2018 SPEEDO GRAND CHALLENGE
- May 25th-27th, 2018
- Irvine, California
- LCM
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets (updated 5/24)
- Live Results
After swimming her first two races of 2018 this morning, Hungarian Katinka Hosszu managed to improve both of her prelim swims tonight on day 1 finals of the 2018 Speedo Grand Challenge.
In the heats, Hosszu swam a 2:11.91 in the 200 IM, which put her 18th in the world rankings. Tonight, she jumped into the top-10 with the world’s 8th best time of the 2017-18 season in 2:10.87, also lowering her own meet record of 2:11.12 set back in 2010. In a tight race for 2nd, USC’s Louise Hansson (2:14.40) edged out Cal’s Sarah Darcel (2:14.88). Darcel’s teammates Katie McLaughlin and Keaton Blovad tied for the B-final win in 2:16.61 (the Grand Challenge features a four-person A-final).
Hosszu also contested the women’s 50 freestyle, where after finishing in a three-way tie for 3rd with Caroline Baldwin and Amy Bilquist, the swim-off was scrapped and a five-person final was allowed. Abbey Weitzeil took the win in 25.11, a season best, followed by Anika Apostalon (25.52) and Bilquist (25.64). Hosszu took 4th, dropping her morning time by two tenths in 25.67.
The men’s 200 freestyle saw an intriguing four-way Cal battle, with Andrew Seliskar (1:49.24) using a 27.29 final 50 to out-sprint Ryan Murphy (1:49.57) for the win. Zheng Wen Quah (1:50.23) and Jacob Pebley (1:50.54) were close behind for 3rd and 4th.
Will Licon and Josh Prenot renewed their friendly rivalry in the men’s 100 breast, with Prenot getting out to a lead of four tenths at the halfway mark in 29.19. Licon charged back in 32.13, making up exactly four tenths on Prenot as they tied for the win in 1:01.72. Connor Hoppe lowered his prelim swim by over half a second for a season best 1:02.60 and 3rd place.
In the women’s race, Jorie Caneta (1:09.22) edged out Ruta Meilutyte (1:09.63) and Riley Scott (1:09.99). Caneta stormed back in 36.07 to run down Meilutyte, who opened up a big lead at the 50 in 31.90.
Licon was back in action shortly after in the 200 IM, using a 34.28 breast leg to close the gap on Ryosuke Irie and Trenton Julian, who were a clear 1-2 at the 100 wall. Irie wouldn’t relinquish his lead, closing in 28.13 for the win in 2:01.59, followed by Licon (2:02.53) and Julian (2:02.79).
The women’s 400 free final had a very exciting battle to close out the day, with 13-year-old Claire Tuggle (4:16.45) fending off a charge from Sarah Gibson (4:16.62) to get the win. Gibson made up nearly a second on the last 50, finishing in 30.89.
Good to see Katinka make noise in the pool again, we had too many social media issues.
Maybe Seliskar can get something going in lcm his year
Interesting swim by Seliskar. He has disappeared in long course for 2 or 3 years now. Maybe the sign of something.
Claire Tuggle probably not rested at all for that meet. Last year at the same period she swam 2.26 in the 200 IM and 4.25 in the 400 free. This year 2.18 (she can improve a lot her backstroke) and 4.16. I think she will go in August around 55 mid in the 100 free, 1.57 high in the 200 free, 4.09 in the 400 free, 8.32 in the 800 free and 2.14 in the 200 IM.
There is no use in comparing with Tuggle’s one year old times. Even 6 months old results are not much of help to make reliable prognosis for the swimmer of this age. The predictions you made may happen to be correct, but I’m wondering how you came up with them. Just guessing, or wishing? Or they are based on your experience of following another Tuggle like swimmers? The only more or less accurate short term prediction can be done using cross event analysis. Look at her short distance results (speed), look at her times in long distance race, check her splits and you may get some idea of possible trend. She made very strong statement in middle distances in the… Read more »
Her targets are Nationals or top Junior competitions this year. Then we may get strong indications of what can be expected in the future from this 14 years old (in July) promising swimmer.
It’s an impressive showing to go in as a 13 year old and race (and beat) swimmers many years your senior. Even if no one is swimming at top speed at the moment, it’s still great experience and shows she can get her hand on the wall when it counts
How about Murphy’s sub 1:50 in the 200 Free? As my coach would say, “that doesn’t suck”!
Very good swimmer. WR in 100 back Olympic champ in 200 48 second 100 free
He would be great into those races ….
Would be nice to see him contend for something other than BK at an Olympic level!
It would be cool to see him match Aaron Piersol & get a piece of the 4×200 relay at Worlds. Rooting for Seli to keep up the good LC swims too.
Interesting 1:49 from Seliskar… if he can transfer his SCY 200 free success into the big pool this summer and get down to 1:46-low form, he could potentially vie for a 4×200 relay spot.
wishing his all the best in that