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
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap
- Results through Friday
We’re back with the final session of the 2023 Mission Viejo Pro Series, where the women’s and men’s 800 free, 100 back, 200 breast, 100 fly, 200 IM, and 50 free will be contested.
One of the most stacked events of the night will be the women’s 100 back, where former and current U.S. national teamers Isabelle Stadden, Rhyan White, Olivia Smoliga, and Claire Curzan took the top four seeds. Stadden had the fastest prelims time at 1:00.09. The 100 back will be the first race of three for Curzan this session, as she also qualified for the finals of the 50 free. and 100 fly That 50 free final is headed by Abbey Weitzeil, who swam a 24.49 in prelims and looks to beat out her season-best of 24.40.
On the men’s side, the 100 fly looks to be a close race, with top seeds Dare Rose and Youssef Ramadan being separated by 0.02 seconds this morning with times of 52.24 and 52.26 respectively. Another headliner will be the men’s 50 free, where top seed Bjorn Seeliger looks to break 22 seconds for the first time since 2021. He clocked a 22.08 in prelims.
WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – FINALS
- World Record: 8:04.79, Katie Ledecky (2016)
- American Record: 8:04.79, Katie Ledecky (2016)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 8:06.68, Katie Ledecky (2016)
- U.S Open Record: 8:06.68, Katie Ledecky (2016)
- U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 8:45.79
Top 8:
- Bella Sims — 8:29.85
- Kayla Han — 8:32.88
- Jillian Cox — 8:33.36
- Abby Grottle — 8:45.33
- Aurora Roghair — 8;46.28
- Marlene Kahler — 8:51.84
- Madi Mintenko — 8:51.84
- Paige Downey — 8:56.34
Bella Sims led from start to finish in this race, being the only swimmer in the field under 8:30 and clocking a time of 8:29.85.
It was very tight between Kayla Han and Jillian Cox for second, but ultimately Han pulled ahead on the final 50 to touch the wall ahead of Cox. Han beat out her previous best time of 8:55.85 by nearly three seconds, and is now ranked #7 all-time in the U.S. 13-14 age group.
There was a clear gap between the podium and the rest of the field, as there were nearly 12 seconds separating Cox and fourth place finisher Abby Grottle.
MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE – FINALS
- World Record: 7:32.12, Zhang Lin (2009)
- American Record: 7:39.36, Bobby Finke (2022)
- Pro Swim Series Record: 7:48.50, Ahmed Hafnaoui (2023)
- U.S Open Record: 7:43.32, Bobby Finke (2022)
- U.S. Olympic Trials Cut: 8:45.79
Top 8:
- Marwan Aly-Elkamash — 7:53.56
- Yigit Aslan — 7:55.61
- Alec Enyeart — 7:59.66
- David Johnston — 8:04.62
- Cooper Lucas — 8:16.69
- Graham Chatoor — 8:17.06
- Christian Bayo — 8:17.06
- William Mullen — 8:18.73
Early on in the race, Marwan Aly-Elkamash, Yigit Aslan, and Alec Enyeart separated themselves from the rest of the pack, with Enyeart out in front for the first half of the race. However, at the 400-meter mark, Elkamash passed him.
Throughout the rest of the race, Elkamash began to distance himself from the rest of the field, while Aslan also made a move to get ahead of Enyeart. Eventually, Elkamash touched the wall first, Aslan was second, and Enyeart placed third. They were the only swimmers in the field faster than eight minutes.
WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS
- 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:
- Claire Curzan — 59.00
- Isabelle Stadden — 59.56
- Olivia Smoliga — 1:00.01
- Rhyan White — 1:00.68
- Katelyn Schroeder — 1:01.49
- Teagan O’Dell — 1:01.50
- Alex Roberts — 1:02.09
- Athena Meneses Kovacs — 1:02.73
At the 50, Claire Curzan had the lead, flipping in a 28.89 and being 0.03 seconds ahead of Olivia Smoliga. She swam a time of 59.00, which marks her first time getting under a minute since the 2022 World Championships.
Although Smoliga was 0.03 seconds away from leading at the half, she ended up finishing over a second behind Curzan. Isabelle Stadden also passed Smoliga on the finish, out-splitting her 30.28 to 31.09 on the last 50. Stadden also dipped under the one minute barrier with a 59.56 while Smoliga went 1:00.01.
MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS
- 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:
- Hunter Armstrong — 52.82
- Ryan Murphy — 53.36
- Justin Ress — 53.77
- Jack Dolan — 54.58
- Keaton Jones — 54.90
- Brett Pinfold — 56.41
- Ziyad Saleem — 56.74
- Yeziel Morales — 56.79
Hunter Armstrong once again showed his in-season speed in the men’s 100 back, swimming a 52.82 to clock his fourth sub-53 100 back for the 2022-23 season. His win also meant that he completed a full sweep of 100 back races at this year’s pro series stops.
Armstrong lead Justin Ress by just 0.14 seconds at the halfway mark, but then outsplit him 27.06 to 27.87 on the back half to beat him by nearly a second. Ryan Muprhy also made a back half surge to get second, putting up a time of 53.36 while Ress swam a 53.77 for third.
Ress’s time was his second-fastest of the 2022-23 season, behind the 53.63 he swam at the Westmont Pro Series in April.
Fourth and fifth place finishers Jack Dolan and Keaton Jones both went personal bests in this race, with Dolan dropping 0.26 seconds and Jones dropping 0.03 seconds. Both of their prelims PBs were set in prelims, and Jones hadn’t been under 55 seconds prior to this meet.
WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS
- 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:
- Lilly King — 2:25.34
- Tessa Cieplucha — 2:28.14
- Isabelle Odgers — 2:28.50
- Kaitlyn Dobler — 2:30.37
- Piper Enge — 2:31.00
- Avery Collins — 2:33.12
- Skyler Smith — 2:34.07
- Ana Adame — 2:35.38
Lilly King led from start to finish in this 200 breast race, clocking a 2:25.34 and winning by nearly three seconds. This race marked her third time winning the 200 breast at a pro series meet this year. However, she was slightly off the 2:23s that she swam in both Westmont and Fort Lauderdale.
In second was Canadian swimmer Tessa Cieplucha, who swam a 2:28.14, while Isabelle Odgers followed close behind in third with a 2:28.50.
MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS
- 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:
- Jake Foster — 2:11.58
- Nic Fink — 2:11.72
- Brandon Fischer — 2:12.52
- Andy Dobrzanski — 2:15.21
- Noah Cakir — 2:16.43
- Ethan Dang — 2:17.09
- Jason Louser — 2:18.20
- Jake Eccleston — 2:18.99
After setting personal bests in both the 50 and 100 breast earlier on, Jake Foster closed out his meet with a solid swim in the 200 breast. He was leading start to finish and barely held off for Nic Fink to take the win in a time of 2:11.58.
Fink, who was charging home on the final 50, split 33.96/33.49 on his back half compared to Foster’s 34.38/34.55. However, Foster’s two-second lead at the 100-meter mark was too much to overcome, and Fink ended up getting out-touched at the end by 0.14 seconds. Fink was just 0.04 seconds off his previous season best.
Placing third also with a late charge was Brandon Fischer, who swam a 2:12.52.
WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS
- 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:
- Torri Huske — 56.84
- Claire Curzan — 57.26
- Kelly Pash — 57.89
- Dakota Luther — 59.07
- Lillie Nordmann — 59.27
- Bailey Hartmann — 59.59
- Lizzy Cook — 59.89
- Clare Watson — 1:00.39
Defending world champion and American record holder Torri Huske dipped under 57 seconds in her first long course meet of the season, swimming a 56.84. She sits behind Regan Smith currently as the second-fastest American this season, and is behind Smith, Maggie MacNeil, and Zhang Yufei as the fourth-fastest swimmer in the world.
Huske’s teammate Claire Curzan swam a 57.29 for second, moving herself up to being ranked eighth in the world. Kelly Pash swam a 57.89 for third, being just 0.16 seconds off her best time of 57.73.
MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS
- 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:
- Dare Rose — 51.47
- Youssef Ramadan — 52.02
- Trenton Julian — 52.26
- Matthew Jensen — 52.80
- Jack Dahlgren — 53.98
- Cole Crane — 54.57
- Rafael Gu — 54.85
- Jose Martinez — 54.91
Dare Rose continues to make a case for himself in long course, winning this race by half a second and going 51.47. His time is just 0.07 seconds off his personal best of 51.40 from 2022 U.S. trials, and makes him the second-fastest American this season.
Rose lead from start to finish, though Youssef Ramadan was close to him throughout the entire race. On the backstretch, there were moments where it seemed like Ramadan would pull off what he did at NCAAs and run down Rose, but Rose ultimatley held it together for the win. Ramadan swam a 52.02 for second to tie his season-best.
In third was Trenton Julian, who went 52.26 to miss his season-best by just 0.11 seconds.
WOMEN’S 200 IM – FINALS
- 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: 2:16.04
Top 8:
- Torri Huske — 2:11.88
- Alicia Wilson — 2;12.62
- Justina Kozan — 2:14.00
- Kristen Romano — 2:14.15
- Kelly Pash — 2:15.25
- Charlotte Brown — 2:16.27
- Teagan O’Dell — 2:16.39
- Lucy Bell — 2:18.00
As always, Torri Huske went out very fast in her 200 IM, getting underneath world record pace after her fly leg. Alicia Wilson touched 0.12 seconds ahead of her after backstroke, but Huske regained the lead after the breaststroke leg and pulled away from Wilson on the closing freestyle leg. It was a very impressive double for Huske, as she recently won the 100 fly prior to swimming the 200 IM.
Huske split 27.28/34.46/39.13/31.01, while Wilson split 28.25/33.27/39.52/31.58. Huske now is the third-fastest American this season in the 200 IM, behind Regan Smith and Leah Hayes.
Placing in a distant third was Justina Kozan, who swam a 2:14.00. She had her traditional closing speed, splitting 29.71 on her freestyle leg.
MEN’S 200 IM – FINALS
- 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:
- Hugo Gonzalez — 1:58.52
- Trenton Julian — 2:00.09
- Grant House — 2:00.58
- Baylor Nelson — 2:01.25
- Destin Lasco — 2:01.76
- Luke Barr — 2:01.97
- Anze Fers Erzen — 2:02.26
- Rick Mihm — 2:03.27
Hugo Gonzalez pulled off some outside smoke in the men’s 200 IM ‘A’ final, swimming the only sub-2:00 time of the field at 1:58.52. His 29.33 backstroke leg put him in front, and although Trenton Julian began closing the gap on him on the breaststroke leg, he pulled ahead on freestyle to take the win.
Julian ended up in second at 2:00.09, while Grant House put up the second-fastest breaststroke leg of the field to propel him to third with a 2:00.58.
Gonzalez swam just 0.11 seconds off the time he clocked at the 2022 World Championships to finish 12th, while Julian set a new season-best by 0.06 seconds.
WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINALS
- 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:
- Abbey Weitzeil — 24.59
- Kasia Wasick — 24.82
- Simone Manuel — 25.22
- Claire Curzan — 25.29
- Caroline Larsen — 25.39
- Olivia Smoliga — 25.40
- Torri Huske — 25.57
- Sarah Fournier — 25.66
Despite being 0.1 of a second slower than his prelims time, Abbey Weizteil still ekked out a win in the 50 free in a time of 24.59. Her win meant that she has officially swept the 50 free at this season’s Pro Swim Series stops, going 4 for 4.
Also getting underneath the 25-second barrier was Kasia Wasick, who swam a 24.82. Simone Manuel clocked a 25.22 for third, missing her season-best by 0.05 seconds.
Claire Curzan and Torri Huske, who were both swimming their third races of the night, finished fourth and seventh with times of 25.29 and 25.57 respectively.
MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINALS
- 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:
- Bjorn Seeliger — 22.11
- Ryan Held – 22.12
- Jonny Kulow — 22.27
- Jack Alexy — 22.29
- Justin Ress — 22.33
- Jack Dolan — 22.51
- Diggory Dillingham — 22.55
- Quintin McCarty — 22.60
Bjorn Seeliger was 0.03 seconds off his prelims time, but he still won the 50 free, holding off Ryan Held by 0.01 of a second. Seeliger and Held swam times of 22.11 and 22.12 respectively, and Held beat out his season best of 22.19 by 0.08 seconds.
Arizona State freshman Jonny Kulow, who has been dropping large amounts of time in all of his events this week, had a huge swim to take third. He clocked a 22.27, beating out his best time of 22.46 from prelims. He is now ranked #6 all-time in the U.S. 17-18 age group. Prior to this meet, the fastest he had been was 22.96.
Yanyans d rose prediction looking better and better
Correction: MacNeil has the fastest 100 fly this year with 56.54 at the Canadian Trials
Zhang Yufei is actually the fastest with a 56.48 at Chinese Nationals. But you’re correct, Huske is 4th behind Zhang, MacNeil and Smith.
You’re right. My bad
Smoliga is washed up
She needs to give it up.
The female contingent for USA Swimming in the backstroke events keep getting younger:
Bacon, Phoebe – 08/12/2002
Berkoff, Katharine – 01/28/2001
Curzan, Claire – 06/30/2004
Smith, Regan – 02/09/2002
Rhyan White (DOB 01/25/2000) may not even qualify for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
Lol and Smoliga still hitting lane lines at her age?? Yeah, it’s definitely done and dusted ☹️
I never understand people who say this. She can do what she wants with her life. Who is she hurting if she continues to swim even if she never makes another national team?
Maybe she just…. likes it?
She’s got a sterling education from Georgia. It’s time to use it, I fear.
That’s your fear in this life? Must be nice
That and an Australian winning a women’s event that is not Freestyle.
No wonder you were so terrified in Tokyo… and Budapest… and Melbourne.
Olivia Smoliga did not even qualify for the 2022 World Aquatics Championships.
Olivia Smoliga has been surpassed by Katharine Berkoff and Regan Smith in the W 50 BK. Olivia Smoliga has been surpassed by Regan Smith and Claire Curzan in the W 100 BK. In addition, Olivia Smoliga was never a serious threat in the W 200 BK.
Good thing she’s an American and can make the choice to try if the desires it.
Does ASU have any swimmers that will make the US Olympic team? (Not counting pro move-ins that were already Olympians). USA Swimmers that actually swam for ASU.
Jonny Kulow
Kulow was 6th at MV and has to be 6th in the entire country. Maybe but not a for sure thing!
Lindsay Looney has a shot in the 200 fly. Grant House has a slight chance for the 800 free relay. Didn’t look that good here, but his PB puts him in contention.
Grant House 1:46.68 200 free LCM, within range. Lindsay Looney 2nd in 200 Fly last summer a possibility. Will be interesting to see how Patrick Sammon, Jack Dolan, Owen MacDonald and Alex Colson do after another year of training in Bowman’s group.
Dylan Gravely – although open water rather than pool
Pretty sure your “question” (as stated it seems a bit more intended as a negative accusation) can’t be answered until after the Trials.
I believe Jonny Kulow and Patrick Sammon make the team in 2024. Trajectory is unmatched
i know he’s not really a medal threat in any event, but Marwan el Kamesh is having a bit of a Nic Fink-esque late career renaissance
training with Hafnaoui has been paying off
Fink has been on National team for 11 years! He made his first World Champ in 2013. Definitely he has moved more towards 50-100 than 100-200 but has been around on big stage for a long time.
Huske should stick to the 100FL only one she has medal chances in anyways
She won bronze in 100 free last year🤷🏽♀️
Ah, no!
Torri Huske
2023 Phillips 66 National Championships
Hypothetical Event Schedule
Day 1 – 100 FR
Day 2 – 50 FL
Day 3 – 100 FL
Day 4 – Off
Day 5 – 50 FR
I have serious doubts about Torri Huske qualifying in the 200 FR and the 200 IM (A. Walsh, L. Hayes).
Torri Huske swim 100 free and 50/100 fly in worlds. 200 free relay dont, i think that It isnt her priority becauae she could swim 4×100 free W, 4×100 medley W and two mixed medley relays.
I have already noted the W 50/100 FL and the W 50/100 FR. In addition, the W 200 IM precedes the W 50 FR on the fifth day of the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships. Why risk a session double for an event in which a 17 year old teenager has a faster personal best time (2:08.91)?
200 IM can’t count out Kate Douglass
I seriously believe that Kate Douglass will not swim the W 200 IM in lieu of the W 50 FR at the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships. Call it deja vu.
Kate Douglass
Curzan should really do events that she excels the most and stick to it.
It’s not as if Claire Curzan swam the 200 FL or the 200 FR.
Claire Curzan
2023 Phillips 66 National Championships
Hypothetical Event Schedule
Day 1 – 100 FR
Day 2 – 50 FL, 200 BK
Day 3 – 50 BK, 100 FL
Day 4 – 100 BK
Day 5 – 50 FR
I feel like she’s the 3rd or 4th best in each of those. Take away the day 2 events and the 50 back and it will be iconic.
This makes no sense
I can write it backwards if you want?
It’s obvious the poster in question can’t formulate a cogent argument.
You don’t know what you are talking about.
Claire Curzan finished first in the W 50 FL and second in the W 100 BK, W 100 FL, W 100 FR at the 2022 USA Swimming International Team Trials.
Claire Curzan has posted a faster personal best time in the W 100 BK than Katharine Berkoff and Rhyan White.
Claire Curzan posted faster times in the final of the W 100 FL at the 2021 Olympic Team Trials (56.43) and the 2022 International Team Trials (56.35) than the personal best times of Kate Douglass and Regan Smith.
Look, I’m pro-Curzan. She just need to drop some of those 50s and we good.
Who’s getting the second 1 fly spot behind Huske, assuming Curzan drops fly for backstroke. Douglass? Alex Shackell?
I think douglass, although curzan could do 100 back/100 fly in worlds. For me curzan wouldnt swim 100 free (huske, weitzel) only relays this year, and 200 back (Smith, bacon)
True though I could see her challenging for that second 2 back spot. Plus the 50s? She has so many options.
Yes 50 fly clearly, 50 back not very probably (berkoff, Smith, White, stadden, smoliga)
I would say that she would be in the 50/100 butterfly and in the 100 backstroke this year (maybe some 100 will lose it or against berkoff or douglass since smith and huske are clear). It is true that I doubt that second place in the 200 backstroke but I would bet on bacon. Last year she also swam the 100 freestyle individually, this year clearly she will not (weitzel, huske very probably), only do relays and since she is not the second freestyler she will be in fewer relays than in budapest so her load is less heavy.
Curzan is young and is very fit. She could do all of the events W-S-L-S listed above better than anyone else.
Is true, she IS very versative but in usa swimming is very competitive
I saw Bacons time from Westmont and it was not IT.
Why would she drop the 1fly when it doesn’t clash with anything at trials?
True, though I don’t think she’s a lock for that second spot, so will she focus on something else?
Is she a lock in any event? Maybe a lock for a 4×1 relay spot.
I doubt Claire Curzan has a legitimate shot in 50 BK with Katharine Berkoff and Regan Smith in the mix.
Regan Smith has posted the fastest time in the W 100 FL in calendar year 2023 amongst the female contingent representing USA Swimming.
realistically I’m picturing Douglass and Curzan as pretty close for that spot, ahead of anyone else. Shackell is def a huge dark horse though
I think that huske-56,08
Douglass 56,72
Curzan 56,83
In trials
Smith’s already been 56.60 this year.