Charlotte Grand Prix; Day three prelims

The men’s 50 freestyle final will see five Olympians battle it out for the top spot Anthony Ervin, Cullen Jones, Marcelo Chierighini, Ricky Berens and Tyler McGill will all be vying for the championship tonight.

Ervin qualified first in a time of 22.43 followed by Cullen Jones who posted a time of 22.61. Marcelo Chierighini who has posted the fastest time of the top eight so far this year, recording a 21.88 at Maria Lenk qualified third recording a time of 22.69.

In the women’s 50 freestyle Madison Kennedy qualified first posting a time of 25.56. Megan Romano, who had a disappointing 200 freestyle yesterday, failing to reach the final, qualified second in a time of 25.67.

Madison Kennedy, 50 free, prelim, 2011 US National Championships (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

Two women who stood on top of the podium last night qualified third and fourth. Jessica Hardy, who won both the 50 and 100 breaststroke, qualified third in a time of 25.69 while Dana Vollmer, who won the 100 butterfly, qualified in fourth in a time of 26.01.

Olympian Amanda Weir qualified in seventh in a time of 26.08.

Qualifying first in the women’s 200 butterfly was Megan Kingsley who posted a time of 2:13.15 she was followed by Meredith Hoover who recorded a time of 2:13.76.

Courtney Weaver, who broke the 100 yard butterfly YMCA national record earlier this year, qualified third in a time of 2:14.63.

Last night Bolles School Joseph Schooling broke the Singapore national record winning the men’s 100 butterfly in a time of 52.23, he returned to the pool this morning, qualifyng first for men’s 200 butterfly final recording a time of 1:59.65.

Tom Luchsinger qualified second in a time of 2:005.7 followed by Dan Madwed who posted a 2:00.97.

Last night’s 400 IM champion Chase Kalisz qualified in seventh recording a time of 2:02.88.

Qualifying first in the women’s 100 backstroke was Isabella Arcila who touched in a time of 1:02.55. Megan Romano qualified for her second event of the evening tying Kathleen Baker with both women having the second fastest qualifying time of 1:02.60.

David Plummer qualified first in the men’s 100 backstroke posting a time of 55.20. He was followed by Andrew teDuits who touched in a time of 55.43 and Ryan Murphy who qualified third in a time of 55.49.

Ryan Lochte qualified fifth in a time of 56.06.

Chloe Sutton qualified for the top spot in the women’s 400 freestyle in a time of 4:13.00. She was followed by Leah Smith who posted a 4:13.25 and Gillian Ryan who recorded a 4:14.87.

The Olympic silver medalist in the event, Allison Schmitt finished 19th posting a time of 4:19.75.

Connor Jaeger, top qualifier in the men’s 400 freestyle

Qualifying first in the men’s 400 freestyle was Connor Jaeger posting a time of 3:54.09. On the first night of competition Jaeger won men’s 800 freestyle in a time of 7:53.35, swimming the final 400 meters in a time of 3:55.11.

Finnish Olympian Matias Koski qualified second in a time of 3:54.46 followed by Matt McLean who qualified third in a time of 3:55.65.

University of Texas senior and NCAA champion in the 200 breaststroke Laura Sogar qualified in the top position for tonight’s 200 breaststroke final posting a time of 2:28.85.

Sogar’s time is the second fastest time done by an American this year behind Breeja Larsen who posted a 2:28.03 in April.

She was followed by Annie Zhu who recorded a 2:31.21 and Ashley Wanland who qualified third in a time of 2:32.80.

One of the stars of last night’s final, North Baltimore’s Chase Kalisz, qualified for his second event for this evening’s finals posting the top time in the men’s 200 breaststroke swimming a 2:15.21.

He was followed by two international swimmers, Jorge Murillo of Columbia and Frenchman Thomas Dahlia. Murillo qualified second in a time of 2:16.31 while Dahlia qualified third in a time of 2:16.40.

Dana Vollmer, top qualifier in the women’s 50 butterfly

Dana Vollmer qualified first in the women’s 50 butterfly posting a time of 26.41. She was followed by Louisville freshman Kelsi Worrell who recorded a time of 26.95 and Carolina Colarado who finished in a time of 27.17.

Olympian Claire Donahue qualified fourth in a time of 27.34.

Three of the same Olympians that will be vying for the 50 freestyle championship, Marcelo Chierighini, Tyler McGill and Cullen Jones, will also go head to head in the 50 butterfly final. Chierighini qualified in top spot in a time of 24.33, followed by McGill who posted a 24.40.

Eugene Godsoe qualified third in a time of 24.42 while Jones qualified fourth recording a time of 24.43.