Race Video: Cierra Runge wins 800 Free at the Santa Clara Grand Prix

2014 Arena Grand Prix at Santa Clara

Women’s 800 Freestyle – FINALS

Cierra Runge dropped 9 seconds to win the women’s 800 freestyle for a new personal best time. She was right with her teammate, Lotte Friis, for a majority of the race. The last 100 she really picked up her intensity and finished strong. Runge touched the wall at 8:26.71 and Lotte Friis finished second at 8:27.26. Brittany MacLean had the third fastest time at 8:29.51. Elizabeth Beisel had a spectacular meet, dropping 18 seconds from her seed time to finish fourth. The 800 was a timed final event, and she wasn’t selected to swim in the final heat. She had the fastest time out of the morning heats and it was enough for a fourth place finish.

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longseeker
9 years ago

Well her 1:44 200F (LC to SC) isn’t too shabby, but you are right: she can relieve
Missy from the 500 next year (maybe!) So Missy should be swimming more backstroke in her final year at Cal where she is fairly decent (wink!).

KeithM
9 years ago

A couple of years ago I saw Runge mainly as a sprinter. Then last year I started to see her as more of a mid distance swimmer. I guess she’s now truly a distance competitor as well.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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