Lauren Poole on 2021 Oly Trials: “I have a way better shot of proving myself”

2021 ATLANTA CLASSIC

• May 14-16, 2021
• McAuley Aquatic Center @ Georgia Tech
• Atlanta, GA
• Hosted by SwimAtlanta
• LCM Format (50m)
• Top 40 Finals: A, B, C, D (18&U)
• Meet Site
• Meet Packet
• Psych Sheets
• Wave I & II Olympic Trials Cuts
• FINA Olympic Qualifying Standards

Reported by Nick Pecoraro.

WOMEN’S 400 IM — FINALS

• Meet Record: 4:33.55, Elizabeth Biesel (ABF), 2016
• Wave II Cut: 4:47.72
• Wave I Cut: 4:51.79

Top 3:

1. Lauren Poole (Kentucky), 4:42.32
2. Summer Smith (Bluefish), 4:42.53
3. Alexis Yager (Tennessee), 4:45.83

Kentucky’s Lauren Poole came in with a strong breaststroke to pass up backstroke specialist Summer Smith, setting up a race for the last 100 yards freestyle. Under the flags, stroke-for-stroke, it was Poole who out-touched Smith by 0.21s for the win, 4:42.32 to 4:42.53. Tennessee’s Alexis Yager (4:45.83) and Kathleen Golding (4:46.12) both swam under the Wave II cut for 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Poole and Smith now rocket up to No. 10 and No. 11 in the nation this season. At the same time, 18-year-old Smith now moves up to No. 29 in the all-time 17-18 age group rankings.