2015 Tennesse Invitational
The Tennessee Invitational got underway this morning in Knoxville, TN. The meet will run Friday through Sunday, with prelims being swum long course metres and finals short course yards.
Todays events are the 400 free, 200 IM and 50 free, along with women’s 1-meter and men’s 3-meter diving events.
The women’s 400 free got things going this morning, with Madeline Tegner of Tennessee establishing the top time in 4:15.53. She was followed closely by teammate Mary Griffith who posted a 4:16.40, and Jessica Hespeler of Virginia Tech qualified 3rd in 4:18.18. Also qualifying for the final was 27 year-old Kate Ziegler, representing Tennessee Aquatics, posting a 4:21.13 which was good for 5th overall.
Evan Pinion of Tennessee led the way for the men this morning, establishing an impressive top time in the 400 free of 3:53.65. There were only two other men who went under 4:00, Michael Szuba of Virginia Tech in 3:56.44, and Sam McHugh of Tennessee in 3:56.78. Qualifying for the B-final was 200 backstroke aces Sean Lehane (Tennessee) and Carter Griffin (Mizzou). This event will be swum as 500 free SCY tonight.
Lauren Driscoll of Tennessee posted the top time in the women’s 200 IM in 2:16.42. The A-final will consist of 4 Tennessee women and 4 Mizzou women.
In the men’s event, Mizzou’s Fabian Schwingenschlogl posted the top time in a solid 2:03.56. His teammate Daniel Graviss posted the 2nd fastest time in 2:05.22. Virginia Tech managed to place 4 swimmers in the A-final, led by Lucas Bureau who qualified 3rd (2:06.04).
Top seeded Faith Johnson of Tennessee posted the top time in the women’s 50 free at 25.78, followed closely by teammate Harper Bruens in 25.85. Anna Patterson of Mizzou was the only other swimmer to crack 26 seconds (25.90).
Mizzou’s Michael Chadwick blew away the field in his first swim of the meet, posting the top time in the men’s 50 freestyle by almost a full second. Chadwick came in at 22.32, which is one of the fastest 50 freestyles we have seen around the world since the World Championships and US Nationals in August. Following in 2nd was Tennessee’s Kyle Decoursey (23.15), and Chadwick’s teammate Matthew Margritier qualified 3rd in 23.24. Chadwick is probably a better long course swimmer than short course, but still it should be his race to lose tonight after such a blistering morning swim.
The finals are set for 6 PM Eastern tonight.