Atlanta Classic: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

We’re headed into day 2 finals here at the 2016 Atlanta Classic and tonight’s session will see plenty of action from some of the nation’s best. Joseph Schooling and Ryan Murphy headline the 200 fly and 100 back, respectively. In the 50 free, Caeleb Dressel and Nathan Adrian will be racing on the men’s side. Natalie Coughlin will battle with Olivia Smoliga in the women’s 100 back, and Katie Ledecky will take center pool in the 400 freestyle final.

2016 ATLANTA CLASSIC – DAY 2 – FINALS

• Friday, May 13th, 6:00PM (Eastern Time)
• Georgia Tech McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, GA
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results

WOMEN’S 200 FLY:

1. Hali Flickinger– 2:08.61
2. Ella Eastin– 2:10.25
3. Lauren Case- 2:12.01

Hali Flickinger took it out hard in the womens 100 fly, leading by 2 seconds when she turned in 1:01 at the 100 mark. Ella Eastin made a late charge on the final 50 and started to close the gap, but Flickinger held on for the win in 2:08.61 to Eastin’s 2:10.25. That’s the fastest Flickinger has ever been in season, just a second off her best of 2:07.59 from 2015 Nationals. Eastin also posted a best in-season time, just a tenth shy of her 2:10.12 from last summer.

Rounding out the top 3 was Lauren Case, who touched in 2:12.01. Following closely behind her were Megan Kingsley (2:12.31) and Christina Bechtel (2:12.64).

Swimming out of the C final, Elizabeth Beisel posted a 2:13.71 to win her heat.

MEN’S 200 FLY:

1. Joseph Schooling– 1:57.37
2. Pace Clark- 1:58.03
3. Kyle Higgins- 1:58.83

Joseph Schooling led the men’s 200 fly from start to finish, completing his sweep of the butterfly events with a 1:57.37. On the final 50, Pace Clark gave him a late run for his money. Clark came from behind to finish 2nd in 1:58.03. Kyle Higgins rounded out the top 3 behind them with his 1:58.83.

After taking it out with Schooling, Tom Shields faded on the last 50, finishing 5th in 1:59.45. Just ahead of him was Jack Conger, who posted a 1:59.42.

WOMEN’S 50 FREE:

1. Simone Manuel– 25.21
2. Olivia Smoliga– 25.25
3. Lia Neal– 25.32

With only a tenth separating the top 3 finishers, Simone Manuel got her hand on the wall 1st in the 50 free. Manuel clocked a 25.21 to take the win ahead of Olivia Smoliga, who touched in 25.25 for 2nd. Manuel’s Teammate Lia Neal finished a close 3rd with her 25.32

Atlanta local and U.S. Olympian Amanda Weir was 4th in the final, swimming a 25.56.

MEN’S 50 FREE:

1. Nathan Adrian– 21.93
2. Marcelo Cherighini- 22.29
3. Bruno Fratus- 22.53

Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian finished ahead of a loaded field in the men’s 50 free. Adrian was the lone man under 22, hitting the wall for a time of 21.93. A pair of Brazilian postgrads from Auburn, Marcelo Chierghini (22.29) and Bruno Fratus (22.53), finished behind him for 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Caeleb Dressel, the only swimmer in the final who opted out of wearing a racing suit and raced in a speedo, wound up 4th in this race with a 22.68.

WOMEN’S 100 BACK:

1. Olivia Smoliga– 1:00.13
2. Natalie Coughlin– 1:01.18
3. Bridgette Alexander- 1:01.46

Olivia Smoliga and Natalie Coughlin went head to head in the women 100 back. Smoliga finished the race with a commanding lead, clocking a 1:00.13. Coughlin was slightly off her prelims time to finish 2nd in 1:01.18.

The race for 3rd came down to the touch between Bridgette Alexander and Alex Walsh. Alexander was able to get her hand on the wall faster, posting a 1:01.46 to Walsh’s 1:01.51.

MEN’S 100 BACK:

1. Ryan Murphy– 53.08
2. Jacob Pebley- 54.27
3. Taylor Dale- 55.36

Ryan Murphy dominated the men’s 100 back, finishing over a body length ahead of the field. Murphy split a 25.75 at the 50 on his way to a 53.08. Murphy’s teammate Jacob Pebley was the 2nd place finisher, clocking a 54.27.

Behind the Cal teammates, 3rd went to Taylor Dale, who posted a 55.36 to hold off Michael Taylor (55.53) and Corey Main (55.73).

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST:

1. Melanie Margalis- 2:26.66
2. Laura Sogar- 2:28.32
3. Sarah Henry- 2:28.70

Melanie Margalis was well ahead of the field in the women’s 200 breast final. Margalis posted a 2:26.66 to win the event by nearly 2 seconds. Laura Sogar and Sarah Henry had a close race for 2nd behind her. Sogar (2:28.32) held on to finish ahead of Henry, who made a late charge to place 3rd in 2:28.70. Also under 2:30 was Annie Zhu, who clocked a 2:29.61.

MEN’S 200 BREAST:

1. Josh Prenot– 2:09.49
2. Reece Whitley– 2:14.99
3. Moises Loschi- 2:15.47

Josh Prenot picked up his first win of the meet tonight, leading start to finish to win the men’s 200 breast. Prenot finished over 5 seconds faster than anyone else in the final, clocking a 2:09.49. That clips his previous season best of 2:09.50 from Arena Pro Swim Orlando.

Reece Whitley and Moises Loschi were locked in a close battle for 2nd. Loschi started to catch up to Whitley on the back hald, but Whitley held on for 2nd in 2:14.99 to Loschi’s 2:15.47.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE:

1. Katie Ledecky– 4:00.31
2. Hali Flickinger– 4:09.03
3. Brittany MacLean– 4:10.24

Katie Ledecky was in a league of her own in the women’s 400 free, splitting 1:58.38 to the feet at the 200 on her way to a quick final time of 4:00.31. Behind her, Georgia teammates Hali Flickinger and Brittany MacLean battled for 2nd, with Flickinger clocking a 4:09.03 to finish ahead of MacLean in 4:10.24.

MEN’S 400 FREE:

1. Walker Higgins- 3:55.15
2. Jay Litherland- 3:55.58
3. Adam Linker- 3:57.24

The men’s 400 free was one of the closest races of the night, with half a second separating the top 2 and 6 tenths separating the 3rd through 6th place finishers. Walker Higgins and Jay Litherland battled for the win. In the end, Higgins got to the finish first in 3:55.15 ahead of Litherland’s 3:55.58.

There were 4 men in the 3:57-range in the race for 3rd place. Adam Linker clocked a 3:57.24 to finish ahead of the group, just .01 ahead of Chris Yeager (3:57.25). Kevin Litherland (3:57.51) and Bryan Lee (3:57.86) made late charges on the final 50, but fell short to place 5th and 6th, respectively.