Reported by Mitch Bowmile.
WOMEN’S 400M FREESTYLE FINAL
Top seed: Katie Ledecky (4:02.62)
World record: 3:58.37 – Katie Ledecky
American record: 3:58.37 – Katie Ledecky
U.S Open record: 3:58.86 – Katie Ledecky
U.S Nationals record: 3:58.86 – Katie Ledecky
JR World record: 3:58.37 – Katie Ledecky
2012 Winning Time: 4:02.84 – Allison Schmitt
Katie Ledecky is going to be the headline of every article related to swim trials tonight. It’s going to talk about how Ledecky went out over two-seconds under world record pace at the 100, and how she held on to finish within roughly half-a-second of her own world record.
The real story, is that Katie Ledecky is beatable. And the woman who proved that Ledecky is in fact human: Leah Smith.
Smith went out fast, although Ledecky was about a body-length and a half ahead of Smith at the first 100, Smith maintained that position for the remainder of the race. Towards the end, she even chased down Ledecky towards the wall.
At the touch, Ledecky was 3:58.98, Smith was a 4:00.65. In major meets, Ledecky has never won by a shorter margin in the 400m freestyle.
Smith actually split a faster second 200 than Ledecky, putting up splits of 1:58.16 and 2:02.49 compared to Ledecky’s 1:56.28 and 2:02.70.
Smith’s performance now makes her the fourth fastest performer of all time in the 400m freestyle, and the second fastest (only behind Ledecky) in a textile suit.
- Katie Ledecky (3:58.98)
- Leah Smith (4:00.65)
- Cierra Runge (4:07.04)
- Lindsey Vrooman (4:08.99)
- Allison Schmitt (4:09.25)
- Stephanie Peacock (4:09.53)
- Hannah Moore (4:09.54)
- Hannah Cox (4:09.72)
For official results click here.
Let’s go Hoos!!
Leah was flat out amazing but i fail to see how her 4:00 maskes KL beatable? When was the last big meet that KL was over 4 minutes?
Why did Ledecky swim in heat 5 and not the last heat (thought she she was the fastest ranked)?
The 5 fastest seeded heats went earlier in the session in the A Flight, so Heat 5 had the fastest qualifier. Then later the other heats with slower entries swam in the B flight. Distance free was flighted this year so the top qualifiers wouldn’t have to wait around to swim and could get more rest.
Talk about a recruiting moment for Virginia – Awesome!!! Says a lot about the positive supporting culture being created there when the TEAM shows up to support one of their own!
Thanks for posting this non-interview. As others have said, this was both better than words and awesome. Made me smile from ear to ear to see the sheer joy and excitement from all involved.
Also, just an incredible swim by Leah and a well-deserved celebration with her friends and supporters. Go hoos.
incredible race!!!!!!!
That was better to watch than an interview! Congratulations, Leah! 🙂
That is awesome.