2023 SPEEDO ATLANTA CLASSIC
- Friday, May 12 – Sunday, May 14, 2023
- McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, Georgia
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Stream
It’s the second day of the 2023 Speedo Atlanta Classic–this session, we’ve got heats of the 200 fly, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, and 400 freestyle.
After winning both the 100 breast and 100 fly on night 1, Kate Douglass now turns her attention to the 200 breaststroke. It’s a more “typical” long-course event for her, as she won bronze in the event at the 2022 World Championships. This meet is her long-course debut this season, and she lowered her lifetime best in the 100 breast twice yesterday, so we’ll see if she’s got something similar in store for her 200.
After going 1-2 in the 100 fly last night, Caeleb Dressel and Josh Liendo are both slated to race the 200 fly/50 free double. Dressel DFS’ed the 200 free on day 1 (presumably in favor of focusing on the 100 fly) so we’ll see if he swims both events. In the 200 fly, they’re expected to be joined by their Florida training partner Bobby Finke, who’s also taking on this off-event for him.
They aren’t the ones with the most entries on the day though: Summer McIntosh is entered in the 50 free, 100 back, and 200 breast. This means that we won’t get a showdown between her and Katie Ledecky in the 400 freestyle. They haven’t faced off yet at this meet, as McIntosh opted for the 100 breast/100 fly double over the 200 freestyle. With the newly minted world record holder not entered in the race, Ledecky’s closest competition is Emma Weyant, seeded second well behind Ledecky.
Women’s 200 Butterfly — Heats
- American Record: 2:04.14, Mary DeScenza (2009)
- U.S. Open Record: 2:05.05, Summer McIntosh (2023)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Callie Dickinson (ABSC) — 2:12.97
- Mabel Zavaros (UN-FL) — 2:13.51
- Leah Gingrich (KA) — 2:13.55
- Amanda Ray (UN-FL) — 2:14.85
- Addison Reese (LAKR) — 2:16.38
- Mia Abruzzo (PWAC) — 2:16.49
- Emma Weyant (UN-FL) — 2:17.20
- Elise Bauer (UN-FL) — 2:18.68
Callie Dickinson won the penultimate heat decisively, swimming a 2:12.97. It’s a solid in-season time for the 23-year old, who just finished her fifth-year at UGA. Her lifetime best is a 2:10.35 from last summer’s U.S. Nationals. She’s the top qualifier heading into finals tonight, as the only swimmer to get under 2:13.
In the final heat, Leah Gingrich opened her race in 1:03.44 and held onto the lead through the final turn. Florida’s Mabel Zavaros began to close the gap though, and used a closing split of 34.50 to get her hands on the wall just four-hundredths ahead of Gingrich. They’re the second and third qualifiers heading into finals tonight.
A slew of Florida Gators made it into the ‘A’ final tonight. Zavaros is joined by her college teammates Amanda Ray (2:14.85), Emma Weyant (2:17.20), and Elise Bauer (2:18.68).
Men’s 200 Butterfly — Heats
- American Record: 1:51.51, Michael Phelps (2009)
- U.S. Open Record: 1:52.20, Michael Phelps (2008)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Martin Espernberger (TENN) — 1:58.22
- Bobby Finke (UN-FL) — 1:59.22
- Mason Laur (UN-FL) — 1:59.34
- Josh Liendo (UN-FL) — 1:59.58
- Mason Mathias (AU) — 2:03.08
- Jace Crawford (UN-FL) — 2:04.12
- Ryan Erisman (LAKR) — 2:04.34
- Evan McInerny (AU) — 2:04.62
At first glance, the ‘A’ final of the men’s 200 fly looks an awful lot like an SEC final, albeit with some unlikely contenders. Tennessee’s Martin Espernberger swam a lifetime best by over a second to grab the top seed heading into finals tonight, hitting 1:58.22 to erase his previous best of 1:59.28 from the 2022 TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio.
Half the field will have Florida caps on, as Bobby Finke, Mason Laur, Josh Liendo, and Jace Crawford all secured lanes for the ‘A’ final. Finke and Liendo, who are both known for their prowess in other events, both broke 2:00 for the first time. Finke blew away his previous recorded lifetime best, which stood at 2:03.21 from 2019, to win his heat handily. Liendo clocked 1:59.58, getting under hit previous best of 2:00.52, also from 2019.
Two Auburn swimmers joined the SEC party, with Mason Mathias qualifying fifth in 2:03.08 and Evan McInerny grabbing eighth in 2:04.62.
Caeleb Dressel swam in the same heat as Finke. He went out with his teammate, turning first at the 50 in 27.26. He fell back to the pack pretty quickly after that initial burst of speed, splitting 32.72/33.21/31.99 over the final three 50s to finish fourth in his heat and 12th overall in 2:05.18.
Women’s 50 Freestyle — Heats
- American Record: 23.97, Simone Manuel (2017)
- U.S. Open Record: 24.10, Simone Manuel (2018)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Kate Douglass (NYAC) — 24.57
- Maxine Parker (CA-Y) — 25.39
- Natalie Hinds (GSC) — 25.96
- Summer McIntosh (SYS) — 25.98
- Izzy Ivey (UN-FL) — 26.33
- Emma Harvey (BER) — 26.34
- Amber Myers (TENN) /Rylee Erisman (LAKR) — 26.39
- (tie)
After her 100 breast/100 fly double on Day 1, Kate Douglass continues to flex her in-season form, coming within three-hundredths of her lifetime best (24.54) for the top spot in the women’s 50 free. She clocked 24.57 to qualify first, the only swimmer in the field to break 25 seconds. Her Virginia teammate Maxine Parker will join her in the final after qualifying second overall in 25.39.
Natalie Hinds qualified in third with a 25.96, just two-hundredths ahead of Summer McIntosh, who hit a lifetime best of 25.98 to qualify fourth. The swim is McIntosh’s first time sub-26. She doesn’t typically swim the 50 free and her five previous lifetime bests were all splits swum to open her 100 freestyle. Her best “to the touch” swim was a 27.38, swum at the Ontario Winter Youth Junior Championships in 2020.
Men’s 50 Freestyle — Heats
- American Record: 21.04, Caeleb Dressel (2019/2021)
- U.S. Open Record: 21.04, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Macguire McDuff (UN-FL) — 22.45
- Caeleb Dressel (GSC) — 22.92
- Adam Chaney (UN-FL) — 22.99
- Kalle Makinen (AU) — 23.11
- Zane Grothe (UN) — 23.14
- Josh Liendo (UN-FL) — 23.17
- Michael Arnold (GOLD) — 23.21
- Kamal Muhammad (SPAC) — 23.37
Macguire McDuff, the NCAA relay anchor stalwart for the Florida Gators, won the seventh heat in 22.45, which would hold up as the fastest time of the morning. It’s just a hundredth off his lifetime best 22.44, which he swam in July 2022 at Cary’s Futures Championships.
In the penultimate heat, Caeleb Dressel–back in the water after the 200 fly–touched first, edging out Adam Chaney 22.92 to 22.99. Also on the back end of the 200 fly/50 free double, Josh Liendo secured a spot in the ‘A’ final, winning the final heat in 23.17, good for sixth-place overall.
As we’ve already seen through a day and (almost) a half of racing, many swimmers are using this meet as an opportunity to swim some fun off-events. That includes Zane Grothe, a distance swimmer trying his hand at the sprints here. He swam a lifetime best 23.14, erasing his previous mark of 23.46 from 2017, to qualify fifth for the ‘A’ final.
Women’s 100 Backstroke — Heats
- American Record: 57.57, Regan Smith (2019)
- U.S. Open Record: 57.76, Regan Smith (2022)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Josephine Fuller (TENN) — 1:01.46
- Ellie Waldrep (AU) — 1:01.54
- Summer McIntosh (SYS) — 1:01.58
- Catie Choate (DYNA) — 1:02.34
- Gabby DeLoof (TNAQ) — 1:02.41
- Rylee Erisman (LAKR) — 1:03.60
- Emma Harvey (BER) — 1:03.77
- Eboni McCarty (ABSC) — 1:03.93
Josephine Fuller had a breakout year in yards during her sophomore year at Tennessee, and now she’s claimed the top seed heading into tonight’s finals. She and Auburn’s Ellie Waldrep swam next to each other in the fifth heat–previewing the final–and though Waldrep was out first in 29.67, Fuller powered home in 31.34 to get her hand on the wall first, 1:01.46 to 1:01.54.
The two SEC swimmers should have a great race tonight, along with Summer McIntosh, who qualified third just behind Waldrep in 1:01.58. McIntosh is entered in three races this session and has already booked two ‘A’ final berths so we’ll see if she keeps them all for finals.
Georgia’s breakout yards swimmer Eboni McCarty swam a lifetime best 1:03.93 to sneak into the ‘A’ final in lane 8.
Men’s 100 Backstroke — Heats
- American Record: 51.85, Ryan Murphy (2016)
- U.S. Open Record: 51.94, Aaron Piersol (2009)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Jack Aikins (SA) — 54.58
- Nick Simons (TENN) — 55.43
- Christopher Thames (MAAC) — 55.77
- Adam Chaney (UN-FL) — 56.62
- Sam Powe (MCC) — 56.65
- Andrew Simmons (AU) — 56.73
- Zach Franklin (RAYS) — 57.11
- Sam Parker (GCAT) — 57.21
The top three times in the men’s 100 backstroke were more spread out than they were in the women’s race, but things could get interesting in the final. Jack Aikins is the top seed, hitting a solid in-season time of 54.58. His personal best is 53.75 from 2022 U.S. Nationals. Nick Simons, who just finished up his freshman season at Tennessee, is sitting second with a 55.43, about a second behind Aikins.
Adam Chaney, on the second swim of his 50 free/100 back double, turned in a 56.62, good enough to move him through to the final in fourth. Sandwiched between him and Simons is Christopher Thames, who clocked 55.77 which is about a half-second off the lifetime best 55.48 he swam at the Fort Lauderdale stop of the TYR Pro Series.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke — Heats
- American Record: 2:19.59, Rebecca Soni (2012)
- U.S. Open Record: 2:20.38, Rebecca Soni (2009)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Kate Douglass (NYAC) — 2:25.09
- Summer McIntosh (SYS) — 2:31.98
- Brynn Curtis (AU) — 2:32.90
- Gracie Weyant (SYS) — 2:33.67
- Emma Weyant (UN-FL) — 2:34.01
- Katie Christopherson (SA) — 2:34.03
- Zoie Hartman (ABSC) — 2:34.18
- Nina Kucheran (UN-FL) — 2:34.94
Kate Douglass earned her second top time of the session with a 2:25.09 in the 200 breaststroke. She also swam 24.57 in the 50 free for the top qualifying time earlier in the session. She’s solidly the favorite to win this event tonight, as Summer McIntosh (on her third swim of the morning) qualified second in 2:31.98, almost seven seconds behind Douglass. McIntosh’s best stands at 2:29.56 fromFebruary 2023.
The Weyant sisters qualified fourth and fifth, with Gracie Weyant posting 2:33.67 for fourth, with Emma Weyant swimming 2:34.01 for fifth. The older Wenyat (Emma) wasn’t too far off her lifetime best of 2:33.65, which she swam in 2021.
Men’s 200 Breaststroke — Heats
- American Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
- U.S. Open Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Aleksas Savickas (UN-FL) — 2:18.55
- Joao Victor Caballero (UN-GA) — 2:18.88
- Matt Fallon (ABSC) — 2:19.31
- Mark Szaranek (GSC) — 2:20.83
- Peter Brentzmann (UN-FL) — 2:21.18
- Connor Haigh (TWS) — 2:22.18
- Raphael Rached Windmuller (UN-FL) — 2:22.24
- Britton Spann (DYNA) — 2:22.55
We’re set for a rematch between Aleksas Savickas and Matt Fallon, after the former held off Fallon’s closing speed to win the 100 breast on Day 1. Savickas, who just wrapped his freshman campaign at Florida, earned the top time of the morning in 2:18.55, bettering the 2:18.88 that Joao Victor Caballero had swum in the prior heat. Fallon won the last heat in 2:19.31, splitting 1:07.64/1:11.67. All three have been much faster in their careers, so we’ll see what they have left in the tank for the final.
Women’s 400 Freestyle — Heats
- American Record: 3:56.46, Katie Ledecky (2016)
- U.S. Open Record: 3:57.94, Katie Ledecky (2018)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Katie Ledecky (GSC) — 4:01.80
- Rachel Stege (ABSC) — 4:14.55
- Abby McCulloh (SA) — 4:15.09
- Jillian Barczyk (COLA) — 4:15.12
- Sloane Reinstein (PASA) – 4:15.41
- Mabel Zavaros (UN-FL) — 4:16.26
- Kate McCarville (TENN) — 4:17.34
- Addison Sauickie (SYS) — 4:17.38
As expected, Katie Ledecky swam away from the field in the women’s 400 freestyle. She cruised to a solid 4:01.80 for the top seed tonight. With Summer McIntosh, the new world record holder, not racing the event here in Atlanta, Ledecky looks primed for another victory after taking the 200 free on Day 1.
However, the race behind her could get quite interesting. Rachel Stege leads the way in the race for second with a 4:14.55, which is her fastest swim since November 2020. Behind her, her college teammate at UGA Abby McCulloh swam a lifetime best of 4:15.09, clipping her previous mark from 2019 by .73 seconds. Jillian Barczyk–the third Georgia swimmer to earn an ‘A’ final berth–was just behind McCulloh in 4:15.12, which is less than a second off her personal best from 021.
Mabel Zavaros qualified for the ‘A’ final in the 200 fly, and she’s earned another ‘A’ final swim here in the 400 free with her 4:16.26, qualifying in sixth.
Men’s 400 Freestyle — Heats
- American Record: 3:42.78, Larsen Jensen (2008)
- U.S. Open Record: 3:43.53, Larsen Jensen (2008)
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Alfonso Mestre (UN-FL) — 3:55.61
- Jake Mitchell (UN-FL) — 3:56.27
- Kieran Smith (RAC) — 3:56.30
- Bobby Finke (SPA) — 3:58.50
- Rafael Ponce de Leon (TENN) — 3:58.64
- Mason Mathias (AU) — 3:58.77
- Joaquin Vargas (TENN) — 3:59.22
- Giovanni Linscheer (UN-FL) — 3:59.33
Florida’s distance freestyle group once again flexed its muscles–securing the top four spots and five of the top eight. Alfonso Mestre led the way in 3:55.61, catching Jake Mitchell on the final 100 with a 57.53 split to secure lane 4 for the final. Mitchell took second in the heat with a 3:56.27, which also held up for second overall.
In the final heat, Kieran Smith, Bobby Finke, and Rafael Ponce de Leon were separated by about half a second at the 300-meter mark. Smith pulled away from the other two, splitting 57.21 compared to Finke’s 59.29 and Ponce de Leon’s 59.32. That gave Smith a cushion, and he won his heat by over two seconds in 3:56.30. Finke qualified fourth in 3:58.50, with Ponce de Leon fifth in 3:58.64, exactly two seconds off his best time.
Giovanni Linscheer made it five Florida swimmers in the final, grabbing eighth in 3:59.33.
Mollie and titmus are not touching mcintosh in 200 and 400 free
200 yes
400 also yes.
Kate Douglass
2023 Phillips 66 Natuonal Championships
Day 1 – W 100 FR
Day 2 – W 200 BR
Day 3 – W 100 FL
Day 4 – W 100 BR
Day 5 – W 50 FR or W 200 IM
As for Day 4, Kate Douglass has no shot in the W 400 FR or the W 100 BK (Ledecky, L. Smith, Gemmell, Sandpipers of Nevada, R. Smith, Curzan, Berkoff, White).
Judging by that slate of events what are her realistic chances of getting a medal at worlds?
100 FR not sure
200 BR minus the WR Holder not even sure
100 Fly doubtful
100 BR same doubtful
50 free or 200IMnot sure as well
nice 50fr from kate!
Aren’t they swimming 10 in finals? Why just post 8 and only talk about top 8?
McIntosh fans in shambles
Dressel doing great. Kate Douglass absolutely crushing it in season. Respect to Summer for swimming very solid times in her off events.
Voice of reason.
Summer in training mode NOT competition mode
I know these shorter races are in KDs wheelhouse but she is just destroying Summer at this meet. So interesting to see when they go at it in 200IM at a championship meet how the race will break down 50 by 50
I’m sure Summer, the WR holder in the 400 free and 400 IM, won’t be too concerned with Kate beating her in the 50 free and 200 breast.
I agree. I’m sure she had a lot more respect for her abilities than the typical SCY critics found on this site. I’m sure for events like 200IM she thinks game on—how a competitor thinks as opposed to those with digital muscles.
i have a hard time believing that KD would be a real threat for Summer in the 2IM Summer will get that WR at worlds
she may mot beat Summer but you’d better believe she’s a threat. She’s displaying that clearly so far.
Kate Douglass won the gold medal in the women’s 200 meter individual medley at the 2022 Short Course World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
Kate Douglass won’t even medal in the 100 fly and 200im at worlds, summer breaks the world record in the 200im while has been dopesell gets owned by liendo
Right on!!! you hit the bullseye people here suggesting that Mcintosh fans are in shambles she is swimming off events for not even a prep meet leading to worlds LOL!!!!
KD is a threat to everyone.
Kate Douglass is currently ranked second domestically in the women’s 50 meter freestyle during calendar year 2023.
Actually a talent and competitor like that won’t be thrilled to lose at anything. Summer expected to win several events here when she entered. The original SwimSwam preview tipped her to win multiple times. That changed when Douglass was a late entrant.
Summer may still win both the 100 and 200 backstroke, not sure what other events she would have been the favourite other than the 100 Fly which is not one of her top six events.
Awsi………figures.
Cause she is not touching Mcintosh in her main events
I actually think it quite likely she not only touches her but takes the 200 IM WR. But we will all see. None of our opinions matter a lick.
No way Douglass swims 2:06 in the 200im with mckeon rising she’s barely a dark hose for bronze
I doubt KD will get down to the 2:07’s at least no by this Summer but we will see Summer at trials and tapered got down to a 2:06.89 expect another DROP on Worlds Taper and scaring the WR or breaking it seems realistic!!!
I’m sure Summer won’t be concerned about this meet either
she’s only using it as a gauge to see how she can break down the IM’s.
Summer is quite likely in the middle of her heaviest training block of season even bigger than trials she will probably be on a bigger taper for worlds than trials
Kate is a sprinter and middle distance swimmer. Summer is middle distance and distance. It’s that simple. As of right now the way Kate is swimming, the 2IM will be interesting but Kate has to show she can drop time in Lcm commensurate to how she did in her collegiate career to be able to defeat Summer in that race. If she has any lead or is close by by the the breaststroke leg, we all know how dangerous her breastroke and closing speed is. Almost unmatchable.
Not a very knowledgeable comment.I hope you’re young and just don’t see the overall picture yet.
With a time of 24.57 posted in the heats of the women’s 50 meter freestyle, I sense deja vu in June.
Meanwhile, Lydia Jacoby (DOB 29 Feb 2004) and Lilly King would destroy Kate Douglass in the women’s 100 meter breaststroke. Furthermore, Kaitlyn Dobler (DOB 15 Feb 2002) has a faster personal best time (1:06.19) than Kate Douglass in the aforementioned event.
Always such a fun time when the Summer superfans clash with the KD superfans. Thanks for making it happen :))
🍿
Omg I’ve just woken up in Aus and checking these results and the battle is so funny. The Summer and Kate super fans are equally ridiculous.
We just need Kaylee fans to join in to make it a true trifecta!
Kaylee superfans are usually much more reasonable (except for that one guy, but we don’t talk about him).
For sure snailSpace. Just trying to add a little humour to the conversation.
That being said, all three ladies are special talents!
No doubt Riser, no doubt- all three are pretty special!
You did get a chuckle out of me, I just failed to respond in kind it seems.
I know right? But also very entertaining if you can get past all the denseness.
I went to the meet last night, and my favorite part was watching these swimmers get ready behind the blocks (there is no ready room at this meet). Here are my takeaways on Kate and Summer … they don’t seem to be friendly with one another, they stood next to each other for minutes at a time, twice (for two different races), and they never spoke, nodded, or even looked at the other. There was no congratulations to each other after the races despite sitting in the pool for a minute as the next heat dived over them. More — Kate is a bad ass boss. She’s chill behind the blocks, stands still, one small towel on her shoulders, doesn’t… Read more »
Ledecky with a super solid prelims 4:01
What good does it do ledecky to swim these meets? Put on a tech suit for Saturday morning practice, push a 4:00, post it on Insta for a flex, and then enjoy the rest of the day off.
A couple thousand dollars?
Whelp, having watched her swim the 200 at GA Tech yesterday, I’d say she was working on turns and closing sprint under race conditions. Florida folks were right across from us and they were standing and watching that swim. She really turned it up the last 10 meters or so. And did same in warm-up pool right before the race.