2022 U.S. Open Championships: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

2022 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• November 30-December 3, 2022
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Long Course Meters (50 meters)
• Start Times:
  • Prelims: 9 AM (ET)
  • Finals: 6PM (ET)
• Psych Sheets
• How to Watch
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap
• Live Results

The third day of the 2022 US Open is here in Greensboro, NC. This morning, we have heats of the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back.

After swimming personal bests in prelims and finals of the women’s 200 IM last night, Regan Smith will take center stage in both the 100 fly and 100 back this morning. Smith is the top seed in the 100 back and the #2 seed in the 100 fly, behind only Louisville’s Gabi Albiero.

Albiero won the women’s 50 free last night and has been swimming exceptionally well all fall collegiately.

Summer McIntosh, the World Junior Record holder in the women’s 400 IM, is the top seed in the 400 IM by a huge margin today. McIntosh isn’t set to race the 200 free, another event in which she is the World Junior Record holder.

Katie Ledecky leads the field in the women’s 200 free by a big margin. American teen Erin Gemmell is the next-fastest seed, coming in with the speedy 1:56.14 she swam over the summer.

After breaking his own Championship Record in the men’s 200 IM last night, Chase Kalisz is set to be back in action in the men’s 400 IM today. He’s the top seed by a very big margin, and comes in well under the Championship Record.

WOMEN’S 400 IM – HEATS

• World Record: 4:26.36 – Katinka Hosszu (2016)
• American Record: 4:31.12 – Katie Hoff (2008)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 4:37.34 – Melanie Margalis (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 4:31.07 – Katinka Hosszu (2015)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Summer McIntosh (SYS) – 4:38.72
2. Emma Weyant (UN-FL) – 4:43.13
3. Kathryn Hazle (NCA) – 4:50.55
4. Alexis Yager (TNAQ) – 4:51.84
5. Michaela Mattes (SYS) – 4:52.32
6. Nathalia Siqueira Almeida (BRA) – 4:52.45
7. Chloe Kim (SCAR) – 4:52.54
8. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 4:53.33

World Junior Record holder Summer McIntosh led the prelims of the women’s 400 IM by a wide margin this morning. Emma Weyant was firmly in second place, making her the only swimmer in the field who is likely to have a shot at challenging McIntosh tonight in finals. Weyant was strong on the breaststroke leg this morning, splitting 1:20.66.

McIntosh was very good on the front half of the race, splitting 1:00.58 on fly and 1:10.66 on backstroke. She was notably about 1.4 seconds off the Championship Record this morning.

There were a number of junior swimmers other than McIntosh who advanced to the ‘A’ final tonight, including Michaela Mattes, Chloe Kim, and Avery Klamfoth.

MEN’S 400 IM – HEATS

• World Record: 4:03.84 – Michael Phelps (2008)
• American Record: 4:03.84 – Michael Phelps (2008)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 4:11.11 – Sebastien Rousseau (2013)
• U.S. Open Record: 4:05.25 – Michael Phelps (2008)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Chase Kalisz (SUN) – 4:20.58
2. Landon Driggers (TENN) – 4:21.54
3. Baylor Nelson (TA&M) – 4:21.85
4. Brandon Almeida (BRA) – 4:23.17
5. Hector Cruz (AGS) – 4:23.59
6. Cedric Buessing (UN-IN) – 4:24.64
7. Sean Grieshop (CAL) – 4:25.03
8. Stephen Steverink (BRA) – 4:25.46

After winning the men’s 200 IM in Championship Record fashion last night, Chase Kalisz led prelims of the men’s 400 IM with a very relaxed 4:20.58. Based off his 200 IM performance last night, we can assume that Kalisz can be close to 4:10, if not under 4:10, in finals tonight. As usual, Kalisz was still very good on the breaststroke leg this morning, splitting 1:12.18.

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom (2016)
• American Record: 55.64 – Torri Huske (2022)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 56.61 – Claire Curzan (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 55.66 – Torri Huske (2021)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Regan Smith (SUN) – 58.07
2. Gabi Albiero (LOU) – 59.27
3. Beata Nelson (WA) – 59.44
4. Erika Pelaez (EA) – 1:00.02
5. Kiley Wilhelm (LIFE) – 1:00.07
6. Charlotte Hook (STAN) – 1:00.08
7. Lindsay Looney (UN-AZ) – 1:00.09
8. Tristen Ulett (LOU) – 1:00.15

Regan Smith continues to swim well in Greensboro, posting her fastest 100 fly time of 2022 this morning with a 58.07. She led the field by over a second this morning, using a strong second 50 of 30.39 to pull away from the other swimmers.

Gabi Albiero, the 50 free champion from last night, swam a 59.27 for second this morning. Beata Nelson was the only other swimmer in the field under 1:00 this morning.

16-year-old Erika Pelaez was fourth, swimming a 1:00.02. Pelaez is the only junior swimmer to qualify for the ‘A’ final tonight.

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 49.45 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• American Record: 49.45 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 51.65 – Tom Shields (2013)
• U.S. Open Record: 49.76 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Zach Harting (CARD) – 51.99
2. Luke Miller (NCS) – 52.38
3. Nicolas Albiero (CARD) – 52.51
4. Mussin Adilbek (KAZ) – 52.67
5. Josh Liendo (FLOR) – 52.80
6. Eric Friese (FLOR) – 53.01
7. Leonardo de Deus (BRA) – 53.29
8. Tyler Sesvold (TFA) – 53.30

Zach Harting clocked a 51.99 to lead the charge in prelims of the men’s 100 fly this morning. Harting established an early lead thanks to a 24.37 on the opening 50.

Louisville teammate Nicolas Albiero was third this morning with a 52.51.

Luke Miller out of NC State swam a personal best by about a quarter-of-a-second this morning, finishing second with a 52.38.

Notably, Josh Liendo will be in the field tonight as well. Liendo has the fastest personal best in this field (50.88).

WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:52.98 – Federica Pellegrini (2009)
• American Record: 1:53.61 – Allison Schmitt (2012)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 1:55.47 – Katie Ledecky (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt (2012)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Katie Ledecky (GSC) – 1:57.70
2. Erin Gemmell (NCAP) – 1:58.90
3. Leah Hayes (TIDE) – 2:00.02
4. Brooklyn Douthwright (TENN) – 2:00.61
5. Lillie Nordmann (STAN) – 2:00.81
6. Addison Sauickie (SYS) – 2:00.91
7. Cavan Gormsen (LIAC) – 2:01.52
8. Sarah Foley (DUKE) – 2:01.87

Katie Ledecky posted the top time of prelims with a 1:57.70. Ledecky showed that she was holding back, splitting 29.44 on the third 50 after clocking a 30.12 on the second 50.

Erin Gemmell had a solid morning swim of 1:58.90, which comes in less than three seconds off her personal best. Tonight, the race is likely Ledecky’s to lose, however, if someone is going to give her a race, it would be Gemmell.

Leah Hayes was third this morning in 2:00.02, swimming just off her personal best in the event.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann (2009)
• American Record: 1:42.96 – Michael Phelps (2008)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 1:45.92 – Townley Haas (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:44.10 – Michael Phelps (2008)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Jake Mitchell (FLOR) – 1:48.22
2. Guilherme Costa (BRA) – 1:48.79
3. Zane Grothe (BCH) – 1:49.12
4. Alfonso Mestre (FLOR) – 1:49.30
5. Vinicius Assuncao (SESI) – 1:49.31
6. James Koch (NSW) – 1:49.57
7. Denis Loktev (LOU) – 1:49.68
8. Wen Zhang (AFA) – 1:50.23

Jake Mitchell and Guilherme Costa were both 1:48s this morning, leading the charge into tonight’s final. Mitchell was out fast this morning, splitting 52.33 on the first 100 of the race. He fell off that pace on the back half, but the front end speed is still promising for tonight’s final.

Zane Grothe had a solid swim this morning, taking third with a 1:49.12.

WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King (2017)
• American Record: 1:04.13 – Lilly King (2017)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 1:04.45 – Jessica Hardy (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:04.45 – Jessica Hardy (2009)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Mona McSharry (IRL) – 1:08.24
2. Kaelyn Gridley (DUKE) – 1:08.69
3. Miranda Tucker (TFA) – 1:09.00
4. Ana Veira (BRA) – 1:09.20
5. Olivia Anderson (AQJT) – 1:09.44
6. Grace Rainey (MAC) – 1:09.63
7. Ashleigh Oberekar (NSW) – 1:09.87
8. Hannah Bach (UN-OH) – 1:10.05

Mona McSharry clocked a 1:08.24 this morning, which was fueled by a 32.16 on the first 50 of the race. Duke freshman Kaelyn Gridley swam a 1:08.69, finishing just behind McSharry. Gridley was just off her personal best of 1:08.46, which she swam at a Futures meet over the summer.

This is shaping up to be an exciting final, as Miranda Tucker was 1:09.00 this morning and could shake things up in tonight’s final.

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 56.88 – Adam Peaty (2019)
• American Record: 58.14 – Michael Andrew (2021)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 59.28 – Andrew Wilson (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 58.14 – Michael Andrew (2021)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Aleksas Savickas (FLOR) – 1:00.55
2. Lyubomir Epitropov (TENN) – 1:01.56
3. Reid Mikuta (AU-SE) – 1:01.80
4. Brandon Fischer (TRIV) – 1:01.88
5. Mitch Mason (LSU) – 1:01.92
6. Raphael Windmuller (FLOR) – 1:02.00
7. Michael Houlie (TENN) – 1:02.26
8. Darragh Greene (IRL) – 1:02.30

No one was under 1:00 this morning in the men’s 100 breast, but Aleksas Savickas led the field by a full second, swimming a 1:00.55. Tennessee’s Lyubomir Epitropov was next in at 1:01.56.

Reid Mikuta, who swam well over the summer, was third at 1:01.80, while 33-year-old Brandon Fischer touched fourth at 1:01.88.

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 57.45 – Kaylee McKeown (2021)
• American Record: 57.57 – Regan Smith (2019)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 58.63 – Phoebe Bacon (2019)
• U.S. Open Record: 57.76 – Regan Smith (2022)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Regan Smith (SUN) – 58.65
2. Katharine Berkoff (NCS) – 59.64
3. Josephine Fuller (TENN) – 1:00.84
4. Erika Pelaez (EA-FG) – 1:00.95
5. Leah Shackley (BRY) – 1:01.08
6. Caroline Bentz (VT) – 1:01.18
7. Emma Atkinson (VT) – 1:01.40
8. Rye Ulett (LOU) – 1:01.64

Regan Smith had a very solid prelims swim, clocking a 58.65 to touch first by a second. Smith was out quick this morning, splitting 28.54 on the first 50, then came home in 30.11.

Katharine Berkoff was the only other swimmer in the field under 1:00 this morning, swimming a 59.64. Berkoff swam a tightly-split race, going 29.40 on the first 50 then clocked a 30.24 on the second 50.

MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 51.60 – Thomas Ceccon (2022)
• American Record: 51.85 – Ryan Murphy (2016)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 52.51 – Nicholas Thoman (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 51.94, Aaron Peirsol (2009)
• Olympic Trials Cut —

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Daniel Diehl (CUY) – 53.11
2. Evangelos Makrygiannis (UN-CA) – 54.53
3. Tommy Janton (ND) – 55.17
4. Aidan Stoffle (AU-SE) – 55.48
5. Forest Webb (VT) – 55.54
6. Alexander Bauch (QU) – 55.63
7. Jack Aikins (UVA) – 55.71
8. Yurii Kosian (KEN) – 55.72

Rising American backstroke star Daniel Diehl clocked the top time in prelims by a big margin this morning, swimming a 53.11. The recently-turned 17-year-old swam a personal best this morning, also taking down the 17-18 National Age Group Record, which was held by Ryan Murphy (53.38). If Diehl dips under 53 seconds tonight, he’ll become just the 12th American ever to break 53 seconds in the event.

Evangelos Makrygiannis swam a 54.53 for second this morning, setting himself up in second by a sizable margin.