2019 ISL Group A Match 1 Live Recap – Day 1

2019 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE: GROUP A, MATCH 1

• Saturday, October 5th – Sunday, October 6th
• 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
• Indianapolis, IN
• Indiana University Natatorium (IUPUI)
• Short Course Meters (SCM)
• Group A: Cali Condors, DC Trident, Energy Standard, Aqua Centurions
• Live Stream, Event Schedule, and Viewer’s Guide
• U.S. Live Stream (ESPN3)
• Full Results (PDF)

Day one of two of the very first ISL quad meet is today, with sixteen individual events and three relay events on tap.  Follow along as we recap the meet in real-time.

SwimSwam editor-in-chief, Braden Keith, says there are an estimated 500-600 spectators in the stands in Indy.

Lanes

• 1 & 2 – Cali Condors
• 3 & 4 – DC Trident
• 5 & 6 – Aqua Centurions
• 7 & 8 – Energy Standard

START LISTS

WOMEN’S 100 FLY

1. Sarah Sjöström – Energy Standard – 55.65
2. Kelsi Dahlia – Cali Condors – 55.88
3. Brianna Throssell – DC Trident – 56.81
4. Elena Di Liddo – Aqua Centurions – 57.71
5. Anastasiya Shkurdai – Energy Standard – 57.91
6. Mallory Comerford – Cali Condors – 58.04
7. Ilaria Bianchi – Aqua Centurions – 58.11
8. Bethany Galat – DC Trident – 58.23

Sarah Sjöström of Energy Standard grabbed the win here in 55.65 over Cali Condor Kelsi Dahlia. She’s the first official event winner of the ISL, ever, pulling in nine points for Energy Standard. Dahlia adds seven points for the Condors, while Brianna Throssell of DC Trident touched third.

MEN’S 100 FLY

1. Chad Le Clos – Energy Standard – 49.65
2. Matteo Rivolta – Aqua Centurions – 50.65
3. Santo Condorelli – Aqua Centurions – 51.07
4. Giles Smith – DC Trident – 51.57
5. John Shebat – Cali Condors – 51.58
6. Zach Harting – DC Trident – 51.93
7. Kregor Zirk – Energy Standard – 52.16
8. Jan Switkowski – Cali Condors – 53.30 *did not meet time standard*

Chad le Clos won the 100 fly for Energy Standard, their second win in a row. He touched the wall in 49.65, with Matteo Rivolta and Santo Condorelli hauling in big points for Aqua Centurions in second and third.

With the first two wins in the 100 fly, Energy Standard jumps out to an early lead. That was a particularly great swim for LeClos, who was rumored to be so sick that he might not be able able to swim. The Aqua Centurions have already lost one point as Jan Switkowski failed to hit the time standard for the 100 fly.

WOMEN’S 50 BREAST

1. Lilly King – Cali Condors – 29.23
2. Molly Hannis – Cali Condors – 29.56
3. Imogen Clark – Energy Standard – 29.77
4. Leiston Pickett – DC Trident – 29.96
5. Martina Carraro – Aqua Centurions – 29.98
6. Bethany Galat – DC Trident – 30.51
7. Georgia Bohl – Aqua Centurions – 30.94
8. Kierra Smith – Energy Standard – 31.16

No surprises in the 100 breast, as Lilly King had to be considered the heavy favorite in this event. Condors go 1-2, picking up big points after losing one the event before.

MEN’S 50 BREAST

1. Nicolo Martinenghi – Aqua Centurions – 26.03
2. Fabio Scozzoli – Aqua Centurions – 26.11
3. Ilya Shymanovich – Energy Standard – 26.16
4. Nic Fink – Cali Condors – 26.39
5. Anton Chupkov – Energy Standard – 26.75
6. Ian Finnerty – DC Trident – 26.77
7. Cody Miller – DC Trident – 26.97
8. Andrew Wilson – Cali Condors – 27.16

WOMEN’S 400 IM

1. Melanie Margalis – Cali Condors – 4:25.77
2. Katie Ledecky – DC Trident – 4:27.18
3. Mary-Sophie Harvey – Energy Standard – 4:31.08
4. Hali Flickinger – Cali Condors – 4:33.24
5. Viktoriya Gunes – Energy Standard – 4:33.39
6. Emma Barksdale – DC Trident – 4:33.56
7. Hannah Miley – Aqua Centurions – 4:34.12
8. Alba Vazquez – Aqua Centurions – 4:42.85 *did not meet time standard*

Melanie Margalis got the job done here, pushing past Katie Ledecky and hammering it home on freestyle to turn in a winning time of 4:25.77 for the Cali Condors.

Margalis’s Swiss Army knife-like ability to race in a variety of disciplines still gives her a ton of value in this format. However, the Condors are stacked enough that they don’t need Margalis in the other two individual events she could swim today, the 200 free (were they have Mallory Comerford and Ariarne Titmus) or the 200 breast (Kelsey Wog and Lilly King).

MEN’S 400 IM

1. Jay Litherland – DC Trident – 4:06.92
2. Mark Szaranek – Cali Condors – 4:08.45
3. Philip Heintz – Aqua Centurions – 4:09.56
4. Anton Ipsen – Cali Condors – 4:10.76
5. Mykhailo Romanchuk – Energy Standard – 4:12.29
6. Laszlo Cseh – Aqua Centurions – 4:14.81
7. Maxim Stupin – Energy Standard – 4:16.48
8. Abrahm Devine – DC Trident – 4:17.85

Jay Litherland gets DC Trident their first win in ISL history, taking the lead on the freestyle over Mark Szaranek of Cali Condors.

WOMEN’S 4X100 FREE RELAY

1. Energy Standard A – 3:28.63
2. Cali Condors A – 3:29.62
3. DC Trident A – 3:32.52
4. Cali Condors B – 3:33.10
5. Energy Standard B – 3:34.35
6. Aqua Centurions A – 3:35.19
7. DC Trident B – 3:36.32
8. Aqua Centurions B – 3:42.47

Cali Condors move into the lead, albeit a narrow one, with a huge 2-4 finish in the 400 free relay. Energy Standard won the race, though, with a 3:28.63. Sjöström (51.61) and Femke Heemskerk (51.67) had huge splits to keep the Energy Standard team out of reach. Penny Oleksiak led off in 52.86 and Kayla Sanchez was the third leg for Energy Standard (52.49).

For the Condors, Olivia Smoliga led off in 52.45, followed by Dahlia (52.49), Natalie Hinds (52.35), and Comerford (52.33). DC Trident got a 52.30 lead-off from Siobhan Haughey.

Relays, worth double points, are incredibly important in the ISL format. With several swimmers already on their second race of the session, about thirty minutes since the start of the session, fatigue is definitely a factor.

With each team getting two relay teams, coaches will have to decide if they want to try to load up one relay and go for the win, or split their swimmers a little more evenly and try to get two higher finishes, even if that means they don’t win.

SCORE UPDATE

1. Cali Condors – 86
2. Energy Standard – 83
3. DC Trident – 64
4. Aqua Centurions – 60

MEN’S 200 BACK

1. Evgeny Rylov – Energy Standard – 1:49.68
2. Mitch Larkin – Cali Condors – 1:49.92
3. Travis Mahoney – Aqua Centurions – 1:52.06
4. Radoslaw Kawecki – Cali Condors – 1:53.13
5. Andreas Vazaios – DC Trident – 1:53.67
6. Tristan Hollard – DC Trident – 1:53.83
7. Apostolos Christou – Aqua Centurions – 1:55.44
8. Maxim Stupin – Energy Standard – 2:00.10 *did not meet time standard*

One of the most exciting races thus far, Evgeny Rylov held strong against Mitch Larkin, the SCM world record-holder in this event. Both men went under 1:50, with Rylov winning in 1:49.68 and Larkin just back at 1:49.92.

Cali Condors had a great event here, grabbing second and fourth.

It’s rapidly becoming clear that the scoring format for this event is drastically different than for college dual meets. Dual meet format tends to reward winning. In the ISL format, having two swimmers place in the top four is going to net you more points than a 1st and an 8th place finish, as just happened to Energy Standard, especially as they lost a point since Stupin failed to meet the minimum time.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK

1. Kylie Masse – Cali Condors – 2:01.89
2. Lisa Bratton – DC Trident – 2:02.66
3. Margherita Panziera – Aqua Centurions – 2:04.03
4. Emily Seebohm – Energy Standard – 2:04.36
5. Hali Flickinger – Cali Condors – 2:05.14
6. Mary-Sophie Harvey – Energy Standard – 2:06.84
7. Simona Kubova – DC Trident – 2:07.12
8. Silvia Scalia – Aqua Centurions – 2:09.25

Kylie Masse took the win at 2:01.89, holding off DC Trident’s Lisa Bratton. Both Cali Condors and DC Trident did well here.

After women’s 200 back — the Condors’ depth is impressive, and remember they’re still lacking arguably their biggest weapon — Caeleb Dressel.

MEN’S 50 FREE

1. Florent Manaudou – Energy Standard – 20.77
2. Ben Proud – Energy Standard – 21.39
3. Justin Ress – Cali Condors – 21.68
4. Santo Condorelli – Aqua Centurions – 21.69
5. Bowe Becker – Cali Condors/Robert Howard – DC Trident – 21.79 *TIE*
6. –
7. Zach Apple DC Trident/Luca Dotto Aqua Centurions – 21.80 *TIE*

Florent Manaudou obliterated the field here, going 20.77 and leading Energy Standard to a gigantic 1-2 finish. His world record sits at 20.26.

There were also two ties, at fifth and seventh. This was not a great event for DC Trident.

Energy Standard storms back with a 1-2 finish in the men’s 50 free. Florent Manaudou looked great for having been out of racing for so long. His 20.77 would’ve netted bronze at the 2018 Short Course Worlds. Dressel v. Manaudou should be a fun race to watch next meet, and might give us a preview of what’ll happen in the big pool next summer.

WOMEN’S 50 FREE

1. Sarah Sjöström – Energy Standard- 23.58
2. Kasia Wasick – Cali Condors – 24.07
3. Olivia Smoliga – Cali Condors – 24.10
4. Femke Heemskerk – Energy Standard – 24.19
5. Madison Kennedy – DC Trident – 24.52
6. Anika Apostalon – DC Trident – 24.64
7. Larissa Oliveira – Aqua Centurions – 24.99
8. Silvia di Pietro – Aqua Centurions – 25.00

Sarah Sjöström was the only swimmer under 24 here. Energy Standard and Cali Condors again had big swims here, with Cali benefiting from Kasia Wasick‘s 24.07 second-place swim — she was a late addition to the roster.

Sjostrom is on fire. That’s her 3rd race in 60 minutes, and her 23.58 would’ve earned silver at 2018 Worlds.

MEN’S 4X100 MEDLEY RELAY

1. Energy Standard A – 3:23.11
2. Cali Condors A – 3:26.91
3. Aqua Centurions A – 3:28.10
4. Energy Standard B – 3:28.30
5. Aqua Centurions B – 3:30.05
6. DC Trident A – 3:30.27
7. Cali Condors B – 3:32.14
8. DC Trident B – 3:32.82

Energy Standard picked up its second relay win in as many relay events, winning big with a 3:23.11. Their win was by a margin of almost four seconds. Their A team had the field’s quickest splits on each leg: Kliment Kolesnikov (50.53), Ilya Shymanovich (56.37), Le Clos (49.67), and Simonas Bilis (46.54).

SCORE UPDATE

Energy Standard – 158.5
Cali Condors – 151
DC Trident – 104.5
Aqua Centurions – 100

WOMEN’S 200 FREE

1. Siobhan Haughey – DC Trident – 1:52.88
2. Katie Ledecky – DC Trident – 1:53.48
3. Ariarne Titmus – Cali Condors – 1:53.68
4. Femke Heemskerk – Energy Standard – 1:54.42
5. Kayla Sanchez – Energy Standard – 1:55.07
6. Mallory Comerford – Cali Condors – 1:56.65
7. Sarah Köhler – Aqua Centurions – 1:58.01
8. Hannah Miley – Aqua Centurions 2:00.19 *did not meet time standard*

This was a very big event for DC Trident, with Siobhan Haughey posting a huge win (1:52.88) over teammate Katie Ledecky (1:53.48). Ariarne Titmus had a good swim for third (1:53.68).

We’re not used to watching Ledecky get 2nd in two events in the same day, but Haughey had the advantage of not having done the 400 IM earlier in the day. It doesn’t matter point-wise, as DC’s 1-2 finish netted them 16 points. Note that the Aqua Centurions lost a point here as Hanna Miley failed to meet the time standard.

MEN’S 200 FREE

1. Breno Correia – Aqua Centurions – 1:44.21
2. Poul Zellmann – Aqua Centurions – 1:44.71
3. Kacper Majchzrak – Cali Condors – 1:44.90
4. Zane Grothe – DC Trident – 1:45.04
5. Velimir Stjepanovic – DC Trident – 1:45.11
6. Ivan Girev – Energy Standard – 1:46.15
7. Townley Haas – Cali Condors – 1:46.48
8. Kregor Zirk – Energy Standard – 1:47.11

The Aqua Centurions fought back after DC went 1-2 just one event ago, as the Centurions posted a 1-2 sweep here. Breno Correia, a late swap into this race, legitimized that decision with a win at 1:44.21 over teammate Poul Zellmann (1:44.71). Kacper Majchzrak of the Cali Condors also went under 1:45 with a 1:44.90.

And we got what appears to be our first impactful lineup switch here. Travis Mahoney was initially listed as swimming in lane 6 for the Aqua Centurions. They opted to throw Breno Correia in the heat instead, and he delivered, earning 9 points for the Centurions, who’ll need every point they can get as they’re still in last place.

WOMEN’S 50 BACK

1. Olivia Smoliga – Cali Condors – 26.41
2. Simona Kubova – DC Trident – 26.92
3. Georgia Davies – Energy Standard – 26.94
4. Kylie Masse – Cali Condors – 27.00
5. Emily Seebohm – Energy Standard – 27.02
6. Silvia Scalia – Aqua Centurions – 27.16
7. Natalie Coughlin – DC Trident – 27.69
8. Margherita Panziera – Aqua Centurions – 27.76

Natalie Coughlin is back in her first race since 2016. The win here went to Cali Condor Olivia Smoliga, though, at 26.41.

This was Natalie Coughlin‘s first race in years. Sure, it would’ve been neat to see her take the win, but that probably wasn’t realistic in this field. Smoliga and Masse going 1-4 give the Condors 14 points and move them into 1st place.

MEN’S 50 BACK

1. Kliment Kolesnikov – Energy Standard – 23.29
2. Simone Sabbioni – Aqua Centurions – 23.52
3. Andreas Vazaios – DC Trident – 23.69
4. Florent Manadou – Energy Standard – 23.77
5. Mitch Larkin – Cali Condors – 23.97
6. Justin Ress – Cali Condors – 24.16
7. Tristan Hollard – DC Trident – 24.64
8. Apostolos Christou – Aqua Centurions – 24.72

Not long after his medley relay lead-off, Kliment Kolesnikov posted a 23.29 to win the 50 back for Energy Standard.

The cumulative effect of all these swims in such a short period of time is definitely showing, as the times weren’t really noteworthy. But the back-and-forth battle between the Condors and Energy Standard continues, as Kolesnikov and Manaudou both finished ahead of the Condors’ two swimmers (Larkin and Ress), putting Energy Standard back in the lead.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST

1. Lilly King – Cali Condors – 2:18.25
2. Kelsey Wog – Cali Condors – 2:18.68
3. Kierra Smith – Energy Standard – 2:22.15
4. Bethany Galat – DC Trident – 2:22.37
5. Martina Carraro – Aqua Centurions – 2:23.25
6. Viktoriya Gunes – Energy Standard – 2:24.52
7. Georgia Bohl – Aqua Centurions – 2:24.53
8. Emma Barksdale – DC Trident – 2:26.03

Cali Condors had another big event here, with Lilly King coming back on the final 50 with a ton of speed to surpass teammate Kelsey Wog and get the win at 2:18.25.

That’s a new lifetime best for King, whose previous best was a 2:19.34 from the 2016 Worlds. More importantly for the meet, the Condors’ 1-2 finish puts them back ahead of Energy Standard.

MEN’S 200 BREAST

1. Anton Chupkov – Energy Standard – 2:04.03
2. Ilya Shymanovich – Energy Standard – 2:05.44
3. Nic Fink – Cali Condors – 2:07.75
4. Cody Miller – DC Trident – 2:08.88
5. Andrew Wilson – Cali Condors – 2:09.00
6. Nicolo Martinenghi – Aqua Centurions – 2:09.17
7. Fabio Scozzoli – Aqua Centurions – 2:11.05
8. Ian Finnerty – DC Trident – 2:12.31

In a huge swing back in Energy Standard’s favor, they move a few points ahead of Cali Condors with just one relay left in the first day of competition. Anton Chupkov took this one easily, posting a 2:04.03 with teammate Ilya Shymanovich second in 2:05.44.

Energy Standard responds with a 1-2 finish of their own. They’re now up by 4.5 points, and with one event to go on the first day, it’s hard to imagine either DC or the Aqua Centurions mounting a comeback tomorrow. DC Trident lost a point here as Ian Finnerty failed to meet the time standard.

SCORE UPDATE

1. Energy Standard – 220
2. Cali Condors – 215.5
3. DC Trident – 153
4. Aqua Centurions – 145.5

MEN’S 4X100 FREE RELAY

1. Energy Standard B – 3:08.77
2. Aqua Centurions A – 3:09.80
3. Energy Standard A – 3:10.00
4. DC Trident A – 3:10.99
5. Cali Condors A – 3:11.05
6. Cali Condors B – 3:13.13
7. Aqua Centurions B – 3:13.47
8. DC Trident B – 3:13.58

Energy Standard did exceptionally, with their B relay actually winning and their A nearly getting second, touching just two-tenths behind Aqua Centurions A. They’re currently undefeated in relays.

Florent Manaudou (46.84) and Chad Le Clos (46.73) had huge splits on legs two and three for Energy Standard’s B. The only other sub-47 came from Aqua Centurions A anchor Alessandro Miressi (46.80).

Chatter on the deck today said that relays and the skins race tomorrow will be huge because of the extra points, and Energy Standard’s lead halfway through this event is largely due to their relay sweeps. Energy Standard coach James Gibson made some lineup changes for this 4×100 free, and it paid off with a 1st-3rd finish and a whopping 30 points.

TEAM SCORES AFTER DAY ONE

1. Energy Standard – 250
2. Cali Condors – 229.5
3. DC Trident – 165
4. Aqua Centurions – 163.5