2022 Duel in the Pool: Day 3 Finals 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 final day of the 2022 Duel in the Pool will feature another jam-packed event lineup. We’ll have more of the same from yesterday’s action, including traditional events, as well as skins, broken, mystery, and more unique relays.

Team USA comes into today’s action with a 13 point lead over Australia. The U.S. performed well in the skins races yesterday, so we’ll see if they can continue to do so today. Michael Andrew and Justin Ress were critical to the Americans’ success yesterday, so we’ll be looking to them, as well as Ryan Held, to help lead the Americans to close the meet out.

For the Aussies, Emma McKeon, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Kaylee McKeown had strong showings yesterday, and they’ll continue to be the key to Australian success. So far, the U.S. has been swimming better in the men’s events while Australia has been performing well in the women’s events. The key to team victory today could be the U.S. getting things going in the women’s events, or Australia gaining more steam on the men’s side of things.

Mixed 6x50m Freestyle Relay (1M, 2F) Swimming 2×50 each

Ryan Held got the US out to a lead of 0.4 seconds on the first 50, then Meg Harris cut that lead in half for Australia going against Mallory Comerford. Shayna Jack took the lead for Australia on the 3rd leg, then it was time for the swimmers to go again.

In the 2nd time through, Ryan Held was dominant over Grayson Bell, handing off a lead of 0.80 seconds to Comerford. Harris again cut into Comerford’s lead, and Shayna Jack had a terrific relay exchange. It was all Shayna Jack on the anchor, as she broke out and tore right past Linnea Mack.

It was Jack’s first swim of the meet, and boy, did she deliver for Team Australia. With the scoring so tight coming into today, the addition of Jack may just be enough to push Australia over the edge in team scoring.

Team Scores

1. USA – 166
2. Australia – 155

Women’s 800m Broken Freestyle

If you need a refresher, the broken 800 is broken into 4 segments, with a little rest in between each segment. The swimmers dive in and race a 300, then climb out, dive in for a 200, then they swim another 200, and finish it off with a 100 sprint at the end.

It was all Australia on the initial 300, seeing the trio of Lani Pallister, Leah Neale, and Kareena Lee touching 1-2-3 respectively. Bella sims was the only American close to the Aussies, touching just behind Lee. With the touch, Pallister wins an extra point for Australia for “winning” the first segment of the race.

Things were different from the start on the 200m segment, seeing Bella Sims and Justina Kozan push the swim much harder from the beginning. Kozan led at the 100, but Pallister was able to run her down, and they battled into the finish. In the end, it was Pallister who touched out Kozan, gaining another point for winning that segment of the race. It was an incredible swim for Pallister, who was able to put up a 1:59.76 on that 200. Bella Sims had a much stronger swim, finishing 3rd.

It was all Bella Sims from the start of the 3rd segment. She got out to the early lead, and it looked like she was going to roar to victory. Pallister was once again able to find a heroic second (or 3rd?) wind, and charged into the finish to touch just behind Sims. With thar performance, Sims picked up a point for winning the segment.

The final segment was won by Sims, who put up a tough 56.72 to pick up another point for winning the segment.

Lani Pallister was the overall winner in cumulative time, with Sims coming in 2nd.

Men’s 200m Freestyle, Traditional

The American trio was 1-2-3 at the 50m turn, led by Grant House. House would lead the race at the 200 as well, actually pulling away from the field just a bit on the 2nd 50. Teammate Luke Hobson had a fantastic 3rd 50 to take over the lead, while Trenton Julian put up a huge last 50 to overtake House as well. In the end, it was Hobson winning the race in a sizzling 1:45.59, with Julian touching 2nd in 1:46.66, and House 3rd (1:47.02). Australia’s Zac Incerti touched the wall 4th, leaving Mack Horton in 5th.

Notably, that was a huge swim for Hobson, who had never been under 1:46 in the event before. Julian’s swim also marked a personal best, taking 0.03 seconds off his previous mark

Team Scores

1. USA – 179
2. Australia – 174

Mixed 4x100m MC Freestyle Relay (2M, 2F)

In the first time a para/able bodied relay has been competed, the US put on a show, winning the race by 2 seconds. It was Australia’s Emma McKeon who got the ball rolling, throwing down a tough 24.36 on the lead-off leg to give her squad a big lead. American para swimmer Jamal Hill was able to even things up on the 2nd leg, chasing down Will Martin. American Lizzi Smith had a pivotal 3rd leg for the US, pulling away from Australia’s Ellie Cole to give the US a big lead heading into the anchor. From the time he dove in, there was no doubt American anchor David Curtiss would get the job done, and he did just that. Curtiss tore home to give the US another boost in points.

Team Scores

1. USA – 187
2. Australia – 180

Women’s 3x50m Freestyle, Skins

Each team got 2 swimmers through on the first phase of this skins race. Australia pushed Madi Wilson and Shayna Jack through, while Mallory Comerford and Gabi Albiero advanced for the US. Surprisingly, Meg Harris had a poor swim, and was last into the wall by a wide margin, failing to advance to the next round. Linnea Mack for the US also failed to advance.

In the end, the Americans just couldn’t stand up to the sheer dominance Australia’s women’s sprinting is currently displaying. Gabi Albiero had a great start and breakout, but she wasn’t able to hold off Madi Wilson through the final 30m of the swim. Mallory Comerford made a strong push at the end, but again, it just wasn’t enough. Shayna Jack and Wilson were the first 2 in, advancing to an all-Australian final.

The Australian duo reaped their reward for getting both swimmers into the final, and they cruised the final 50. That was a huge boost of points for Australia, who needs them to start to close this gap in what is still a very close team battle.

It’s worth noting the impact Shayna Jack is already having on this Australian team. She’s now helped the 6×50 relay to victory, and picked up a win in the 50 free skins as well.

Team Scores

1. USA – 196
2. Australia – 192

Men’s 3x50m Breaststroke, Skins

In a great showing for the US, Michael Andrew, Kevin Houseman, and Chase Kalisz all advanced out of the first phase. Sam Williamson was the lone Aussie to make it through to the next round, leaving 200 breast World Record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook out, as well as Se-Bom Lee. Kalisz was locked in battle with Stubblety-Cook, but a strong final push got him into the wall just ahead of his Australian counterpart.

Chase Kalisz and Kevin Houseman deferred to Michael Andrew in this 50 breast, cruising the 2nd 50 and allowing Andrew and Williamson to advance to the next round without a fight. Williamson has led Andrew through the first 2 rounds.

In a shocking turn of events, both Michael Andrew and Sam Williamson dove in and swam easy on the 3rd 50. It appears both Team USA and Team Australia were planning on using the “double dip” button, which forces an extra 50 in a skins race. Australia pressed the button, forcing Andrew and Williamson into another 50, which they’ll be sprinting this time around.

Michael Andrew was dominant in the final 50, roaring to a 27.19. He broke out ahead of Williamson, and it looked like it might be a fierce battle early on, but MA started to pull away in the middle of the pool and never looked back. He gives the US a big haul of points, helped by Houseman and Kalisz finished 3rd and 4th. The US has now opened up a 15 point lead in team scoring.

Team Scores

1. USA – 215
2. Australia – 200

Women’s 100m Butterfly, Traditional

In a 4-woman field, Emma McKeon sped to victory for Australia. The Aussie coaching staff used their Flag Frenzy, which is good for double points for winning the race. McKeon threw down a tough 57.05, while the US went 2-3 with Beata Nelson and Gabi Albiero, helping to mitigate the damage done through McKeon’s victory.

Even with the double points for McKeon’s win, the Americans still hold an 11 point lead after the event.

Team Scores

1. USA – 220
2. Australia – 209

Women’s 3x50m Backstroke, Skins

Swimming in back-to-back events, American Beata Nelson had just finished the 100 fly when she dove in for the first round of the 50 back skins. She paid for the double, finishing 6th and failing to advance. Amy Fulmer was the lone American to advance to the 2nd round, while Australians Madi Wilson, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Emma McKeown all advanced.

Mollie O’Callaghan had a huge start in the 2nd round, though Kaylee Mckeown would end up getting her hand on the wall first. It was a dominant performance for Australia, as they went 1-2-3, seeing O’Callaghan and McKeown advance to the next round.

Australia was once again able to cruise it out in the final round, seeing McKeown clock a 33.62 to touch out O’Callaghan. This event went a long way in getting Australia back into the team battle, shrinking the US’ lead to just 2 points.

Team Scores

1. USA – 226
2. Australia – 224

Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, Traditional

The US was confident coming into this relay, using their Powerplay to double the points for winning. Their confidence was warranted, as the squad of Ryan Held, Shaine Casa, Luke Hobson, and Grant House is quite formidable. Zac Incerti had a fantastic opening leg for Australia, actually touching out Ryan Held, who won the 100 free yesterday.

After that, Shaine Casas put the US into the lead by a thin margin, handing off to Luke Hobson. Hobson had a great leg to give Grant House a solid lead heading into the anchor. Shaun Champion was fresh for Australia on the anchor, but he had a tall order to fill. House didn’t allow Champion to close the gap much at all and dug deep to get the Americans into the wall a second ahead of the Australians.

With double points in effect, the American lead has now expanded back out to 12 points.

Team Scores

1. USA – 242
2. Australia – 230

Men’s 100m Backstroke, Traditional

Justin Ress was all over this race from the start, leaving no doubt he would win the race. Bradley Woodward gave him a good race at the end, but Ress still got his hand on the wall first comfortably. The Americans called another Powerplay, giving them double points for the win. Ress put up a solid 53.12 to get the job done.

The double points ended up being critical, because Shaine Casas was back in the water after just finishing the 4×100 free relay and finished last in the heat. The US has now expanded their lead to 16 points as the list of remaining events is ever-shrinking.

Team Scores

1. USA – 251
2. Australia – 235

Multi Class 3x50m Freestyle, Skins

Jamal Hill and McKenzie Coan were the first two into the finish on the first round of the multi class 50 free skins. Lizzi Smith of the US, and Matt Levy and Will Martin of Australia advanced to the next round as well.

Hill and Levy were eliminated in the 2nd round, seeing Coan, Martin, and Smith advance to the final.

It was all Will Martin in the final round. He was the last swimmer in the water due to his classification, but he sped right past Smith and Coan to give the Aussies a much-needed win.

Team Scores

1. USA – 256
2. Australia – 240

Women’s 100m Freestyle, Traditional

As we’ve seen her do countless times this year, Mollie O’Callaghan was behind at the 50m turn, but exploded off the wall and put together a blistering 2nd 50 to get her into the finish first. Madi Wilson was leading from the start, and only relinquished the lead at the very end of the race when O’Callaghan touched her out. American Amy Fulmer had a great first 50, staying up with Wilson, but faded to 3rd down the stretch.

Team Scores

1. USA – 259
2. Australia – 247

Men’s 400m Broken Freestyle

The broken 400 is broken into 3 segments: a 200 followed by 2×100, with rest in between each segment.

David Johnston bit the bullet, taking the early lead on the 200 and carrying it through until the end of the swim. With the “win” in this first segment, Johnston picks up an additional point for Team USA. The field was fairly tight through the first 200, save for Australian Kyle Lee, who was a bit behind, but certainly has the endurance to battle it back through the rest of the event.

Luke Hobson, the 200 champion from earlier in the session, had a massive swim on the 2nd segment of the race. He got out to the lead right away, and sped to victory with a tough 51.24 on the first of the 100s. With that performance, Hobson certainly took over the lead in the cumulative times. He also picks up another point for Team USA by virtue of winning the segment.

In the final segment of the race, it was American Grant House who got out to the early lead, tearing to victory in 51.23. The USA displayed incredible tactics with this event, as each of their 3 swimmers won one of the 3 segments of the race. That means the US collected all 3 bonus points which were available, all while having strong performances in cumulative time.

The final results aren’t yet available, but it would appear that Australian Mack Horton likely won in cumulative time, marking a big get for Australia.

Men’s 50m Freestyle, Traditional

In another big swim for the US, David Curtiss and Ryan Held broke away from the field, tearing to a 1-2 finish. Curtiss got the win, grabbing his first individual victory of the meet, while Held was right behind. Tom Nowakowski took 3rd for Australia, but Justin Ress was 4th for the US, picking up a point too.

The event marks an 8-3 scoring advantage for the US, as the Australians are seriously beginning to run out of time if they hope to catch the US in the team battle.

Team Scores

1. USA – 273
2. Australia – 255

Women’s 100m Breaststroke, Traditional

Chelsea Hodges took the race out hard, splitting 31.13 on the first 50. Kaitlyn Dobler tried to run her down on the 2nd 50, but Hodges was able to hold on, touching in 1:06.90. That was a much-needed win for Australia, as there are only 4 events left in the meet.

Jenna Strauch was 3rd for Australia, while Annie Lazor picked up a 4th place finish for the US. With the performances, Australia outscored the US 6-4 in the event.

Team Scores

1. USA – 277
2. Australia – 264

Men’s 3x50m Butterfly, Skins

Michael Andrew and Shaine Casas looked strong on the first phase of the men’s 50 fly skins, leading the way. Trenton Julian also advanced for the US, while Shaun Champion was the lone Australian to advance.

In perhaps their best finish so far, the US went 1-2-3 in the 2nd round, securing a huge haul of points to basically seal the deal on the team standings. Andrew and Casas advanced to the final, while Julian was 3rd, but would not advance.

It was the final race of the meet for both Andrew and Casas, so they actually raced the final 50, even though the points had already been secured. Casas won the race in 24.70, with MA tight behind in 24.91.

The US has opened up a 25 point lead with 3 events remaining.

Team Scores

1. USA – 292
2. Australia – 267

Multi Class 100m Form-Stroke

Before we get into the results, we should note that this swim marked the final races for Australian Paralympians Matt Levy and Ellie Cole. Levy is a 5-time Paralympian while Cole is the most decorated Australian female Paralympian in history and a 6-time Paralympian.

It was Australian Will Martin who got the job done again, swimming past McKenzie Coan over the final 15m to roar to another victory. The US had a strong performance, seeing Coan, Lizzi Smith, and Jamal Hill take 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively.

Team Scores

1. USA – 298
2. Australia – 271

Women’s 200m Individual Medley, Mystery

Kaylee McKeown got the lucky draw in terms of getting out to a fast start, getting to swim freestyle first then butterfly. She built a massive lead at the 100m mark, turning for backstroke, her best stroke. Mac Looze of the US attempted to close on McKeown on the 3rd leg, but didn’t make up much ground. Beata Nelson got to swim freestyle on the end, closing fast on McKeown, who was swimming breaststroke. McKeown would prove to strong to go down, however, still winning by a comfortable margin.

Although McKeown won, the US did what it needed to do again, seeing Nelson come in 2nd, Justina Kozan in 3rd and Looze in 4th.

Team Scores

1. USA – 303
2. Australia – 275

2x200m vs 4x100m Freestyle Random Relay (2M 2F)

In perhaps the most bizarrely unique event of the meet, we ended with the random relay. For this event, one team will be swimming a 4×100 while the other will be swimming a 2×200. Which team swims which relay is decided right before the start of the race, so both teams send out squads of 4 swimmers. The team that ends up doing the 2×200 will get a head start over the 4×100 to even things out.

Team Australia ended up getting a 4×100, relegating the US to the 2×200. The US dropped Mallory Comerford and Ryan Held, hanging onto Trenton Julian and Bella Sims. The Americans got a 19-second head start before Zac Incerti dove in for the Australians.

Julian wasted no time getting after it, splitting 51.76 on the opening 100, while Incerti put together a really strong swim on the first 100 for Australia. Julian held on to do his job, touching in 1:47.82 to hand a lead of just shy of 10 seconds off to Bella Sims. She went for it, but the fatigue hit Sims, and she wasn’t able to hold off a charging Mollie O’Callaghan on the anchor. All things considered, the relay actually did end up being a very close contest.

With the final event in the books, the US has officially won the 2022 Duel in the Pool.

Team Scores

1. USA – 309
2. Australia – 283