2024 Pro Swim Series – Westmont: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap

2024 PRO SWIM SERIES – WESTMONT

• March 6-9, 2024
• FMC Natatorium – Westmont, Illinois
• LCM (50 meters)
• Start Times
  • All Prelims: 9am (Central Time)
  • Thurs-Sat Finals: 6pm (Central Time)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets
• How To Watch
• Live Results
• Results also available via Meet Mobile: “2024 TYR Pro Swim Series – Westmont”
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap

Thursday Prelims Scratch Report

Thursday Prelims Heat Sheet

USA Swimming Livestream:

The first morning session of the 2024 Westmont Pro Swim Series will feature the 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, and 400 IM. Claire Weinstein is the top seeded athlete in the women’s 200 free, and is the defending U.S. National Champion in the event. She’ll swim in the final heat with Simone Manuel, the 2016 Olympic Champion and multi-World Champion in the 100 freestyle.

The men’s 200 free is led by four swimmers seeded in the 1:45 realm. Drew Kibler (1:45.01) is ranked 1st ahead of Felix Auboeck (1:45.11), Kieran Smith (1:45.16), and Fernando Scheffer (1:45.52). All four of those athletes participated at the Tokyo Olympic Games, with Scheffer of Brazil walking away with bronze in this very event. Brooks Curry, Luca Urlando, and Grant House are among the additional names to keep an eye on for today’s heats.

World record holder Lilly King will line-up for today’s 100 breast, entered with her 1:04.75 time from 2023. King won the previous stop of the Pro Swim Series, which took place in Knoxville, with a time of 1:05.67. She is the only athlete seeded under 1:07. On the men’s side, we have two sub-1:00 entries, with Cody Miller (59.85) leading Charlie Swanson (59.89) by 0.04 on the heat sheets.

Torri Huske and Caeleb Dressel will showcase their butterfly prowess this morning, and both dropped the 200 free to focus solely on this discipline. Regan Smith will compete for the first time since December’s U.S. Open, and could give Huske a great race in the final later today, assuming both advance comfortably. Dressel will face competition in the form of Dare Rose, the 2023 bronze medalist in the event. Pro Swim Series record holder Shaine Casas was also entered to compete, but has since pulled out of the meet.

Katie Grimes, who snagged silver in the 400 IM at both the 2022 & 2023 World Championships, clears the 400 IM field by over five seconds. Leah Hayes, the 2023 World Junior Champion, will also compete. Both Grimes and Hayes will have a double this morning, with both racing the 200 free to kick off the session.

Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland, who went 1-2 in the men’s 400 IM at the Tokyo Olympics, will have the opportunity to do the same here at the Westmont Pro Swim Series. They’re seeded 1st and 2nd, but David Johnston is in close pursuit. Johnston won yesterday’s 800 free in a time of 7:57.00.

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 Qualifiers:

1. Claire Weinstein (SAND) – 1:59.08
2. Maria Fernanda De Oliveira Da Silva (BRA) – 1:59.26
3. Paige Madden (NYAC) – 1:59.31
4. Aline Rodrigues (MTC) – 2:00.49
5. Nathalia Siqueira Almeida (BRA) – 2:00.52
6. Leah Hayes (TIDE) – 2:01.02
7. Katie Grimes (SAND) – 2:01.31
8. Simone Manuel (SUN) – 2:01.39

Paige Madden, a Tokyo Olympic finalist in the 400 free, staked her claim on heat two of the 200 free. She flipped through the first 50 in 3rd place (28.23), but took the lead at the 100 (58.47) turn and led until the final two strokes. Brazil’s Maria Fernanda de Oliveira da Silva (1:59.26) surged at the finish to outpace Madden (1:59.31) by 0.05. Madden was 3rd in the 800 freestyle last night, where she put her hand on the wall in a time of 8:31.70.

Fernanda is coming off a record-breaking Doha World Championships, where she posted new South American records in the 200 (1:56.85) and 400 (4:02.86) free events. She was 4th in the 400 and 5th in the 200 at those championships.

Taylor Ruck, who is now training with Madden at Arizona State, showcased strong opening speed in heat three. She flipped through the first 50 in 27.44 before hitting the 100 turn in 58.34. She fell off a bit over the final 50, with Katie Grimes (2:01.31) securing the heat win ahead of Rebecca Diaconescu (2:01.55) and Ayla Spitz (2:02.40). Ruck ultimately finished 4th in 2:02.62, ranking 13th overall to qualify for tonight’s B-final.

The reigning U.S. National champion, Claire Weinstein, dominated the final heat. She won with a swift 1:59.08, the fastest time of the morning. Weinstein won the 800 free last night, posting her 2nd fastest performance ever (8:23.73).

Penny Oleksiak, who won bronze in this event at the Tokyo Olympics, was 17th this morning in 2:03.27. Oleksiak won the Olympic title in the 100 free at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she tied American Simone Manuel. Oleksiak hasn’t raced much this season, but she earned herself a second swim in the form of tonight’s C-final.

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 Qualifiers:

1. Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:47.17
2. Jorge Iga (PRVT) – 1:47.45
3. Drew Kibler (NYAC) – 1:47.51
4. Kieran Smith (RAC) – 1:47.94
5. Grant House (SUN) – 1:48.22
6. Tomas Koski (UGA) – 1:48.46
7. Luca Urlando (DART) – 1:48.64
8. Eduardo Oliveira De Moraes (MTC) – 1:48.83

Sprint specialist Jack Alexy swam in heat one, going for a 50 split. He hit the wall in 21.85 before finishing his 200 in 2:15.50. Alexy swims collegiately for the California Golden Bears, and is notably skipping the Pac-12 Championships (along with a few of his teammates) to swim at this long course meet, in preparation for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials.

The first circle-seeded heat was the fastest of the morning. Gabe Jett, a Cal Bear, grabbed the lead early. He finished with a final time of 1:47.17 to secure heat victory, leading a trio of 1:47 swims. Jett’s time is a new personal best, eclipsing his previous marker of 1:47.32 from the 2023 U.S. World Championship Trials. Jorge Iga (1:47.45) and Kieran Smith (1:47.94) were 2nd and 3rd in the heat, respectively.

Grant House touched in 1:48.22 to claim victory in the penultimate heat. Eduardo Oliveira De Moraes (1:48.83) dipped under 1:49 for 2nd place in the heat, with both swimmers advancing to tonight’s championship final.

ASU trained-swimmer Drew Kibler touched in 1:47.55 to win the final heat. Tomas Koski (1:48.46) and Luca Urlando (1:48.64) finished about a second back of Kibler, booking their tickets to the A-final tonight.

Jack Dahlgren (1:49.13), Wen Zhang (1:49.13), Aaron Shackell (1:49.50), Fernando Scheffer (1:49.62), Blake Pieroni (1:49.67), Trenton Julian (1:49.68), Brooks Curry (1:49.74), and Ryan Held (1:5o.o1) all qualified to swim in the B-final, which will be a loaded field, assuming they all opt to contest it.

WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King (2017)
• American Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King (2017)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 1:05.32 – Lilly King (2021)
• US Open Record: 1:04.45 – Jessica Hardy (2009)

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. McKenzie Siroky (UN-03) – 1:07.92
2. Lilly King (ISC) – 1:08.37
3. Theodora Taylor (SW) – 1:09.77
4. Andrea Podmanikova (WOLF) – 1:10.28
5. Melissa Rodriguez (PRVT) – 1:10.36
6. Rachel Bernhardt (TEAM) – 1:10.50
7. Mary Elizabeth Cespedes (VSC) – 1:10.53
8. Elle Scott (MAC) & Jhennifer Conceicao (ECP) – 1:10.56

Tennessee commit McKenzie Siroky recorded the fastest prelim 100 breaststroke time. Stopping the clock in 1:07.92 to win heat two, she dropped 1.22 seconds off her entry time of 1:09.14. Her previous best time was 1:08.30, which she recorded just last month, so another drop with Olympic Trials only a few months away is quite promising for the 18-year-old. Siroky was particularly strong on the opening 50, turning in 31.58 before closing in 36.34.

World record holder Lilly King (1:08.37) posted the 2nd fastest time of the morning, earning herself lane five for tonight’s A-final. Swim Wales’ Theodora Taylor was the only other swimmer under the 1:10-barrier, putting her hands on the wall in 1:09.77. At only 15-years-old, Taylor matched her entry time down to the hundredth.

Several swimmers were bunched up in the 1:10 area, with Andrea Podmanikova (1:10.28) qualifying 4th for the final ahead of Melissa Rodriguez (1:10.36), Rachel Bernhardt (1:10.50) and Mary Elizabeth Cespedes (1:10.53). Elle Scott and Jhennifer Conceicao tied for 8th at 1:10.56.

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 56.88 – Adam Peaty (2019)
• American Record: 58.14 – Michael Andrew (2021)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 58.58 – Adam Peaty (2017)
• US Open Record: 58.14 – Michael Andrew (2021)

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Anton McKee (ISL) – 1:00.91
2. Will Licon (TXLA) – 1:01.48
3. Tommy Cope (UN-01) – 1:01.75
4. Cody Miller (SAND) – 1:01.93
5. Charlie Swanson (NOVA) – 1:02.06
6. Xavier Ruiz (SJC) – 1:02.28
7. Maximilian Pilger (ISC) – 1:02.29
8. Max McHugh (UofM) – 1:02.46

Will Licon‘s 1:01.48 was enough to win heat six, with Tommy Cope (1:01.75) joining him under 1:02. Cope took the race out quite strong, hitting the 50m turn in 28.58 before closing in 33.17. Licon charged home over the final 25, recording a final 50 split of 32.37. There times would hold up for 2nd and 3rd overall this morning, securing middle lanes for the championship final.

Iceland’s Anton McKee dipped under 1:01 to win the penultimate heat, clocking 1:00.91. The second seeded entrant coming into the event, Charlie Swanson, finished runner-up to McKee in 1:02.06.

Cody Miller won the final heat with his time of 1:01.93. The 32-year-old opened the first half of his swim in 28.85 before closing in 33.08. Minnesota’s Max McHugh, who won multiple NCAA titles in the 100-yard breaststroke, was 3rd in the heat to Miller. McHugh finished in 1:02.46 to qualify 8th, with Maximilian Pilger touching in 1:02.29 from lane 8 for 2nd in the heat.

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 Qualifiers:

1. Regan Smith (SUN) – 57.00
2. Torri Huske (AAC) – 57.08
3. Katerine Savard (TQ) – 58.90
4. Harriet Jones (SW) – 58.91
5. Dakota Luther (TXLA) – 59.13
6. Beata Nelson (WISC) – 59.21
7. Leah Shackley (BRY) – 59.45
8. Andreas Sansores De La Fuente (UARK) – 1:00.25

In her first race in three months, Regan Smith clocked a 57.00 in the 100 fly. She won the penultimate heat, opening in 26.99 before finishing in a blazing 30.01.

Torri Huske swam a completely different race to Smith this morning, opening in a very fast 25.95 before shutting things down over the closing meters to finish in 57.08. She clocked 31.13 over the final 50, so it’s shaping up to be a fun race tonight given their different race strategies.

Katerine Savard (58.90) and Harriet Jones (58.91) qualified 3rd and 4th for the championship final, posting sub-59 performances in the process. Dakota Luther qualified 5th for the final in 59.13. Luther won the 200 butterfly gold medal at the Pan American Games in October.

Beata Nelson (59.21) and Leah Shackley (59.45) also posted sub-1:00 swims this morning, advancing in 6th and 7th. Shackley won the World Junior title in the 50 butterfly back in September, while Nelson was the overall World Cup champion (SCM) in 2022.

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 Qualifiers:

1. Santo Condorelli (DM) – 52.23
2. Caeleb Dressel (GSC) – 52.31
3. Zach Harting (CARD) – 52.50
4. Dare Rose (CAL) – 52.89
5. Trenton Julian (MVN) – 53.28
6. Jorge Iga (PRVT) – 53.40
7. Kayky Marquart Mota (TNAQ) – 53.41
8. Sebastian Smith (PATS) & Vili Sivec (CSUB) – 53.43

Santo Condorelli was the fastest 100 butterfly swimmer in Westmont this morning, as he posted the top preliminary swim in 52.23. He opened his race strong, splitting 24.15 at the 50m turn before clocking 28.08 on the way home. He was 52.24 during the Knoxville Pro Swim prelims in January before posting a 51.79 in the final.

Caeleb Dressel swam to victory in the final heat, clocking the 2nd fastest time of the morning (52.31). He deployed a strong back half strategy, opening in 25.10 before charging home in 27.21 over the final 50 meters. Zach Harting (52.50) was 2nd to Dressel in the heat, qualifying 3rd for tonight’s A-final. Harting recently helped Team USA to gold in the 4×100 medley relay at the Doha World Championships, which took place last month.

The 2023 World Championships bronze medalist, Dare Rose, was the only other swimmer under 53 this morning. He hit the wall in 52.89 for 4th place status, earning himself lane six for tonight’s championship final. The 21-year-old swam a controlled race this morning, splitting 24.78/28.11 en route to 2nd place in heat seven.

Trenton Julian (53.28), Jorge Iga (53.40), Kayky Marquart Mota (53.41) qualified 5th through 7th, with Sebastian Smith and Vili Sivec tying for 8th in 53.43. Iga qualified for the 200 free final earlier in the session, so it appears he’ll be doubling up tonight, assuming he does not scratch one of the events.

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 Qualifiers:

1. Leah Hayes (TIDE) – 4:44.86
2. Katie Grimes (SAND) – 4:45.18
3. Bailey Andison (TQ) – 4:52.20
4. Claire Weinstein (SAND) – 4:53.05
5. Erin Dawson (UN-01) – 4:55.17
6. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 4:59.03
7. Mckenna Debever (TNAQ) – 5:01.16
8. Lauren Bernardo (MAC) – 5:01.32

Two individuals posted times under the 4:50-barrier in the women’s 400 IM, with Leah Hayes (4:44.86) leading Katie Grimes (4:45.18) by 0.32 heading into the final. Hayes won the World Junior title in the 400 IM back in September, where she recorded her current best time of 4:36.84.

Grimes claimed 2nd place in Wednesday’s 800 free final, and owns a best time of 4:31.41 in this 400 IM. She won the silver medal at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships in this IM distance, and has been sitting in the 4:37-4:38 region throughout the season so far.

Bailey Andison is the 3rd seed for tonight’s championship final, with 800 free champ Claire Weinstein (4:53.05) advancing in 4th. Hayes, Grimes, and Weinstein all qualified for the 200 free A-final too, so they’ll all have to double up again tonight.

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 Qualifiers:

1. David Johnston (TST) – 4:24.37
2. Jay Litherland (SUN) – 4:25.57
3. Noah Cakir (TS) – 4:26.10
4. Gabriel Manteufel (SAND) – 4:26.35
5. Tyler Bardak (FOX) – 4:26.90
6. Isaac Fleig (FAST) – 4:27.04
7. Kalvin Hahn (ARMY) – 4:27.62
8. Chase Kalisz (SUN) – 4:27.75

After placing 5th at last month’s World Championships, David Johnston claimed the top qualifying spot in the men’s 400 IM. Placing his hand on the wall in 4:24.37, he leads all competitors by over a full second. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jay Litherland (4:25.57) was 2nd overall this morning, with Noah Cakir (4:26.10) checking-in for 3rd.

Chase Kalisz, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, snuck into the final in 8th. He posted an effort of 4:27.75 in Westmont this morning, appearing to shut it down completely after the first 50 of backstroke. Watch for him out of lane eight tonight, as it’s likely he will drop significantly from this heats swim.