The 2014 Speedo Grand Challenge is underway in Irvine, California, and features a unique event format: in the senior events, the top 4 out of prelims in each qualify for the main event of the night. At finals, those four go head to head, with the top three winning prize money. Third place earns $100, second place $200 and the winner spins a “mystery prize wheel” to determine their winnings, which can range from $300 to $1000.
Alex Coville had the fastest qualifying time of the morning in the men’s 50 freestyle, posting a time of 23.05. USC swimmers Cristian Quintero and Santos Condorelli both earned a spot in the four man final along with the sprinter for Utah, Nick Soedel.
Stanford’s Andi Murez just missed breaking the 2 minute barrier to earn the top seed in the women’s 200 freestyle. Karlee Bispo and Julia Anderson were second and third at 2:02, followed by Jasmine Tosky who claimed the fourth spot in the final at 2:03.71.
Corey Okubu ran away form the field in the men’s 400 IM this morning with his top seeded time at 4:22.95; 7 seconds ahead of Max Williamson. Alex Peterson and Ken Takahashi also qualified for the final heat of the men’s 400 IM. Maya DiRado had the fastest women’s time this morning, leading a talented final that includes Kim Williams, Haley Anderson, and Tara Halsted.
Jason Dunford leads the men’s 100 butterfly a5 54.17. The top four men were the only swimmers to break 55 seconds this morning. Joining Donford in the final will be Alex Valente, Bobby Bollier, and Sascha Subarsky. The women’s field is led by Kendyl Stewart at 59.66. She was the only qualifier under a minute. Felicia Lee was second at 1:00.42, followed by Katie Kinnear and Jasemine Tosky at 1:01’s.
The men’s 200 backstroke will the youngest final on the men’s side tonight. Thomas Smith, 17, dropped three seconds to earn the top seed at 2:03.56. Corey Okubu, 18, Jacob Toumarkin, 22, and Danny Tran, 16, are the three other finalists tonight.
Kendyl Stewart will have a tough 100 fly to 200 back double as the top seed in both events. Maya DiRado, Madiosn White, and Tara Halsted all came in under 2:08 to make the four person final along with Stewart.
The men’s 400 freestyle is the last prelim event of the day that will qualify a four man final. Tom Kremer had the fastest time at 4:01.20, followed by Cristian Quintero, John Nunez, and Ryan Kao.
