Robert Finke Wanted a Win After Multiple 2nd Places, Wrist Injury (Video)

2019 US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINAL

  • World Record: Sun Yang (China), 2012, 14:31.02
  • World Junior Record: Mack Horton (Australia), 2014, 14:51.55
  • U.S. Open Record: Peter Vanderkaay (USA), 2008, 14:45.54
  • Olympic Trials Cut: 15:44.89

TOP 3

  1. GOLD: Robert Finke (SPA), 14:51.15
  2. SILVER: Zane Grothe (BCH), 14:56.10
  3. BRONZE: Michael Brinegar (MVN), 15:00.82

Robert Finke, a 2017 Worlds team member for the USA, earned his first national title in this event tonight. Finke, who withdrew from the World University Games due to a wrist injury earlier this summer, touched 5 seconds ahead of the field in 14:51.15. Zane Grothe was the only other man under 15:00 tonight.

After competing in this race at Worlds last week, Grothe was 25 seconds faster in this event tonight. Grothe touched in 14:56.10 for 2nd place, using his back-half speed to distance himself from Michael Brinegar (MVN), who took 3rd in 15:00.82. Brinegar’s time was a lifetime best by 7 seconds. The top 3 men are all in the current American top 6 for 2019, as is Arik Katz (15:05.93).

Katz reached the wall in 15:05.93. That’s a drop of almost 20 seconds and good for 4th place. Jake Mitchell (CSC) was the fastest man out of the early heats. Mitchell dropped almost 25 seconds with a 15:11.52 and wound up placing 5th overall.

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About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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