2024 PRO SWIM SERIES – KNOXVILLE
- January 10-13, 2024
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- LCM (50 meters)
- Start Times
- All Prelims: 9am (EST)
- Thurs-Sat Finals: 6pm (EST)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap
- Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Friday Prelims Heat Sheet
WATCH THE LIVE STREAM ON THE USA SWIMMING NETWORK OR YOUTUBE (COURTESY OF USA SWIMMING):
The third day of action at the 2024 Knoxville Pro Swim Series will feature four different events: the 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 400 IM, and 100 butterfly.
The women’s 200 free top seed is Summer McIntosh, who took bronze in the event at the Fukuoka World Championships this past year. McIntosh owns a best time of 1:53.65 in the event, and is coming off a victory in the 200 fly (2:05.73) last night.
Katie Ledecky was originally entered in both the 200 free and 400 IM, but opted to scratch the 200 free in favor of the 400 IM. Ledecky took 2nd in the 400 IM at this meet a year ago, and enters the event today as the top seeded swimmer. Ledecky owns a best time of 4:35.77, which she registered in July of 2022.
Claire Curzan and Shaine Casas are both slated to take on the 200 back/100 fly double this morning, with Casas seeded first in both of his events. Curzan is the second seed in both events, and will also contest both at the upcoming Doha World Championships next month.
Carson Foster, the 400 IM silver medalist from the two most recent World Championships (Budapest 2022 & Fukuoka 2023), will be front and center in the event this morning. His best time of 4:06.56 situates him nearly three full seconds ahead of the field on the psych sheet.
Two of the top swimmers in the women’s 100 fly, Torri Huske and Kate Douglass, have pulled out of the event. Huske came in as the #1 seed while Douglass was ranked 5th. Huske will still feature in today’s prelim session, as she kept her entry in the 200 free. Douglass will not swim today, but is entered in the 200 breast, 200 IM, and 50 free for tomorrow.
WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS
- World Record: 1:52.85, Mollie O’Callaghan (2023)
- American Record: 1:53.61, Allison Schmitt (2012)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 1:54.13, Summer McIntosh (2023)
- U.S Open Record: 1:54.13, Summer McIntosh (2023)
Top 8:
- Summer McIntosh (SYS) – 1:57.43
- Erin Gemmell (TEX) – 1:59.10
- Leah Smith (TXLA) – 1:59.59
- Paige Madden (NYAC) – 1:59.72
- Simone Manuel (SUN) – 2:00.06
- Jillian Cox (TXLA) – 2:00.22
- Addison Sauickie (SYS) – 2:00.30
- Aimee Canny (UVA) – 2:00.43
Aimee Canny (2:00.43) used a strong final 50 to win heat six, stopping the clock in 2:00.43. Kelly Pash (2:00.52) touched in 2nd place, while Torri Huske (2:00.69) rounded out the top three. The final two heats were much faster overall, with only Canny sneaking into tonight’s championship final in 8th.
Heat seven saw Erin Gemmell walk away victorious, touching in a time of 1:59.10. Paige Madden, who clocked her fastest 400m free since the Tokyo Olympics last night, touched in 1:59.72 for 2nd in the heat. Simone Manuel hit the wall in 2:00.06, 3rd in the heat and advancing to tonight’s ‘A’-final.
400 IM world record holder Summer McIntosh established an early lead in the final heat and never relinquished it. She got her hand on the wall in 1:57.43, the fastest time of the morning by almost two seconds. Leah Smith (1:59.59) and Addison Sauickie (2:00.30) were 2nd and 3rd in the heat, respectively.
Jillian Cox, who swam the 800 free for Team USA at the Fukuoka World Championships, will also feature in tonight’s final. Cox qualified 6th this morning in 2:00.22, finishing 4th in heat seven.
Worlds medalist Gabby DeLoof (2:01.06) finished in 13th this morning, while Olympic medalist Taylor Ruck (2:02.63) sits in 15th.
MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS
- World Record: 1:42.00, Paul Biedermann (2009)
- American Record: 1:42.96, Michael Phelps (2008)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 1:44.82, Sun Yang (2016)
- U.S Open Record: 1:44.10, Michael Phelps (2008)
Top 8:
- Felix Auboeck (AUT) – 1:48.06
- Luxas Henveaux (CAL) – 1:48.61
- Luca Urlando (DART) – 1:48.75
- Grant House (SUN) – 1:49.51
- Luke Hobson (TEX) – 1:49.57
- Jack Dahlgren (TRI) – 1:49.60
- Kieran Smith (RAC) – 1:49.99
- Brooks Curry (CAL) – 1:50.10
In the early heats, we swam a pair of Cal swimmers go for 50-meter split times. Jack Alexy touched in 22.37 for his split, while Bjorn Seeliger got to the wall in 22.59.
Grant House took the victory in the first of the circle seeded heats, touching in 1:49.51. Kieran Smith (1:49.99) and Brooks Curry (1:50.10), rounded out the top three in the heat.
The penultimate heat saw three swimmers clock times in the 1:48-range, with Felix Auboeck (1:48.06) leading the way ahead of Lucas Henveaux (1:48.61) and Luca Urlando (1:48.75). Auboeck claimed the win in the 400 free last night, clocking 3:46.78 in the process.
The final heat featured a tight battle between Luke Hobson and Jack Dahlgren, with Hobson getting the touch by 0.03. Hobson’s time of 1:49.57 will advance him to tonight’s ‘A’-final in 5th, while Dahlgren progresses in 6th.
Trenton Julian (1:50.14), Robin Hanson (1:50.28), and Maximus Williamson (1:50.46) narrowly missed out on the ‘A’-final, touching in 9th, 10th, and 11th this morning.
It took a time of 1:50.10 to book a ticket into the championship final this morning, with 1:51.05 enough to make the ‘B’-final.
WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – HEATS
- World Record: 2:03.14, Kaylee McKeown (2023)
- American Record: 2:03.35, Regan Smith (2019)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 2:04.76, Regan Smith (2023)
- U.S Open Record: 2:03.80, Regan Smith (2023)
Top 8:
- Rhyan White (WOLF) – 2:09.85
- Josephine Fuller (TENN) – 2:10.89
- Claire Curzan (UN-06) – 2:11.51
- Delia Lloyd (CAN) – 2:11.74
- Isabelle Stadden (UN-1) – 2:11.79
- Leah Shackley (BRY) – 2:12.31
- Charlotte Crush (LAK) – 2:12.37
- Alicia Wilson (TEX) – 2:13.71
Isabelle Stadden led from start to finish to win the first of the circle seeded heats, hitting the touchpad in 2:11.79. Alicia Wilson touched in 2:13.71 to grab 2nd, while Lilla Bognar finished in 2:15.23. Stadden owns a best time of 2:07.28 in the event, which she set prior to the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials.
A tight battle ensued in the sixth heat, with Josephine Fuller (2:10.89) getting the touch over Claire Curzan (2:11.51) and Delia Lloyd (2:11.74).
Charlotte Crush had a fast start in the final heat, leading at the 50 in 30.42. Rhyan White made her move on the third 50, taking over the lead and never giving it up. White touched for the heat win in 2:09.85, the fastest time of the morning. Leah Shackley rouched in 2:12.31 to 2nd, with Crush hitting the wall in 2:12.37.
White, who made the move to train at NC State last spring in the lead-up to Olympic Trials, placed 6th in the World Championship final in Fukuoka (2:08.43).
MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – HEATS
- World Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
- American Record: 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 1:55.04, Xu Jiayu (2017)
- U.S Open Record: 1:53.08, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
Top 8:
- Hunter Tapp (NCS) – 1:59.82
- Jack Aikins (UN-13) – 1:59.86
- Daniel Diehl (UN-1) – 2:00.42
- Yeziel Morales (MVN) – 2:01.49
- Shaine Casas (TXLA) – 2:01.84
- Harrison Lierz (TENN) – 2:02.64
- Chris Thames (MAAC) – 2:03.06
- Jonny Marshall (UN-1) – 2:03.09
Daniel Diehl claimed the top spot in heat three, touching over two seconds ahead of the field in 2:00.42. Harrison Lierz (2:02.64) and Landon Driggers (2:03.13) touched for 2nd and 3rd, with Driggers just missing out on the ‘A’-final in 9th.
The second seeded swimmer, Destin Lasco, did not show up behind the blocks for his heat. Hunter Tapp ultimately ended up taking the penultimate heat win, finishing in 1:59.82. Tapp was victorious for Team USA at the Len U23 European Championships in August, where he touched in 1:56.45 for the win.
The final heat was won by Jack Aikins, who touched in 1:59.86. Aikins was the gold medalist in this event at the Pan American Games in October, and owns a best time of 1:56.04 in the event.
Shaine Casas safely advanced to tonight’s ‘A’-final, touching in 2:01.84 for the 5th seed. Casas is entered to compete in the 100 fly later in the session.
Yeziel Morales (2:01.49), Chris Thames (2:03.06), and Jonny Marshall (2:03.09) also qualified for tonight’s ‘A’-final.
WOMEN’S 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – HEATS
- World Record: 4:25.87, Summer McIntosh (2023)
- American Record: 4:31.12, Katie Hoff (2008)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 4:31.07, Katinka Hosszu (2015)
- U.S Open Record: 4:28.61, Summer McIntosh (2022)
Top 8:
- Tess Cieplucha (TNAQ) – 4:42.85
- Katie Ledecky (GSC) – 4:44.20
- Leah Smith (TXLA) – 4:45.89
- Ella Nelson (UVA) – 4:48.68
- Lilly King (ISC) – 4:51.36
- Campbell Chase (COR) – 4:52.76
- Lea Polonsky (UN-1) – 4:54.33
- Ava Pape (TFA) – 4:54.60
The first circle seeded heat was dominated by Leah Smith, who touched in 4:45.89 for the win. Ella Nelson touched in 4:48.68 for 2nd in the heat, highlighted by a strong 1:19.51 breaststroke split. Smith was 3rd in the 400 free last night, where she stopped the clock in a time of 4:07.85. Smith also qualified 3rd earlier this morning for the 200 free final.
Tess Cieplucha won the final heat, hitting the wall in 4:42.85. Katie Ledecky was 2nd in the heat, finishing in 4:44.20. Cieplucha trailed Ledecky at the 200m mark, but her 1:19.21 breaststroke split was enough to build a big enough lead for the freestyle.
100 breaststroke world record holder, Lilly King, touched in 4:51.36 for the 5th fastest time of the morning. King was the winner of the 100 breast last night (1:05.67).
Campbell Chase (4:52.76), Lea Polonsky (4:54.33), and Ava Pape (4:54.60) all advanced to the ‘A’- final, too.
MEN’S 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – HEATS
- World Record: 4:02.50, Leon Marchand (2023)
- American Record: 4:03.84, Michael Phelps (2008)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 4:07.80, Leon Marchand (2023)
- U.S Open Record: 4:05.25, Michael Phelps (2008)
Top 8:
- Carson Foster (RAYS) – 4:23.16
- Jay Litherland (SUN) – 4:23.64
- Landon Driggers (TENN) – 4:25.43
- Bobby Finke (SPA) – 4:25.61
- Grant Sanders (FAST) – 4:25.95
- Cooper Lucas (LAC) – 4:25.96
- Jacob Turner (MTRO) – 4:27.33
- Jarod Arroyo (SUN) – 4:28.64
Landon Driggers took the first of the circle seeded heats, touching in 4:25.43. Bobby Finke (4:25.61) and Cooper Lucas (4:25.96) placed 2nd and 3rd, both safely advancing for tonight’s final.
Carson Foster led the whole way in the final heat, ultimately grabbing the win with a time of 4:23.16. The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist in the event, Jay Litherland, had a fast finish to grab 2nd in 4:23.64. The times by Foster and Litherland are the two fastest times of the morning.
Grant Sanders (4:25.95), Cooper Lucas (4:25.96), Jacob Turner (4:27.33), and Jarod Arroyo (4:28.64) safely qualified as well.
WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS
- World Record: 55.48, Sarah Sjostrom (2016)
- American Record: 55.64, Torri Huske (2022)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 56.38, Sarah Sjostrom (2016)
- U.S Open Record: 55.66, Torri Huske (2021)
Top 8:
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 58.05
- Alex Walsh (UVA) – 58.23
- Kelly Pash (TEX) – 58.34
- Maggie MacNeil (TAQ) – 58.37
- Claire Curzan (UN-06) – 58.39
- Beata Nelson (WISC) – 58.87
- Emma Sticklen (TEX) – 59.14
- Leah Shackley (BRY) – 59.22
Swimming out of heat two, Alex Walsh posted a swift effort of 58.23 to win the heat by over three seconds. Walsh split 26.97/31.26 en route to the heat win (and new best time). Additionally, her swim safely advances her to tonight’s ‘A’-final.
Olympic gold medalist Maggie MacNeil led the way in heat six, finishing in 58.37. Leah Shackley touched in 59.22 for second in the heat, the only other sub-1:00 performance. With her 59.22 effort, she has now qualified to swim both the 200 back and 100 fly ‘A’-finals later today.
Claire Curzan took heat seven, touching in 58.39. Like Shackley, she will feature in the 200 back final later today as well. Emma Sticklen of Texas touched in 59.14 for 2nd place, the only other sub-1:00 performance of this heat.
Gretchen Walsh led from start to finish in the final heat, splitting 26.62/31.43 for a final time of 58.05. Her swim makes her the top qualifier, leading a 1-2 punch with her sister heading into tonight.
It took a time of 59.22 to make the ‘A’-final, with every swimmer who broke 1-minute earning a spot.
MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS
- World Record: 49.45, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
- American Record: 49.45, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 50.80, Shaine Casas (2023)
- U.S Open Record: 49.76, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
Top 8:
- Santo Condorelli (DM) – 52.24
- Shaine Casas (TXLA) – 52.29
- Dare Rose (UN-1) – 52.83
- Trenton Julian (MVN) – 52.84
- Luke Miller (NCS) – 52.94
- Aiden Hayes (NCS) – 53.00
- Arsenio Bustos (NCS) – 53.20
- Michael Andrew (MASA) – 53.28
Santo Condorelli is the fastest qualifier for tonight’s 100 fly final, as he posted a time of 52.24 to take the final heat. Shaine Casas followed closely behind in 52.29, advancing in 2nd place.
The bronze medalist in this event from the Fukuoka Worlds, Dare Rose, qualified 3rd in 52.83. Rose owns a best time of 50.46 in the event, which he recorded this past summer.
Michael Andrew will feature in tonight’s ‘A’-final, qualifying 8th in 53.28. Joing him is the NC State trio of Luke Miller (52.94), Aiden Hayes (53.00), and Arsenio Bustos (53.20). Trenton Julian also qualified, posting a time of 52.84 to advance 4th.
Does anyone know if Tennessee rested for this meet?? They look really good.
Not sure of the answer to your question but I’m sure not having to travel makes a big difference
My boy Santo is back! Going for that relay gold in Paris this summer. You heard it first here!
Is Bobby Finke really better in the 400 IM than in the 400 free? I have a hard time wrapping my head around that.
According to the World Aquatics database, his PB in the 400 free is 03:48.17. I feel like he should be able to go a lot faster than that.
Yes. For whatever reason, he isn’t very good at the 400 free.
He just can’t get up and go for the 400 free the way some other guys can
No, he’s not. Needs to quit messing around with the 400 IM and do the 400 free instead. I’d say it to his face and we need to keep talking about it until June.
Hasn’t been “fast” in the latter yet (has to be some kind of mental block?), but I would stress YET, as all the pieces are there. Rooting for him to figure it out and make the team in 400 free in June. Better chance then trying to run down Kalisz after his breast leg.
Kate Douglass just time trialed a 2:07.89 200 IM, third fastest in her career. Also means she will scratch this event tomorrow and do the 200 breast, 50 free double.
Ducking Summer is contagious
It would have been fun to watch Summer in a race where she doesn’t win by 100 gazillions of body lengths. Oh well. They are intentionally ducking each other, as we’ve seen last year with Ledecky and Summer at Pro Swim Seris. They are waiting for the bigger meets to have the showdown.
Blame the schedule maker. Placing the 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley back to back was idiotic. Anybody who followed swimming and understood the Douglass/McIntosh potential would have made it top priority to isolate the 200 individual medley.
Unfortunately not totally unexpected with her Saturday schedule. Very good time for Kate and just over half a second faster than her time at the US open last month. Looks like it will just be Alex and Summer tomorrow which hopefully will still be a great race.
I think we may not see the top four ladies racing this together until Paris which ultimately is not a bad thing and adds to the buildup and intrigue come race day.
You definitely won’t see the 4 of them in the same race before Paris. There’s no event they’ll all be attending.
That is a fact. I don’t even think you’ll see the three North Americans in the same race until Paris.
probably best to skip the 2 IM since she had such a big drop in the 100 BR. Excited to see her 200!
MA squeaking into the 100fly A final. Hope he has more than that in the tank for tonight. We’re 5 months from OTs.
Probably tapering for mare nostrum
He may be focusing on the 50s still with Doha in a few weeks. I remember in 2021 he did an endurance block before OTS when he went PRs that year. He is certainly capable of it just has to do the work.
I think it may be time for Curzan to think about really just focusing on backstroke. Putting her effort into butterfly and freestyle when she seems to be missing that pop and those events will be so competitive seems like a risky bet. One 2nd place finish at Trials is better than multiple 3rd place finishes.
One 3rd place finish in the 100 free at trials gets you on the team so not sure I agree with your assessment.
You’re purposefully misconstruing my point, as you know what I mean. Sure it’s early, but it does not appear a given at this point that Curzan will make top 6 in the 100 free at the moment given her inconsistency in the event — not making the A final at a Pro Swim Series isn’t a good sign.
And if you want to be technical, Ryan Held might take issue with you saying top 6 gets you on the team.
The women have a lot more versatility than the men and the Ryan Held situation happening with the women is highly unlikely.
Agree. Ledecky 400/800/1500 (200?), R. Smith 1b/2b/2f alone really open up the women’s side.
I don’t see the backstroke competition being any easier than the fly though. Realistically, if the the goal is to just make the team at all, i think going for the 100 free is by far the best option, although that would feel very much like a waste for a swimmer of her caliber to me
Gretchen and Alex top two seeds in the 100 fly we all saw that coming…
Alex is having herself a great meet. Really flexing her versatility.
I’m not done. I’m American and consider myself a huge KD fan, and I have mad respect for McIntosh and McKeown, but I feel like people have been very quick to count A. Walsh out of the conversation for a gold medal in the 200 IM this summer, cementing her at a 3rd or 4th place finish. Yes, she needs to prove that she can get back to her 2:07.1 speed, but I don’t see why she can’t do that, and even why she can’t go faster. She was a bit off last summer, but she still swam 2:07 high and went 4:34 in the 400 IM. In 2021 and 2022, she was THE American 200-IMer, and she’s still young,… Read more »
I don’t think people are counting her out of any 200 IM conversation. She was silver in Tokyo 2021, Gold at world’s 2022, and silver at World’s 2023. No sane person is counting her out. She’s been 2:07 3-4 times, including the 2:07.1. She’s the real deal.
I love how as swimmers we automatically think of someone completely different when we mention “KD”
I really feel like she’s gonna swim past all of them except for maybe Summer – only cuz she hasn’t raced her yet. But she’s beaten Kate plenty of times, same as Kaylee. And if you listen to her podcast with Missy and Katie Hoff, you’ll hear that she’s in a much better place mentally than she was last year.
Excited to see what she does tomorrow!
Yes after listening to their podcast the other day, you can see last year she didn’t really feel like herself in the water and wasn’t pushing her hardest in practice. Now she’s happier and training with full effort, and her best times in multiple events at this meet are reflecting this.
I’ve always believed that there are four gold contenders in the 200IM for Paris. Kate, Kaylee, Summer and of course Alex. I think the one advantage that Kate and Alex have over Kaylee and more so Summer is that they have raced this event quite a bit more than the two non Americans over the last two years.
But getting to your original point, no one who follows the sport closely would write off Alex Walsh as a serious contender for gold in Paris.
Happy to see all this respect on her name! And happy to be wrong. I just feel like I’ve seen so many comments on here where she’s not necessarily brushed off but consistently picked for 3rd or 4th. I know these comments don’t matter and are not even remotely indicative of what these swimmers will do. What matters is the Olympic final (and getting to the Olympic final). All four are fantastic, and I’m looking forward to a battle for the ages.
The overall opinion on Alex Walsh suffers from the fact that her primary and best event is terrorized by three absolute (and potentially historical) superstars of the sport: McIntosh, McKeown and Douglass. The hype that sorrounds them leaves little room for anyone else. Not necessarily fair, but very understandable nonetheless.
Makes sense. To add to the convo, here are those 4 top 200 IM time:
McIntosh: 2:06.89
Douglass: 2:07.09
Walsh: 2:07.13
McKeown: 2:07.19
Such a tight group! All are definitely in the mix. All fantastic and very versatile swimmers.
All of those times would’ve won Gold in Tokyo by 1.5 seconds. The event has gotten insane.
Huske is in the picture also. Walsh is tremendous but Summer McIntosh is a prodigy who admittedly loves the individual medleys. The rest of the field needed the 200 version in a bad scheduling spot for her in Paris. Instead it’s open water and world record.
Summer’s WR in the 200IM depends entirely on wether or not her breaststroke improved significantly imo. The other legs don’t have room to get much faster (they are already crazy), and we’ve also seen that her IM suffers from having to swim fast in prelims (confer: her performance at Canadian Trials vs Worlds), so her best chance at that WR might be 2024 Canadian Trials and not the Olympics.
I know this is a given but Alex Walsh is a beast.. 58.23 from lane 1 heat 2.
1.3 second drop in prelims in January?
That’s big moves.
Yeah, she’s on fire.