2023 U.S. Summer Junior Nationals: Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2023 Summer Junior National Championships

• July 31 – August 4, 2023
• Prelims 9AM, finals 5PM (Pacific Time)
• LCM (50 meters)
• William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, Irvine, California, United States
• Meet Central
• Pre-Scratch Timelines
• Pre-Scratch Psych Sheet
• Girls meet preview
• Boys meet preview
• Live Results
• Live Stream

Day 3

Tonight’s finals session will feature C/B/A heats of 400 free, 100 fly, and 200 back, after which we’ll have timed finals of the 200 free relay.

In the 400 free final, Cavan Gormsen posted the top time (4:12.14) this morning; she will do battle with four of the top-5 finishers from Monday’s 800 free. Tess Howley will be chasing the butterfly sweep; she won the 200 on Monday and is top seed for tonight’s 100 fly with 59.26. Caroline Bricker (59.65) and Bailey Hartman (59.85) also broke 1 minute this morning. 13-year-olds Audrey Derivaux (2:14.83) and Ellie Clarke (2:14.93) will be in the middle lanes of the 200 back final.

Aaron Shackell (3:52.21) led the qualifiers in the 400 free by 2 seconds this morning. 15-year-old Rowan Cox posted the top time in the 100 fly, jumping to #8 all-time in the 15-16 age group. He’ll have a chance to improve his position tonight. Humberto Najera (2:00.73) and Jonny Marshall (2:00.79) topped the field in heats of 200 back.

WEDNESDAY EVENING HEAT SHEETS

Girls’ 400 Meter Freestyle – Finals

• Jr World: 3:56.08 – Summer McIntosh (2023)
• Meet: 4:07.26 – G Ryan (2012)
• Girls’ 13-14 NAG: 4:07.15 – Sippy Woodhead (1978)
• Girls’ 15-16 NAG: 3:59.82 – Katie Ledecky (2013)
• Girls’ 17-18 NAG: 3:58.37 – Katie Ledecky (2014)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 4:15.49

Podium:

1. Cavan Gormsen (LIAC), 4:10.18
2. Bailey Hartman (CROW), 4:10.59
3. Kate Hurst (SCAR), 4:11.71
4. Kayla Han (RMDA), 4:11.88
5. Lynsey Bowen (CSC), 4:12.44
6. Madi Mintenko (PPA), 4:12.63
7. Lainey Mullins (SSC), 4:15.50
8. Katie McCarthy (EDI), 4:18.91

Crow Canyon’s Bailey Hartman, who won the 100 free last night, was first out of the chute in tonight’s final, swimming out of lane 1. She got out in front of the field into smooth water and set the pace from the outset. Hartman was outsplitting her prelims swim by more hand half a second per 50. Long Island Aquatics’ Cavan Gormsen began to creep up on Hartman after the halfway point, cutting into her lead until they were even. They flipped together at the 250 and 300 before Gormsen moved to the front at the 350.

It was a sprint to the finish, with Gormsen getting the touch, 4:10.18 to 4:10.59. Hartman improved her seed time by 4.9 seconds and booked her ticket to 2024 Trials.

Scarlet Aquatics’ Kate Hurst snuck by La Mirada Armada’s Kayla Han over the last 10 meters to place third with 4:11.71.

Ella Cosgrove of Scottsdale won the B final with an Olympic Trials cut of 4:13.71. Scarlet Aquatics’ Kathleen Turano touched second in 4:15.15, also under the standard. Camden Doane of King Aquatic Club won the C final with 4:18.15.

Boys’ 400 Meter Freestyle – Finals

• Jr World: 3:44.60 – Mack Horton (2014)
• Meet: 3:50.82 – Norvin Clontz (2022)
• Boys’ 13-14 NAG: 3:53.19 – Luka Mijatovic (2023)
• Boys’ 15-16 NAG: 3:50.68 – Larsen Jensen (2002)
• Boys’ 17-18 NAG: 3:46.08 – Larsen Jensen (2004)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 3:55.59

Podium:

1. Aaron Shackell (CSC), 3:47.00M
2. Luke Whitlock (FAST), 3:51.77
3. Luka Mijatovic (PLS), 3:52.01
4. Nathan Szobota (NOVA), 3:53.51
5. Sean Green (LIAC), 3:54.10
6. Aiden Hammer (KING), 3:55.02
7. Bobby DiNunzio (TIDE), 3:55.89
8. Norvin Clontz (MAC), 3:56.95

Aaron Shackell of Carmel Swim Club destroyed the meet record and blew away the rest of the field, notching a PB by 2.1 seconds and winning the Junior National title in the 400 free with 3:47.00. Shackell held mainly 28-mids, building his lead with each 50. He finished with the fastest time ever swum at this meet by an astounding 3.7-seconds.

14-year-old Luka Mijatovik from was in second place through the 250, when Luke Whitlock from Fishers Area Swimming Tigers moved past him. The two battled over the final 100 meters for second place, with Whitlock getting the touch by .24, 3:51.77 to 3:52.01. Mijatovik took another 1.18 seconds off the 13-14 national age group record, which he set earlier this year.

Longhorn Aquatics’ Daniel Li (3:54.42) touched out GM’s Trey Hesser (3:54.58) for the B final win. LVSC’s Max Carlsen and WAVE’s Matthew Marsteiner both earned Trials cuts in the B final with 3:54.30 and 3:55.26. Cooper Lucas also booked his ticket to Indy with a 3rd-place 3:55.35.

Girls’ 100 Meter Butterfly – Finals

• Jr World: 56.43 – Claire Curzan (2021)
• Meet: 58.33 – Alex Shackell (2022)
• Girls’ 13-14 NAG: 58.61 – Claire Curzan (2019)
• Girls’ 15-16 NAG: 56.20 – Claire Curzan (2021)
• Girls’ 17-18 NAG: 55.66 – Torri Huske (2021)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:00.19

Podium:

1. Tess Howley (LIAC), 58.99
2. Bailey Hartman (CROW), 59.09
3. Annie Jia (UDAC), 59.20
4. Caroline Bricker (PPA), 59.32
5. Anna Boemer (SOLO), 59.98
6. Audrey Derivaux (JW), 1:00.02
7. Maggie Schalow (NOVA), 1:00.33
8. Kelsey Zhang (PASA), 1:00.81

It was a sprint to the 50 wall, with Anna Boemer of SOLO Aquatics leading the charge from lane 2. She headed for home with 27.61 on the first half, ahead of Crow Canyon’s Bailey Hartman (27.69), Long Island Aquatic Club’s Tess Howley (27.71), and Pike Peak’s Caroline Bricker (27.75).

The race played out over the second half, though, with Howley coming home in 31.28, Hartman in 31.4, and Bricker in 31.5. Upper Dublin Aquatic Club’s Annie Jia had the fastest second 50; she split 30.8 to moved from 8th place to 3rd.

Howley earned her second butterfly title of the meet, going 58.99 for the win.

It was tough but successful double for Hartman as she picked up her second silver medal in as many events.

Boys’ 100 Meter Butterfly – Finals

• Jr World: 50.62 – Kristof Milak (2017)
• Meet: 51.88 – Andrei Minakov (2018)
• Boys’ 13-14 NAG: 53.27 – Thomas Heilman (2021)
• Boys’ 15-16 NAG: 51.19 – Thomas Heilman (2023)
• Boys’ 17-18 NAG: 51.10 – Michael Phelps (2003)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 53.59

Podium:

1. Rowan Cox (TXLA), 53.10
2. August Vetsch (NEP), 53.40
3. Spencer Nicholas (SAC), 53.43
4. David Schmitt (EVO), 53.47
5. Jacob Wimberly (TFA), 53.52
6. Colin Geer (GWSC), 53.93
7. Campbell McKean (BEND), 54.33
8. Maximus Williamson (LAC), 54.43

Longhorn Aquatics’ Rowan Cox came from 3rd at the 50 to 1st at the finish, winning the 100 fly with 53.10, improving his prelims swim by .04. He was out in 25.0 and home in 28.0, logging the second-fastest back half in the final.

Swim Neptune’s August Vetch, who had been in front at the 50, came in second with 53.40. His splits were 24.6/28.7.

Nashville Aquatic Club’s Spencer Nicholas held off David Schmitt from Evolution Racing for third place, despite Schmitt’s 27.8 second 50. Schmitt’s was the only sub-28 back half but he was in 8th place at the 50.

Logan Robinson of GPAC eked out a win in the B final of 100 fly with 54.23, just ahead of BBST’s Wyatt Carlton (54.33). Cavalier Aquatics’ Will Browne won the C final with 54.25.

Girls’ 200 Meter Backstroke – Finals

• Jr World: 2:03.35 – Regan Smith (2019)
• Meet: 2:09.04 – Kylie Stewart (2013)
• Girls’ 13-14 NAG: 2:09.16 – Missy Franklin (2009)
• Girls’ 15-16 NAG: 2:05.10 – Missy Franklin (2011)
• Girls’ 17-18 NAG: 2:03.35 – Regan Smith (2019)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 2:13.59

Podium:

1. Ellie Clarke (CSC), 2:13.52
2. Audrey Derivaux (JW), 2:13.54
3. Sylvia Roy (MLAC), 2:14.26
4. Alexa Conner (SSC), 2:14.39
5. Erica Jaffe (SMST), 2:14.91
6. Kate Hotem (NOVA), 2:15.24
7. Mira Keller (STAR), 2:15.64
8. Hayden Gibson (HAWG), 2:16.66

The 13-year-olds in the middle lanes traded leads on the four 50s, keeping just in front of the rest of the field, until the touch when Ellie Clark of Carmel got her hand to the wall just .02 ahead of Audrey Derivaux from Jersey Wahoos, 2:13.52 to 2:13.54. Sylvia Roy from Mount Lebanon, who shot out to the lead from out in lane 7 on the first 50, remined in 3rd place throughout, finishing with 2:14.26. Alexa Conner of Suburban Seahawks nearly caught her with a final 50 that was half a second faster.

Roos Rottink from Memphis Thunder won the B final in 2:14.26. Her sister, Eva Rottink, won the C final with 2:14.89.

Boys’ 200 Meter Backstroke – Finals

• Jr World: 1:55.14 – Kliment Kolesnikov (2017)
• Meet: 1:58.42 – Josh Zuchowski (2022)
• Boys’ 13-14 NAG: 2:00.28 – Keaton Jones (2019)
• Boys’ 15-16 NAG: 1:57.03 – Aaron Peirsol (2000)
• Boys’ 17-18 NAG: 1:55.15 – Aaron Peirsol (2002)
• 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: 2:01.69

Podium:

1. Caleb Maldari (MAC), 1:59.27
2. Humberto Najera (EVO), 2:00.14
3. Gavin Keogh (FAC), 2:00.64
4. Adriano Arioti (RMSC), 2:00.66
5. Martin Perecinsky (LIAC), 2:01.22
6. Jonny Marshall (FAST), 2:02.34
7. Baylor Stanton (GA), 2:02.94
8. James Bennison (WAVE), 2:04.57

Firestone Akron’s Jonny Marshall was out very quickly at the 50, flipping with the only sub-28 (27.85). Gavin Keogh took over at the 100 and held the lead through the 150, but SwimMAC’s Caleb Maldari and Evolution Racing’s Humberto Najera passed him on the final 50 meters to take 1st and 2nd.

Firestone Akron’s Jonny Marshall was out very quickly at the 50, flipping with the only sub-28 (27.85). Gavin Keogh took over at the 100 and held the lead through the 150, but SwimMAC’s Caleb Maldari and Evolution Racing’s Humberto Najera passed him on the final 50 meters to take 1st and 2nd.

Keogh, meanwhile, held off Adriano Arioti, who had been threatening the leaders throughout the race.

Michael Hochwalt won the B final by more than a body length with 2:00.18, while JT Schmid of Nation’s Capital took the C final with 2:02.68.

Girls’ 200 Meter Freestyle Relay – Timed Finals

• Meet: 1:42.87 – Elmbrook Swim Club (2022)
• Girls’ 15-16 NAG: 1:44.53 – Scottsdale Aquatic Club (2013)
• Girls’ 17-18 NAG: 1:44.34 – Elevation Athletics (2022)
• Girls’ 15-18 NAG: 1:42.29 – Carmel Swim Club (2014)

Podium:

1. Carmel Swim Club, 1:42.32
2. Nitro Swimming, 1:43.55
3. Bolles School, 1:43.73
4. Bellevue Club, 1:44.15
5. Crow Canyon Sharks, 1:44.41
6. Fisher Area, 1:44.77
7. Palo Alto Stanford, 1:45.12
8. Aquajets Swim Team, 1:45.46

It was a thrilling heat 2 of the 200 free relays, with Carmel Swim Club and Mission Viejo battling stroke-for-stroke on all four legs. Both teams made it under the meet record, set last year by Elmbrook Swim Club, but just when it looked like Mission Viejo got the win, the quartet of Teia Salvino, Teagan O’Dell, Gracyn Aquino, and Asia Kozan was disqualified for a flinch at the start.

The win, and the meet record, went to Carmel’s Molly Sweeney (26.27), Alex Shackell (24.42), Berit Berglund (25.86), and Lynsey Bowen (25.77) who combined for 1:42.32.

Boys’ 200 Meter Freestyle Relay – Timed Finals

• Meet: 1:32.26 – Dynamo Swim Club (2022)
• Boys’ 15-16 NAG: 1:33.38 – Allegheny North Swim Club (2017)
• Boys’ 17-18 NAG: 1:32.26 – Dynamo Swim Club (2022)
• Boys’ 15-18 NAG: 1:32.26 – Dynamo Swim Club (2022)

Podium:

1. Lakeside Aquatic Club, 1:31.09
2. Rose Bowl Aquatics, 1:31.46
3. Bolles School, 1:32.35
4. Nitro Swimming, 1:32.67
5. Texas Ford Aquatics, 1:33.34
6. Carmel Swim Club, 1:33.56
7. Irvine Novaquatics / SwimMAC Carolina, 1:33.83

In an absolutely electric heat 2 of the boys’ 200 free relay, Lakeside Aquatic Club held off Rose Bowl to snatch the meet record with 1:31.09. Both teams were well clear of the 1:32.26 meet mark that Dynamo set last year.

Maximus Williamson led off for Lakeside in 22.89. River Paulk went 22.64, followed by Cooper Lucas (23.13) and Keaton Rice (22.64). Rose Bowl’s Igor Benderskii got them started with 23.53. He was followed by Logan Noguchi (22.95), Nathan Kim (23.06), and Jonathan Gim, who blasted a 21.92 to make up .72 of the deficit he inherited going into the fourth leg.

Girls’ Team Scores – Day 3

1. Crow Canyon Sharks, 182
2. Carmel Swim Club, 168
3. Long Island Aquatic Club, 134
4. Bellevue Club Swim Team, 128
5. Pikes Peak Athletics, 119
6. Scarlet Aquatics, 113
7. Mission Viejo Nadadores, 95
8. Irvine Novaquatis, 93
9. Club Wolverine, 68
10. Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics, 61

Boys’ Team Scores – Day 3

1. Carmel Swim Club, 145
2. SwimMAC Carolina, 142
3. Bolles School Sharks, 121
4. Nitro Swimming, 110
5. Lakeside Aquatic Club, 108
6. Texas Ford Aquatics, 102
7. Rose Bowl Aquatics, 98
8. Long Island Aquatic Club / Longhorn Aquatics, 87
9. –
10. NOVA of Virginia, 74

Combined Team Scores – Day 3

1. Carmel Swim Club, 313
2. Long Island Aquatic Club, 221
3. Crow Canyon Sharks, 211
4. SwimMAC Carolina, 182
5. Bolles School Sharks, 153
6. Nitro Swimming, 152
7. Irvine Novaquatics, 136
8. Scarlet Aquatics, 135
9. Lakeside Aquatic Club, 131
10. Bellevue Club Swim Team, 130