2023 Charlotte Open
- May 18-21, 2023
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Mobile: “2023 Martha McKee Charlotte Open”
The Texas Longhorns are spread from coast-to-coast this weekend, with different groups of the men’s, women’s, and pro teams in Charlotte, Austin, and MIssion Viejo. Most of the women’s group is in Charlotte at the 2023 Martha McKee Charlotte Open, which includes the team’s best-in-the-country butterfly training group.
Highlighting night 2 in Charlotte was Olivia Bray who won the women’s 100 fly in a 58.22. That was a big swim for Bray as it was her second fastest swim ever. Her personal best is a 58.07 which she swam in semifinals at Wave II Olympic Trials. She is now the fifth-fastest American in the 100 fly this season.
Finishing behind Bray was Emma Sticklen who swam a 59.23.
Sticklen has a best time of 58.64 in the event. Virginia commit Tess Howley was third in a 59.74, just off of her best of 59.24.
Also highlighting the night was Anna Elendt who won the women’s 100 breast in a 1:07.14. Elendt has a best time of 1:05.58 in the event. Finishing behind Elendt was 28 year old Rachel Bernhardt. Bernhardt swam a 1:07.45, which was a new personal best as her previous best stood at a 1:07.59 from December 2019. Channing Hanley was third in a 1:10.12.
Virginia commit Cavan Gormsen won the women’s 200 free in a 2:00.14. Gormsen has a best time of 1:58.87 in the event. Teammate Howley was second in a 2:01.53, less than a second off of her personal best. Olivia McMurray was third in a 2:03.01.
This was Gormsen’s second win of the meet as she won the 800 free on night one in a 8:38.65. Gormsen won by over 12 seconds as McMurray was second in a 8:51.30. 16 year old Sarah Larsen was third in a 8:56.78.
17 year old Sofia Plaza ended the night with a 4:49.53 win in the 400 IM. The Florida commit won by over four seconds as Ivy Monk was second in a 4:53.99. Monk, a UNC commit, swam a best time by over three seconds. Laura Goettler was third in a 4:56.46, a personal best by a second.
Highlighting the men’s side was 16 year old Jordan Willis who won the 100 breast in a 1:02.64. That was a huge personal best as his previous personal best stood at a 1:04.99. 27 year old Ilya Evdokimov was second in a 1:02.80. Ben Delmar, a UNC commit, was third in a 1:03.84.
16 year old Jason Zhao won the 200 free in a 1:51.08. That was a personal best as his previous best was a 1:52.54 from Pro Swim-Knoxville at the beginning of the year. Norvin Clontz III was second in a 1:51.88, just off his personal best. Jack Stelter was third in a 1:53.91.
On night 1, Matthew Marsteiner won the 1500 free in a 15:39.50. That was a huge personal best for the NC State commit as his previous best stood at a 16:04.29. Clontz was second in the 1500 as well touching in a 15:55.39, about two seconds ahead of Jake Narvid who touched in a 15:57.43.
Winning the 100 fly was Aidan Hill who touched in a 54.20 just ahead of Spencer Nicholas who touched in a 54.31. Hill is a Tennessee commit and Nicholas is a Virginia commit. Notably, Nicholas swam a personal best. Harrison Lierz was third in a 55.31.
Closing the session was Strahinga Maslo who won the 400 IM in a 4:28.27. That was a best time for the 16 year old by over two seconds. Alabama commit Tommy Hagar was second in a 4:30.41 and Landon Driggers was third in a 4:32.56.
What rank does this make Olivia among Americans?
This year, 3rd.
Regan Smith (56.60), Kate Douglass (57.19), Alex Shackell (57.63), and Leah Shackley (58.07) have all been faster this season
Go Olivia!! Longhorns swimming fast in multiple locations this weekend.