Big, multi day national meets like this one can get emotionally and physically draining after the first few days. While this prelims session wasn’t highlighted by any national records, there was still plenty of personal bests and fast swimming to go around. With all the exciting races that happened last night, I’m sure we’ll be in for a treat when finals roll around at 5:30 EST.
The morning got started with the 200 medley relay. The ladies from Sarasota YMCA notched the top spot, swimming a 1:43.56. Sophie Cattermole, Bethany Leap, Madison Jean, and Spence Atkins put together four solid legs to shave a few tenths off their seed time. Schroeder and Middle Tyger were right behind them in 1:43.65 and 1:43.74, so expect a dogfight tonight for the title.
The men’s race will be even closer tonight with the top three teams only being separated by three tenths. Somerset’s Brad Zdroik, Zack Warner, Joseph Delbuono, and Samuel Hendrix will be in lane four tonight with their time of 1:33.24. Cheshire is right behind them with a 1:33.33, while Lakeland Hills will be right in the mix, grabbing the third spot with a 1:33.53.
The women’s 500 free saw a very impressive morning swim from Leah Braswell out of York. The 13 year old (yes, 13) shaved four seconds off her seed time, broke the 4:50 barrier, and is the top seed for tonight with a 4:49.88. She’ll have to fend off soon to be Aggie, Caitlynn Moon, who is right behind her with a 4:49.97.
Ian Rainey kept the ball rolling with his stellar meet, swimming to a personal best in the 500 free for the top seed. With a time of 4:28.70, he will be in lane four for tonight. Jonathan Blansfield out of Westport and Zachary Molloy (last night’s 200 free winner) will challenge him with their morning swims of 4:29.28 and 4:38.34, respectively.
Alyssa Arwood had a huge drop this morning in the 100 breaststroke, swimming to the top seed in a 1:02.04, which obliterated her seed time by a second and a half. She’ll be challenged tonight by Bethany Leap (200 breaststroke winner) who didn’t have a great morning swim, grabbing the second seed with a 1:02.88. With Leap’s seed time of a 1:01.71, she could have a shot of breaking the national record tonight if everything goes her way.
Conner McHugh and Zack Werner will battle again for another breaststroke title. They were the only two swimmers to crack 55 with McHugh at 54.49 and Werner at 54.89. While Werner prevailed victorious in the 200 earlier this week, McHugh would like to see the number one by his name this go-around.
The 200 backstroke was the last event of the session and will certainly be an exciting one tonight. Erin Voss and Emily Slabe had impressive morning swims, both shaving two second off their seed times. Voss will be in lane four tonight with a 1:55.37 while Slabe will be right beside her with a 1:55.60.
Edwardsville’s Sean Workman dominated his prelim swim, dropping two and half seconds and grabbing the top seed with a 1:47.07. The rest of the field fell behind with the next closest finisher, Austin Katz, touching in a 1:48.18.
Finals will begin at 5:30 EST and will follow the same event line up as this morning, with the addition of the finals of the 800 free relay. Everything you need to follow along <a href=”http://swimswam.com/2014-ymca-national-championships-preview-plus-links-need-follow-meet/” target=”_blank”>is available here</a> (includes prelim results, final results, and links to live stream).
Congratulations to Alyssa Arwood! I was teammates with her parents, both NCAA D-III All-Americans. Both were top-3 finishers multiple times at NCAA’s. Both were also team captains.