2022 Duel in the Pool: Day 2 Live Recap

2022 DUEL IN THE POOL

• Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21, 2022
• Sydney, Australia
• Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (pool swimming, Aug. 20-21)
• Bondi Beach (open water, Aug. 19)
• Start Times
  • Friday – open water: 9:00 am local / 7:00 pm ET on Thursday
  • Saturday – 7:00 pm local / 5:00 am ET
  • Sunday – 7:00 pm local / 5:00 am ET
• LCM (50m)
• Meet Central
• Full US roster
• Full Australian roster

The first pool session of the 2022 Duel in the Pool is here. If you thought the ISL puts together abnormal event schedules, this meet takes it to the next level. Today’s session will feature a random order IM, 3×50 stroke relays, broken races, a multi class/able bodied relay, para relays, and skins races alongside the “normal” swimming events.

The Australian team got off to a good start yesterday, defeating the United States in the mixed 4×800 open water relay to gain an early 8-6 advantage in the scoring race.

Swimming Australia hasn’t put out any psych sheets, so we can’t know for certain in advance who is swimming what events. That being said, you can check out our Day 2 preview here, where we break down the potential swims we’ll see in each event.

If you haven’t heard, Coleman Hodges is hosting a live watch party over on the SwimSwam YouTube channel, which you can watch here.

Team Scores Through Day 1:

1. Australia – 8
2. USA – 6

MIXED 4×100 MEDLEY RELAY

In a thrilling first race in the pool, the Australian anchor, Mollie O’Callaghan, was able to run down Mallory Comerford for the US. Justin Ress got the Americans out to a great start, splitting 52.9 on the backstroke leg. Michael Andrew had a strong showing as well, swimming the breaststroke leg up against 200 breast World Record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook. As we would expect, Australian superstar Emma McKeon evened things up on the fly leg, putting O’Callaghan within striking position on the anchor.

The Australians finished in 3:42.29, with the US right behind in 3:42.82.

Team Scores:

1. Australia – 16
2. USA – 12

WOMEN’S BROKEN 400 FREESTYLE

The 400 is split into 3 segments: a 200 with 3:00 rest, then the swimmers will dive off the blocks again for another 100 on a 2:00 interval, then they will dive in again for a final 100.

Bella Sims got off to a roaring start, speeding to a 1:58.39 on the first 200. That gave her a lead by 1.5 seconds heading into the second leg of the race. She earned a bonus point for leading the 200. Lani Pallister was also under 2:00 on the 200, swimming a 1:59.82.

Lani Pallister then put together a very strong 2nd 50 to edge out the field on the first of the 100 segments. She was all smiles hopping out of the pool. Her 57.27 led teammate Leah Neale (57.35) and Sims (57.53).

Sims looked very tired after the 2nd segment of the race, but was still able to get out to a fast start on the final 100, leading the field in the first 50. She faded on the 2nd lap, however, ultimately touching 4th in the last 100. It was Australian open water specialist Kareena Lee who got the touch on the final 100, drawing on her superior endurance to get the job done. Lee was able to put down a 57.61 in a gutsy performance on the final 100 of the race.

Sims ultimately came out victorious, helping to close the gap in team scoring.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 21
2. USA – 20

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY

Shaine Casas had a huge performance in the men’s 100 fly, roaring to a 50.86. USA Swimming elected to go for double points in this event, which each team can do once a day. Casas left no doubt, speeding to his 50.86, which comes in less than half a second off his personal best of 50.40.

Matthew Temple of Australia also had a nice swim, taking 2nd in 51.37.

Team Scores

1. USA – 31
2. Australia – 24

MIXED MULTI CLASS 4×50 FREESTYLE RELAY

In a very rare occurrence, this meet features multi class relays. 5-time Paralympic Matt Levy got Australia out to a big lead in this mixed 4×50 free relay. The US was able to close the gap a bit on the 2nd leg, and things evened up almost completely on the 3rd leg.

Diving in just ahead, Australian anchor Will Martin was able to hold off a charging Jamal Hill for the US. In a thrilling finish, Australia got the win in 1:53.62, with the US right behind in 1:54.01.

Australia ate into the American lead with that performance.

Team Scores

1. USA – 37
2. Australia – 32

WOMEN’S 3×50 BUTTERFLY – SKINS

Beata Nelson led things on the first 50, while Linnea Mack and Chelsea Gubecka were eliminated. Nelson swam a solid 26.06, advancing along with Emma McKeon, Brianna Throssell, and Gabi Albiero.

The 2nd phase saw Emma McKeon clock a 26.41 to edge out Nelson at the finish. Throssell and Albiero were considerably behind. both ending up getting eliminated. Nelson was right behind McKeon, swimming a 26.56.

In the final race, McKeon and Nelson went head-to-head. Nelson’s underwaters gave her a slight advantage at the beginning of the race. In perhaps a shocking turn of events, Nelson put up another great swim, clocking a 26.92, while McKeon faded. It turned out to be strategic on Team Australia’s part, however, as they hit their “double dip” button. Each team is allowed to hit the button in one skins race each session, and the result is a re-swim of the final 50.

In the 4th 50 of this skins event, McKeon was all over it. Nelson didn’t have the same advantage on the start and underwaters. McKeon got out to a slight early lead and was able to hold that lead over Nelson. She swam a 27.18, while Nelson finally hit the wall.

4 50s later, McKeon was able to secure crucial points for Team Australia, evening the scores.

Team Scores

1. USA – 45 (Tie)
2. Australia – 45 (Tie)

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE

Kevin Houseman was out first, leading a tight pack at the 50m mark. In a somewhat unusual showing for Michael Andrew, he was a little more conservative on the first 50, but exploded out of the turn and took over the lead on the 2nd 50. He sped to victory in 59.77, putting the US back in the lead.

Houseman faded to 4th down the stretch, swimming a 1:00.64. Australia’s Sam Williamson took 2nd in 1:00.46, with 200 breast World Record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook grabbing 3rd in 1:00.57.

Team Scores

1. USA – 59
2. Australia – 55

WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE

Australia was all over this race, putting their women’s sprint free superiority on display. Meg Harris tore to victory in a sizzling 24.44, leading teammate Madi Wilson (24.62) by just a tick. None of the Americans were under 25 seconds, but AMy Fulmer had a solid swim for 3rd, swimming a 25.01. That comes in just off her personal best of 24.86.

Team Scores

1. USA – 64
2. Australia – 60

WOMEN’S 3×50 BREASTSTROKE – SKINS

Chelsea Hodges was roaring on the first 50, speeding to a blistering 30.52 to safely advance to the next round. Kaitlyn Dobler, Jenna Stauch, and Annie Lazor each advanced to the next round as well.

Kaitlyn Dobler had a phenomenal start, speeding out well ahead of the field. Hodges does a great job of building through her race, however, and was able to overtake Dobler. Hodges swam a 30.77, marking a great performance, given she was only 0.25 seconds faster on the first 50. Dobler was 2nd in 31.30, also advancing., while Strauch and Lazor were eliminated.

Dobler again got out to a great start, but her stroke rate slowed dramatically through the race. It was again strategic, as the US would punch their “double dip” button just as Australia did on the 50 fly skins. Hodges slowed on that 50, swimming 32.40, while Dobler swam a more relaxed 34.00.

In the 4th and final 50, Dobler once again had a huge start, putting a body length lead on Hodges. Dobler wouldn’t be run down by Hodges this time. however, and she would speed to victory in 31.55. In a carbon copy of the 50 fly skins, the “double dip” resulted in a win for the team that pushed it.

Team Scores

1. USA – 85
2. Australia – 66

MEN’S BROKEN 800 FREESTYLE

The American duo David Johnston and Luke Hobson, teammates at the University of Texas, led the first 300 of this broken 800, setting the US up with an advantage through the remaining segments of the race. They were 2:50.45 and 2:50.48 respectively, with Charlie Clark, also of the US, touching 3rd in 2:51.52. At this point, Australia’s hopes lie in veteran Mack Horton.

Mack Horton was in his element on the 2nd 200 of the race, turning it up on the final 50 to touch first in 1:52.01. David Johnston hung tough, swimming a 1:52.20. Coming in just 0.19 seconds behind Horton, Johnston still holds onto his lead.

It seemed as though open water specialist Kyle Lee was out of it from the first section of the race, but he dug deep on this 3rd section, claiming victory in 1:54.04. Horton was strong again, swimming a 1:54.05, putting him essentially even with Johnston in overall time as we head into the final 100.

It was all Mack Horton on the final 100. Luke Hobson gave him a race, but Horton swam a 53.19 in a display of true toughness. It was enough for Horton to overtake the lead in overall time as well, as David Johnston faded at the end of the swim.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 74
2. USA – 69

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE

Ryan Held put together a great performance to run away with the men’s 100 free, clocking a 48.20. Australia’s Zac Incerti had a roaring 2nd 50, but wasn’t quite able to run Held down. Incerti still had a solid swim, touching in 48.68.

Grant House was 3rd in 49.15, while Matthew Temple was 4th in 49.55.

Team Scores

1. USA – 85
2. Australia – 82

MIXED MULTI CLASS 100 FREESTYLE – STAGGERED STARTS

In a staggered start, meaning swimmers of different classifications started at different times, McKenzie Coan of the US tore to victory. Coan was the first in the water, getting out to a huge early lead. The field was closing on Coan, but she was able to win by a comfortable margin nonetheless. Coan, a 4 time Paralympian, swam a 1:10.91.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 90
2. USA – 87

WOMEN’S 4×100 MEDLEY RELAY

In a powerplay, meaning the event was worth double points, Australia beat out the U.S. in the women’s 4×100 medley relay. In her debut at this meet, 100 back World Record holder Kaylee McKeown swam a 59.15 on the backstroke leg. Jenna Strauch was able to build on that lead on breaststroke, giving Brianna Throssell a commanding lead going into fly. Beata Nelson seemed to close the gap slightly for the US on the fly leg, but that small victory was short lived. Yet again, Mollie O’Callaghan anchored Australia to victory, tearing to victory on the final 50.

It was a dominant win by Australia, who touched in 3:58.57. The US was well behind, swimming a 4:01.57.

Due to the powerplay called by Team Australia, the event was worth double points, giving Australia a huge boost in team scoring.

Team Scores

1. Australia -106
2. USA – 93

MEN’S 3×50 BACKSTROKE – SKINS

The U.S. backstroke speed was on display in this field, seeing Justin Ress, Michael Andrew, and Shaine Casas each advance. Bradley Woodward was the lone Australian to advance to the next round. Justin Ress is the reigning World Champion in the 50 back, and Michael Andrew and Shaine Casas have both already won individual events tonight.

The 2nd phase of the event saw what looked like a dead heat early on. In the end, it would be Ress again at the touch, with Michael Andrew finishing 2nd. Casas and Woodward were eliminated. This leaves the US with a best case scenario, as they have both swimmers in the final.

With both Americans in the final, Ress and Andrew swam easy on the final 50. Michael Andrew won in 33.29, securing another victory for Team USA.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 112
2. USA – 108

MEN’S MYSTERY 200 IM

Shaine Casas of the US pulled an incredible double, swimming in the 2nd phase of the of the men’s 50 back skins, then turning around and walking out for the very next event: the 200 mystery IM. Casas elected to swim free, fly, breast, back, but he would finish 5th.

Chase Kalisz swam a great race, pushing into the lead on the final 50, which he swam breaststroke. Kalisz wouldn’t win, however, as Trenton Julian swam fly of all strokes on the final lap, running down Kalisz at the finish. Julian swam a 1:59.52, touching just ahead of Kalisz – 1:59.59.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 115
2. USA – 115

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE

Kaylee McKeown roared to victory in this 100 back, swimming a 58.73. While that’s not necessarily an amazing time for McKeown, it was more than enough. Mollie O’Callaghan was electric here, racing her first individual event of the night to a 2nd place finish in 59.25. It came at the perfect time for Australia, as the US had evened the score with them following the previous event. Team AUS called a flag frenzy in that race, giving them the opportunity for double points, which McKeown delivered on.

It gave Australia a scoring boost as we head into the final group of events in tonight’s schedule.

Team Scores

1. Australia – 124
2. USA – 118

MEN’S 3×50 FREESTYLE – SKINS

Following his win in the 100 free earlier, Ryan Held tore to a 22.31 to get his hand on the wall first in the initial phase. It was another great performance for Team USA in a men’s sprint, seeing David Curtiss and Grant House advance to the 2nd round as well. Australia’s Tom Nowakowski was also in the top 4, advancing to the next round.

Ryan Held exploded off the start in the 2nd round, speeding to another victory in 22.93. Grant House also advanced, setting the Americans up for another 1-2 finish in a skins race. Curtiss and Nowakowski were eliminated.

Yet again in these 2-American skins finals, Held and House cruised it, swimming about 30 seconds each. It was actually a photo finish, seeing Held touch in 29.91 to House’s 29.92. With David Curtiss in 3rd, this was a massive event for the US, putting them back into the lead.

Team Scores

1. USA – 133
2. Australia – 130

MIXED MULTI CLASS 3×50 FORM-STROKE – SKINS

Two Americans, Jamal Hill and Noah Jaffre, were eliminated in the first round of the mixed multi-class from-stroke skins. Notably, the athletes were able to race any stroke of their choice for this skins event, adding to the already high intrigue of a skins race.

In the 2nd phase, Mackenzie Coan roared to victory, beating out Matt Levy at the finish. Levy would be eliminated, while Coan, Lizzie Smith, and Will Martin advanced to the final. Ash McConnell of Australia was also eliminated.

The Americans continue to perform well in the skins races, seeing Lizzie Smith take 2nd and Mackenzie Coan 3rd. It was Australia’s Will Martin who closed fast swimming butterfly, getting himself into the finish well ahead of his American counterparts.

Team Scores

1. USA – 138
2. Australia – 137

WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE

Just as she was in the broken 400 earlier in the session, Bella Sims took this race out fast, taking the lead on the first 50 and holding it through the finish. She was 57.21 on the opening 100, then held tough on the 3rd 50. Lani Pallister made a big move on the final 50, but Sims was just able to fend her off. In the end, Sims finished in 1:57.75, with Pallister touching 2nd in 1:58.08.

It was a fantastic swim for Sims, whose personal best sits at 1:57.53, a time which she swam last summer. She was also just off her best time of 2022, which comes in at 1:57.71.

Team Scores

1. USA – 143
2. Australia – 142

MIXED 4×50 RANDOM RELAY

This was a power play event, meaning it was worth double points.

The mixed relay turned out to be a medley relay, which undoubtedly favored the Americans, given they had highly versatile sprinters Michael and Andrew and Justin Ress on their team. The World Champion in the 50 back, Ress got to US out to a massive lead, handing off to Michael Andrew, who medaled in the 50 breast at World Champs.

Andrew handed off to Gabi Albiero on fly, who battled Matthew Temple. Temple was able to close the gap on Albiero considerably, but the lead the US had at the start of the anchor was too much to be overcome. Linnea Mack was able to hold off Emma McKeon on the end, giving the US the lead.

In the end, the US touched in 1:41.28, Australia in 1:41.89.

Ress and Mollie O’Callaghan were flying on the backstroke legs. The splits are still unofficial, but Ress was a 24.4 and O’Callaghan 27.5, both incredibly speedy swims coming on the end of a packed session.

Team Scores

1. USA – 159
2. Australia – 148

The US leads Australia by 11 points heading into the final day of the competition.