Ally McHugh: “That 800 just really felt like myself again” (Video)

2019 US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINAL

  • World Record: Katie Ledecky (USA), 2016, 8:04.79
  • World Junior Record: Katie Ledecky (USA), 2014, 8:11.00
  • U.S. Open Record: Katie Ledecky (USA), 2016, 8:06.68
  • Olympic Trials Cut: 8:48.09

TOP 3

  1. GOLD: Ally McHugh (WA), 8:26.04
  2. SILVER: Sierra Schmidt (MICH), 8:27.13
  3. BRONZE: Ashley Twichell (TAC), 8:27.36

Worlds team member Ally McHugh was well behind the top 3 through the halfway mark, but used her back-half speed to bring home the title in 8:26.04. She pulled into the lead with 100 meters to go and sealed the deal in 8:26.04. Sierra Schmidt had a breakthrough swim to take 2nd in this race, clipping Worlds mile finalist Ashley Twichell for 2nd place in 8:27.13 to Twichell’s 8:27.36.

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Anonymous
5 years ago

This is an insult to athletes with legitimate set-backs. PSU’s distance group all swam best times this year

CSwammer
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

Really? Maybe in other events but not the distance events

Anonymous
Reply to  CSwammer
5 years ago

Well if you are just talking about the girls, then maybe you’re right. But what I’ve seen from this thread and heard from swimmers, a certain swimmer’s negative attitude was contagious and brought down the girls distance group as a whole. The guys on the other hand thrived. In the 500 free, 400 IM, and mile, the guys went 13/14 for best times. Also most improved team in the B1G the year after that certain coach left? You have to give credit where credit is due.

Anonymous
5 years ago

This thread is sad

Anonymous
5 years ago

Swim program set her back my ass, she did that on her own.

wowok
5 years ago

we are

Socaladvracer
5 years ago

Guess she wasn’t having fun in Korea then.

JeffBreast88
Reply to  Socaladvracer
5 years ago

Pretty broad assumption there. Maybe the swimmer didn’t feel right in the water until yesterday. that doesn’t have anything to do with not having fun at a meet. Weird comment tbh

Anonymous
5 years ago

It’s so disheartening to hear someone give off such negative attributions to their alma mater… PSU is a great program and deserves some respect and attribution, none of which is shown in this interview.

Anonymous
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

Is an NCAA title a setback?

Anonymous
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

Do you consider an NCAA title a set back?

PASWIM
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

What did they do that set her back? She won an NCAA title in the mile… right on best times… what’s the missing link?

TwightTwiger
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

Lol they didn’t keep her favorite coach? That’s the setback? Yikes.

I’m assuming Andrea is Andrea McHugh, her mom.

CSwammer
Reply to  TwightTwiger
5 years ago

Saying they didn’t “keep” her favorite coach is misleading. He left.

Anonymous
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

didn’t she win a national title her senior year without that coach? Not sure how that means penn state set her back.

Anonymous
5 years ago

Congrats Ally! Go Badgers!

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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