the 100 fly and Ryan Foote in the 100 breast.

You can watch tonight’s session on YouTube:

WOMEN’S 100-YARD FLY – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 48.46, Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.69
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 52.20

Top 8:

1. Julia Heimstead (ARIZ) – 51.61
2. Sophie Yendell (PITT) – 52.08
3. Morgan Brophy (CAL) – 52.19
4. Lizzy Cook (CAL) – 52.35
5. Mckenna Stone (CAL) – 52.56
6. Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 52.86
7. Sydney Lu (HARV) – 52.88
8. Morgan Thomas (MINN) – 53.77

Arizona senior Julia Heimstead posted a personal best time of 51.61 en route to winning the 100 butterfly tonight. Heimstead lowers her previous best of 51.99 from last month, which was recorded at the Arizona & USC dual meet. Pitt senior Sophie Yendell took 2nd with a time of 52.08, a massive best time for her. Yendell held a previous best time of 52.62 from the 2023 ACC Championships.

Cal was well represented in tonight’s final – placing 3rd through 6th. Morgan Brophy (52.19) led the way, and she was closely followed by teammates Lizzy Cook (52.35), Mckenna Stone (52.56), and Rachel Klinker (52.86).

Sydney Lu (52.88) of Harvard and Morgan Thomas (53.77) of Minnesota rounded out the A-final.

MEN’S 100-YARD FLY – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 42.80, Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.64
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.57

Top 8:

1. Dare Rose (CAL) – 44.98
2. Davide Maria Harabagiu (MINN) – 45.94
3. Tommy Palmer (ARIZ) – 46.04
4. Jadan Nabor (ARIZ) – 46.17
5. Kaiser Neverman (MINN) – 46.56
6. Roman Jones (CAL) – 46.61
7. Orion Henderson (ARIZ) – 46.68
8. Hayden Ghufran (ARIZ) – 47.00

Cal senior Dare Rose touched the wall in a time of 44.98 to secure the 100 fly win. The swim by Rose checks-in just shy of his best time (44.75) from the NCAA Championships a year ago. Rose took the race out strong, splitting 20.78 on the first 50 before finishing nearly a second over the next closest competitor.

Davide Maria Harabagiu of Minnesota posted a time of 45.94 to grab 2nd, while Tommy Palmer (46.04) took 3rd. Arizona comprised half of tonight’s A-final, with Jadan Nabor (46.17), Orion Henderson (46.68), and Hayden Ghufran (47.00) following closely behind Palmer.

WOMEN’S 400-YARD IM – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 3:54.60, Ella Eastin, Stanford (2018)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 4:03.62
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 4:11.36

Top 8:

1. Megan Van Berkom (MINN) – 4:04.36
2. Kathryn Hazle (CAL) – 4:08.70
3. Katie McCarthy (MINN) – 4:14.46
4. Grace Drabot (MINN) – 4:15.85
5. Alexandra Bastone (HARV) – 4:15.91
6. Stephanie Iannaccone (HARV) – 4:17.36
7. Ashlyn Fiorilli (CAL) – 4:19.70
8. Tia Lindsay (ARIZ) – 4:20.12

Minnesota put on a show for the home crowd tonight in Minneapolis, taking 3 of the top 4 spots. Megan Van Berkom led the way with a winning time of 4:04.36, just a second shy of her 4:03.45 best time from 2022. Teammates Katie McCarthy (4:14.46) and Grace Drabot (4:15.85) took 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Taking 2nd tonight was Cal freshman Kathryn Hazle. Hazle posted a time of 4:08.70, which is just over a second shy of her best time from November of 2022.

A pair of Harvard first-years took 5th and 6th, with Alexandra Bastone (4:15.91) touching ahead of teammate Stephanie Iannaccone (4:17.36).

MEN’S 400-YARD IM – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 3:28.82, Leon Marchand, Arizona State (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 3:38.90
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 3:42.99

Top 8: 

1. Tyler Kopp (CAL) – 3:45.74
2. Max Matteazzi (PITT) – 3:46.99
3. Beck Parnham (ARIZ) – 3:47.03
4. Michal Piela (PITT) – 3:47.41
5. William Christenson (MINN) – 3:48.31
6. Humberto Najera (CAL) – 3:50.17
7. Jake Hand (ARIZ) – 3:53.06
8. Javi Zorzano Jover (PITT) – 3:57.00

Cal senior Tyler Kopp secured the win in the 400 IM, stopping the clock in a time of 3:45.74. Pitt senior Max Matteazzi touched a 1.25 seconds behind for 2nd (3:46.99), touching out Beck Parnham of Arizona by 0.04.

The performance from Kopp tonight is nearly 5 seconds faster than the time he posted at this meet last year (3:50.22), so he looks to be in a great position heading toward the PAC-12 Championships.

Pitt had three representatives in tonight’s final, as Michal Piela (3:47.41) and Javi Zorzano Jover (3:57.00) placed 4th and 8th to add to the 2nd place finish from Matteazzi.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD FREE – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 1:39.10, Missy Franklin, Cal (2015)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:42.84
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:45.31

Top 8: 

1. Mia Motekaitis (CAL) – 1:44.52
2. Julia Heimstead (ARIZ) – 1:45.43
3. Ava Chavez (CAL) – 1:45.66
4. Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 1:46.05
5. Eloise Riley (CAL) – 1:46.16
6. Emily Gantriis (CAL) – 1:47.80
7. Amalie Mortensen (ARIZ) – 1:49.00
8. Alexandra Bastone (HARV) – 1:49.92

The Golden Bears showed off their freestyle depth in tonight’s 200 free final, going 1-3-4-5-6. Mia Motekaitis led the way for Cal (1:44.52) with Ava Chavez (1:45.66) taking 3rd, Rachel Klinker (1:46.05) taking 4th, Eloise Riley (1:46.16) placing 5th, and Emily Gantriis (1:47.80) touching 6th.

Arizona had a pair in the final, with Julia Heimstead backing up after her 100 fly win to place 2nd (1:45.43). Amalie Mortensen touched in 7th for the Wildcats.

Alexandra Bastone of Harvard took 8th, rounding out her tough double after placing 5th in the 400 IM earlier.

MEN’S 200-YARD FREE – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 1:29.15, Dean Farris, Harvard (2019)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:31.74
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:32.85

Top 8: 

1. Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:32.17
2. Robin Hanson (CAL) – 1:33.30
3. Keaton Jones (CAL) – 1:33.43
4. Jack Alexy (CAL) – 1:33.93
5. Orion Henderson (ARIZ) – 1:34.57
6. Ben Littlejohn (HARV) – 1:34.73
7. Trent Frandson (CAL) – 1:35.88
8. David Greeley (HARV) – 1:36.10

Just like we saw in the women’s 200 free, Cal put on a show. They placed 1st through 4th and added a 7th place finished as well. The Bears represented 5 of the 8 swimmers in tonight’s final.

Gabriel Jett led the way with a time of 1:32.17. Teammates Robin Hanson (1:33.30), Keaton Jones (1:33.43), and Jack Alexy (1:33.93) were in close pursuit to touch 2nd through 4th. Their teammate, Trent Frandson, clocked 1:35.88 for 7th.

The time by Jones marks the 2nd best time in the 200 free for him at this competition. He clocked a 1:33.45 leading off the Cal B-relay on Wednesday, and took 0.02 off that tonight en route to his 3rd place finish.

Orion Henderson (1:34.57) of Arizona placed 5th while the Harvard duo of Ben Littlejohn and David Greeley placed 6th and 8th.

WOMEN’S 100-YARD BREAST – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 55.73, Lilly King, Indiana (2019)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 58.02
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 59.73

Top 8: 

1. Jade Neser (CAL) – 59.47
2. Alicia Henry (CAL) – 59.62
3. Hannah Brunzell (CAL) – 1:00.02
4. Kelsey Wasikowski (ARIZ) – 1:00.14
5. Jessie Strong (PITT) – 1:00.69
6. Maddy Ahluwalia (ARIZ) – 1:00.90
7. Abigail Herscu (CAL) – 1:01.13
8. Laura Wright (BALL) – 1:02.66

Cal continued their dominant night 3 performance with another 1-2-3 sweep in the women’s 100 breaststroke. Graduate student Jade Neser led the way, posting a 59.47 to take the win over teammate Alicia Henry (59.62). The winning time by Neser represents a new personal best time, eclipsing her previous best of 59.63 from this meet two years ago. The performance by Henry also checks-in as a best time, marking her first time breaking the 1-minute barrier. Hannah Brunzell rounded out the top 3 in 1:00.02.

Arizona freshman Kelsey Wasikowski had a promising swim to place 4th (1:00.14), lowering her best time of 1:00.92 from a few weeks ago. Her teammate, Maddy Ahluwalia, secured 6th place in a best time of 1:00.90.

MEN’S 100-YARD BREAST – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 49.69, Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 51.10
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 51.90

Top 8: 

1. Joey Garberick (BALL) – 52.69
2. Matthew Jensen (CAL) – 52.79
3. Jacob Soderlund (CAL) – 53.27
4. Ryan Foote (ARIZ) – 53.34
5. Hank Rivers (CAL) – 53.58
6. Tavner Wisdom (ARIZ) – 54.19
7. Daniel Young (ARIZ) – 54.43
8. N/A

Liam Bell of California touched the wall 1st in the 100 breast (52.36), but was disqualified for a false start. Joey Garberick of Ball State was then elevated to 1st place (52.69). Golden Bear teammates Matthew Jensen (52.79) and Jacob Soderlund (53.27) rounded out the top 3 for Cal.

Arizona had three swimmers in tonight’s A-final, with Ryan Foote leading the way (53.34) ahead of teammates Tavner Wisdom (54.19) and Daniel Young (54.43).

WOMEN’S 100-YARD BACK – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 48.26, Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.88
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 52.36

Top 8: 

1. Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 50.26
2. Claire Jansen (PITT) – 52.15
3. Anya Mostek (HARV) – 52.28
4. Paula Rodriguez Rivero (MINN) – 53.18
5. Paige Armstrong (ARIZ) – 53.39
6. Ava Yablonski (MINN) – 55.05
7. Abigail Carr (HARV) – 55.56
8. N/A

Cal senior Isabelle Stadden posted a substantial personal best time en route to winning the 100 backstroke. Stadden stopped the clock in 50.26, shattering her previous best of 50.73 from the 2023 NCAA Championships. Stadden’s improvement stemmed from a much improved front half, opening in 24.06 tonight compared to the 24.37 opening split she produced at NCAAs.

Pittsburgh sophomore Claire Jansen swam a time of 52.15 to place 2nd, while Harvard’s Anya Mostek (52.28) followed closely behind in 3rd.

Cal junior Annika McEnroe was disqualified, but recorded a 53.90 time prior to the disqualification.

MEN’S 100-YARD BACK – FINAL

• NCAA Record: 43.35, Luca Urlando, Georgia (2022)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.71
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.70

Top 8: 

1. Gunner Grant (HARV) – 45.95
2. Krzysztof Radziszewski (PITT) – 46.23
3. Kai Crews (CAL) – 46.84
4. Stepan Goncharov (PITT) – 46.94
5. Ziyad Saleem (CAL) – 47.04
6. Will Meyers (ARIZ) – 47.20
7. Marcin Goraj (PITT) – 47.68
8. N/A

For the 2nd event tonight, a Cal Bear touched 1st but was disqualified. Destin Lasco touched in a time of 44.59 to clear the field by 1.5 seconds, but was disqualified for a 15m violation. World Junior Champion Gunner Grant was then elevated to 1st with his time of 45.95.

Pitt junior Krzysztof Radziszewski posted a 46.23 to grab 2nd, while Kai Crews of Cal snagged 3rd in 46.84.

Notably, Cal senior Bjorn Seeliger took the B-final win in a time of 46.06, which would have placed 2nd in the A-final had he qualified.

WOMEN’S 400-YARD MEDLEY RELAY — FINALS

• NCAA Record: 3:21.80 — Virginia (G. Walsh, A. Walsh, K. Douglass, A. Canny) (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 3:31.38
• 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 3:33.48

Top 3: 

1. CAL ‘A’ (Stadden, Neser, Cook, E. Riley) – 3:30.56
2. CAL ‘B’ (I. Riley, Henry, Chavez, Stone) – 3:34.95
3. MINN ‘A’ (Rivero, Van Berkom, Reinke, Cornish) – 3:35.79

The Cal ‘A’ relay hit the wall in a time of 3:30.56 to claim the victory and secure the NCAA ‘A’ standard in the process. Isabelle Stadden led-off in a time of 50.68, her 2nd fastest performance ever, before handing off to Jade Neser (59.42), Lizzy Cook (52.34), and Eloise Riley (48.12).

Cal ‘B’ took 2nd in 3:34.95 while Minnesota’s ‘A’ squad finished 3rd. The Cal ‘B’ team consisted of Isabella Riley (54.23), Alicia Henry (59.13), Ava Chavez (52.78), and McKenna Stone (48.81) while the Minnesota foursome was comprised of Paula Rodriguez Rivero (53.43), Megan Van Berkom (1:00.85), Claire Renke (52.93), and Hannah Cornish (48.58).

By winning this relay tonight, California secured their 4th relay win at the meet. With one more tomorrow, Cal could be looking at sweeping all five here in Minnesota.

MEN’S 400-YARD MEDLEY RELAY — FINALS

• NCAA Record: 2:58.32 — Florida (A. Chaney, D. Hillis, J. Liendo, M. McDuff) (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 3:04.96
• 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 3:06.84

Top 3: 

1. CAL ‘A’ (Lasco, Jensen, Rose, Seeliger) – 3:02.82
2. ARIZ ‘A’ (Meyers, Purdy, Nabor, Ciuferri) – 3:06.25
3. CAL ‘B’ (Jones, Soderlund, Jett, Alexy) – 3:07.17

In a redemption swim of sorts, Destin Lasco led-off the Cal ‘A’ team in a time of 44.28. That betters the unofficial time he posted earlier in the session (44.59) when he was disqualified for a 15m violation. Matthew Jensen (51.87), Dare Rose (44.76), and Bjorn Seeliger (41.91) combined on the other three legs to help Cal post an NCAA ‘A’ standard time of 3:02.82.

Arizona took 2nd place with a ‘B’ cut effort of 3:06.25. Will Meyers (46.87), Ryan Purdy (52.20), Jadon Nabor (45.84), and Ralph Daleiden Ciuferri (41.34) comprised their squad.

The Cal B-team recorded a time of 3:07.17 for 3rd place, with Jack Alexy posting a sizzling 41.21 anchor split en route to winning the penultimate heat.

Team Scores (After Day Three)

Women:

1. California – 1491 points
2. Minnesota – 1034 points
3. Arizona – 969.5 points
4. Pittsburgh – 800.5 points
5. Harvard – 705 points
6. Ball State – 56 points

Men:

1. California – 1521 points
2. Arizona – 1080.5 points
3. Minnesota – 894.5 points
4. Pittsburgh – 848.5 points
5. Harvard – 769.5 points
6. Ball State – 91 points