Watch: Ledecky, Gallant Become First 2024 Olympic Trials Qualifiers (Day 1 Race Videos)

2022 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• November 30-December 3, 2022
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Long Course Meters (50 meters)
• Start Times:
  • Prelims: 9 AM (ET)
  • Finals: 6PM (ET)
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results

The first night of action at the 2022 US Open saw individual victories from Katie Ledecky and Guilherme Costa in the women’s  and men’s 800 freestyle, respectively. In the relay events, Washington State claimed the women’s 800 freestyle relay as the only entry and NSW Swim out-paced SwimMAC in the men’s event. 

With her victory in the 800 freestyle, Ledecky officially became the first American woman to qualify for the 2024 US Olympic Trials with her time of 8:13.90. The qualifying period for Trials officially opened today, and Ledecky’s competitors Michaela Mattes (8:37.99), Cavan Gormsen (8:38.15), and Caroline Pennington (8:42.93), all also dipped under the qualifying time of 8:45.79. 

NC State’s Will Gallant was the highest American finisher in the men’s 800 freestyle, becoming the first American man to hit an Olympic Trials cut. His time of  8:08.20 was just under the qualifying time of 8:09.69. With Gallant finishing 5th, the event was dominated by international swimmers, with  Guilherme Costa, Alfonso Mestre, Stephen Steverink, and Eric Brown all finishing ahead of him. 

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINAL

• World Record: 8:04.79 – Katie Ledecky (2016)
• American Record: 8:04.79 – Katie Ledecky (2016)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 8:12.81 – Katie Ledecky (2021)

Podium: 

1. Katie Ledecky (GSC) – 8:13.90
2. Michaela Mattes (SYS) – 8:37.89
3. Cavan Gormsen (LIAC) – 8:38.15

Katie Ledecky dominated this race from start to finish, becoming the first American woman to hit the 2024 Olympic Trials qualifying standard in the event. She also hit the qualifying times for the 200 and 400 freestyle during her swim.

Race Video via USA Swimming:

MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINAL

• World Record: 7:32.12 – Lin Zhang (2009)
• American Record: 7:39.36 – Bobby Finke (2022)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 7:47.27 – Chad La Tourette (2009)

Podium:

1. Guilherme Costa (BRA) – 7:54.10
2. Alfonso Mestre (FLOR) – 7:54.80
3. Stephen Steverink (BRA) – 8:01.08

International swimmers swept the podium here, with Brazil’s Guilherme Costa holding off Alfonso Mestre from the University of Florida. The pair posted times of 7:54.10 and 7:54.80, respectively. 

Race Video via USA Swimming:

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE RELAY – TIMED FINAL

• World Record: 7:39.29 – Australia (2022)
• American Record: 7:40.73 – USA Olympic Team (2021)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 8:00.84 – Longhorn Aquatics (2013)

1. Washington State – 8:25.21

Race video is currently unavailable. 

With the Tennessee woman scratching, it was all Washington State as the team of Angela Di Palo (2:07.14), Dori Hathazi (2:04.32), Kristen de Goede (2:08.12), and Noelle Harvey (2:05.63) combined for a final time of 8:25.21.

MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE RELAY – TIMED FINAL

• World Record: 6:58.55 – USA World Championship Team (2009)
• American Record: 6:58.55 – USA World Championship Team (2009)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 7:18.82 – Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics (2009)

1. NSW Swim – 7:22.51
2. SwimMac Carolina – 7:39.90

Race video is currently unavailable.

With only two teams entered, NSW Swim claimed the win with the team of  James Koch (1:48.61), Gabriel Gorgas (1:51.41), Thomas Hay (1:52.11), and Ryan Wilkes (1:50.38) finishing in a time of  7:22.51.