Pancake Hot Take: 2019 US Open/Minnesota Invite Weekend Wrap-up
Since this is a wrap-up, I’m giving you my top 4 swims of the weekend, my top 4 surprises of the weekend, and as always, the syrup on top.
Austin Katz & Drew Kibler Explain The Texas X Factor (Video)
When asked about the week the horns have had in Minnesota, Katz admitted that this Texas team is “weirder than we’ve ever been”
Reece Whitley Describes Cal Preparation Heading into Minnesota Invite (Video)
Reece Whitley took this one, becoming the new national leader this season. He nearly went under 1:51, winning at 1:51.02
What was the Secret to Abbey Weitzeil’s 20.90 50 Free? (Video)
In a feat never done before, Abbey Weitzeil, became the first woman ever under twenty-one seconds in the 50-yard freestyle. But How?
Alvin Jiang Breaks Down Texas Gains (Video)
On top of his massive 43.82 butterfly relay split, Alvin Jiang posted lifetime bests in the 100 fly (44.94) and 100 back (45.26) in Minnesota this weekend
Townley Haas Knew Dean Farris Was Going to be Out Fast (Video)
Haas, out in 50.98, came home with a pair of 27-mids to win with 1:45.92, breaking the US Open record set all the way back in 2005
Allison Schmitt is Feeling Wise in her 4th Olympic Cycle (Video)
In the championship final, Allison Schmitt established the pace early on and held off a strong finish from Siobhan Haughey to secure the victory
Melanie Margalis Does Not Know What Happened in the 400 IM (Video)
Melanie Margalis of Saint Petersburg Aquatics topped the field in the women’s final, coming from behind to win with a new U.S. Open Meet record of 4:37.34
Lilly King Takes Her Croc Game to the Next Level (Video)
After qualifying second in morning heats, Lilly King threw down a dominant 1:05.65 to win the women’s 100 breast by nearly a full second.
Phoebe Bacon had Unfinished Business After this Summer (Video)
17-year-old Phoebe Bacon stunned the crowd by upsetting World Record-holder Regan Smith in the final of the women’s 100 back.
Cody Miller Signs Fan’s Build-a-Bear with His Voice Inside It (Video)
Cody Miller is essentially a household name (in a swimmers house) at this point, and it is starting to show when fans get a chance to interact with him
Torri Huske Has Incorporated Strength Training into Her Regimen (Video)
Torri Huske blasted a 57.48 to win the 100 fly from an outside lane, upsetting the favorites and notching both a U.S. Open Meet record
Caeleb Dressel Comments on Phelpsian Comparisons (Video)
Will Licon of Longhorn Aquatics edged Gator Swim Club’s Caeleb Dressel, 1:59.96 to 1:59.97, to win the hotly-contested B final.
Alex Walsh on 200 IM NAG: “I really wanted to break 2:10” (Video)
That was a personal best for Alex Walsh by 2.23 seconds (2:11.24 prior PB) and a new National Age Group Record for 17-18 girls.
Regan Smith Explains the Importance of $2 Sunday Laser Tag (Video)
Erica Sullivan of Sandpipers won the B final in 4:09.99 ahead of Sarasota Sharks’ Emma Weyant (4:10.33) and Riptide’s Regan Smith (4:10.40).