Five Big Things From Day Three of the World University Games

#1. A Chance for Multiple Top Five Times in the Men’s 200 Butterfly

Currently the top five time in the world in the men’s 200 butterfly is a 1:55.23 posted by Jan Switkowski. There will be a chance that multiple swimmers will pass that mark in tomorrow night’s final.

Russian Evgeny Koptelov was the fastest qualifier for the men’s 200 butterfly final posting a time of 1:55.56 while Masayuki Umemoto put up the second fastest time of 1:55.72. With those times Koptelov now ranks eighth in the world while Umemoto ranks ninth.

Coming into the race Koptelov’s best was a 1:56.37 while Umemoto’s was a 1:56.60.

In addition to Koptelov and Umemoto American Andrew Seliskar has a season’s best of 1:55.92.

It will be interesting to see if tomorrow night any or all of these men can break into the world’s top five.

#2 A Night of Close Finishes

Two of the men’s events came right down to the wire.

The 400 freestyle was an incredible race between Jay Lelliott of Great Britain and Australian Jack McLoughlin. Lelliott led throughout the race while McLoughlin made his move in the final meters of the race. Lelliott ultimately took the event in a time of 3:48.84 followed by McLoughlin who touched in a time of 3:48.88.

The men’s 200 IM could not get any closer as American Joshua Prenot and Australian Justin James both hit the wall in a time of 1:58.38 to tie for the win.

#3. The Effect of the Event Order

There was a lot of talk about the event order for the men on day three and for good reason. The question was with the 200 freestyle less than an hour before the 400 freestyle how would it effect those participating in both?

There were only two men, American Reed Malone and Naito Ehara of Japan, who would have to deal with that challenge. Ehara was not a factor in either race, but it was a different story altogether for Malone.

Malone took the men’s 200 freestyle posting a lifetime best of 1:47.15. He returned to the pool for the 400 freestyle posting a time 3:50.13 to secure the bronze.

Malone’s best time in the 400 freestyle is a 3:49.67 while Jay Lelliott won the event in a time of 3:48.84.

Who knows how much of an effect the event order had on the placing in the 400 freestyle, but it would have been nice to see what Malone could have done in the 400 if he would not have had to swim the 200 earlier in the session.

#4. American Women Take Top Two Spots in Freestyle Events

Americans Shannon Vreeland and Abbie Weitzeil took the gold in the silver in the women’s 100 freestyle. Vreeland posted a 54.39 followed by Weitzeil who finished in a time of 54.53.

Now that the American women have captured gold and silver in the 100 freestyle the question is how many more times will they be able to achieve this feat?

The Americans are seeded in the first and second spots in all of the remaining freestyle events.

  • 50 freestyle – Weitzeil and Maddie Locus
  • 200 freestyle – Vreeland and Leah Smith
  • 400 freestyle – Lindsay Vrooman and Smith
  • 800 freestyle – Vrooman and Kathryn Campbell

 

#5. Pelton and Bootsma Set for Sub Minute Swims?

Neither Elizabeth Pelton and Rachel Bootsma have been at their best throughout the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but will have a chance to change that in the women’s 100 backstroke final tomorrow evening. Pelton has a lifetime best of 59.27, but the fastest she has been in the last two years is 1:00.31. Bootsma’s best is a 59.10, but the fastest she has been in the last two years is a 1:00.39.

They are heading into the women’s 100 backstroke final with the second and third fastest times behind Canadian Kylie Masse.

This could be the race where both women post sub one minute times once again.

 

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Ausfan
9 years ago

Justin James*

weirdo
9 years ago

Also of note is that this is that the 1-2 in 200 free Men and 1-2 in 100 free Women are swimmers that are also on the World team. This is the first time that USA has allowed swimmers to do both if on relays. Not saying this is good or bad, just food for thought!

liquidassets
Reply to  weirdo
9 years ago

Hey Weirdo, thanks for info that it’s the first time they allowed both, I didn’t know that. It will be interesting to see how they do at Kazan. Judging how surprised and happy Vreeland was with a 54 mid, given she’s been closer to 53 mid before, I am thinking some of them may have done only a partial rest/taper? I don’t think that Weitzel tapered for her recent high school champs but between that meet and all the fuss and activities around graduation, and then Kazan coming up plus swimming at some of the USS meets, I’m guessing she’s a bit tired and maybe not fully rested too. I wonder if Youngquist/Malone did what TX did for NC2As, partial… Read more »

Fact Check
Reply to  weirdo
9 years ago

It’s not the first time they allowed both. Megan Romano and Chelsea Chenault raced at both WUGs and Worlds in 2013

bobo gigi
9 years ago

Nice article about Sarah Henry’s gold on the FISU Website.
http://www.fisu.net/en/US-Athlete-celebrates-Independence-Day-with-Golden-Medal-3133.html?mbID=6474
She says she hopes that the American media cover well this event.
At least swimswam does its job.

bobo gigi
9 years ago

No. 1.00.39 in May.
Last time Boots broke the minure was at US nationals in June 2013 in 59.90.

Klorn8d
9 years ago

Didn’t boots a break a minute a few weeks ago?

About Jeff Grace

Jeff Grace

Jeff is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher who holds diplomas in Coaching (Douglas College) and High Performance Coaching (National Coaching Institute - Calgary). He has a background of over 20 years in the coaching profession, where he has used a unique and proven teaching methodology to help many achieve their …

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