Alex Shackell Swims 1:56.70 200 Free To Rank #4 In U.S. 15-16 Girls’ Age Group

Yanyan Li
by Yanyan Li 4

June 28th, 2023 National, News

2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE — FINALS

  • World Record: 1:52.98, Federica Pellegrini (ITA) — 2009
  • American Record: 1:53.61, Allison Schmitt — 2012
  • U.S. Open Record: 1:54.13, Summer McIntosh (CAN) — 2023
  • Championship Record: 1:54.40, Allison Schmitt — 2012
  • World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut: 1:58.66
  • 2022 U.S. Trials Top 4 Time: 1:57.53
  • 2022 Worlds Medal Time: 1:56.25

Top 8:

  1. Claire Weinstein (SAND) — 1:55.26
  2. Katie Ledecky (GSC) — 1:55.28
  3. Bella Sims (SAND) — 1:56.08
  4. Erin Gemmell (NCAP) — 1:56.23
  5. Alex Shackell (CSC) — 1:56.70
  6. Leah Smith (TXLA) — 1:56.91
  7. Anna Peplowski (ISC) — 1:57.59
  8. Alex Walsh (NAC) — 1:58.16

On Wednesday night, Alex Shackell swam a time of 1:56.70 in the women’s 200 free final to finish fifth overall, which likely earns her a spot on the 2023 World Championships team,

In total, Shackell has dropped nearly three seconds in the 200 free in one day. She came into nationals with a best time of 1:59.49 from March, and then went on to swim a 1:57.74 in prelims. During finals, she then dropped an additional 1.14 seconds.

Shackell is now ranked fourth all-time in the U.S. 15-16 girls; age group for the 200 free.

Top U.S. 15-16 Girls’ Performers Of All-Time, Women’s 100 Meter Freestyle:

  1. Missy Franklin — 1:55.06 (2011)
  2. Claire Weinstein — 1:55.26 (2023)
  3. Katie Ledecky — 1:56.32 (2013)
  4. Alex Shackell — 1:56.70 (2023)
  5. Bella Sims — 1:57.53 (2020)
  6. Dagny Knutson — 1:57.73 (2009)

Splits-wise, Shackell saw improvement in all of her 50s. She saw her biggest drop in the third 50, where she was 0.48 seconds faster than she was in the morning.

Splits Comparison:

Alex Shackell, 2023 U.S. Nationals Finals Alex Shackell, 2023 U.S. Nationals Prelims
50m 26.86 27.21
100m 29.48 29.62
150m 29.82 30.30
200m 30.54 30.61
Total 1:56.70 1:57.71

Shackell has been seeing major improvements across the board in all of her events at nationals so far, setting personal bests in both the 200 fly (2:07.95) and 100 free (54.22) on day one.

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Jason
10 months ago

Given how she’s swimming here, she’s got a shot at the 100 fly. I think she goes 56.7 not enough to qualify but enough to show she’s legit.

Swimfan
10 months ago

Just need to work on that last 50! Very good future is very bright for the America women

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Swimfan
10 months ago

You’re worse than Rowdy.

Swimfan
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
10 months ago

But at least I didn’t mention reaction time or great dolphin kick 🤣

About Yanyan Li

Yanyan Li

Although Yanyan wasn't the greatest competitive swimmer, she learned more about the sport of swimming by being her high school swim team's manager for four years. She eventually ventured into the realm of writing and joined SwimSwam in January 2022, where she hopes to contribute to and learn more about …

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