2025 Speedo Sectionals – Justin, Texas
- March 6-9, 2025
- Northwest ISD Aquatic Center, Justin, Texas
- Short Course Yards (25 Yards), Prelims/Finals
- Psych Sheets
- Results on Meet Mobile: “LAC 2025 Speedo Sectional Championship Series”
Day 2 of the 2025 Justin Sectionals saw Olympic medalist Claire Weinstein pick up her second win of the meet with a victory in the 500 free on Friday night. She threw down a time of 4:29.42, just .04 off of her lifetime best set back in December 2023.
Weinstein opened her race in 51.22, a full second faster than the opening 100 from her swim at the 2023 CA/NV Speedo Sectional Championship, before splitting 54s on each of the remaining 100s. She came home in a 54.14, again faster than the closing 100 of her lifetime best performance, and blasted into the wall nearly 18 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
Behind Weinstein were Sandpipers of Nevada teammates Applejean Gwinn and Riley Christensen, who took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Gwinn, who was also the runner-up behind Weinstein in the 1000 free on day 1, turned in a time of 4:47.36, half a second off of her lifetime best. Just behind her was Christensen in 4:47.38, who dropped 5.68 seconds from her previous personal best (4:53.06) posted back in December of this season.
The boys’ 500 free was just as exciting, as fellow Sandpiper Luke Ellis prevailed in 4:15.56 to secure his first win of the meet. Ellis was just .02 off of his lifetime best, set at Winter Juniors back in December, racing into the wall almost seven seconds ahead of 2nd-place to claim a definitive victory.
The runner-up behind Ellis was Hillsboro HEAT’s Ethan Heasley, whose time of 4:22.16 marked a season best performance by 7.14 seconds and is the fastest he has swam since 2021.
Katrin Otaegi turned in a noteworthy performance in the 100 free; the 15-year-old threw down a lifetime best 49.63 to take 4th as one of the youngest competitors in the A-final. Otaegi’s time shaved .91 off of her previous best and marked her first time under 50 seconds.
The top two finishers in the girls’ 200 breast both turned in significant personal bests. Danielle Herman won the event in 2:10.38, knocking 3.39 seconds off of her time coming into the meet, while Aliana Marakovic swam 2:12.28 to claim the runner-up spot and shave .32 off of her lifetime best.
Day 2 Event Winners
- The girls’ 100 free went to Liberty Clark, who turned in a 48.78 to hold onto her #1 spot. Her time, while .3 off of her best, was .4 faster than runner-up Cadence LeBlanc (49.18).
- Enzo Solitario from Nu Wave Swim Club took home the 100 free in 43.75, just over half a second off his best time.
- Texas Ford Aquatics’ Jack Armour claimed the title in the 200 breast, posting a time of 1:55.59 to race into the wall over two seconds ahead of Oleksandr Karpenko (1:57.65).
- LeBlanc bounced back after the 100 free to win the 200 back in 1:56.21, just .1 off of her lifetime best and 1.5 seconds faster than runner-up and former #1 seed Daniela Linares Danzos (1:57.71).
- Lakeside Aquatic Club’s Maximus Williamson turned in a time of 1:44.37 in the 200 back to jump from 3rd to 1st and bring home the victory in the event. The Juniors qualifier was a few seconds off of his lifetime best 1:40.88, posted back in 2022.
Team Standings After Day 2
Girls Top 5:
- Lakeside Aquatic Club – 286
- Pleasanton Seahawks – 201
- Sandpipers of Nevada – 148
- First Colony Swim Team – 147
- Alamo Area Aquatic Association – 128
Boys Top 5:
- Lakeside Aquatic Club – 233
- Waterloo Swimming – 190
- Texas Ford Aquatics – 166
- Streamline Aquatics – 129
- Sandpipers of Nevada – 128
Go Claire! Welcome to Cal next NCAA season.
Weinstein has 4 years to get under some legendary numbers: 1:39 and 4:24. Can’t wait to see her try.
unless bella can do it in two years before her
It’s going to be tough. You pretty much have to be out in 47 something to have a chance. And to be able to go out in 47, you’re 100 speed needs to be 46 low at worst, probably 45 something. So unless she develops major top end speed, it’s going to be tough.
a good 200 swimmer can be 46 high and go out 47 high and still come back
Maximus’ best 2 back is 1:40.88 from 12/10/22
I’m surprised to see Ethan Heasley pop up in this article. I didn’t know he returned to swimming, but it’s nice to see him get back in the water!