2023 Mission Viejo Pro Swim Series – Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2023 PRO SWIM SERIES – MISSION VIEJO

• May 17-20, 2023
• Marguerite Aquatics Center, Mission Viejo, California
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets (updated)
• All The Links
• How To Watch
• Live Results (apparently defunct. Also on Meet Mobile as “2023 TYR Pro Series – Mission Viejo)
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
• Results through Friday

Saturday Morning Heat Sheets

The final prelims session of the 2023 Pro Swim Series stop at Mission Viejo gets underway at 9am Pacific time this morning. There will be ten events, including the 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, 200 IM, and 50 free, for both the men and the women.

WOMEN’S 100 Backstroke  – Prelims

• World Record: 57.45, Kaylee McKeown (2021)
• American Record: 57.57, Regan Smith (2019)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 57.90, Regan Smith (2023)
• U.S Open Record: 57.76, Regan Smith (2022)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 1:01.89

Top 8:

1. Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 1:00.09
2. Rhyan White (BAMA) – 1:00.58
3. Olivia Smoliga (SUN) – 1:01.03
4. Claire Curzan (UN) – 1:01.28
5. Teagan O’Dell (MVN) – 1:01.79
6. Katelyn Schroeder (LOSC) – 1:02.50
7. Athena Meneses Kovacs (TEAM) – 1:02.84
8. Amy Tang (UN) / Laticia-Leigh Transom – 1:03.39

In a clash of some of the top backstrokers in the country, Cal’s Isabelle Stadden came out of the morning with the top time, posting a 1:00.09. Rhyan White joined her in the sub-1:01 club, posting a 1:00.58. Stalwarts Olivia Smoliga (1:01.03) and Claire Curzan (1:01.28) rounded up the top 5.

17 year-old Teagan O’Dell continued a strong meet with a 1:01.79 to make the A-final as well. There will likely be a swim-off, as Amy Tang and Laticia-Leigh Transom tied for 8th with a 1:03.39.

Men’s 100 Backstroke  – Prelims

• World Record: 51.60, Thomas Ceccon (2022)
• American Record: 51.85, Ryan Murphy (2016)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 52.40, David Plummer (2016)
• U.S Open Record: 51.94, Aaron Piersol (2009)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 55.69

Top 8:

1. Hugo Gonzalez (CAL) – 54.36
2. Justin Ress (MVN) – 54.56
3. Ryan Murphy (CAL) – 54.74
4. Jack Dolan (SUN) – 54.92
5. Keaton Jones (NEP) – 54.93
6. Hunter Armstrong (NYAC) – 55.15
7. Yeziel Morales (PUR) – 56.65
8. Brett Pinfold (SHAC) – 56.80

It was another stacked field in the men’s 100 back, with five guys going under 55. Cal’s Hugo Gonzalez led the way with a 54.36, followed by Justin Ress (54.56), Ryan Murphy (54.74), and Jack Dolan (52.92).

Future Cal swimmer Keaton Jones set a new personal best with a 54.93, his first time under 55. Jones has had a great meet so far, upsetting Murphy last night with a win in the 200 back.

Women’s 200 Breaststroke  – Prelims

• World Record: 2:18.95, Tatjana Schoenmaker (2021)
• American Record: 2:19.59, Rebecca Soni (2012)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 2:20.77, Annie Lazor (2019)
• U.S Open Record: 2:20.38, Rebecca Soni (2009)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 2:31.69

Top 8:

1. Tess Cieplucha (TNAQ) – 2:30.03
2. Lilly King (ISC) – 2:30.06
3. Piper Enge (BC) – 2:31.40
4. Isabelle Odgers (TROJ) – 2:32.83
5. Kaitlyn Dobler (TROJ) – 2:33.46
6. Avery Collins (LAC) – 2:34.14
7. Skyler Smith (UNC) – 2:34.62
8. Ana Adame (SUN) – 2:35.91

Tennessee’s Tess Cieplucha and Indiana’s Lilly King posted nearly-identical times in the final two heats, with Cieplucha posting a 2:30.03 and King a 2:30.06. Expect King to be faster tonight, as she was roughly ten seconds off of personal best.

16 year-old Piper Enge wasn’t too far behind the leaders, going 2:31.40.

Men’s 200 Breaststroke  – Prelims

• World Record: 2:05.95, Zac Studbblety-Cook (2022)
• American Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 2:08.95, Andrew Wilson (2018)
• U.S Open Record: 2:07.17, Josh Prenot (2016)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 2:15.99

Top 8:

1. Jake Foster (RAYS) – 2:13.56
2. Brandon Fischer (TRIV) – 2:14.53
3. Andy Dobrzanski (SUN) – 2:17.63
4. Nic Fink (MAAC) – 2:17.87
5. Noah Cakir (TS) – 2:18.00
6. Ethan Dang (UN) – 2:18.03
7. Jason Louser (CAL) – 2:19.61
8. Jake Eccleston (FAST) – 2:20.23

Jake Foster posted the fastest time of the morning out of the penultimate heat, swimming a 2:13.56 to take the top seed by nearly a second. 34 year-old Brandon Fischer won the first circle-seeded heat to post the 2nd-fastest time of the session with a 2:14.53.

A pair of teenagers, 19 year-old Andy Dobrzanski (2:17.63) and 16 year-old Noah Cakir (2:18.00) posted lifetime bests to qualify 3rd and 5th, respectively. 100 breast champ Nic Fink went 2:17.87 to claim the 4th seed.

Women’s 100 Butterfly  – Prelims

• World Record: 55.48, Sarah Sjostrom (2016)
• American Record: 55.64, Torri Huske (2022)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 56.38, Sarah Sjostrom (2016)
• U.S Open Record: 55.66, Torri Huske (2021)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 1:00.19

Top 8:

1. Kelly Pash (TXLA) – 58.81
2. Torri Huske (UN) – 59.03
3. Claire Curzan (UN) – 59.24
4. Dakota Luther (TXLA) – 59.38
5. Bailey Hartman (CROW) – 59.63
6. Lizzy Cook (CAL) – 1:00.18
7. Lillie Nordmann (UN) – 1:00.24
8. Clare Watson (BC) – 1:00.32

Two pairs of teammates led the way this morning. Texas’ Kelly Pash was the only woman to go under 59, posting a 58.81. Teammate Dakota Luther went 59.38 to qualify 4th overall.

In between that pair was the duo of Torri Huske (59.03) and Claire Curzan (59.24). The Stanford pair recently announced they’d be redshirting the upcoming NCAA season to focus on next summer’s Olympics.

Current Crow Canyons swimmer and future Virginia Cavalier Bailey Hartman was the only other woman to crack the one-minute barrier this morning, going 59.63 to qualify 5th.

Men’s 100 Butterfly  – Prelims

• World Record: 49.45, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• American Record: 49.45, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 50.80, Shaine Casas (2023)
• U.S Open Record: 49.76, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 53.59

Top 8:

1. Dare Rose (CAL) – 52.24
2. Youssef Ramadan (VT) – 52.26
3. Jonny Kulow (SUN) – 52.91
4. Trenton Julian (MVN) – 53.12
5. Matthew Jensen (CAL) – 53.17
6. Jack Dahlgren (TRI) – 53.42
7. Cole Crane (TXLA) – 54.20
8. Rafael Gu (UN) – 54.28

This event was a little more NCAA-heavy than most we’ve seen this morning, as almost every swimmer to make the top 8 competed as a college athlete last season.

Cal’s Dare Rose led the pack with a 52.24, with NCAA champ Youssef Ramadan close behind at 52.26. ASU’s Jonny Kulow came up with a big lifetime best. Still just 18 after his freshman year as a Sun Devil, his time of 52.91 moves him into a tie for 27th in the USA’s 17-18 age group. His tied with with former Cal swimmer Justin Lynch on that list.

The top three were the only ones under 53 this morning, while Trenton Julian (53.12), Matthew Jensen (53.17) and Jack Dahlgren (53.42) were all under 53.5.

Women’s 200 IM  – Prelims

• World Record: 2:06.12, Katinka Hosszú (2015)
• American Record: 2:06.15, Ariana Kukors (2009)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 2:08.08, Summer McIntosh (2023)
• U.S Open Record: 2:07.84, Alex Walsh (2022)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut:

Top 8:

1. Alicia Wilson (MVN) – 2:14.35
2. Justina Kozan (TROJ) – 2:14.73
3. Torri Huske (UN) – 2:15.34
4. Teagan O’Dell (MVN) – 2:15.68
5. Kristen Romano (PUR) – 2:15.93
6. Kelly Pash (TXLA) – 2:16.41
7. Lucy Bell (UN) – 2:16.70
8. Charlotte Brown (SUN) – 2:17.30

Alicia Wilson will be in the hunt for her first win of the meet after going 2:14.35 to take the top seed heading into tonight. Justina Kozan was the only other woman under 2:15 this morning, posting a 2:14.73.

Not long after swimming the 100 fly, Huske jumped back for this event, and emerged as the #3 seed with a 2:15.34.

Charlotte Brown earned the final A-final spot with a 2:17.30, one of several Sun Devil swimmers we’ve seen hit a personal best this morning.

Men’s 200 IM  – Prelims

• World Record: 1:54.00, Ryan Lochte (2011)
• American Record: 1:54.00, Ryan Lochte (2011)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 1:55.68, Leon Marchand (2023)
• U.S Open Record: 1:54.56, Ryan Lochte (2009)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 2:03.49

Top 8:

1. Trenton Julian (MVN) – 2:02.99
2. Grant House (SUN) – 2:03.28
3. Luke Barr (UN) – 2:03.33
4. Destin Lasco (CAL) – 2:03.62
5. Rick Mihm (UN) – 2:03.73
6. Baylor Nelson (TAMU) – 2:03.84
7. Anze Fers Enzen (TAMU) – 2:04.06
8. Hugo Gonzalez (CAL) – 2:04.18

Shortly after qualifying for the A-final in the 100 fly, Trenton Julian led the 200 IM prelims with a 2:02.99, the only man under 2:03. Sun Devil’s Grant House qualified 2nd in 2:03.28, followed by Luke Barr at 2:03.33.

Women’s 50 Freestyle  – Prelims

• World Record: 23.67, Sarah Sjostrom (2017)
• American Record: 23.97, Simone Manuel (2017)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 24.17, Sarah Sjostrom
• U.S Open Record: 24.08, Pernille Blume (2019)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 25.69

Top 8:

1. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL) – 24.49
2. Katarzyna Wasick (TRA) – 24.98
3. Torri Huske (UN) – 25.26
4. Simone Manuel (SUN) / Olivia Smoliga (SUN) – 25.45
5. (tie)
6. Sarah Fournier (TQ) – 25.50
7. Caroline Larsen (FOXJ) – 25.63
8. Claire Curzan (UN) – 25.68

Abbey Weitzeil had a strong prelims swim, going 24.49 to come within a whisker of her season-best time of 24.40 from the Fort Lauderdale PSS stop. That time ties her with Kate Douglass as the fastest in the US this season. Katarzyna Wasick joined Weitzeil in the sub-25 club with a 24.98.  Torri Huske (25.26) qualified 3rd, while teammates Simone Manuel and Olivia Smoliga tied for the #4 seed with matching times of 25.45.

Men’s 50 Freestyle  – Prelims

• World Record: 20.91, Cesar Cielo (2009)
• American Record: 21.04, Caeleb Dressel (2019/2021)
• Pro Swim Series Record: 21.51, Caeleb Dressel (2020)
• U.S Open Record: 21.04, Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 22.79

Top 8:

1. Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 22.08
2. Ryan Held (NYAC) – 22.22
3. Jack Alexy (CAL) – 22.31
4. Jack Dolan (SUN) – 22.42
5. Jonny Kulow (SUN) – 22.46
6. Diggory Dillingham (BEND) – 22.48
7. Justin Ress (MVN) – 22.51
8. Quintin McCarty (PPA) – 22.57

Cal’s Bjorn Seeliger came within a tenth of a second of breaking the 22 second mark this morning, taking the top time with a 22.08, just 0.04s shy of his seed time. His teammate Jack Alexy qualified third with a 22.31, while Ryan Held went 22.22 for the #2 seed.

ASU took the next two spots, with Jack Dolan going 22.42 and Jonny Kulow putting up yet another top seed with a 22.46.