2022 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – WEST
- December 7-10, 2022
- Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Austin, Texas
- Short Course Yards (25 yards), Prelims/Finals
- Prelims @10:00AM ET, Finals at 6:00 PM ET (except for day 1 timed finals)
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The final day of the 2022 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – West has arrived. This morning will include the prelims of the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, and 200 fly. The timed finals of the 1650 are also today, with the slower heats being swum later this afternoon, and the fastest heat swimming with finals tonight.
Katie Grimes has a busy day today, as she will take on the 200 back, 200 fly, and 1650. She comes in as the top seed in the 1650 by over 18 seconds. Her teammate, Bella Sims, will close out her meet with the 200 fly and 200 back, which in both she enters as the top seed. Both have had fantastic meets so far, and it should be exciting to see how they close it out.
16-year-old Maximus Williamson, who has also been on fire this week, will end his meet with the 100 free and 200 back, which he is entered 2nd and 3rd in, respectively.
The 100 freestyle should be a good race on both sides. Sonny Wang from Nitro leads a deep group of 100 freestylers this morning for the boys. He is seeded first with a 43.38, but the next seven swimmers all come in with seed times under 44.00. On the girls’ side, there are four swimmers entered under 49.00, led by Hailey Tierney.
GIRLS 200 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 1:50.16, Katherine Berkoff (2018)
- Pool Record: 1:47.24, Beata Nelson (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:51.07, Missy Franklin (2010)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:48.30, Regan Smith (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:47.16, Regan Smith (2019)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Bella Sims (SAND) – 1:53.05
- Katie Grimes (SAND) – 1:53.59
- Teagan O’Dell (MVN) – 1:54.14
- Finley Anderson (TOPS) – 1:54.58
- Erica Jaffe (SMST) – 1:56.62
- Charlotte Wilson (TOPS) – 1:56.66
- Mary Macaulay (HRA) – 1:57.35
- Maggie McGuire (SCAL) – 1:57.43
The Sandpiper duo of Bella Sims and Katie Grimes lead the way out of prelims in the 200 back, clocking 1:53.05 and 1:53.59, respectively. Both added about two seconds and could easily be much faster tonight.
The Denver Hilltoppers is the only other team to get multiple swimmers in the top 8. Finley Anderson clocked a 1:54.58 to qualify in 4th, while her teammate Charlotte Wilson clocked a 1:56.66 to qualify in 6th.
15-year-old Erica Jaffe was the only swimmer to drop from her entry time in the top 8. She shaved off a few tenths to post a 1:56.62, good for 5th this morning.
BOYS 200 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS
Meet Record: 1:40.79, Jacob Pebley (2011)- Pool Record: 1:36.42, John Shebat (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:43.15, Michael Andrew (2014)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.90, Ryan Murphy (2011)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:37.35, Ryan Murphy (2014)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Keaton Jones (NEP) – 1:40.32 MEET RECORD
- Nathaniel Germonprez (ISWM) – 1:43.67
- Maximus Williamson (LAC) – 1:43.77
- Humberto Najera (EVO) – 1:44.47
- Will Jones (UOA) – 1:45.04
- Dean Jones (MAC) – 1:45.19
- Anthony Laurito (AQUA) – 1:45.61
- Chase Mueller (FST) – 1:45.64
Swim Neptune’s Keaton Jones threw down a huge swim this morning, as he posted a new meet record time of 1:40.32. He dropped over a second, and is now #7 all-time on the 17-18 rankings for the 200 back.
Nathaniel Germonprez shaved off a few tenths to take 2nd this morning with a 1:43.67. Only a tenth behind him is Maximus Williamson, who posted a 1:43.77. Williamson was off his best of 1:42.92, and should be one to watch tonight.
Dean Jones dropped over 4 seconds off his entry time to post a 1:45.61, qualifying him in 6th.
GIRLS 100 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 46.29, Abby Weitzeil (2014)
- Pool Record: 46.26, Mallory Comerford (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 47.67, Claire Curzan (2019)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 47.23, Claire Curzan (2020)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 46.09, Simone Manuel (2015)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Teagan O’Dell (MVN) – 48.56
- Claire Weinstein (SAND) – 48.93
- Rebecca Diaconescu (TRA) – 49.00
- Asia Kozan (MVN)/Bella Brito (CITI) – 49.35
- Helena Jones (LOSC) – 49.36
- Madi Mintenko (PPA) – 49.46
- Madeleine Hebert (TRA) – 49.46
Mission Viejo’s Teagan O’Dell cruised to the fastest time of the morning with a new best time of 48.56. Claire Weinstein from the Sandpipers qualified 2nd this morning with a personal best time of 48.93.
Team Rebel Aquatics’ Rebecca Diaconescu came in entered at 46th with a LCM time, but clocked a 49.00 this morning to qualify 3rd. She will also be joined by her teammate, Madeleine Hebert, in the A-final tonight. Hebert was just off her entry time, posting a 49.46 to round out the top 8.
BOYS 100 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 41.23, Ryan Hoffer (2015)
- Pool Record: 40.80, Dean Farris (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 43.51, Thomas Heilman (2021)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 42.21, Kaii Winkler (2022)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 41.23, Ryan Hoffer (2015)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Cade Duncan (DADS) – 43.17
- Ethan Harrington (PASA) – 43.34
- Jacob Wimberly (TFA) – 43.44
- Maximus Williamson (LAC) – 43.45
- Rex Maurer (ROSE) – 43.52
- Hayden Bellotti (FCST) – 43.70
- Sonny Wang (NTRO) – 43.71
- Diggory Dillingham (BEND) – 43.78
Cade Duncan had a fantastic swim this morning, dropping just under a second to post a 43.17 to take the top spot of the morning. He is followed by Ethan Harrington, who dropped about half a second to post a 43.34 and qualify in 2nd.
Jacob Wimberly from Texas Ford Aquatics also had a big drop this morning, as he clocked a 43.44 to qualify in 3rd.
Maximus Williamson will have a tough double tonight, as he returns in both the 200 back and now 100 free.
GIRLS 200 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 2:06.02, Alex Walsh (2018)
- Pool Record: 2:02.90, Lily King (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 2:10.22, Allie Szekely (2012)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 2:06.45, Alex Walsh (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 2:05.68, Ella Nelson (2020)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Lydia Jacoby (TEX) – 2:10.13
- Piper Enge (BC) – 2:11.75
- Bella Brito (CITI) – 2:12.37
- Caroline Bricker (PPA) – 2:12.46
- Avery Collins (LAC) – 2:12.91
- Grace Rabb (AQJT) – 2:13.44
- Kaitlyn Nguyen (NOVA) – 2:13.60
- Lucy Warnick (SAND) – 2:13.89
Texas freshman Lydia Jacoby cruised to a 2:10.13 this morning to take the top seed heading into tonight’s A-final. She clocked a best time of 2:07.14 just last weekend at the Minnesota Invite, and could be closer, or faster, than that tonight.
16-year-old Piper Enge was off her own best time this morning, but still qualified in 2nd with a 2:11.75.
Grace Rabb from Aquajets had a good swim this morning, as she dropped over two seconds from her entry time to qualify in 6th with a 2:13.44. Lucy Warnick from the Sandpipers also swam well this morning, as she rounds out the top 8 with a best time of 2:13.89.
BOYS 200 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 1:52.12, Josh Matheny (2019)
- Pool Record: 1:48.66, Kevin Cordes (2014)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:55.52, Reece Whitley (2014)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:52.37, Reece Whitley (2016)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.38, Josh Matheny (2020)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Joshua Corn (FST) – 1:55.94
- Jake Eccleston (LOVE) – 1:56.06
- Daniel Li (ROSE) – 1:56.12
- Logan Brown (FCST) – 1:57.43
- Andrew Zou (TXLA) – 1:57.55
- Finnley Conklin (OCSC) – 1:59.02
- Lance Johnson (EBSC) – 1:59.05
- Keller Morgan (EVO) – 1:59.23
Joshua Corn dropped well over two seconds to post the top time of the morning with a 1:55.94. Qualifying in 2nd just a few tenths behind was 16-year-old Jake Eccleston, who also recorded a personal best time this morning.
Finnley Conklin, who was entered with a LCM time, moved from 61st to 6th, clocking a 1:59.02. His previous best time in the event was 2:03.69, meaning this morning’s swim was a massive personal best and his first time under the 2:00 barrier.
GIRLS 200 BUTTERFLY – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 1:51.24, Regan Smith (2018)
- Pool Record: 1:50.28, Louise Hansson (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:55.29, Tess Howley (2019)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:51.24, Regan Smith (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.04, Ella Eastin (2016)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- Bella Sims (SAND) – 1:53.50
- Katie Grimes (SAND) – 1:54.33
- Bailey Hartman (CROW) – 1:54.82
- Katie Walker (MAC) – 1:56.94
- Ava Whitaker (AMBU) – 1:57.04
- Kelsey Zhang (PASA) – 1:58.09
- Macky Hodges (SAND) – 1:58.10
- Kayla Han (RMDA) – 1:58.63
Bella Sims shaved off 0.41 from her best time this morning, clocking a 1:53.50 for the fastest swim of the morning. Her time is #11 on the all-time 17-18 rankings for the event.
Sims will be joined by teammates Katie Grimes and Macky Hodges in this evening’s A-final. Grimes was off her entry time, but Hodges clocked a personal best by almost three seconds to qualify in 7th with a 1:58.10.
Katie Walker also had a strong swim this morning, as she clocked a personal best time of 1:56.94 to qualify in 4th.
BOYS 200 BUTTERFLY – PRELIMS
- Meet Record: 1:40.91, Luca Urlando (2018)
- Pool Record: 1:38.57, Andreas Vazaios (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:42.77, Thomas Heilman (2021)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.91, Luca Urlando (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.38, 1:40.39, Aiden Hayes (2022)
TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:
- David Schmitt (EVO) – 1:43.56
- Arthur Balva (PASA) – 1:44.55
- Jacob Wimberly (TFA) – 1:45.11
- Colin Geer (GWSC) – 1:45.48
- Cooper Lucas (LAC) – 1:45.64
- Diego Nosack (THSC) – 1:46.03
- Max Cahill (ROSE) – 1:46.06
- Carter Ruthven (LOVE) – 1:46.52
David Schmitt swam a best time of 1:43.56 to take the top seed heading into tonight’s final. Taking 2nd about a second behind him is Palo Alto Stanford’s Arthur Balva. Balva dropped just under a second to record a 1:44.55.
Jacob Wimberly clocked his second best time of the day, dropping almost three seconds for a 1:45.11 to qualify in 3rd.
Colin Geer also had a significant drop this morning, as he posted a 1:45.48 to qualify in 4th.
I’m excited for the future of the women’s 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay:
Sims
Weinstein
Grimes
I can foresee Katie Grimes pushing Hali Flickinger and Alex Walsh out of the top six slots next year.
Love reading about Maximus Williamson and Bella Sims and their amazing accomplishments. Well deserved. Maximus and his teammate Cooper Lucas have been covered significantly during this meet. No question Maximus is a once in a generation talent. Would love to read about some of the surprises for this meet. Who has surprised you on the girls and boys side?
Hartman is having a phenomenal week of swimming, if it were for the SAND women, she’d be grabbing most of the headlines.
For fun, I ran through what would’ve happened if the Sandpipers had these times at 2022 NCAAs, assuming that Sims swims the 500 free/200 free/200 back, Grimes swims the 500 free/400 IM/1650 free, and Weinstein swims the 500 free/200 free/1650 free.
Overall with their times, they would have 132 points through the end of day 3, which would narrowly put them at 6th place, just ahead of California’s 130 points. The rest of the order remains unchanged, with Virginia at first with 372.5, Stanford with 261, Texas with 248, NCSU with 191, and Alabama with 170.
As a bonus, if McIntosh were swimming for the Sandpipers (500 free/200 free/200 fly), they would narrowly jump up to 5th place with a total of 170 points, with Alabama now at 169 points after losing another point in the 500 free. Notably, with McIntosh’s split on the 800 free relay replacing Hodges, they would have actually beat out Stanford by a couple hundredths of a second.
No Relays? Did you take on the consideration
other Sandpiper Girls that would score! Hodges, Warnick current team and Sandpiper Alumni Sullivan, Kuwata and more. Still beating everyone individually with no recruiting talent. Building a team without being able to pick who they get to work with. I think your numbers are a rough draft and quick assumption.
Bella Brito surprise me in the freestyle where she qualify 4th and then she was qualified 3rd in the breaststroke. The first swimmer in a long time for Long Beach, yeah at the Jr Nationals