2023 Winter Juniors – East: Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2023 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST

• December 6-9, 2023
• McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Columbus, OH
• Prelims: 9:00 am (EST)/ Finals: 5:00 pm (EST)
  • Wednesday finals (relays only): 6:00 pm (EST)
• SCY (25 yards)
• Meet Central (USA Swimming)
• How To Watch
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results (Also available on MeetMobile)
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap
• Day 2 Finals Live Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

Friday Finals Heat Sheet

Day 3 Finals Livestream, Courtesy of USA Swimming on YouTube:

The third finals session of the 2023 Winter Juniors – East meet is set to be a great one. This morning, Carmel’s Alex Shackell took down the meet record in the 100 butterfly, posting a time of 50.28 to qualify 1st for tonight’s final. Shackell split 49.25 on Carmel’s winning 400 medley relay last night, so the :50-second barrier could be in danger. Shackell will have a tough double tonight, as she also qualified 1st for the 200 freestyle final (1:45.07). She will have less than 20 minutes between those two finals, but managed a similar relay double on night one quite well (21.95 50 fly split/1:42.28 200 free lead-off).

After breaking three national age group records on night two, Thomas Heilman will have the chance to set a fourth in the 100 fly final. He qualified 4th this morning, posting a time of 46.53 to take 2nd in the 17th heat. Jacob Johnson of SSC-MA is the top seed, as he won heat 15 this morning in 46.36. Lucca Battaglini, who won the 50 free yesterday in a swift 19.06, is also one to watch (46.46).

Kyle Peck, who swims for the Stingrays Swim Team in Virginia, is another name to watch for tonight. He qualified for two A-finals, posting times of 47.05 (5th) in the 100 fly and 46.66 (4th) in the 100 back earlier today. He was also 5th in last night’s 50 freestyle final, posting two sub-20 swims on the day.

The 400 IM will open the session tonight, and 500 freestyle champion Kayla Han will swim in lane four of the A-final. Han clocked a time of 4:08.82 earlier today, and owns a best time of 4:06.95 in the event. After a best time in the 500 yesterday, look for Han to challenge her best time in tonight’s final.

GIRLS 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – FINALS

• Meet Record: 3:57.02, Summer McIntosh (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 4:06.95, Kayla Han (2022)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 3:57.02, Katie Grimes (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:56.59, Bella Sims (2022)

Top 8:

1. Kayla Han (CSC) – 4:06.20
2. Emily Thompson (GSCY) – 4:08.31
3. Audrey Derivaux (JW) – 4:08.51
4. Sofia Plaza (MAC) – 4:09.34
5. Chloe Kim (SCAR) – 4:12.58
6. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 4:12.63
7. Addie Robillard (RAYS) – 4:14.49
8. Stella Chapman (CW) – 4:16.42

Kayla Han of Carmel picked up her second individual win of the meet, touching the wall in a best time of 4:06.20 in the 400 IM. Han, who recently made the move from La Mirada Armada to Carmel Swim Club, chopped 0.75 off her previous lifetime best from November of 2022. Much of her improvement stemmed from the opening 100 of butterfly, where she was more than 1.5 seconds under her lifetime best pace. See a full comparison between the two swims below:

Kayla Han Split Comparison:

Audrey Derivaux, the 14-year-old from the Jersey Wahoos, took the race out strongest. She hit the 200 wall in 1:56.22, nearly a full second ahead of Han. Derivaux fell back a bit on the final 200, but still held on to finish 3rd in a big best time of 4:08.51.

Emily Thompson of Greater Somerset County YMCA touched the wall to secure 2nd place, recording a time of 4:08.31. The time by Thompson is also a personal best, which is great for her as she gears up to head to Stanford next fall. 

A great race unfolded in tonight’s B-final, as Emerson Callis of Quest Swimming hit the wall 1st in a time of 4:12.96. Her swim tonight eclipsed her previous best of 4:17.83, which she recorded in the prelims. Callis entered the meet with a time of 4:21.28, meaning she took nearly ten seconds off that mark within the past 12 hours.

BOYS 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – FINALS

• Meet Record: 3:38.65, Carson Foster (2019)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 3:51.46, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 3:39.83, Maximus Williamson (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:35.27, Carson Foster (2020)

Top 8:

1. Drew Hitchcock (BAY) – 3:42.20
2. Gregg Enoch (CSC) – 3:44.80
3. Landon D’Ariarno (GAAC) – 3:45.17
4. Baylor Stanton (GA) – 3:45.39
5. Thomas Mercer (LAK) – 3:46.31
6. Noah Cakir (TS) – 3:47.12
7. Luke Whitlock (FAST) – 3:48.10
8. David King (CA-Y) – 3:50.78

Drew Hitchcock of Baylor Swim Club is the Winter Juniors East champion in the 400 IM. Hitchcock hit the wall in 3:42.20 to grab a convincing win, just off his best time of 3:41.81. Hitchcock, who was ranked the #4 swimmer in the class of 2024, is slated to compete for Georgia next fall.

Carmel’s Gregg Enoch, who took the 500 freestyle title yesterday, clocked 3:44.80 en route to 2nd place. Landon D’Ariarno, who took the race out in a swift 50.23 through the first 100, held on for 3rd (3:45.17).

Seven of the eight ‘A’ finalists broke the 3:50 barrier tonight, showcasing a deep display of the 400 IM swimmers on the east side of the United States.

GIRLS 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• Meet Record: 50.28, Alex Shackell (2023)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 50.64, Claire Curzan (2019)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.51, Claire Curzan (2021)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.24, Claire Curzan (2022)

Top 8: 

1. Alex Shackell (CSC) – 49.49 **Meet Record**
2. Charlotte Crush (LAK) – 50.46
3. Leah Shackley (BRY) – 50.60
4. Annie Jia (UDAC) – 51.09
5. Molly Sweeney (CSC) – 52.24
6. Elle Scott (MAC) – 53.00
7. Audrey Derivaux (JW) – 53.37
8. Katie Christopherson (SA) – 53.66

Massive best times highlighted the 100 fly final tonight, as Alex Shackell led the way in 49.49. The swim by Shackell lowers her own meet record, which she set earlier today (50.28) and also represents her first time dipping under the 50-second barrier.

Alex Shackell Split Comparison:

Charlotte Crush demolished her best time en route to a 2nd place finish, touching in 50.46. She took the race out in 23.53 before closing in 26.93. She held a previous best time of 51.46, which she put on the books in March of 2022. Crush is the top seed in the 100 backstroke later in the session, where she broke the 15-16 NAG record yesterday (49.53).

Leah Shackley, who announced her intent to swim at NC State, rounded out the top 3 in a best time of 50.60. Annie Jia, who posted a big best time earlier today, made another drop to finish 4th (51.09).

Audrey Derivaux, who finished 3rd in the 400 IM about 20 minutes ago, posted a respectable 53.37 to place 7th. That was just 0.02 outside her time from this morning, where she had much more time in between the two swims.

BOYS 100 BUTTERFLY- FINALS

• Meet Record: 44.67, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 45.81, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 44.67, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.75, Aiden Hayes (2022)

Top 8:

1. Thomas Heilman (CA-Y) – 44.80
2. Lucca Battaglini (ECA) – 46.04
3. Spencer Nicholas (NAC) – 46.13
4. Jacob Johnson (SSC) – 46.47
5. Johnny Crush (LAK) – 47.00
6. Chase Swearingen (NAAC) – 47.03
7. Kyle Peck (RAYS-VA) – 47.18
8. Devin Dilger (OLY) – 47.20

Thomas Heilman defended his 100 fly title from last year, hitting the wall just shy of his meet record. He finished in 44.80, splitting a strong 23.63 on the final 50 to overtake Lucca Battaglini. Battaglini, who took the 50 free win in 19.06 last night, clocked a best time of 46.04 to take 2nd.

Two additional swimmers broke :47 in tonight’s ‘A’ final, as Spencer Nicholas (46.13) and Jacob Johnson (46.47) took 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Johnny Crush, who will headline the 100 backstroke final in about 30 minutes, hit the wall in 47.00 to grab 5th. The swim is a best time for Crush, lowering the 47.34 he recorded just hours ago.

Antoine Destang, the 15-year-old from the Bolles School Sharks, was victorious in tonight’s ‘B’ final. He hit the wall in 47.27 to take the win over Matthew Klinge (47.29). The swims from both athletes represent new lifetime bests.

GIRLS 200 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 1:40.63, Summer McIntosh (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:44.55, Missy Franklin (2010)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:42.03, Katie Ledecky (2013)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:40.31, Missy Franklin (2014)

Top 8:

1. Alex Shackell (CSC) – 1:42.72
2. Lillie Nesty (GSC) – 1:43.87
3. Rylee Erisman (LAKR) – 1:45.28
4. Lynsey Bowen (CSC) – 1:45.68
5. Kennedi Dobson (EEX) – 1:46.22
6. Lily King (MPAC) – 1:46.28
7. Elise Nardozzi (PEAQ) – 1:47.18
8. Kayla Han (CSC) – 1:48.46

After posting a sizzling 49.49 100 butterfly just minutes ago, Alex Shackell returned to the pool to win her second event of the night. She stopped the clock in 1:42.72, just missing the 1:42.28 best time she recorded on the first night of the competition. Shackell took out the first 100 aggressively, turning through in 49.27 before closing in 53.45.

Lillie Nesty of Gator Swim Club hit the touchpad 2nd, finishing in 1:43.87. That checks in as a PB by 0.99 for the Texas commit, eclipsing the 1:44.87 marker she put up in November.

Rylee Erisman, just 14, touched in 1:45.28 for 3rd. Her swim is quite close to the 1:44.55 NAG record, which Missy Franklin put on the books over 13 years ago. Erisman dropped over two seconds from the best time she recorded earlier in the day (1:47.37).

World Junior Champion Lynsey Bowen posted a time of 1:45.68 to secure a 4th place finish for Carmel. Bowen has been as quick as 1:45.30 in the event, which she recorded en route to placing 4th at this same meet last year.

BOYS 200 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 1:33.07, Henry McFadden (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:34.68, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:32.46, Thomas Heilman (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:32.00, Maximus Williamson (2023)

Top 8:

1. Jason Zhao (RAYS) – 1:33.51
2. Cooper McDonald (DYNA) – 1:35.10
3. Gregg Enoch (CSC) – 1:35.43
4. Alex Thiesing (LAK) – 1:35.65
5. Ethan Ekk (ATAC) – 1:35.85
6. Kenneth Barnicle (GSCY) – 1:38.20
7. Will Gavin (LIFE) – 1:39.90
8. –

Cooper McDonald of Dynamo and Jason Zhao of the Mason Manta Rays went to battle the whole way in the 200 free final, with Zhao getting the win in 1:33.51.

McDonald took the race out strong, splitting 45.21 through the first 100 and 1:09.68 at the 150. He led Zhao at both those checkpoints, as Zhao turned through the 100 in 46.12 and the 150 in 1:10.19. Zhao split a massive 23.32 on the final 50, overtaking McDonald who split 25.42.

The times from both swimmers represent new lifetime bests, both topping previous marks from earlier this year.

Gregg Enoch was tonight’s 3rd place finisher, touching in a best time of 1:35.43. Enoch has had a busy night already, as he was the runner-up in the 400 IM to open the night.

Five swimmers posted a swim of 1:35 or faster in the ‘A’ final, as Alex Thiesing (1:35.65) and Ethan Ekk (1:35.85) posted swift efforts to place 4th and 5th, respectively.

GIRLS 100 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 57.76, Lydia Jacoby (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:00.02, Alexis Wenger (2015)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 58.19, Alex Walsh (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 57.29, Lydia Jacoby (2023)

Top 8:

1. McKenzie Siroky (UN) – 58.81
2. Addie Robillard (RAYS) – 59.33
3. Molly Sweeney (CSC) – 59.66
4. Elle Scott (MAC) – 1:00.51
5. Emily Santos Silva (MVAC) – 1:01.30
6. Charlotte Headland (MAC) – 1:01.57
7. Avery Klamfoth (MAC) – 1:01.60
8. Mary Elizabeth Cespedes (VSC) – 1:02.07

Tennessee commit McKenzie Siroky got it done tonight in the 100 breast, winning in 58.81. This was a massive result  for Siroky, who broke the 1:00 minute barrier for the first time this morning. She entered the meet with a best time of 1:00.07, lowered it to 59.76 to qualify 1st for tonight’s final, and lowered it again to 58.81 to win tonight.

Siroky has an interesting story, as she originally committed to play hockey in college before recently changing her mind. You can read more about her decision here. Additionally, Siroky has appeared on the SwimSwam Podcast on two occasions: she first talked about her initial decision to play hockey over swimming, then joined the podcast for a second episode to discuss changing her mind on the matter.

16-year-old Addie Robillard of the Mason Manta Rays recorded a time of 59.33 to secure 2nd, breaking the 1:00 barrier for the 2nd time on the day.

Molly Sweeney of Carmel rounded out the top three in 59.66, just off her best time of 59.63.

SwimMAC Carolina was very well represented in tonight’s championship final, placing 4th, 6th, and 7th. Elle Scott led the way in 1:00.51, with teammates Charlotte Headland (1:01.57) and Avery Klamfoth (1:01.60) just over a second behind.

BOYS 100 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 52.21, Michael Andrew (2015)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 53.06, Reece Whitley (2014)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 51.75, Michael Andrew (2015)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 51.16, Reece Whitley (2018)

Top 8:

1. Jake Wang (SSC) – 52.97
2. Noah Cakir (TS) – 53.28
3. Xavier Ruiz (RAC) – 53.46
4. Alexei Avakov (PHX) – 53.48
5. Austin Carpenter (COA) – 53.70
6. Grayson Nye (TAC) – 53.76
7. Carter Lancaster (BSS) – 53.81
8. Luke Vickers (DYP) – 53.83

Jake Wang of SSC took out the first 50 of tonight’s 100 breaststroke strong, touching in 25.00 before bringing it home in 27.97. He touched in 52.97, dipping under the 53-second threshold for the first time in his career. Wang, who has committed to swim at Yale, entered the meet with a best time of 53.92. He touched in 54.o5 this morning to just miss the mark before obliterating tonight.

The entirety of the A-final dipped under :54-tonight, when only one was able to do that earlier in prelims. Noah Cakir (53.28) and Xavier Ruiz (53.46) rounded out the top three swimmers.

After winning the 200 freestyle earlier in the session, Jason Zhao posted a PB effort of 53.64 to take the ‘B’ final. His previous best time of 54.53 was recorded earlier today.

GIRLS 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 49.53, Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 50.44, Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.53, Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.46, Claire Curzan (2023)

Top 8: 

1. Charlotte Crush (LAK) – 50.23
2. Leah Shackley (BRY) – 50.63
3. Jillian Crooks (TAC) – 51.54
4. Virginia Hinds (ASA) – 52.87
5. Lila Higgo (BSS) – 53.22
6. Roos Rottink (MTAC) – 53.41
7. Sarah Rodrigues (JAC) – 53.60
8. Emily Thompson (GSCY) – 53.64

Charlotte Crush of Lakeside took control of the 100 backstroke from start to finish, winning in 50.23. Her times checks in as her 2nd fastest ever, just behind the 49.53 NAG she put on the books last night. Crush competed in the 100 butterfly final earlier in the night, posting a big best time to place 2nd (50.46).

Charlotte Crush Split Comparison:

Leah Shackley picked up her second podium finish (and 2nd best time) of the night with a 2nd place finish in the 100 back (50.63). Her time takes down her previous best of 50.83, and is especially impressive considering she competed in the 100 butterfly (50.60) earlier in the night.

Shackley will feature in the 200 back and 200 fly tomorrow, where she comes in as the 2nd seeded swimmer in both events.

Jillian Crooks of the TAC Titans took 3rd place, recording a time of 51.54 to undercut her previous best result of 51.87 from November.

Crooks, who will join her brother on the Tennessee swim team next year, placed 4th in the 50 freestyle (22.10) on day one of the competition. She will contest both the 200 back and 100 free tomorrow morning.

BOYS 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• Meet Record: 45.01, Will Modglin (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 47.44, Daniel Diehl (2020)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 45.60, Anthony Grimm (2019)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.63, Ryan Murphy (2014)

Top 8:

1. Johnny Crush (LAK) – 45.56
2. Kyle Peck (RAYS-VA) – 46.54
3. Blake Amlicke (NAC) – 46.62
4. Lucca Battaglini (ECA) – 46.93
5. Baylor Stanton (GA) – 47.24
6. Kenneth Barnicle (GSCY) – 47.75
7. Crash Ackerly (NOVA) – 47.90
8. Landon Kyser (BSS) – 47.94

Johnny Crush made it a 100 backstroke sweep for the Crush family, as his sister Charlotte just took the win on the girls side.

Crush led the race from start to finish, flipping in 21.97 before returning home in 23.59. His final time of 45.56 registers a new best time, overtaking the 45.76 he posted leading off Lakeside’s 400 medley relay yesterday.

Kyle Peck, who swims for the Stingrays in Virginia, swam a best time time of 46.54 to take 2nd place. Peck was 7th in the 100 fly earlier in the night, and is slated to swim the 200 back/200 fly double tomorrow.

Blake Amlicke of NAC took 3rd (46.62), while Cal commit Lucca Battaglini finished in 4th (46.93). Battaglini won the 50 free on night one and finished 2nd in the 100 fly earlier tonight.

GIRLS 200 FREESTYLE RELAY – FINALS

• Meet Record: 1:29.04, Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club (2018)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:33.30, TAC Titans (2019)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:30.99, Virginia Gators (2017)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:29.69, Nashville Aquatic Club (2020)

Top 8:

1. Carmel Swim Club (Shackell, Doughtery, Sweeney, Han) – 1:29.39
2. Bolles School Sharks (McDade, Lee, Murphy, Higgo) – 1:29.95
3. Laker Swim (Reese, Reynolds, Larweth, Erisman) & Lakeside Swim Team (Crush, McDonald, Kahler, Perkins) – 1:30.98
4. –
5. TAC Titans – 1:31.42
6. SwimMAC Carolina – 1:31.94
7. Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics – 1:32.39
8. Nashville Aquatic Club – 1:32.50

Carmel Swim Club’s quartet of Alex Shackell (21.71), Grace Dougherty (22.60), Molly Sweeney (22.57), and Kayla Han (22.51) touched in 1:29.39 to secure the 200 freestyle relay win.

The split by Shackell represents a new best time, eclipsing the 21.73 marker she threw down at this meet last year.

The Bolles School Sharks posted a sub-1:30 effort to place 2nd, as their squad of Maryn McDade (22.85), Simany Lee (22.64), Julia Murphy (22.24), and Lila Higgo (22.22) stopped the clock in 1:29.95.

Laker Swim and Lakeside Swim Team tied for 3rd, hitting a matching pair of 1:30.98s.

Notably, Jillian Crooks of the TAC Titans led-off in a time of 21.95, her first time breaking the 22-second barrier in the event.

BOYS 200 FREESTYLE RELAY – FINALS

• Meet Record: 1:19.03, Bolles School Sharks (2012)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:25.63, Scottsdale Aquatic Club (2013)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:22.10, Rose Bowl Aquatics (2021)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:18.92, Spartan Aquatic Club (2021)

Top 8:

1. Bolles School Sharks (Kravchenko, Tolentino, Lancaster, Meyers-Labenz) – 1:19.85
2. Cavalier Aquatics-Piedmont YMCA (Heilman, King, Browne, Moore) – 1:19.88
3. SwimMAC Carolina – 1:20.09
4. Suburban Seahawks Club – 1:20.85
5. Lakeside Swim Team – 1:20.92
6. Mason Manta Rays & Bolles School Sharks ‘B’ – 1:21.11
7. –
8. Huntsville Swim Association – 1:21.22

A tight battle ensued during tonight’s 200 free relay for the boys, as the Bolles School Sharks out-touched Cavalier Aquatics by just 0.03.

The Bolles School Sharks foursome of Andy Kravchenko (20.26), Seth Tolentino (19.85), Carter Lancaster (19.82), and Alex Meyers-Labenz (19.92) hit a time of 1:19.85, while Cavalier’s quartet of Thomas Heilman (19.56), David King (19.73), Will Browne (19.95), and Max Moore (20.64) touched in 1:19.88.

Cavalier had the lead through the 150, but the 19.92 anchor by Meyers-Labenz of Bolles was enough to take the win at the finish.

SwimMAC Carolina took 3rd place, hitting 1:20.09 in the process. They initially tied with the Nashville Aquatic Club, but NAC was disqualified from the race when anchor Maston Bellew left early. That shouldn’t wipe out a 19.65 leadoff split from Spencer Nicholas, though, his first time under 20 seconds. Blake Amlicke also was sub-20 on the second leg, splitting 19.81.

Team Scores (Through Day 3):

Top 5 (Girls):

1. Carmel Swim Club – 442 points
2. SwimMAC Carolina – 312 points
3. Lakeside Swim Team – 212 points
4. Bolles School Sharks – 168 points
5. Mason Manta Rays – 109 points

Top 5 (Boys):

1. Bolles School Sharks – 255 points
2. Cavalier Aquatics-Piedmont YMCA – 241 points
3. SwimMAC Carolina – 220.5 points
4. Lakeside Swim Team – 218 points
5. Suburban Seahawks Club – 185 points