Erica Sullivan Wins Open Water Nationals 10K Title, Denies Twichell Four-Peat

2021 U.S. Open Water National Championships

• April 16-18, 2021
• Lynn Hall Park / Fort Myers Beach, FL
• Meet site
• Live stream

Erika Sullivan won the Olympic-distance 10K to open U.S. Open Water Nationals in Fort Myers, Florida. Sullivan led wire-to-wire in a dominant showing, leading at the finish of all six laps along the way.

Sullivan’s win in 2:02.43 denied three-time defending champ Ashley Twichell a fourth-straight win. Twichell finished about 18 seconds behind, with the two well ahead of the rest of the field. Sullivan and Twichell swam first and second the whole way. Haley Anderson made a mid-race surge into third at lap 3, but couldn’t reel in the top two as the race wound down.

Here are official results, per USA Swimming on social media:

OFFICIAL results:

1. @erica_sully, 2:02.43
2. @atwich616, 2:03.01
3. @SwimHaley, 2:05.21#OWNats pic.twitter.com/aNfZbpXoQ5

— USA Swimming News (@USASwimmingNews) April 16, 2021

Open Water Women’s 10K Finish Order:

1. Erica Sullivan, 2:02.43
2. Ashley Twichell, 2:03.01
3. Haley Anderson, 2:05.21

UNOFFICIAL results:

1. @erica_sully
2. @atwich616
3. @SwimHaley #OWNats pic.twitter.com/v8RXKN52kD

— USA Swimming News (@USASwimmingNews) April 16, 2021

Full results are not yet available, but we will update as they are published. Olympic qualification is already set for this summer – Anderson and Twichell will represent the United States by virtue of their top-10 finishes at the 2019 World Championships in the 10K.

The event will serve, though, as a selection meet for the U.S. National team and the perks and funding that go along with that status. Sullivan secures her spot on the team. Anderson and Twichell were already locked into national team status as Olympic entrants. The entire top 5 in this 10K will earn 2021 National Team status through October, so two more athletes will have earned their National Team roster spot today. We’ll update as more results become available.

This week’s meet also serves as a selection event for the 2021 World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, set for August 13-15 in Victoria, Seychelles. The two highest-placing finishers within the age bracket will qualify for the World Juniors 10K. Here’s a look at the age brackets and qualifying events for World Juniors:

2021 World Junior Open Water Championships – Selection Criteria

• 5K Event
  • Ages 15-16 as of December 31, 2021 (Athletes born in 2005 or 2006)
  • Two highest-placing eligible swimmers from the 5K event on Saturday
• 7.5K Event
  • Ages 17-18 as of December 31, 2021 (Athletes born in 2003 or 2004)
  • Two highest-placing eligible swimmers from the 7.5K event on Sunday
• 10K Event
  • Ages 19-20 as of December 31, 2021 (Athletes born in 2001 or 2002)
  • Two highest-placing eligible swimmers from the 10K event on Friday