Ella Eastin Speaks Openly About Mono, Making Pan Pacs Team (Video)

2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

WOMEN’S 200 IM:

  • World Record: Katinka Hosszu, 2:06.12, 2015
  • American Record: Ariana Kukors, 2:06.15, 2009
  • Championship Record: Julia Smit, 2:09.34, 2009
  • U.S. Open Record: Katinka Hosszu, 2:08.66, 2015
  1. GOLD: Kathleen Baker– 2:08.32
  2. SILVER: Melanie Margalis– 2:09.43
  3. BRONZE: Ella Eastin– 2:10.84
  4. FOURTH: Evie Pfeifer– 2:11.53

Olympic medalist Melanie Margalis looked like the favorite coming in, but Kathleen Baker ran away with it tonight. Baker, who broke the 100 back World Record last night, established a quick lead up front and then held on to win it in 2:08.32, marking her first swim under 2:10 and a best time by 3 seconds. That broke the former U.S. Open Record set by Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu in 2015. Margalis wound up 2nd in 2:09.43.

Ella Eastin, who came down with mono in the leadup to this meet, was 3rd in 2:10.84. That was only 3 tenths shy of her best from 2016, but there’s a good chance she won’t make Pan Pacs with that 3rd place finish. Eastin shattered the American Records in both short course IMs this season and was still looking for a big long course breakout. She touched 2nd in the 400 IM last summer but was ultimately disqualified for the Lochte rule, leaving her off the Worlds team. If she doesn’t make Pan Pacs here, she can’t swim at 2019 Worlds either.

Texas Evie Pfeifer has had a great meet so far. She capped it off with another best time, taking a tenth off her prelims swim for 4th in 2:11.53. She outsplit Meghan Small (2:11.65) on the free leg to out-touch her at the finish. That was Small’s first time under 2:12 since the 2015 Pan Am Games and just a few tenths shy of her lifetime best from that meet.

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Swimming
6 years ago

All I’m saying is #EllaForPresident2020

Joel Lin
6 years ago

This is literally the most incredible accomplishment I can recall seeing in this sport. Considering her condition & the total interruption of her training, her peace of mind, it’s mind boggling she was able to execute on this.

marklewis
6 years ago

She really does the heart and mind of a champion. Illness is the one thing that can ruin a season, and she dealt with a difficult and uncertain situation and came out with a positive result. She had a long wait to swim her 200 IM, and she stayed patient and focused on what she wanted to accomplish.

The women’s 400 IM was one of the best races of the meet. Next time, with Ella in it, it’s going to be even more competitive and exciting.

Dan Smith
6 years ago

Great stuff, congratulations to Ms. Eastin. Continue a successful recovery.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Great surprise. Ella makes her first major US team when that was the least expected. Congrats. We can say that her career is not smooth so far. Hopefully she uses all of that as a motivation to shock the world in 2020.

Philip
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Who would down vote this? lol

Anon
Reply to  Philip
6 years ago

I think it has to do with the person who made the comment rather than the comment itself

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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