Ashley Twichell Successfully Defends National Title In Women’s 10K

2018 U.S. OPEN WATER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ashley Twichell successfully defended her 10K Open Water National title this morning in Tempe, Arizona, becoming the first American to book their ticket to the Pan Pacific Championships this summer. She won in a time of 1:52:12.105, topping Haley Anderson by over 17 seconds.

Top 5

  1. Ashley Twichell, TAC Titans, 1:52:12.105
  2. Haley Anderson, Trojan Swim Club, 1:52:29.617
  3. Erica Sullivan, Sandpipers of Nevada, 1:52:31.972
  4. Katy Campbell, Team Santa Monica, 1:52:34.390
  5. Chase Travis, Nation’s Capital, 1:52:36.667

Anderson repeated her runner-up performance from last year, coming in in a time of 1:52:29.617. She won a late sprint with 17-year-old Erica Sullivan (1:52:31.972), who won the junior 5K title last year. Anderson will join Twichell at Pan Pacs in Tokyo, where there’s only a 10k race available. Full results can be seen below:

14-year-old Mariah Denigan opened up a big lead in the race early on, with the rest of the favorites sitting back in the second pack. Twichell took over the lead halfway through lap four of six, ultimately pulling away from everyone. Denigan ultimately placed 10th overall in 1:55:55.882. Also of note, Hannah Moore of Wolfpack Elite and Becca Mann (swimming unattached) were 6th and 7th.

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djalbertson
6 years ago

An amazing performance by all, but wow- a 14-year old? That is truly incredible. She must train hard.

Yooz
6 years ago

Why is Becca Mann unattached? Shouldn’t she be apart of Trojan Swim Club?

Andy
6 years ago

We had 19 Americans competing for the 10k national title and a spot on the Pan Pacs team? Does anyone else think that is ridiculously low?

Brutus
Reply to  Andy
6 years ago

It is open water swimmin – no spectator appeal, too long and these are just swimmers who are pool wannabes. I say do away with this “participation” event.

Thezwimmer
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

Pool-wannabes? These are exceptional athletes who are able to hold a very quick pace for two straight hours of swimming under conditions many have never experienced. I’d assume you have never swam open water, because it is not just a “participation” sport.

Human Ambition
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

We have had 5,000-10,000 watching Swedish Nationals for a bunch of years now. More prize money in OW-events. Swimrun is the fastest rising sport on the planet right now. Some of the greatest talents in Europe chose OW. I believe the time will come for US as well.

Bob
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

You do realize the girl that got second happens to be a world class swimmer. I wouldn’t consider these people to be swimming pool want to bes. Not just her, but all of these swimmers are exceptional.

SinkorSwim
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

Bro really?

We all swim for spectator validation? pool wannabes? You must tap out early, see you at the Kiddie pool.

TEAM BH
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

Not to mention Hannah Moore’s 2018 NCAA performance: 1650 (3rd), 500 (7th), 400 IM (13th)….”Pool wannabes?” I don’t think so. Most are world class.

Brutus
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

Fact – It is boring to real sport enthusiasts, Fact – Some of these athletes are great, Fact – The Swedish would benefit from a real sport like WWF!!!

bigNowhere
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

have you ever swum a 10K? I have. Going under 2 hours (even in a pool) is incredibly fast.

Jordan Wilimovsky, who won the men’s title was on the Olympic team IN THE POOL for the 1500M in 2016. He’s a bit more than a wannabe.

Brutus
Reply to  bigNowhere
6 years ago

Heck no I would not waste my time or energy swimming such a boring event. Have you? If yes maybe you should try something fun and exciting as a comparison like duck hunting or going to a tractor pull.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

You are a solid troll here today – what does that bring you in the end ?

swim2fit
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

You’re kidding. Ashley T is an 8:25 800 swimmer, Jordan Wilimovsky WENT TO THE OLYMPICS in the 1500, and Haley A got 3rd in 2012 in the 800 at trials, and Erica S is an up and coming pool phenom. Maybe your definition of “great” swimmer is Katie Ledecky, who wipes the floor whenever she swims- which seems to be the case with so many spoiled swimswam keyboard warriors nowadays; however, a “great” swimmer is USUALLY defined widely by Junior National qualifying times (in most circles, ya know, outside of the whack-swim-nerd/all information at your fingertips/exposed to the absolute best-of-the-best-on-the-internet-fans). And it just so happens that the qualifying time for this event is (at least roughly) junior pool times. Not… Read more »

swim2fit
Reply to  Brutus
6 years ago

Also, to add- yes, the number 19 is low- however I would rather watch 19 women valiantly (which valiant is certainly applied to this discipline) compete rather than sit through 26 heats of a 200 fly at a local invite in which a 31 year old swimmer has come out of retirement just to relive his glory days in heat 5. Perspective, my friend

Basil
Reply to  swim2fit
6 years ago

Kudos to that 31 year old!

UHH....
Reply to  Brutus
5 years ago

pool wannabes? i’ll have my example be mariah denigan- the only female swimmer on the junior pan pac team from the USA that got more than one individual medal. she may not be the top of the world-class athletes yet, but she will be soon. all of the other ladies here are world class swimmers as well.

Blackflag82
Reply to  Andy
6 years ago

It’s similar to the numbers that enter for a marathon in running for the Olympic and world trials. A lot of times only a couple dozen +/- enter because those are the folks that have a legit chance of qualifying.

Aquatics
6 years ago

Congratulations Ladies!

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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