Reilman Hits PR, Becomes #4 in US 2018 Rankings in 200 Back in Athens

2018 BULLDOG GRAND SLAM

  • July 6th-8th, 2018
  • Gabrielsen Natatorium, Athens, Georgia
  • Psych Sheet
  • Meet Site
  • Results on Meet Mobile “2018 Bulldog Grand Slam”

Rising Tennesee senior Joey Reilman became the 4th-fastest American in the 200 backstroke this season, posting a 1:58.87 to finish about two seconds ahead of 2nd place Ian Grum of Dynamo (2:00.74 PR). Reilman finished 7th in this event at the 2017 U.S. Nationals, but just 25th at NCAAs — he’s projecting as more of a LCM swimmer, which will help his chances to qualify for an international roster at the upcoming U.S. Nationals.

With his time, he sits just behind rising Florida sophomore Clark Beach (1:58.58), along with Ryan Murphy (1:55.46) and Jacob Pebley (1:55.85) among Americans this year. Notably, this is a lifetime best for him, beating his 1:59.33 done last summer at Nats. This is just his fifth time under 2:00.

Reilman’s teammate at Tennesee, Meghan Small, won the women’s race in 2:12.99. She hasn’t been under 2:13 since she went a 2:12.64 way back in 2014, when she was 16 years old. That still stands as her PR, but it’s a marked improvement from her last time racing this at a champs meet, which was a 2:15 from 2016 OTs.

Tennessee also got a win out of rising senior Kyle Decoursey, who was 50.38 to take the men’s 100 free.

The Walsh sisters Alex and Gretchen both swam to wins on the final night of this meet in Athens.

Gretchen won big in the 100 free, going 55.60 to beat SwimAtlanta’s Amanda Weir by over a second (57.09). This is Gretchen’s third time under 56, and just off of her 55.50 lifetime best from the Mel Zajac meet earlier this year. For some reason, Erika Brown, after a 55.05 in prelims, split 27.74/31.84 for a 59.58 tonight to finish last in the A final – where she swam butterfly. This was Brown’s only race tonight.

Alex Walsh, meanwhile, took control of the 200 IM for a win at 2:13.60, finishing well ahead of 2nd place Danielle Dellatorre of Athens Bulldogs (2:16.79 PR). This is Alex’s best in-season swim ever, and her third-fastest time ever — her only times being faster were a 2:13.14 at 2016 Jr Pan Pacs and a 2:12.36 at 2017 U.S. Nationals.

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Swimnerd
6 years ago

Where does Ian Grum’s swim rank in the US for 18u?

swim geek
Reply to  Swimnerd
6 years ago

second behind carson foster

swim geek
Reply to  swim geek
6 years ago

now 3rd behind ethan harder and carson foster.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Gretchen Walsh on track to break 25 and 55 this summer. US women’s freestyle will be in very good hands at junior pan pacs with her and Claire Tuggle.

Swimmer
6 years ago

Yes, Brown was swimming fly

Pvdh
6 years ago

I think Katz will beat out Pebley to take the 2nd 200 spot

PNW
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

I disagree, Pebley is on a roll

Pvdh
Reply to  PNW
6 years ago

Not as much as Katz is. Katz was 1:56.7 last summer and has made huge increases over the year. Pebley more or less seems the same.

Hswimmer
6 years ago

Alex Walsh will make the team this summer in 200 IM heard it here first.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Hswimmer
6 years ago

Which team? You mean for worlds next year? It would be cool. She has the 4 strokes to do it. Behind Margalis it looks very open. Eastin is the question. Can she finally translate her SCY success into LCM? I don’t forget Cox. And Baker? Great fight in perspective for the 2 spots.

Superfan
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Madyson Cox hasn’t swum a meet I don’t think since Atlanta GP in March. Something wrong? I am beginning to think so. Hope not!

swimcoach24
6 years ago

browns swim looks like it was probably butterfly. I wonder if she knew it was a freestyle race or intentionally did the wrong stroke lol

swimmerTX
Reply to  swimcoach24
6 years ago

Are you referencing to the splits?

Brutus
Reply to  swimcoach24
6 years ago

Stop making fun of the coonskin capped ladyvol!

JP input is too short
Reply to  swimcoach24
6 years ago

If she didn’t know it was a freestyle race, IIRC she did the same thing in a relay at NCAAs last year. That would be really bizarre to make that same mistake twice.

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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