Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa
- Thursday, April 14 – Saturday, April 16, 2016
- Skyline Aquatic Center
- Mesa, Arizona (same as Pacific Daylight Time, GMT -7 hours)
- Prelims 9AM / Finals 5PM (12PM/8PM Eastern Daylight Time)
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream
- Live Results
- Meet Central
There are plenty of big names in exciting races to look forward to this evening for the finals of the first day of the 2016 Mesa Pro Series meet. Katie Ledecky had the fastest time in the 200 free this morning, a 1:56.66 that was almost two seconds faster than Allison Schmitt, the defending Olympic gold medalist in this event. On the men’s side, top-seed Christian Quintero (1:48.22) will be swimming against U.S. stars Conor Dwyer and Ryan Lochte, as well as several swimmers coming off great NCAA performances. Don’t forget Olympians Missy Franklin and Michael Phelps, who will each be swimming their respective B-finals after finishing out of the top 8 this morning.
In the breaststroke, last summer’s breakout star Katie Meili (1:07.34) comes in with a prelims time only a tenth of a second faster than Jessica Harty (1:07.44), but Molly Hannis was just behind those two in 1:07.52. The fastest time this morning for the men belonged to Andrew Wilson (1:01.41), a Division III NCAA star whose performances over the past year have put him into the conversation about a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
The women’s 100 fly looks to be a battle between Kelsi Worrell (57.56), who swept the butterfly events at NCAA’s last month, and defending Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer (58.03). On the men’s side, Jack Conger (52.98) and Long Gutierrez (53.17) are both going after the 200 free/100 fly double, and they will be trying to overcome top seed Seth Stubblefield of Cal Aquatics (52.85).
The Iron Lady, Katinka Hosszu, had the fastest time in the prelims of the 400 IM by an astounding 10 seconds. Her time of 4:32.23 was just over a second off her U.S. Open record, which she set last year in the heats of the Santa Clara Pro Series stop. Last year she added time in finals, but she also swam the 200 free earlier in the evening session. With the 400 IM being her only swim tonight, fans have to expect that the record is in danger once again. 17 year-old Sean Grieshop (4:21.96) had the fastest time this morning on the men’s side, and he’ll face off against a group that includes Olympic gold medalists Ous Mellouli and Tyler Clary.
Women’s 200 Meter Freestyle – Finals
- FINA A: 1:58.96
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 2:02.39
Allison Schmitt made things a little interesting, staying pretty close to Katie Ledecky down to the final strokes of the race, but Ledecky maintained her top seed from this morning and won the race in 1:55.71 to Schmitt’s 1:56.52. There was a wide gap between those two and the rest of the field. Maya DiRado finished 3rd in 1:58.64, followed closely by Melanie Margalis (1:58.70), Cierra Runge (1:59.08), and Simone Manuel (1:59.08). Patricia Ortega (1:59.31) and Hannah Cox (2:00.27) finished 7th and 8th.
Missy Franklin, in lane 2 of the B-final after missing the A-final this morning, swam like a woman on a mission. She opened up a lead early in the race, led by a body length at the 100, and finished in 1:58.64, which would have tied her for third in the A-final.
Men’s 200 Meter Freestyle – Finals
- FINA A: 1:47.97
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:51.89
Conor Dwyer dropped two seconds off his time from this morning to win in 1:46.61, tying him with Australia’s David McKeon for 8th in the world this year. Christian Quintero and Ryan Lochte made it look like a three-man race early, but neither could hang on, touching in 1:48.10 and 1:48.85. Matias Koski and Clark Smith dueled down the final stretch, with Koski finishing 4th in 1:48.90 and Smith 5th in 1:49.01. Jack Conger and Long Gutierrez, who will be facing each other again in the 100 fly here in a few minutes finished 6th and 7th in 1:49.48 and 1:49.80. Veteran distance swimmer Michael McBroom replicated his time from the morning with a 1:49.84.
Like Franklin, Michael Phelps finished well ahead of the rest of the field in the B-final. His 1:48.21 would have placed him 3rd in the A-final, well ahead of Lochte.
Women’s 100 Meter Breaststroke – Finals
- FINA A: 1:07.85
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:11.49
Alia Atkinson was only .03 behind Katie Meili at the first wall, but Meili came home in 35.15 to take the win in 1:06.49 to Atkinson’s 1:06.84. That time by Meili ties her for 8th in the year and makes her the second fastest American, only .06 behind Lily King. The only other swimmer under 1:07 was Molly Hannis (1:06.95). Jessica Hardy touched 4th in 1:07.09, followed by Sarah Haase (1:07.53) and Hilda Luthersdottir (1:07.85). Melanie Margalis and Haley Spencer rounded out the field in 1:07.97 and 1:08.69, respectively.
100 Meter Breaststroke –Finals
- FINA A: 1:00.57
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:03.69
In the tightest race of the evening so far, only 0.07 seconds separated 1st through 4th place. Youssef El Kamash took the win in 1:01.31, just touching out Miguel De Lara Ojeda (1:01.36) and Andrew Wilson (1:01.37). Azad Al-Barazi looked to be in the lead out of lane 7 for most of the second 50, but couldn’t quite hang on and finished 4th in 1:01.38. Michael Andrew (1:01.47) and Nic Fink (1:01.97), Jonathan Leopold (1:02.40), and William Wihanto (1:02.83) finished 5th through 8th.
Women’s 100 Meter Butterfly –Finals
- FINA A: 58.74
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:01.19
In one of the more anticipated battles of the night, defending Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer held off NCAA star Kelsi Worrell to win in 56.94, the 4th-fastest time in the world this year.
2015-2016 LCM Women 100 FLY
SJOSTROM
55.48 *WR*OR
| 2 | Penny OLEKSIAK | CAN | 56.46 *WJR | 08/07 |
| 3 | Kelsi WORRELL | USA | 56.48 | 06/27 |
| 4 | Dana VOLLMER | USA | 56.56 | 08/06 |
| 5 | Xinyi Chen | CHN | 56.72 | 08/07 |
Worrell’s 2nd-place time of 57.27 also puts her in the top ten this year. 16 year-old Cassidy Bayer finished 3rd in 58.92, followed closely by Claire Donahue (59.05) and Hellen Moffitt (59.30). Felicia Lee (59.95), Amber Carter (1:00.11) and Lauren Case (1:00.13) finished 6th through 8th.
Men’s 100 Meter Butterfly –Finals
- FINA A: 52.36
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 54.79
Seth Stubblefield defended his top seed from the morning, touching first at the 50 and taking the win in 52.53. While known in college primarily as a sprint freestyler, Stubblefield did win the 100 fly B-final at 2014 USA Summer Nationals, so his win tonight was definitely not out of nowhere. About 35 minutes after swimming the 200 free, Jack Conger closed hard over the final few strokes to finish 2nd in 52.74. Giles Smith placed 3rd in 53.15, followed by David Nolan in 53.43. Long Gutierrez also completed the 200 free / 100 fly double taking 5th in 53.64. Tim Phillips was close to Stubblefield at the first wall, but ended up in 6th with a 53.96. James (Tripp) Cooper and Andrew Seliskar took 7th and 8th in 53.96 and 54.57, respectively.
The B-final featured a win by Ryan Lochte, who went 53.60 after also swimming the 200 freestyle earlier in the session.
Women’s 400 Meter Individual Medley – Finals
- FINA A: 4:43.46
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 4:54.99
As expected, Katinka Hosszu stormed out to an early lead. Perhaps a little less expected, she ended up three seconds slower than this morning. Yet, her winning time of 4:35.81 still gave her a comfortable 3+ second margin of victory. Cammile Adams touched 2nd, in 4:40.14. NCAA breakout star Ella Eastin took 3rd in 4:42.11, her best time in over two years. Vien Nguyen held off Matea Samardzic over the final leg to take 4th, 4:44.02 to 4:44.63. Madisyn Cox (4:45.81), Sarah Henry (4:46.10) and Becca Mann (4:47.49) took the final three spots.
The B-final also featured a dominant victory. Caitlin Leverenz won by over four seconds, in 4:44.91.
400 Meter Individual Medley – Finals
- FINA A: 4:16.71
- S. Olympic Trials: 4:27.49
Sean Grieshop may not have Hosszu’s record-setting credentials, but he was plenty dominant in his own way tonight. He looked strong, yet relaxed, on the fly and back legs, opened up his lead more during the breast leg, and had by the time he stopped the clock in 4:18.75, he had a several body length lead over a field that included two Olympic gold medalists. One of those, Ous Mellouli, placed 2nd in 4:21.94, just touching out Gunnar Bentz (4:22.01). Tyler Clary, the other gold medalist, placed 4th in 4:24.24. Connor Green was just behind Clary in 4:24.38. There was a fairly large gap between Green and the last three swimmers: Marko Blazevski (4:27.33), Nolan Tesone (4:28.73), and Rafa Alfaro (4:29.14).
Overall the girls were much faster than their male colleagues on that day 1. And it’s generally the case at each US GP.
Men’s 100 fly. Nothing to say. The 2 US big favorites didn’t swim the race. Conger’s best qualification chance is the 200 fly.
Women’s 400 IM. Hosszu as often was crazy fast in prelims. She doesn’t know how to swim slow and manage her energy. She will break the world record in Rio if she doesn’t swim 4.29 in prelims. 🙂
Men’s 400 IM. Good win for the young Grieshop in 4.18. He was in 4.23 last year at the same meet before going 4.17 in August. 4.12 at trials and a new world junior record?
Women’s 100 fly
56.94! Wow! Another proof that Dana Vollmer’s comeback is for real. She improves at every meet. Great to see that. She’s on track for big things next summer and a sub 56 doesn’t look out of reach now. Sjöström is unbeatable but she can win the silver. Very important for the US medley relay too.
Kelsi Worrell very consistent. Unlike most other college swimmers she swims fast since NCAAs.
Both girls are clearly well ahead of the rest of US competition for trials. They can even have the luxury of not fully tapering in Omaha to peak in Rio.
Maya DiRado in 59.39 destroys her PB. She is stronger than ever.
Donahue and Lee look old now.
Bayarea swim, thanks for correcting me. Katie Ledecky won in 1.55.16. You’re right.
All these numbers…. 🙄
Aussie Oy, I don’t think it’s a problem of yards or meters about Romano. I have never said all college swimmers who train most of the year in yards can’t swim fast in long course in the summer. It would be stupid to say that. I just remark that every college responds in a different way. Some will improve a lot during their college years and their LCM too. It was the case of Romano and Larson. Some others will have to wait for the end of their 4 years of college before finally see improve a lot their LCM. I don’t… Read more »
Bobo,
Hansen, Peirsol, Crocker, etc
and just recently Brittany MacLean and the Canadian NCAA-trained squad will just have to disagree with you.
You keep talking about disadvantages faced by NCAA swimmers. But what about their advantages:
1. Training and competing day in day out against some of the very best in the world in their age groups
2. Training under some of the very best coaches in the world and using some of the best athletic facilities in the world at their fingertips (think about those athletic and work out facilities in CAL, Stanford, USC, Texas, Georgia, Florida etc etc.
3. Not to worry about money since the very top receive full scholarships
4. Their… Read more »
I think the best of both worlds is for the NCAA to move to LCM in their championship meets.
Men’s 100 breast
The men’s race looks very pale in comparison. Cordes and Miller are the favorites at trials with Fink and Anderson just behind in my opinion.
Andrew is average so far this year. We were used to see him break his best times almost at each meet. Maybe he has changed something in his training and his times will drop later in the year. Or he has peaked very young and now simply stalls. We’ll have the answers at trials. Will the so-called “next US big thing” deliver? We don’t talk about a little kid anymore. He’s 16 soon 17. Olympic trials will be the indicator for the rest of his career. It’s now time for… Read more »
Think you’re way off on Michael Andrew. I’ve obviously got no real idea what’s going on, but it makes sense his improvement curve’s gonna taper off a bit the faster he gets. (He just ain’t gonna keep getting faster at the same rate forever until he goes a 35 second 100 breast.)
He’s also probably not growing / getting stronger as fast, either.
Sure, we don’t expect Michael Andrew to improve at the same rate as he used to, but ANY improvement would be nice, no?
Women’s 100 breast
Very good event right now in USA with much depth in 1.06/1.07 and 2 potential stars in 1.05 or better.
Katie Meili winner in a very nice time of 1.06.49. She was in 1.07.16 last year at the same meet. Later that year she swam 1.05.64 at Pan Ams. She’s on track to swim 1.05 low next summer and if she manages well her taper to peak in Rio, she will medal there. Katie Meili and Lilly King are right now well ahead of the rest of the US competition. Both girls can qualify at 90% in 1.05 high. It will be enough. If they understand with their coaches that Omaha is just the first… Read more »
Breeja Larson is still in her peak but she just can’t deliver when it matters.
Men’s 200 free
Dwyer very logical easy winner. As usual he’s fast in season. Like all Trojan Swim Club swimmers. But he will drop much less time in the summer than most of his rivals. At best 1.45 mid in my opinion. And it can be enough to qualify in individual. Much depends on Lochte’s intentions. And especially on Townley Haas’ new level in long course after his monster SCY season.
No worries about Lochte. He’s used to swimming around 1.48 in season. He will swim his usual 1.45 in the summer.
And of course no worries about Michael Phelps. I can’t still believe that some swimswam readers wrote after prelims that he was done. 🙄 Sacrilege!… Read more »
Of course Haas who swims NCAA will get nothing in the trials.
Dwyer and Lochte who trains in LCM will take 200 and the rest of 200 free final will compose of the guys who doesn’t swim in NCAA: Phelps, Matt McLean, Rooney, Jaeger etc etc.
Personal quick thoughts
As expected there were too many overreactions after prelims. Especially for a training meet.
Women’s 200 free
Katie Ledecky won in 1.55.71. Last year at the same meet she won in 1.55.79. Later that year she won the world title in 1.54. She will go 1.53 in Rio. And she will have no 1500 free to focus fully on that event.
I’m very pleased by Allison Schmitt’s time. 1.56.52 is great in my opinion. Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion. She’s the defending olympic champion. And she wants to defend her gold medal in Rio. For that she will have to beat Missy Franklin at trials. Not easy. But not impossible. She… Read more »
Correction:
Ledecky won World title in 1:55
It was Sjostrom who swam 1:54 in Kazan.
Bobo,
Does this mean that NCAA and swimming SCY was actually more beneficial to Megan Romano?
Interesting. I thought you said US college swimmers are disadvantaged against the whole world?