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2020 Pro Swim Series – Des Moines: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

2020 PRO SWIM SERIES – DES MOINES

The first full night of finals from the 2020 Pro Swim Series in Des Moines, Iowa is set to get underway, with the 100 free, 100 breast, 200 fly and 400 free on the docket.

In this morning’s prelims, the standout swim came from Hali Flickinger, who lowered her #1 time in the world this year in the women’s 200 fly down from 2:07.65 to 2:06.78. Flickinger will have a great shot tonight to break the eight-year-old PSS Record of 2:06.76 set by Cammile Adams in 2012.

The women’s 100 free promises to be competitive, with seven women all within seven-tenths of each other this morning. Siobhan Haughey and Simone Manuel have been 53.3 and 53.4 this season, respectively, making them the favorites.

In the men’s race, two-time defending world champion Caeleb Dressel missed the A-final in the prelims with a 49.89, so he’ll race the ‘B’ tonight, along with Nathan Adrian (49.99). Zach Apple, who is the fastest swimmer in the world this season with a 47.69, is the top qualifier in 48.93.

Molly Hannis (1:06.86) leads a stacked field that includes world record holder Lilly King in the women’s 100 breast, and Michael Andrew holds a half-second advantage in the men’s race after busting out a 59.83 this morning.

Chase Kalisz is the top seed in the men’s 200 fly (1:57.64), as is Katie Ledecky (4:05.26) in the women’s 400 free. In the men’s 400, Marwan El KamashZane Grothe and Arik Katz were all within three-tenths of each other. Katz has the hot hand after winning the 1500 on Wednesday night.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE FINAL

  • PSS Record: 53.12, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 2016
  1. Siobhan Haughey, CW, 53.30
  2. Simone Manuel, ALTO, 53.55
  3. Allison Schmitt, SUN, 53.80

In a hotly contested women’s 100 free final that saw four women break 54, Siobhan Haughey powered her way to the win in a time of 53.30, breaking her Hong Kong National Record of 53.32 set last June. Haughey lowers her season-best of 53.33 set in January to break out of a tie with Ranomi Kromowidjojo and take sole possession of fifth-place in the world rankings this season.

Simone Manuel was just a tick slower than Haughey on both 50s to take second in 53.55, a tenth off her time from the Knoxville PSS in January (53.44).

Allison Schmitt and Mallory Comerford were both out a bit slower than the two front-runners at the 50 but closed well to take third and fourth in 53.80 and 53.87 respectively. Schmitt’s time stands up as a new best, lowering her 53.87 from the 2016 Olympic Trials. For Comerford, it marks her first time sub-54 this season.

Team Elite’s Andi Murez got her hand on the wall first in a tight B-final, clocking 54.80.

MEN’S 100 FREE FINAL

  1. Zach Apple, MVN, 48.59
  2. Tate Jackson, TXLA, 48.72
  3. Dean Farris, HARV, 48.97

Zach Apple successfully defended his top seed from the prelims, winning the men’s 100 free in a time of 48.59. Apple proved superior on the second 50 of the race, closing in 25.26 to edge out Tate Jackson. Apple, 22, leads the world rankings after going 47.69 in December at the US Open.

Jackson posted his fastest time ever at a non-taper meet in 48.72, taking second, while Dean Farris (48.97), Ryan Held (48.99) and Blake Pieroni (49.00) had virtually nothing between them as took third, fourth and fifth. Farris is the only one of the three who has been faster this season (48.45 at US Open).

In the B-final, Caeleb Dressel got out quick in 23.02, but Nathan Adrian stormed home with a back-half split of 25.24 to run down the reigning world champ and win the heat in 48.62, putting him eighth in the world. Dressel clocked 48.68, just off his 48.63 from February. The two would’ve been second and third with those swims had they’d been in the A-final.

WOMEN’S 100 BREAST FINAL

  1. Lilly King, ISC, 1:05.74
  2. Molly Hannis, TNAQ, 1:06.43
  3. Annie Lazor, MVN, 1:06.54

Lilly King, who has become essentially immune to losing in this event, did what she does best by decisively winning the women’s 100 breast in a time of 1:05.74, just off her world-leading 1:05.65 from the US Open and the 1:05.57 PSS Record held by Rebecca Soni.

Molly Hannis, the fastest swimmer in the world this season in the 50 breast, was able to utilize a strong back-half to out-touch 200 specialist Annie Lazor for second in 1:06.43, elevating her to #2 in the world rankings. Lazor lowered her season-best by just under a tenth in 1:06.54, but falls to third in the world due to Hannis’ performance.

Kathleen Baker of Team Elite threw down a best time to win the consolation heat, registering a 1:07.90 to crush her 1:08.50 from the prelims.

MEN’S 100 BREAST FINAL

  • PSS Record: 58.86, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2017
  1. Michael Andrew, RPC, 59.14
  2. Kevin Cordes, ABSC, 1:00.45
  3. Nic Fink, ABSC, 1:00.52

After a quick 59.83 in the prelims, Michael Andrew had a sensational performance in tonight’s men’s 100 breast final, setting a new personal best time in 59.14. Andrew’s previous best was 59.38 set in the summer of 2018 at US Nationals, and the fastest he’d ever been at a PSS meet was 59.52 last year.

The 20-year-old opened up a big lead in the heat with a 27.48 opening 50, and then came home four-tenths better than this morning in 31.66. He moves into sixth in the world this season and is now the top American while maintaining his spot at #7 among US swimmers all-time.

It was a close race for second between Athens Bulldogs teammates Kevin CordesNic Fink and Andrew Wilson. In the end it was Cordes, using a 32.00 back half, who got his hands on the wall in 1:00.45, with Fink (1:00.52) and Wilson (1:00.64) just behind. The time for Cordes is just off of what he went at the Pan Am Games last summer and the US Open in December, which is a positive sign heading into the summer.

WOMEN’S 200 FLY FINAL

  1. Hali Flickinger, SUN, 2:06.11
  2. Regan Smith, RIPT, 2:06.39
  3. Remedy Rule, TXLA, 2:09.58

The women’s 200 fly proved to be an exhilarating race as Hali Flickinger and Regan Smith battle head-to-head all the way to the final touch. After Smith took it out aggressively, turning in 28.04 at the 50 and 1:00.54 at the 100, Flickinger moved up on the third 50 and the two turned almost dead-even at the 150.

Flickinger, who won silver at Worlds in this event last summer, managed to edge out Smith on the final 50 for a final time of 2:06.11, falling just shy of her 2:05.87 best time. It improves her #1 time in the world of 2:06.78 set this morning and breaks the PSS Record of 2:06.76 set in 2012 by Cammile Adams. Flickinger appears to be adjusting well to her new training regime at Arizona State under Bob Bowman.

For Smith, she touched in 2:06.39 to demolish her previous best of 2:07.26 and break the 17-18 National Age Group Record of 2:06.95 set by Katie McLaughlin in 2015. Smith, 18, is now second in the world this season and is the seventh-fastest American of all-time (moving up from 12th).

In third, Remedy Rule broke her Filipino National Record of 2:10.99 in 2:09.58. Rule’s previous best was 2:10.38 from 2017.

MEN’S 200 FLY FINAL

  • PSS Record: 1:53.84, Gianluca Urlando (USA), 2019
  1. Gunnar Bentz, DYNA, 1:56.20
  2. Chase Kalisz, ABSC, 1:57.82
  3. Jay Litherland, DYNA, 1:58.02

The Georgia boys sweep the podium in the men’s 200 fly, led by Gunnar Bentz who roared back on the last 50 to run down Chase Kalisz and win in a time of 1:56.20. That ranks Bentz 10th in the world this year, and is also the fastest he’s ever been outside of the Olympic Trials, Summer Nationals or US Open. His previous fastest time in-season was 1:57.70 from the 2016 PSS in Indianapolis.

Kalisz had an outstanding first 150, going out in 25-high before holding 29-highs back-to-back, but then faded home in 32.30 for a time of 1:57.82, just off his prelim swim. Jay Litherland made a charge with a 29.80 third 50, and almost ran down Kalisz but settles for third in 1:58.02.

Zach Harting had steady splits throughout for fourth in 1:58.21, and Jack Conger was up with the leaders with 50 to go before falling off and taking fifth in 1:58.57.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE FINAL

  1. Katie Ledecky, NCAP, 3:59.66
  2. Leah Smith, FORD, 4:06.81
  3. Melanie Margalis, SPA, 4:09.00

As we’ve become accustomed to, Katie Ledecky got out to an aggressive start in the women’s 400 free, holding her first three 50s sub-30 to flip in 1:27.73 at the 150. The 22-year-old held 30-points the rest of the way until dropping a 29.84 on the last length for a final time of 3:59.66, lowering her world-leading 4:00.81 by over a second.

This marks the 19th time Ledecky has broken 4:00, and her time is also faster than she was in last summer’s World Championship final (3:59.97) while battling illness.

Leah Smith was in a tight race with Allison Schmitt for second most of the way, but managed to pull ahead on the last 100 to claim the runner-up spot in 4:06.81, knocking over a second off her season-best (4:08.06) and jump into fourth in the world.

Melanie Margalis made up over two seconds on Schmitt on the last 50 to steal third in 4:09.00, with Schmitt fourth in 4:09.40. That is Margalis’ third-fastest swim ever.

MEN’S 400 FREE FINAL

  • PSS Record: 3:43.55, Sun Yang (CHN), 2016
  1. Marwan El Kamash, ISC, 3:48.62
  2. Zane Grothe, BCH, 3:50.89
  3. Nick Norman, CAL, 3:52.80

Marwan El Kamash of Indiana used some outstanding early speed to open up a lead in the men’s 400 free, flipping in 1:52.19 at the 200. El Kamash actually gained ground on Zane Grothe on the back 200 as well, coming in for a final time of 3:48.62.

El Kamash holds a best time of 3:46.36, the Egyptian National Record, set at the 2017 World Championships. The 26-year-old takes over 11th in the world rankings.

Grothe, who has been 3:48.38 this year, was just over two seconds back for second in 3:50.89, while Cal’s Nick Norman was third in 3:52.80, just off his 3:52.16 lifetime best. Norman held off a hard-charging Arik Katz (3:53.36) and Mitch D’Arrigo (3:53.68).

Andrew Seliskar, who we saw experiment with this race during the International Swimming League season in short course meters, rattled off a best time to win the B-final in 3:53.61. Seliskar negative-split the race, out in 1:58.04 and back in a blazing 1:55.57 (including 28.41/28.49 for a 56.90 last 100). His old best time was 3:57.53, set back in 2014 at the PV Senior Championships.

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dmswim
4 years ago

A nice 1:07 100 breast from Baker. It bodes well for her 200 IM.

Sqimgod
4 years ago

Kalisz should just quit the 200 fly. He’s got no chance to medal at the Olympics in it

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Sqimgod
4 years ago

Does anyone for the U.S. besides Luca?

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
4 years ago

Conger , Benz ?

dmswim
Reply to  Sqimgod
4 years ago

Just because he won’t medal in it at the Olympics, he shouldn’t swim it at a PSS meet?

Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
4 years ago

Why isn’t Chase entered in 400 IM here?

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
4 years ago

Because he knew he wouldn’t survive prelims and finals of the 200 fly before it. 32+ on that last 50. Oof.

damian
4 years ago

Hello guys, What for u means Dressel 48.6 ? How fast was he 100 free in march last year?

Troyy
Reply to  damian
4 years ago

48.71 at this meet last year.

Yozhik
4 years ago

Well, Allison is still a very good sprinter. With such raw speed she was capable of 1:53 in 200. Of course her speed endurance was superb that year allowing her to show 4:01 in her 400 Olympic race.
Having 100/400 double today she improved her season best at 400. Not much but still an improvement. Hopefully much more will come in this area with right tapering.
Let see what tomorrow brings us. 200 free is promising to be a very interesting race. A lot of ambitions and competition: Ledecky, Haughey, Schmitt, Manuel, Margalis, Leah Smith, McLaughlin, Flickinger, DeLoof, Comerford…
It can happen to be fast.

Tm71
4 years ago

King, KL, Flickinger, Smith and MA all excellent

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Tm71
4 years ago

+ Adrian -greatest 48’s swimmer in season ever / APPLe : very consistent 100 free

Nswim
4 years ago

Also going into college next year it’ll be interesting to see what Smith adds as her third event. Obviously she’ll go for the backstrokes, but depending on the schedule she could potentially pick between 200 free, 100 fly, and 200 fly. Idk her best 100 fly time, but safe to assume she’d crush it with more focus on it

thezwimmer
Reply to  Nswim
4 years ago

How is her speed? She could be a 5 relay kinda gal

Fannnn
Reply to  Nswim
4 years ago

500 fr would be a good option if she wants to avoid doubles. She would also be a swimmer who could do all 5 relays and 2 individuals

ole 99
Reply to  Nswim
4 years ago

100 Fly/Back Combo and one of 200 Back/Fly

swimgeek
Reply to  Nswim
4 years ago

If you want to avoid doubles — then you’re looking at 2IM or 500 (her best 50 is “only” 22.5) She’s been 1:56.5 and 4:37. So for now — her third event would probably be the 500

Dbswims
4 years ago

Is Arik Katz related to Austin Katz?

Reply to  Dbswims
4 years ago

Yep!

remel can do anything
Reply to  Dbswims
4 years ago

austin’s younger brother 🙂

Mark
Reply to  Dbswims
4 years ago

Younger brother. Their older sister Taylor was an All American at Florida.

Bear
Reply to  Mark
4 years ago

Alex Katz was a sibling too. Great swimmer

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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