Erin Gemmell Throws Down 1:57.41 LCM 200 Free, #5 All-Time 15-16 Girls

2022 SPEEDO SPRING SECTIONALS – INDIANAPOLIS

  • March 31 – April 3, 2022
  • IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, IN
  • LCM (50m)
  • Psych Sheet
  • Live Results on MeetMobile, “Spring 2022 Speedo Sectionals”

In the first event of tonight’s finals at the Speedo Sectional meet in Indianapolis, Nation’s Capital 17-year-old Erin Gemmell rocketed to victory in the women’s 200 free with a huge new personal best of 1:57.41. The swim took 1.20 seconds off her previous best, which she swam at the 2021 US Open in December of 2021, when Gemmell was still 16.

Even having just recently turned 17, Gemmell’s swim tonight makes her the #5 performer all-time in the 17-18 girls age group. Moreover, her swim ranks her #8 in the world for 2022. Forgive me if the world rankings aren’t exactly correct – there are a lot of fast meets going on all at the same time. Regardless, here are the top 10 performers in the world in the women’s LCM 200 free in 2022:

Rank Time Swimmer Meet Date
1 1:54.66 Ariarne Titmus (AUS) NSW Open State Championships 2022 3/6/22
1 1:54.66 Katie Ledecky (USA) 2022 FL SZ South Sectionals Championships 2/11/22
3 1:56.29 Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS) NSW Open State Championships 2022 3/6/22
4 1:56.89 Kiah Melverton (AUS) NSW Open State Championships 2022 3/6/22
5 1:56.90 Madi Wilson (AUS) NSW Open State Championships 2022 3/6/22
6 1:57.12 Paige Madden (USA) 2022 TYR Pro Swim Series – San Antonio 3/31/22
7 1:57.38 Brianna Throssell (AUS) NSW Open State Championships 2022 3/6/22
8 1:57.41 Erin Gemmell (USA) 2022 Speedo Sectional – Indianapolis 4/1/22
9 1:58.00 Katja Fain (SLO) HPS HEP Grand Prix “Victoria” 3/19/2022
10 1:58.12 Isabel Gose (GER) 2022 Pokal D. Gothaer and Friends Meet 3/27/22

Now, here is the newly-updated all-time top 10 for 17-18 girls in the U.S.:

Rank Time Swimmer Meet
1 1:54.43 Katie Ledecky 2016 Pro Series – Austin
2 1:54.81 Missy Franklin 2013 World Champs
3 1:55.92 Allison Schmitt 2008 Olympic Trials
4 1:56.08 Katie Hoff 2008 Pro Swim – Missouri
5 1:57.41 Erin Gemmell 2022 Speedo Sectionals – Indianapolis
6 1:57.55 Katie McLaughlin 2015 CA TYR MVN Fran Crippen Meet of Champions
7 1:57.83 Dagny Knutson 2010 Pro Swim – Charlotte
8 1:58.09 Torri Huske 2021 TYR 18&U Spring Cup Richmond
9 1:58.10 Justina Kozan 2021 TYR 18&U Spring Cup Irvine
10 1:58.15 Jasmine Tosky

Interestingly, Gemmell is #5 in the 15-16 age group, but is only the #4 performer all-time among 17-year-olds. Ahead of her in those rankings are Katie Ledecky (1:55.16), Missy Franklin (1:55.82), and Katie Hoff (1:57.09).

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Yozhik
2 years ago

With 1:57.53 in Omaha at Trials last year Bella Sims got on Olympic Team.
For the last 3 years Erin Gemmel was in the shadow of very promising results of Claire Tuggle and finally she got ahead of her. Honestly, I didn’t expect such a jump in results from her. I hope it isn’t a 1 April joke.
I really will be glad to see her competing in Budapest this season.

Melanie
Reply to  Yozhik
2 years ago

What happened to Claire Tuggle? She hasn’t been PB’s in years

Sherry Smit
Reply to  Melanie
2 years ago

Oh for goodness sake you don’t know someone so don’t judge them.

Troyy
Reply to  Sherry Smit
2 years ago

They didn’t even judge her. 🙄

Bobo Gigi
2 years ago

Great time drop.
I presume she”s trained by her father. So no surprise to see her improve so well.
KL has had her best years under Mr Gemmell
Let’s see if Erin can become one of that 1.54/1.55 low girls that US swimming desperately needs to team up with KL for Paris 2024 if they want to beat Canada or Australia for gold there.

OldSwimmer
Reply to  Bobo Gigi
2 years ago

I’m hoping Ledecky can still recover from her years at Stanford to once again swim some best times. Agreed on the other part, Team USA needs Ledecky in good form as well as three more fast women to take on Canada and the Aussies, hopefully Erin and some of the other teens can step up.

Swimfan
Reply to  OldSwimmer
2 years ago

Let’s give ledecky some credit, she still has split 1:53 two times while train at Stanford 2018 pan paca and 2021 Olympics, and with Gemmell the Americans is looking really good, with madden having a solid Season and smith, her 1:57 was refreshing to see! With the uncertainty of Schmitt and McLaughlin the relay is going to to be interesting

KAF
Reply to  OldSwimmer
2 years ago

1.53.74 wasn’t good enough form for you?

Ledecky forever
Reply to  Bobo Gigi
2 years ago

“if they want to beat Canada or Australia for gold there.”

Underestimating the Olympics champion and WR holder, CHINA.

OldSwimmer
Reply to  Ledecky forever
2 years ago

Sorry. I’m a product of my generation of swimmers. I automatically assume the Chinese are using PEDs and therefore ignore them.