2022 FINA World Cup – Indianapolis: Day 1 Prelims Live Recap

2022 FINA WORLD CUP – INDIANAPOLIS

• Thursday, November 3 – Saturday, November 5, 2022
• Indiana University Natatorium, Indianapolis, IN
• SCM (25 meters)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results (Omega)
• Live Stream

DAY ONE PRELIMS HEAT SHEET

The Indianapolis stop of the FINA World Cup kicks off this morning, marking the final stop of the 2022 World Cup.

Today features the 400 free, where Katie Ledecky will get another shot at the World Cup Record, which was set by Summer McIntosh last week in a thrilling race. Ledecky also has a shot at the World Record, which was set by China’s Li Bingjie last week as well. McIntosh is swimming in Indy, but she’s competing in the 200 fly instead of the 400 free today.

Danas Rapsys, Luc Kroon, and Matt Sates are again some of the top seeds in the men’s 400 free. Kieran Smith, who joined at the last stop, will also be in the mix in the 400 free.

Kylie Masse and Ingrid Wilm will once again be at the top of the women’s 50 back. Kira Toussaint and Louise Hansson are in the mix again as well. Notably, American sprinter Abbey Weitzeil is in the first heat of the 50 back. We don’t see Weitzeil race backstroke a ton, but she could certainly make it into the final.

Shaine Casas will be in the men’s 200 back, but this time he’ll be joined by the likes of Brendan Burns, who is currently one of the top yards 200 backstrokers in the NCAA. American 17-year-old Daniel Diehl will also be in the mix and could make some noise.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE – HEATS

• World Record: 3:51.30, Li Bingjie (CHN) – 2022
• World Junior Record: 3:53.97, Wang Jianjiahe (CHN) – 2018
• World Cup Record: 3:52.80, Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 2022

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Katie Ledecky (CLB) – 3:57.86
2. Bella Sims (CLB) – 4:00.20
3. Erin Gemmell (USA) – 4:01.35
4. Claire Weinstein (CLB) – 4:02.26
5. Hali Flickinger (USA) – 4:06.18
6. Jillian Cox (USA) – 4:06.18
7. Katie Grimes (CLB) – 4:06.23
8. Alexa Reyna (CLB) – 4:06.93

To no one’s surprise, Katie Ledecky led the field this morning, swimming a 3:57.86. which comes in just off her prelims time from last week. Ledecky looked like she was in control as she pulled away from her heat, leveling her pace out and cruising through the finish. The real test for the distance superstar will be tonight, where she’ll have another shot at the records that eluded her last week in Toronto.

The Sandpipers of Nevada were out in full force this morning, with three of their teenage swimmers making it through to the final.

Bella Sims jumped out to the lead in heat three, speeding out to a 1:56.90 on the opening 200. Sims shut it down a bit after that, coming back to the field, and ultimately finishing first in 4:00.20. 15-year-old Claire Weinstein was close behind Sims, swimming a 4:02.26 for second overall. Katie Grimes didn’t show much speed on the front end, but she held her pace very well, taking seventh overall with a 4:06.18.

17-year-old Erin Gemmell clocked a 4:01.35 for third overall, setting up what should be a great race for second tonight. Hali Flickinger will be in that race, as she’s been a contender in each of the previous stops as well. Flickinger was fifth this morning with a 4:02.41.

MEN’S 400 FREE – HEATS

• World Record: 3:32.25, Yannick Agnel (FRA) – 2012
• World Junior Record: 3:37.92, Matt Sates (RSA) – 2021
• World Cup Record: 3:32.77, Paul Biedermann (GER) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Kieran Smith (CLB) – 3:41.69
2. Jake Magahey (CLB) – 3:42.60
3. Danas Rapsys (LTU) – 3:43.23
4. Drew Kibler (CLB) – 3:43.68
5. Matt Sates (RSA) – 3:44.17
6. Luc Kroon (NED) – 3:44.77
7. Duncan Scott (GBR) – 3:45.10
8. Murilo Setin Sartori (BRA) – 3:45.12

Kieran Smith led the field this morning with a solid 3:41.69. Smith got right into his pace and held it all the way through the finish, allowing him to pull away from his heat.

Jake Magahey clocked a 3:42.60 for second, even splitting the race with a 1:51.10 on the first 200 and 1:51.50 on the second 200.

In his first stop of this World Cup, Drew Kibler, who is now home training with Greater Indianapolis-based Carmel Swim Club, was fourth overall this morning with a 3:43.68.

Great Britain’s Duncan Scott was in the mix this time around, advancing to the final tonight with a 3:45.10. He’ll be on the outside tonight, but Scott could very well be a threat in the final.

WOMEN’S 50 BACK – HEATS

• World Record: 25.27, Maggie MacNeil (CAN) – 2021
• World Junior Record: 26.13, Olivia Smoliga (USA) – 2012
• World Cup Record: 25.81, Kira Toussaint (NED) – 2021

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 26.32
2. Kylie Masse (CAN) – 26.43
3. Kira Toussaint (NED) – 26.48
4. Abbey Weitzeil (CLB) – 26.61
5. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 26.69
6. Linnea Mack (CLB) – 26.92
7. Beata Nelson (CLB) – 26.97
8. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) – 27.00

This time it was Sweden’s Louise Hansson who led the way in prelims, swimming a 26.32. As they’ve been throughout each of the stops, Kylie Masse and Ingrid Wilm are two of the top contenders tonight as well. Kira Toussaint was third this morning, swimming a 26.48.

Abbey Weitzeil made the most of her swim in the first heat, clocking a 26.61 to take fourth overall. Though we don’t see her race backstroke very often, Weitzeil is an accomplished sprint with great underwaters, so it will be interesting to see what she can do in the final.

MEN’S 200 BACK – HEATS

• World Record: 1:45.63, Mitch Larkin (AUS) – 2015
• World Junior Record: 1:48.02, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2017
• World Cup Record: 1:46.11, Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Kacper Stokowski (POL) – 1:51.71
2. Brendan Burns (CLB) – 1:52.90
3. Yeziel Morales (PUR) – 1:52.90
4. Shaine Casas (USA) – 1:53.04
5. Javier Acevedo (CAN) – 1:53.61
6. Daniel Diehl (USA) – 1:53.71
7. Ryan Murphy (CLB) – 1:53.83
8. Hubert Kos (HUN) – 1:54.19

Kacper Stokowski had a great swim this morning, getting out to a fast start and holding on to post a 1:51.71 for the fastest time in the field by over a second.

In his first stop of this World Cup, Brendan Burns swam a 1:52.90 to tie for second with Yeziel Morales. Shaine Casas, who won at the Toronto stop last week, was fourth this morning with a 1:53.04. Casas has shown his ability to drop a ton from prelims to finals at this meet already.

Ryan Murphy advanced to the final tonight, swimming a 1:53.83 for seventh. He’ll be in an outside lane, but Murphy could well challenge those in the middle for the win tonight.

WOMEN’S 200 FLY – HEATS

• World Record: 1:59.61, Mireia Belmonte (ESP) – 2014
• World Junior Record: 2:02.96, Suzuka Hasegawa (JPN) – 2017
• World Cup Record: 2:00.78, Liu Zige (CHN) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 2:06.84
2. Alex Shackell (CLB) – 2:07.06
3. Katie Grimes (CLB) – 2:07.30
4. Hali Flickinger (USA) – 2:07.50
5. Brittany Castelluzzo (AUS) – 2:08.69
6. Giovanna Diamante (BRA) – 2:08.73
7. Kiley Wilhelm (CLB) – 2:09.93
8. Karen Durango (COL) – 2:10.99

A trio of teens are challenging Hali Flickinger at this stop, led by Summer McIntosh. The young Canadian star swam a 2:06.84 this morning, posting the top time in the field. Alex Shackell, who turns 16 in ten days, swam a 2:07.06 for second, putting together a great middle 100 with a 31.96 on the second 50 and 32.60 on the third.

Katie Grimes posted a 2:07.30 for third overall, swimming a very consistent race. Grimes split 32.32, 32.90, and 32.97 on each of the last three 50s respectively.

Hali Flickinger, the champion in this event last week, swam a 2:07.50, putting herself right in the thick of it for tonight. Notably, both Flickinger and Grimes are in the 400 free final tonight as well.

MEN’S 100 FLY – HEATS

• World Record: 47.78, Caeleb Dressel (USA) – 2020
• World Junior Record: 49.53, Li Zhuhao (CHN) – 2017
• World Cup Record: 48.48, Evgenii Korotyshkin (RUS) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Takeshi Kawamoto (JPN) – 49.87
2. Chad le Clos (RSA) – 49.91
3. Luca Urlando (CLB) – 50.10
4. Marius Kusch (GER) – 50.37
5. Matthew Temple (AUS) – 50.40
6. Ilya Kharun (CLB) – 50.52
7. Coleman Stewart (CLB) – 50.53
8. Clement Secchi (FRA) – 50.91

Japan’s Takeshi Kawamoto got the job done this morning, swimming a speedy 23.12 on the first 50, then coming home in 26.75 for a 49.87. Chad le Clos, who has been great at this World Cup, was the only other swimmer in the field to break 50 seconds this morning, swimming a 49.91.

Luca Urlando is right up there with that top bunch, having clocked a 50.10 this morning for third overall.

Notably, Sandpipers 17-year-old Ilya Kharun made it into the final, swimming a 50.52 for sixth place overall.

Trenton Julian wasn’t so lucky, finishing in 50.98, which puts him in a tie for tenth, right out of the final.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST – HEATS

• World Record: 2:14.57, Rebecca Soni (USA) – 2009
• World Junior Record: 2:16.88, Evgeniia Chikunova (RUS) – 2021
• World Cup Record: 2:15.42, Leisel Jones (AUS) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Sydney Pickrem (CAN) – 2:21.33
2. Lilly King (CLB) – 2:21.68
3. Andrea Podmanikova (SVK) – 2:22.22
4. Kelsey Wog (CAN) – 2:23.17
5. Annie Lazor (CLB) – 2:23.58
6. Tessa Cieplucha (CAN) – 2:24.25
7. Bailey Andison (CAN) – 2:25.10
8. Molly Sweeney (CLB) – 2:25.77

Sydney Pickrem led the field this morning, swimming a 2:21.33. She finished just ahead of Lilly King, who posted a 2:21.68. King was out faster than Pickrem, splitting a 1:07.13 on the first 100, but Pickrem was faster on the back half.

Andrea Podmanikova was less than a second off Pickrem’s time, swimming a 2:22.22 for third. Podmanikova was faster than both Pickrem and King through the first 150 meters, but she faded on the final 50.

MEN’S 100 BREAST – HEATS

• World Record: 55.28, Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) – 2021
• World Junior Record: 56.66, Simone Cerasuolo (ITA) – 2021
• World Cup Record: 55.61, Cameron van der Burgh (RSA) – 2009

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Nic Fink (USA) – 57.54
2. Cody Miller (CLB) – 57.75
3. Reece Whitley (CLB) – 57.94
4. Yoshiki Yamanaka (JPN) – 58.02
5. Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) – 58.27
6. Charlie Swanson (CLB) – 58.38
7. Andrius Sidlauskas (LTU) – 58.39
8. Brandon Fischer (CLB) – 58.51

In what was perhaps the fastest men’s 100 breast prelims of the three World Cup stops this year, we had three swimmers under 58 seconds this morning. Nic Fink was once again at the top of the heap, swimming a 57.54, thanks in large part to a great second 50 split of 30.20.

Cody Miller finished second in 57.75, marking his first official race since the US International Team Trials in late April. His 57.75 was a very strong performance, as Miller’s fastest SCM 100 breast last season was a 57.39, which he swam during the ISL season.

Reece Whitley was right there again as well, swimming a 57.94 for third overall.

32-year-old Brandon Fischer made it into tonight’s final, swimming a 58.55 for eighth place. Fischer had the third-fastest opening 50 split in the field this morning, but his second 50 was the slowest of anyone who made the final.

WOMEN’S 50 FREE – HEATS

• World Record: 22.93, Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) – 2017
• World Junior Record: 23.69, Anastasiya Shkurdai (BLR) – 2020
• World Cup Record: 22.93, Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) – 2017

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Katarzyna Wasick (POL) – 23.57
2. Abbey Weitzeil (CLB) – 23.75
3. Madi Wilson (AUS) – 23.85
4. Siobhan Haughey (HGK) – 23.99
5. Beryl Gastaldello (FRA) – 24.08
6. Gabi Albiero (CLB) – 24.31
7. Natalie Hinds (CLB) – 24.47
8. Linnea Mack (CLB) – 24.56

30-year-old Katarzyna Wasick just seems to keep getting better. After swimming faster in prelims of the 50 free in Toronto than she did in Berlin, Wasick took her time down yet again this morning, swimming a sizzling 23.57. We’ll see if Wasick has it in her to pull off the hat trick in the 50 free at this World Cup.

Wasick has her work cut out for her this time, however, as this was easily the fastest prelims of the 50 free out of the three WC stops. Abbey Weitzeil was just off Wasick’s time, swimming a 23.75, while Madi Wilson was right behind her in 23.85. Siobhan Haughey, who we’ve been watching in the 400 free in Toronto and Berlin, is in the mix now, and she swam a 23.99 this morning.

Beryl Gastaldello also makes this field interesting, as she’s a highly accomplished swimmer, and her 24.08 this morning puts her right in there with Wilson and Haughey.

MEN’S 50 FREE – HEATS

• World Record: 20.16, Caeleb Dressel (USA) – 2020
• World Junior Record: 20.98, Kenzo Simons (NED) – 2019
• World Cup Record: 20.48, Vladimir Morozov (RUS) – 2018

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Dylan Carter (TTO) – 21.03
2. Justin Ress (CLB) – 21.35
3. Kyle Chalmers (AUS) – 21.41
4. Ali Khalafalla (EGY) – 21.50
5. Ian Ho (HGK) – 21.62
6. Hunter Armstrong (CLB) – 21.63
7. Pedro Spajari (BRA) – 21.69
8. Victor Alcara (BRA) – 21.77

Dylan Carter continues to swim well, leading the field once again with a 21.03 this morning. There was a sizable gap between him and Justin Ress, who clocked a 21.35 for second.

Kyle Chalmers and Ali Khalafalla were both 21.5 or faster as well.

WOMEN’S 100 IM – HEATS

• World Record: 56.51, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2017
• World Junior Record: 57.59, Anastasiya Shkurdai (BLR) – 2020
• World Cup Record: 56.51, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2017

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR) – 58.79
2. Beata Nelson (CLB) – 58.80
3. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 58.84
4. Izzy Ivey (CLB) – 59.05
5. Leah Hayes (USA) – 59.36
6. Beryl Gastaldello (FRA) – 59.38
7. Sydney Pickrem (CAN) – 59.51
8. Ruta Meilutyte (LTU) – 59.67

Anastasia Gorbenko swam a 58.79 to lead a very tight field in the 100 IM this morning. Beata Nelson was just 0.01 seconds behind Gorbenko, while Louise Hansson was 0.05 seconds behind the leader.

Leah Hayes made her debur for this World Cup, swimming a 59.36 to finish fifth overall.

Ruta Meilutyte made the 100 IM final once again, swimming a 59.67 for eighth. Bella Sims was ninth this morning with a 59.71, narrowly missing the final.

MEN’S 100 IM – HEATS

• World Record: 49.28, Caeleb Dressel (USA) – 2020
• World Junior Record: 50.63, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2018
• World Cup Record: 50.26, Vladimir Morozov (RUS) – 2018

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Michael Andrew (CLB) – 52.02
2. Finlay Knox (CAN) – 52.06
3. Javier Acevedo (CAN) – 52.45
4. Shaine Casas (USA) – 52.56
5. Ryan Murphy (CLB) – 52.67
6. Carles Coll Marti (ESP) – 52.69
7. Brett Pinfold (CLB) – 52.90
8. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 52.91

Michael Andrew led a very tight field in the 100 IM this morning, swimming a 52.02. All eight qualifiers for tonight’s final swam 52-point this morning.

The Canadian duo of Finlay Knox and Javier Acevedo were the next two swimmers in.

Luca Urlando notably started the race, but after taking one stroke on the breast leg, he stopped. It’s still unclear exactly what happened to Urlando, but he was seen grabbing his arm after getting out of the pool. We’ll update when we receive more details.