The opening session of the 2015 Art Adamson Invite saw the host Texas A&M Aggies swimming well, with freshman Sydney Pickrem qualifying first in the 200 IM.
Pickrem, the Canadian national record-holder in the event, was 2:13.42 in the long course meter race – the entire meet will be conducted in long course meters, a departure from its traditional format with next year’s Olympic Games looming.
She’ll have a great race tonight, with teammate Bethany Galat and Stanford freshman Ella Eastin (a former Junior World Record holder in the IM) sitting second and third.
One of the other really notable times came from a Texas A&M alum: Sarah Henry went 4:12.51 to lead the 400 free, beating Aggie breaststroker Sycerika McMahon.
Stanford’s Janet Hu was also impressive, leading qualifying of the 50 free at 25.52.
Utah has the runaway top seed in the men’s 400 free, with Bence Kiraly going 3:54.06. His senior classmate Kristian Kron is second.
LSU holds a pair of top seeds on the men’s side after a solid morning. Junior Brandon Goldman was 2:04.20 to lead the 200 IM with teammate Logan Rysemus in tow.
The Tigers share the 50 free’s top slot with Arizona State – LSU’s Alex Linge tied Patrick Park of ASU, as both men went 23.43.
Finals continue tonight at 6pm Central.
Just the prelims are long course. Finals will be short course yards.