Beisel: “I did not make the team under circumstances I am proud of”
Shortly after the finish, we learned Eastin had been disqualified for “swimming more than a quarter of the race in the style of backstroke”, AKA the ‘Lochte rule’
Hannah Stevens: “You know what level you want to be at” (Video)
Hannah Stevens of Missouri popped off a 27.63 to win the women’s 50 back, cracking Natalie Coughlin‘s LC National Championship Record which stood at 27.68 from 2013
Justin Ress: “I swam distance in high school” (Video)
NC State’s Justin Ress had that big swim many believed he could have, knocking about half a second off his best time to win the men’s 50 back in 24.41 and qualify for the World Championships
Chase Kalisz: “I feel like I’m 16 again” (Video)
Chase came home solid, clocking 4:06.99, the top time in the world for the year, and only two tenths off his best from the Olympics last summer where he won silver.
Leah Smith: “Everyone expected me to die on certain strokes” (Video)
I don’t think anyone predicted it coming into the meet, but Leah Smith is your National Champion in the women’s 400 IM
Nic Fink: “This was kind of my come back story” (Video)
In a very tight field, Nicolas Fink was the big surprise claiming 2nd in 2:08.63
Bethany Galat: “I definitely had a fire burning in my heart” (Video)
Bethany Galat, who had a few near misses at the Olympic Trials, had a tantalizing back half to claim the other World Championship spot in 2:22.24, also a best time
Ledecky: “I almost have that event down to a science” (Video)
To no one’s surprise Katie Ledecky got out ahead from the gun and never looked back, touching the wall in a time of 1:54.84 to become the first woman under 1:55 this year.
Kevin Cordes: “Getting that one back meant a lot” (Video)
Kevin Cordes took off on the second 50, taking over the lead and staying under world record pace through 150m, before taking the win in 2:07.41
Why does national Champ Kelsi Worrell need her Chucks? (Video)
Kelsi Worrell isn’t just sporting her Cardinal Red Converse at the Summer Nats just because they look good… but they do look good.
Townley Haas: “I have no idea where that 100 came from” (Video)
Townley Haas blew away the field, out very quickly in 50.85 and ultimately touching in 1:45.03 for the decisive win
Lilly King: “It’s embarrassing not making an Olympic final” (Video)
After missing the Olympic final last summer, Lilly King came through with a big swim in the 200 breast, clocking a big best time in 2:21.83
Kathleen Baker: “I’ve gotten stronger and in better shape” (Video)
100 back Olympic silver medalist Kathleen Baker put on a dominant display in the 200 back final after foregoing the event at Olympic Trials last year
Ryan Murphy: “I’m finally getting to do my dream job” (Video)
The Cal duo of Ryan Murphy and Jacob Pebley came through as expected tonight, going 1-2 in times of 1:54.30 and 1:54.78
Pace Clark: “Jack said I know how to hurt the most he’s ever seen”
Clark blazed home in 29.47, the fastest in the field, to run down Kalisz and take the second spot in 1:54.58