2024 SOUTHERN ZONE SOUTH SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Thursday, February 8 – Sunday, February 11, 2024
- Orlando, Florida
- Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Stream
- Full results under “Southern Zone South Sectional Championships” on MeetMobile
- Day 1 Recap
The second day of the 2024 Southern Zone South Sectional in Orlando was an eventful one. Early in this morning’s prelims session, Canadian superstar and Sarasota Sharks 17-year-old Summer McIntosh was disqualified in prelims of the women’s 100 back. While that’s obviously a disappointing result for McIntosh, however, all was not lost, as she still had a shot at the 100 back in leading off the Sarasota 400 medley relay tonight. She did so in 59.64, setting up her team with a big lead, one which they would hold through the remainder of the race. Behind McIntosh, Madyson Hartway split 1:10.51 on the breast leg, Taylor Schwenk was 1:03.78 on fly, and Brianna Deierlein anchored in 57.79. The Sarasota Sharks won the race in 4:11.66.
Though she was disqualified in the 100 back, McIntosh would go on to swim the women’s 50 free individually today. She ended up coming in 2nd, however, swimming a 25.54 in finals tonight. It was Laker Swimming 14-year-old Rylee Erisman, who was absolutely on fire today, who won the race with a 25.25. The swim marked a new personal best for Erisman, who had a previous top mark of 25.40.
Prior to her win in the 50 free, Erisman won the women’s 200 IM as well. Perhaps most impressively, all she had between her 200 IM and 50 free tonight was the men’s 200 IM. In the IM, Erisman ripped a big new best time of 2:15.29, taking m0re than 2 seconds off her PB of 2:17.59, which she swam at the US Open a few months ago. Moreover, Erisman picked up the Olympic Trials cut (2:16.09) with her performance.
After taking 2nd in the 800 free last night, Katie Ledecky was back on top tonight, swimming a 4:02.39 to win the women’s 400 free. It was a dominant win for Ledecky, who touched 1st by 13 seconds. She swam the race very consistently, splitting 2:00.03 on the opening 200, then coming home in 2:02.36.
It was Florida pro Bobby Finke that won the men’s 400 free tonight, swimming a 3:50.62. Rylee Erisman‘s older brother, Ryan Erisman, popped a new personal best of 3:52.83 to take 2nd in the 400. Erisman held a top time of 3:54.08, which he swam at US Nationals last summer. He already had the Olympic Trials cut, but going 3:52 here in February is a very encouraging swim.
Kieran Smith, another Florida pro, took the men’s 200 IM in 2:00.27. Smith was 25.76 on fly, 30.20 on back, 35.52 on breast, and 28.79 on free.
OTHER EVENT WINNERS
- Women’s 100 back: Aspen Gersper (Sarasota Sharks) – 1:01.98
- Men’s 100 back: Carter Lancaster (Bolles School Sharks) – 56.93
- Men’s 50 free: Erik Risolvato (Greater Orlando Aquatics Team) – 23.49
- Men’s 400 medley relay: Bolles School Sharks (Kyser, Chiam, Destang, Kravchenko) – 3:49.01
I see that Ledecky is not swimming her two events on Day 3 at Orlando sectionals, I hope she is okay. Any news?
It looks like the entire Florida pro group scratched finals
Why did Summer get DQed? Did she go too far underwater? Too far away on her turn?
She went past the 15m mark underwater at the start of the race.
Nice swim by katie but i hope she just does the 800/1500 in Paris cant see her being ahead of Titmus and Mc
No chance.
400 free is on the first day. She has nothing until day 4 (1500 prelims). Swimming 2×400 in a day is nothing for Ledecky.
Also, Ledecky can still win bronze.
She CAN win more than bronze. Underestimate at your peril.
Of course she can.
But for Ledecky to win bronze it means she has to beat either Titmus or Summer and I don’t like the odd of that happening.
So who’s the other person that’s going to beat Ledecky? Lol
I believe these are 50 free and 100 back PBs for Summer.
I haven’t seen such range for a female swimmer since Tracy Caulkins.
Laure Manaudou ?
Manaudou went from 100bk to 1500free. Not really anything in other strokes. I wouldn’t consider her in this league of versatility.
Although apparently she won a 2IM in 2006 Euros in 2:12.69.
How many Golds will Rylee Erisman win in Paris? Afterall, multiple Gold medalist Ledecky is beaten by multiple World champion McIntosh who is beaten by multiple Southern Zone South Sectional winner Rylee Erisman. Transitive property…or something like that.
Erik Risolvato…that’s a name I haven’t heard in a while
https://youtu.be/Q3LE15AyT5g?si=eZSplYRGLS1d-GDF
A real blast from the past . . . maybe a catch up article?
By comparison, Ledecky was 4:03.46 at the US Open, so despite losing the 800, she’s been better now in two events (200/400) than she was at the Open.
Has Bobby Finke finally started to figure out the 400 free? That 3:50 is his third fastest time ever (only bettered by 2019 and 2022 Nationals times), and considering how far he was off his best 800, we could see something really nice from him by the end of the season now that he won’t have to choose between the 400 IM and 400 Free at Trials.
Rylee Erisman is one to watch. That 50 free is only .25 off the long-standing NAG of Allison Sheppard from 2001. Does she… Read more »
I hadn’t seen a thing about Katie’s very stout 200 prelim. Tends to make me think that between going 1:56.0 and shortly thereafter trying to stay with Summer’s blistering pace and fading, it was just a bad swim amidst a tough double.
Ledecky tend to spin the wheel when she had to play catch up.
Her 400 free strategy in Fukuoka was actually good, she remained calm despite being far left behind by Titmus and Summer.
Ha! Almost everyone in history would take that “bad” swim -8:17!