Summer McIntosh Opts for 400 Free Over 200 IM on Day 2 of U.S. Open

by Laura Rosado 9

November 30th, 2023 News

2023 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Summer McIntosh, the top seed and world junior record holder in the women’s 200 IM, has scratched the event on the second day of the U.S. Open. This means we won’t get the anticipated showdown between McIntosh, reigning world champion Kate Douglass, and silver medalist Alex Walsh. McIntosh is still entered in the 400 free, where she and Katie Ledecky lead the field with the only sub-4:00 entry times.

Ahmed Hafnaoui is the other top seed to scratch an event, this time in the men’s 400 freestyle. Hafnaoui already pulled out of the 800 free on day one, an event where he is the reigning world champion, and is now out of his second event. There’s still the 1500 free on the last day, though it seems more and more likely that he’ll be out for the entire meet.

Other scratches in the top eight include Lucas Henveaux (4th), Jake Magahey (7th), and Ross Dant (8th).

We already reported on Leon Marchand’s absence from this meet, who is getting back into training after an illness that also limited his competition at last weekend’s NC State Invitational. That moves up Shaine Casas to the top seed of prelims. Arsenio Bustos is the next swimmer out, who was seeded 10th.

The 50 free is the event with the least amount of scratches, with only two in the top 20 between the women’s and men’s event. Jordan Crooks is the highest seeded swimmer to scratch, who was 3rd with a 21.73. Bjorn Seeliger (16th) is also out, though he’s competing at the Minnesota Invite for Cal. On the women’s side, Catie Deloof (7th) is the highest seeded scratch.

Day 2 Scratches (Top 20)

Women’s 400 Free 

Men’s 400 Free

Women’s 200 IM

Men’s 200 IM

Women’s 50 Free

Men’s 50 Free

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I miss the ISL
11 months ago

There should be some sort of punishment for swimmers that sign up (and take spots from swimmers that were trying to meet the athlete cap) and then scratch at the last minute. I understand that some of them get sick last minute or something but if they fully know they are scratching and wait until the last minute that should result in some sort of repercussions. What that would be, I don’t know. But it’s frustrating.

Swimmerj
11 months ago

Sorry Yanyan🥲

Noah
11 months ago

5/9 scratches in 4 fr??

Chris D
11 months ago

i would have liked to see how SM pushes KD in that race if it even is competitive between them rn.

jac
Reply to  Chris D
11 months ago

if it would be competitive? The swimmer with the better time scratched.

Rocky Mountain High Dive
11 months ago

For a meet that famously filled up in 30 minutes, there are a ridiculous amount of top 20 scratches.

Pieter H
11 months ago

Summer – Kate – Alex – Kaylee 200 IM battle will have to wait for Paris

VA Steve
Reply to  Pieter H
11 months ago

hopefully, not a certainty at all they all will swim it given the schedule.

snailSpace
11 months ago

*Cries*