By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

After the IPC‘s surprising decision in April to reclassify him as ineligible for para swimming, 14-time S10 Paralympic medalist André Brasil is speaking out against the classification system.

“What I would like is to understand what happened after almost 15 years in the adapted sport, plus others in the conventional sport, where I fit, if I do not have this limitation, since also I can not compete in conditions of equality in the Olympic sport,” Brasil told Brazilian site Lance.com (translated from Portuguese). “They doubted me when I joined the Paralympic. But my limitation has not changed since then. Childhood paralysis was attested, my limitation today will die with me. There was no improvement or worsening of the condition. I only have losses, because I am going to age with years of overload for the effort of years as an athlete. I will not have any winnings. It’s very subjective in my head and confusing for people to explain. Take a point that takes me out of the sport, with an ankle motion justification. You can not be an amateur to the point of bringing the human being to a number. Let’s leave the system more objective.”

The 34-year-old Brazilian spent the last 14 years classified as an S10. He had polio as a child, and as a result, one of his legs is five centimeters shorter than the other. Brasil also has no feeling, strength, or balance in the left leg, and despite seven surgeries as a child, it could not be remedied, according to Globo Esporte.

So, how does he think the system should change? Currently, swimmers undergo physical, technical in-sport, and technical in-competition assessments to – in theory – reach a proper classification. In 2018, World Para Swimmingrevised the process to put more of an emphasis on the in-water observation portion of the technical assessment; it essentially scores athletes by observing their “swimming behavior,” namely propulsion and drag. This is a shift from the past method, which simply entailed subtracting points from an athlete’s physical score based on a given impairment.

SwimSwam has published multiple interviews over the past two years with swimmers who agree with Brasil that the test should be more objective, including Trischa Zorn, the most decorated athlete in Paralympic history.

“In assessing ankle movement, the guy puts his hand up like a general practitioner and quantifies you as to the strength. But if I have 25% strength in all four ankle movements, this is not considered. As far as biomechanics is concerned, one can not isolate a movement from the general performance analysis. I do internal and external rotation of the shoulder in devices, for example, and it is finding out what I have of force. But in the water, I do not have it,” Brasil said.

“When the evaluator, with the naked eye, says that I have a foot movement that is not ideal for Paralympic swimming, he is talking about something that also starts from my hip. I can not separate my leg from the rest. Out of the water, the discrepancy is immense. They said that I have a minimum foot movement, which is not quantified in manual. I see a misunderstanding. These people often gain more importance than a technician. And they define not only the class, but the life of a human being. They are volunteers. It’s not a job. I understand that today sport is like a company. So the error starts there.”

The current classification system, Brasil said, hurts the Paralympic movement.

“We lose credibility. There are athletes who were above [S5/SB4] Daniel Dias‘ classes, with stronger times, and fell to his class. So he lost world records. This makes a reference unfeasible. It is very difficult for us to gain and have credibility. How will I present to the press and a sponsor that we have a cohesive and honest sport if these inconsistencies happen? We had Paralympic Games and gained notoriety. The world undergoes transformations, and Paralympic sport has evolved. Phelipe Rodrigues, who stayed in my class, is a guy who has been swimming strong. We have great proximity in results. On the other hand, I do not swim the 100m free for 47s, like Marcelo Chierighini, but for 53, 51 or 50.”

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee filed a formal protest to the IPC over Brasil’s ineligibility. He can be retested only if the IPC agrees to allow it at a sanctioned competition. Brasil could also take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“I suffer from the inside, I feel this weight, but with the care and support of friends and family, from Brazil, it relieves. I do not want to please everyone,” Brasil said. “But I want justice.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: ‘I Want Justice’: André Brasil Speaks Out Against IPC Classification System

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

Beckie Scott, a Canadian Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing, has refused to participate in the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) investigation into her allegations of bullying. She told the CBC last week that she believes the investigation lacks transparency and is “akin to a kangaroo court.”

Both Scott and Edwin Moses, who are the chairs of WADA‘s athlete committee and education committee, respectively, have declined to perform interviews with the law firm that WADA hired to perform the investigation, Covington & Burling. Moses says that he witnessed the bullying.

Among the complaints from the pair are that the law firm hired by WADA is representing the agency on another matter, and that Scott and Moses aren’t allowed to conduct their own questioning of WADA president Craig Reedie and director general Olivier Niggli.

Scott has been at odds with the WADA executive over its handling of the Russia investigation. In September, Scott resigned from the Compliance Review Committee after the organization agreed to reinstate the Russian anti-doping arm RUSADA with reduced standards of compliance.

Scott claims that she was ‘bullied’ by members of the WADA executive over her views on the Russia reinstatement.

In a released statement, WADA says that it “is unfortunate that Ms. Scott and Mr. Moses…have refused to cooperate with the very process they themselves called for. While their refusal to explain their perspective on an issue they raised is regrettable and unusual, WADA has continued in good faith to ensure these serious allegations are investigated as thoroughly and as fairly as possible and expects that the investigation will conclude shortly.”

Initial findings were presented at an Executive Committee in November “did not conclude that bullying had taken place,” WADA says.

“Covington was selected based on the strength of a distinguished track record for conducting such investigations thoroughly and fairly. It has previously been involved in a number of high-profile investigations, including recent cases involving Uber and the US television network, CBS. Covington has been conducting this investigation in a confidential manner, entirely independently of WADA and without any outside interference. WADA has not given Covington any orders or direction as to who it may or may not interview, what questions it may or may not ask of any individual, or what its conclusions should be.”

WADA says that they expect that the law firm will present a report to the Executive Committee at its next meeting, which will take place in Montreal on May 15th.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Beckie Scott Refusing to Participate in WADA Bullying Investigation

By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

Cal women’s swimming assistant coach Sarah Dunleavy is leaving her position to pursue interests outside of swimming, the school told SwimSwam Friday.

“While this profession has been such a rewarding experience, I am excited for a new chapter ahead,” Dunleavy said. “There are too many people to thank who have been instrumental in my life through my coaching journey, and I would like to point out a few.”

“First, I would like to thank Teri for an incredible two years. She has been a phenomenal mentor. The hardest part of saying goodbye coaching right now is leaving such a special team and walking away from working with such a special woman. It is comforting to know that Teri and I will have a lasting relationship that extends far beyond swimming. I am grateful for her being by my side and for supporting me through this decision.”

“Furthermore, I would like to thank the amazing group of young women I have worked with at Cal for allowing me to be a part of their lives over the past two years. I look forward to following their future successes as student-athletes, and as they move on to even greater things. I have been blessed to work with so many fantastic young men and women over the years, and they have all left lasting impressions on me.”

Dunleavy worked under McKeever for the past two seasons and swam collegiately at Purdue. Prior to Cal, she assisted in various capacities at Illinois, Kentucky, and Pitt. Prior to Dunleavy, Ian Walsh was McKeever’s assistant for one season before stepping down.

McKeever, 57, is the most accomplished female swim coach in history, and just finished her 28th season at Cal.

The Cal assistant vacancy adds to the growing list of high-profile Division I positions to open up this offseason, including a number in the Pac-12; more than 10 head coaching spots are available overall. In the Pac-12, Stanford is seeking a head men’s coach after Ted Knappstepped down last month, and Arizona will have to fill assistant positions in the absence of Cory Chitwood and Beth Botsford, as SwimSwam reported last week. Also on the high-profile assistant front, Indiana will seek new hires for the positions vacated by sprint coaches Coley Stickels and Kirk Grand.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Cal Women’s Assistant Coach Sarah Dunleavy Leaving Swimming

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

It’s that time of year again where we at SwimSwam rank out the top 20 high school swimming prospects in the upcoming NCAA recruiting class.

As college recruiting has reached earlier and earlier into high school classes, we’ve continually expanded our recruiting ranks and coverage. Last spring, we ranked out the then-sophomore class for the first time. This is essentially a re-rank of that class, taking into account a year of improvements. Stay tuned to our recruiting channel for more additions to our yearly recruiting coverage:

• Boys & Girls ranks for current juniors – high school class of 2020 (updated rankings from our “Way Too Early” rankings last spring)
• Way Too Early ranks for current sophomore boys & girls – high school class of 2021
• Re-Rank of outgoing senior boys & girls – high school class of 2019

Further reading:

• Way Too Early NCAA Recruiting Ranks: High School Boys Class of 2020 (as ranked last spring)

So without further ado, let’s take a look at this class as a whole, then review our ranking methodology (please read it before you get upset about how low the top miler is ranked!) and get into our rankings.

THIS CLASS

• Outstanding class at the top
• Lots of international/long course experience
• Great IM class
• Sprint freestylers have taken huge steps forward since last year
• Still a little thin at fly and breast, though it’s filling in
• A lot of one-event standouts lower in the class

Last year, we called it a “spirited battle” for the #1 rank, and though the names have changed, that holds true this year. Carson Foster remains our #1, but Luca Urlando has made a massive charge to put the two in basically a dead heat for the top spot. When things get close, we like to lean on data to help us see differences more clearly; in this case, the data only made things fuzzier. With their best times in their top 3 events, each would have scored about 18 points individually at 2019 men’s NCAAs. As far as relay value goes, Foster has a slight edge in the 100/200 free, but Urlando is probably a slightly better value in the 50/100 fly than Foster is in the 50/100 back. They’re pretty much a wash in the 50 free.

Those two characterize the top of the class pretty well: big long course talents with international experience for Team USA. In fact, 8 of the 20 members of last summer’s 2018 Junior Pan Pacs team appear in our class ranks for this list. While our recruiting ranks do take long course times into account at some level, we’re projecting the best NCAA (aka short course yards) values, so all of these swimmers have transferred their speed over to the short course pool at least fairly well.

It’s hard to find high school IMers anywhere near striking distance of NCAA scoring times. For whatever reason, it feels like the IM events take a lot more development to become an NCAA contributor. This class is an anomaly. Foster and Urlando are both NCAA-scoring level IMers already, and there’s lots of depth and upside behind them.

Last year, we noted the depth across the board in all of the freestyle events. That remains true. In particular, the sprinters in this class have stepped up big, going from a class that was deep but without major standouts to a deep group headed by four or five guys who look like true NCAA stud sprinters in the making.

The class is very good at backstroke, but is a little more thin in fly and breast. The breaststrokers in particular are improving pretty fast, though.

Last year, we noted how many swimmers had one standout event, without a lot of range or versatility yet to back it up. At the time, we chalked it up to ranking sophomores who were younger than the recruits we typically rank. But a year later, it’s looking more like a specific characteristic of this class. There are a bunch of guys just off our list who have one true standout event, but not enough support events to make the list: Matthew Jensen is 43.8 in the 100 free but only 20.8/1:38 on either side of it; Justin Fleagle is 19.9 in the 50 free but only 45.1 in the 100; Holden Raffin is 1:43.3 in back, but only 48.0 in the 100; Sean Faikish is 1:44.8 in the 200 IM without any other really noteworthy times. For coaches, that means lots of opportunity for breakout college swimmers – these guys have all shown serious flashes of talent that should continue to come around with one more year of high school and four years of college swimming remaining, even if they don’t have a portfolio strong enough to crack the top 20 at this point.

**The 1000 free isn’t an event at the Division I NCAA Championships, but is swum instead of the 1650 in many Division I dual meets and is part of the NCAA program in Division II.

THE METHODOLOGY

Our goal in these rankings is to reflect what college coaches look for in recruits, based on many years of conversations and coverage.

We focus only on American-based athletes, simply because there is so much uncertainty with international recruits – if they’ll come to the states, when they’ll come to the states and with what graduating class they should be ranked. Projecting international recruits often becomes more a discussion of when they’ll first join a college program and not which program they’ll join.

A few other factors that weigh heavily in our rankings:

• Relay Value – Relay points count double in college swimming, and any program needs a strong stable of quality sprinters to fill out all 5 relays with studs. Obviously, a special distance swimmer can easily rank ahead of a very good 100 freestyler, but college swimming generally values a sprint freestyler over a distance swimmer, all other factors being equal.
• Improvements – Actual times are a the trump card, but any big improvements in quality can make a difference as well. For example, a swimmer who only took up year-round swimming as a junior in high school going the same time as a swimmer whose been swimming year-round since they were 8 will probably get the edge in our rankings. Think Breeja Larson.
• Short Course over Long Course – we recognize that some programs, many programs, put their focus with their high school aged swimmers on long course, especially depending on when the high school championships may fall. That said, college swimming is short course, so a swimmer who is great in short course but struggles in long course will have the advantage over the reverse.
• NCAA scoring ability – NCAAs are the big show for college teams, so we’ve weighted NCAA scoring potential very highly. Swimmers who already have NCAA scoring times wind up mostly filling out the top our of rankings. Since college athletic directors – and by extension coaches – also place high value on conference championships, scoring ability at conference meets is also a factor in our rankings.
• Relative depth in the NCAA and recruiting class – a wealth of elite depth nationwide in one stroke discipline makes a big difference in what times are considered more valuable in that event. Events rise at different rates in the NCAA, but when one event gets extremely deep and fast at the college level, it makes high school prospects in those events a little less valuable, relatively, with lots of other veteran options. In the same way, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for example, would make each butterflyer a little less sought-after in the market, with lots of other recruiting options able to provide similar production.

Of course, there’s no way to predict the future, and the most concrete data we have to go on are cold, hard times. These rankings in no way mean that all of these 20 swimmers will be NCAA standouts, and they certainly don’t mean that no swimmer left off this list will make big contributions at the NCAA level.

With that out of the way, let’s get to our rankings.

Disclaimer: there are a lot of high school seniors in the country, and no really good, complete, 100% accurate listing of them all. If you don’t see your favorite swimmer on the list, feel free to politely point them out in the comments. There’s a chance that we disagree with your assessment of their spot in the top 20, and so long as it’s done civilly, there’s no problem with differences of opinions. There’s also a chance that we’ve simply missed a no-brainer (we’ve taken every precaution to avoid that), and if that happens, we want to make sure we correct it.

TOP 20 SWIMMERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2020

1. Carson Foster (Previous Rank: #1) – Mason Manta Rays – Sycamore High School – Cincinnati, OH **Verbally committed to Texas**
Best Times: 400 IM – 3:40.86, 200 IM – 1:42.54, 200 back – 1:40.07, 100 back – 46.28, 200 free – 1:32.99, 100 free – 43.61, 50 free – 20.11, 500 free – 4:20.21, 100 breast – 53.31, 200 breast – 1:56.53, 200 fly – 1:44.11, 100 fly – 48.39

A potentially sub-3:40 IMer out of high school is exceedingly rare, and Foster is a recruiting gem at the college level. He’s among the best in the class in almost every event and has a wealth of options to focus on at the college level. Foster is far from peaked, either: he dropped a ton of time since our last ranks, when he was 3:44/1:43 in the IMs. He’s also got the best 200 free in the class and projects as a multi-relay threat coming in the door as a freshman.

2. Luca Urlando (Previous Rank: #4) – Davis Aquadarts Racing Team – CK McClatchy High School – Sacramento, CA **Verbally committed to Georgia**
Best Times: 200 fly – 1:40.91, 100 fly – 45.62, 200 IM – 1:42.99, 100 back – 45.66, 200 back – 1:42.11, 200 free – 1:34.38, 100 free – 44.47, 50 free – 20.01, 400 IM – 3:49.58

Urlando was relatively unknown to most fans when we ranked him #4 last spring. He proceeded to become one of the biggest names in youth swimming with a massive U.S. National Championships with some gargantuan long course time drops (from 54/1:58 in the butterflys to 52.4/1:55), and he’s already transferred those improvements over to short course. He’s got the only NCAA “A” final time in the class right now, courtesy of his 1:40.91 in the 200 fly, and he’s got the best 100 fly and 100 back in the class. Urlando still has California’s high school postseason to come this month, and if he can improve his 100/200 frees, he might have a real argument to leapfrog Foster for the #1 spot.

3. Destin Lasco (Previous Rank: #2) – Salvation Army Kroc Aquatics – Mainland Regional High School – Pleasantville, NJ **Verbally committed to Cal**
Best Times: 100 back – 45.93, 200 free – 1:35.17, 100 free – 43.44, 200 back – 1:41.77, 200 IM – 1:44.59, 400 IM – 3:48.22, 500 free – 4:23.77

So far over his junior year, Lasco has improved his freestyles, but his calling-card backstrokes have stalled, as have his IMs. Still, 45-second backstrokers out of high school are rare – we haven’t had a junior at that level since Ryan Hoffer in the class of 2017 – and Lasco has a lot of range and versatility to back it up. 43.4/1:35.1 are going to go a long ways in earning free relay spots down the road, and Lasco may wind up projecting best as an IMer, where high school

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side, or you can find the poll embedded at the bottom of this post.

Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers to pick their favorite team name from the four European ISL franchises:

RESULTS

Question: Which European ISL team name do you like the most?

• London Roar – 59.1%
• Aqua Centurions – 19.3%
• Iron Swim Budapest – 11.3%
• Energy Standard – 10.3%

59% of fans voted for the London Roar as the best team name among the four European International Swimming League franchises.

The London Roar have one of the more descriptive names, and ran away with this poll. No other franchise got more than 20% of the total votes. That’s a much more spread out vote than last week’s poll about the American franchises, in which all four teams earned between 19 and 31 percent of the votes.

The Rome Aqua Centurions earned almost 20% of the votes, with Iron Swim Budapest (and their connect Iron monikers for each athlete) finishing near the bottom with the yet-unnamed Energy Standard team.

Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks voters which season they prefer high school swimming to take place during, given that most high school programs in the United States are split up between the three school year seasons based on their state’s athletics calendar.

ABOUT A3 PERFORMANCE

The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimSwam Pulse: 59% Prefer London Roar To Other European ISL Franchises

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

As confirmed by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Executive Meeting in Sydney this week, Olympic Games gold medalist Susie O’Neill is among those appointed to the nation’s leadership team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Along with Kim Brennan, 8-time Olympic swimming medalist O’Neill has been announced as Deputy Chefs de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team. They’ll be joined by Olympic fencer Evelyn Halls and New South Wales Institute of Sport CEO Kevin Thompson, who has been appointed as Head of Performance.

Said AOC President John Coates of the appointments, “Each of these Olympians has special qualities to contribute to the Team environment and each will bring their own experience and perspective. They will prove a very important resource for Ian.”

Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman commented,“We are focused on giving our athletes the very best opportunity to perform at their best. Our three Deputies totally understand the environment of Olympic competition, and will be a great support to our athletes and coaches in the team.

“It is very exciting to have such a high caliber group together. Each brings something different but each has a fantastic work ethic and great empathy for what’s important to athletes,” Chesterman said.

As for O’Neill, the swimming legend stated,“I’m hoping that I can provide that reassurance to the younger athletes. When they see that I am just an everyday person, they can believe in themselves and that anything is possible.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Olympian O’Neill Among Australian Leadership Team For Tokyo 2020

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2019 CIF-SS Division 1

• Swimming prelims May 2nd
• Swimming finals May 4th
• Riverside Aquatics Complex, Riverside, CA
• Short Course Yards
• Live Results

The prelims session of the CIF Division 1 Sectional was held on Thursday, May 2nd. The finals session will take place on Saturday, May 4th.

One Division 1 meet record was broken in the prelims session, coming in the final event – the boys 400 free relay. The Loyola boys team of Connor Lee(44.10), Emmett Pernecky (44.83), Nolan Wang (46.71), and Mark McCrary(45.69) combined for a time of 3:01.33. They slid in just under the previous meet record of 3:01.53, setting Loyola up nicely to re-break the record in finals. Lee also posted quick times in his individual events. He first took 4th in the 50 free, clocking a 20.67, finishing just behind Aaron Lee of University (20.66). Brian Lou of University posted the fastest prelims time (20.31), and Servite’s Christian Martinez was 2nd in 20.54. Lee then turned around and took the top seed for finals in the 100 fly, the next boys event. Lee clocked a 47.58 to set a new season best and touch the wall first by nearly a second.

Santa Margarita junior Ella Ristic led the charge in both the women’s 200 free and 100 free. Ristic posted a season best 1:45.87 for the top time in the 200 free by nearly a second. Ristic’s personal best sits at 1:45.76 from the 2017 D1 meet. Samantha Pearson, a junior out of Foothill, was 2nd in the prelims session, swimming a 1:46.73.Ayla Spitz (Newport Harbor senior) came in 3rd, swimming a 1:47.51. Ristic, Pearson, and Spitz also went 1-2-3 in the 100 free. Ristic was 1st again, touching in 49.26, followed by Pearson in 49.34, and Spitz in 49.47. The trio were the only swimmers in the field to break 50 seconds, setting up a nice race in finals. Ristic’s time was a personal best, while the other two have been under 49 seconds before.

Similar to Connor Lee, Santa Margarita junior Anicka Delgado also took on the 50 free/100 fly double. Delgado earned the top seed for finals in both events. She first swam a 22.79 in the 50 free, touching as the only swimmer to break 23 seconds. Freshman teammate Lindsay Ervin was 2nd in 23.08. Delgado then swam a 54.52 to just beat out Marina seniorSage Matsushima, who touched in 54.54. Not far behind was a tie for 3rd between Woodridge senior Jamie Yeh and Santa Margarita freshman Isabella Abrajan, who finished in 54.73.

Another freshman that made waves was Harvard-Westlake’s Ronald Dalmacio, who took 3rd in the boys 100 fly (49.02) and 2nd in the boys 100 back (48.82). Dalmacio was just 0.01 seconds behind the top finisher in the 100 back, Canyon-Canyon Country senior Kevin Childs (48.81). Dalmacio also provided quick splits for the Harvard-Westlake relays. He led off the 400 free relay in 45.62, the 2nd fastest lead-off split in the field. He also anchor the 200 medley relay in a blistering 20.08, the fastest split in the field.

Hannah Farrow (Fountain Valley senior) took the top seed in the girls 200 IM, swimming a 2:02.88. The time was the fastest in the field by almost 2 seconds. She went on to take 2nd in the 100 breast by a narrow margin. Valencia-Valencia sophomore Ana Izabella-Adame posted the fastest 100 breast of the prelims session, touching in 1:01.87. Farrow was right behind, finishing in 1:01.92, with nearly a 1 second gap between them and the rest of the field.

Zac Van Zandt, a Crespi junior, took the top seed for finals in the boys 200 free, with a mark of 1:37.38. He finished roughly half a second ahead of Foothill senior Hunter Ingram (1:37.94). Van Zandt also swam a 44.54 in the 100 free, marking himself as the only swimmer to break 45 seconds in prelims. The time put Van Zandt just .69 seconds off the meet record of 43.85.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: IU Commit Ella Ristic Swims 1:45 200 FR at CIF D1 Sectional Prelims

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

US OPEN WATER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019

• 3-5 Maggio 2019
• Miami Marine Stadium, Miami, Florida
• Race course/logistics
• Swimswam Italia preview
• Start Lists

La marcia di Gregorio Paltrinieri verso la qualificazione alle Olimpiadi di Tokyo del 2020 anche nelle open water inizia dagli Stati Uniti, dove si stanno svolgendo i Campionati Nazionali.

Nel Miami Marine Stadium Paltrinieri vince la 10 km maschile, con il tempo di 1:49:25.37

10 km maschile

1. Gregorio Paltrinieri 1:49:25.37
2. Jordan Willimosky 1:50:57.35
3. Mario Sanzullo 1:51:41.21

Gregorio Paltrinieri arriva al traguardo in solitaria, lasciandosi il gruppo alle spalle dopo la metà gara.

Il Campione olimpionico e mondiale dei 1500 metri stile libero ha dichiarato dopo la gara (fonte Federnuoto)

“E’ stato un ottimo test con atleti di livello eccellente. Mi sono messo davanti dal terzo giro e piano piano lo spazio tra me Willimosky e Sanzullo aumentava, non è stato facile ma ne avevo per andare da solo. La frequenza della bracciata è stata sui quarantuno cicli fino all’arrivo, quindi decisamente buona. Questa è la strada giusta per arrivare al top della condizione ai Mondiali. Dopo Miami andremo in altura a Flagstaff, dove mi raggiungerà anche Detti,  per proseguire nella preparazione in vista degli appuntamenti più importanti della stagione”.

Anche il suo allenatore, Stefano Morini è soddisfatto della prestazione:

“Gregorio è stato molto bravo e intelligente oggi. Sono sempre più convinto che abbiamo intrapreso la strada giusta per farci trovare pronti ai Campionati del Mondo. Bisogna lavorare con questa abnegazione e con questa determinazione. Andiamo avanti così”.

Lavoro duro e abnegazione: due qualità che contraddistinguono il nostro Gregorio Paltrinieri.

Secondo gradino del podio il Campione del Mondo in questa distanza ai Mondiali di Kazan, lo statunitense  Jordan Willimosky con il tempo di 1:50:57.35.

Sale sul podio anche Mario Sanzullo, terzo con il tempo di 1:51:41.21.

Gli italiani saranno impegnati anche nella 5 km, in programma domenica, a partire dalle ore 13.30 italiane.

RISULTATI UFFICIALI

1. Gregorio Paltrinieri, Italy, 1:49:25.37
2. Jordan Wilimovsky, Team Santa Monica, 1:50:57.35
3. Mario Sanzullo, Italy, 1:51:41.21
4. David Heron, Mission Viejo Nadadores, 1:52:22.03
5. Brennan Gravley, Sandpipers of Nevada, 1:52:25.43
6. Michael Brinegar, Indiana University, 1:52:28.86
7. Victor Johansson, Sweden, 1:52:30.09
8. Brendan Casey, Cavalier Swimming, 1:52:56.34
9. Theodore Smith, University of Louisville, 1:52:56.92
10. Taylor Abbott, University of Tennessee, 1:52:57.13

• Risultati completi 10 km maschile

QUALIFICAZIONE OLIMPIADI TOKYO 2020

L’evento segna per gli americani il primo evento in ordine di tempo per la qualificazione alle Olimpiadi di Tokyo del 2020.

I Mondiali di Gwangju segneranno la seconda opportunità per gli statunitensi di qualificazione olimpica, prima per gli italiani.

In particolare, le procedure di selezione prevedono che i primi 10 classificati ai Campionati Mondiali FINA di Gwangju sono automaticamente qualificati per le Olimpiadi di Tokyo.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Gregorio Paltrinieri Vince La 10 Km Allo US Open- Mario Sanzullo Bronzo

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

2019 U.S. OPEN WATER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

• May 3rd-5th, 2019
• Miami Marine Stadium, Miami, Florida
• Race course/logistics
• Start Lists
• SwimSwam Preview / Schedule
• Men’s 10K Results

In what was a completely different race dynamic than what we saw in the women’s event, Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri ran away with the victory in the men’s 10K at U.S. Open Water Nationals as he established a full minute gap just after passing the halfway mark.

He ended up winning by over a minute and a half, clocking a time of 1:49:25.37.

The 24-year-old is best known for his accomplishments in the pool, as he is the reigning Olympic and the two-time defending World Champion in the 1500 freestyle.

Two-time defending champion Jordan Wilimovsky ended up swimming out on his own in second, solidifying his third straight National title as the top American in 1:50:57.35.

Paltrinieri’s countryman Mario Sanzullo took the third spot in 1:51:41.21, and David Heron snuck by Brennan Gravley (1:52:25.43) and Michael Brinegar (1:52:28.86) for the second U.S. World Championship spot in 1:52:22.03.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

1. Gregorio Paltrinieri, Italy, 1:49:25.37
2. Jordan Wilimovsky, Team Santa Monica, 1:50:57.35
3. Mario Sanzullo, Italy, 1:51:41.21
4. David Heron, Mission Viejo Nadadores, 1:52:22.03
5. Brennan Gravley, Sandpipers of Nevada, 1:52:25.43
6. Michael Brinegar, Indiana University, 1:52:28.86
7. Victor Johansson, Sweden, 1:52:30.09
8. Brendan Casey, Cavalier Swimming, 1:52:56.34
9. Theodore Smith, University of Louisville, 1:52:56.92
10. Taylor Abbott, University of Tennessee, 1:52:57.13

• Full Men’s 10K Results

This will be Wilimovsky’s third straight appearance in the 10K at Worlds, as he won the gold medal in 2015 in Kazan and was the silver medalist two years ago in Budapest. Brendan Casey, who finished eighth today, was the other American entrant at the 2017 Championships (placing ninth). The two of them also joined forces with Ashley Twichell and Haley Anderson in the team event to win silver in Budapest.

Heron also competed at Worlds in 2017, finishing 10th in the 5K.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Paltrinieri Wins Men’s 10K, Wilimovsky Crowned National Champion In Miami

By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

29 swimmers have been selected to represent team Germany at the 2019 FINA World Championships this summer, the German Swimming Federation (DSV) announced today.

The roster includes 2018 European Champion Florian Wellbrock, 2018 European Championships silver medalists Sarah Köhler and Philip Heintz and 2017 World Championships silver medalist Franziska Hentke.

13 swimmers are eligible to race in individual events, they have cracked the German nomination times during the qualifying period which ended officially last Tuesday. But the German nomination standards provide an extended qualification period until 12 May, but swimmers can no longer recommend themselves for the relays, only the remaining places in individual competitions can be filled. Two swimmers can start per individual event in Gwangju. Three competitions are held until the end of the second qualifying period in Germany which are FINA approved: The “Süddeutschen” and “Norddeutschen Meisterschaften” this weekend in Freiburg and Magdeburg and the German Open in Essen on May 10th-12th. If nobody earns further qualifying times, it has been customary at past championships to give the relay swimmers the chance to compete in individual events.

Over the men’s 200m breaststroke, 1500m freestyle and the women’s 800m and 1500m freestyle the two start places are already occupied.

Youngest swimmer in the team is Isabel Gose, born in 2002, oldest swimmer is Franziska Hentke, born in 1989. Marius Kusch and Alexander Kunert are two athletes in the German team who currently train in the USA.

Germany earned just 1 medal in swimming at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships: a silver from Franziska Hentke in the women’s 200 fly (2:05.39). In 2017, they sent 10 men and 4 women to the World Championships in swimming, and raced only 3 relays: the men’s 800, the men’s 400 medley, and the mixed 400 medley.

13 women and 16 men will represent the German colors in Gwangju. Swimmers who have qualified for individual competitions are written in italics.

Women(13):

Leonie Beck (400/800m freestyle)
Annika Bruhn
Lea Boy (1500m freestyle)
Anna Elendt
Reva Foos
Isabel Gose
Franziska Hentke (200m butterfly)
Angelina Köhler (100m butterfly)
Sarah Köhler (800/1500m freestyle)
Julia Mrozinski
Marie Pietruschka
Laura Riedemann (100m backstroke)
Jessica Steiger

Männer (16):

Christian Diener
Christoph Fildebrandt
Jacob Heidtmann
Philip Heintz (200/400m IM)
Marco Koch (200m breaststroke)
Alexander Kunert
Marius Kusch (100m butterfly)
Rafael Miroslaw
Max Pilger (200m breaststroke)
Josha Salchow
Fabian Schwingenschlögl
David Thomasberger (200m butterfly)
Ruwen Straub (1500m freestyle)
Florian Wellbrock (400/800/1500m freestyle)
Damian Wierling
Poul Zellmann

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Germany Announces Roster for 2019 World Championships

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

FINA will tweak the event order for the final two editions of its new Champions Series, eliminating the single-gender relays in favor of mixed-gender relays and shuffling the events over the two-day meet lineup.

We’ve been told that the new event order will be as follows:

The old event order was:

The major change is that instead of having four relays (two for men, two for women), the new lineup will compress down to two relays: a mixed medley relay and a mixed free relay. The relays will close each night, instead of the old lineup in which the relays bookended the session.

In addition, the events are shuffled around a bit to spread out event disciplines. The 100s of fly, back and breast no longer conflict with either the 50 or 200 of the same stroke, and the 50s and 200s share a session – under the previous lineup, the men’s 100 and 200 breaststrokes were the same day, as were the women’s 100 and 200 fly, the women’s 50 and 100 back and the men’s 100 and 200 back.

The first stop of the Champions Series took place last weekend in Guangzhou, China. The next stop is next weekend in Budapest, Hungary, and the series concludes with a May  31-June 1 stop in Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: FINA To Change Event Schedule For Final Two Champions Series Meets

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

California high schooler Luca Urlando broke the national public high school record in the 100 fly at prelims of his CIF Sac-Joaquin Section meet. And he did it without even going a personal-best time.

Urlando went 45.88 in prelims today, shaving .01 seconds off the national public high school record of 45.89 set by eventual NCAA and World champ Caeleb Dressel in 2013. Urlando competes for C.K. McClatchy High School, a public school in Sacramento, California.

The current overall (public and private schools) national high school record stands at 45.52 from Dressel’s club teammate Joseph Schooling in 2013. Urlando could be in the hunt for that record tomorrow at the Sac-Joaquin finals. Urlando has been as fast as 45.62 at the club level, putting up that time at Winter Juniors back in December. Urlando already smashed his own section meet record of 46.70 from last year.

Currently a junior, Urlando is one of the top two recruits in the nation among his high school recruiting class. He’s verbally committed to the University of Georgia. Urlando also broke the Sac-Joaquin section record in the 200 IM today, going 1:43.87. Once again, Urlando’s lifetime-best (1:42.99) suggests he’s got more in the tank for tomorrow’s finals. The national public and overall high school records stand at 1:41.39 – a legendary record held by David Nolan since 2011.

Urlando won the 100 fly and 100 back at this meet a year ago; he’s given up the backstroke for the IM this time around. That did allow him to swim the 200 free relay. Though Meet Mobile results show Urlando anchoring the relay, it seems more likely he was the 19.88 leadoff leg of that relay. Previously, Urlando had been 20.01 in the 50 free. The meet is still ongoing, but Urlando should also be likely to swim the 400 free relay for C.K. McClatchy.

A few other notable swims from prelims of the Sac-Joaquin meet:

• Finn O’Haimhirgin went 20.64 and 44.78 to lead the 50 and 100 free for Bella Vista High. Those are just off of lifetime-bests for the senior.
• Oak Ridge’s Colby Mefford leads the 200 (1:38.82) and 500 (4:27.77) frees. He’s also a senior.

Girls prelims were on Thursday, and finals for boys and girls will begin at 10 AM Pacific Time tomorrow. You can find full results on Meet Mobile under “2019 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Luca Urlando Breaks Dressel’s National Public HS Record With 45.88 Fly

By Gold Medal Mel Stewart on SwimSwam

Olympic champion Katie Ledecky came off of an Olympic Training Center camp before the Richmond Pro Swim,  and, yes, she did things in practice I’m confident no other woman has ever done.

• 20 x 100m free on 1:40, holding under a minute on half of them.
• 400m IM set, descending. On the last 400, Ledecky swam it 400m free, dropping a 4:10…from a push.

Ledecky, as expected, is doing the hard work, striving to inspire and impact the sport. I love that she sounds a little like Michael Phelps, thought Phelps rarely, if ever, shared his practice repeats. If anyone knows of legendary Phelps sets, please share in the comments. 

Predictions!

After Australia’s Ariarne Titmus dipped under 4 minutes, I think it’s time for Ledecky to send a message.  True, Titmus is three seconds off of Ledecky’s 3:56. That’s not exactly close, but it’s too close, and I’m looking for any motivation for Ledecky to go 3:55.7 at World Championships this summer. Ledecky has been under four minutes 15 times.  3:55.7 feels right. And it’s Ledecky. Anything is possible.

But who cares what I think. What do you think?

Like Katie Ledecky on Facebook here. 

You can follow Katie Ledecky on Twitter here.

Follow her on Instagram here. 

RECENT EPISODES

This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Ledecky’s Times In Practice Are Ridiculous: GMM presented by SwimOutlet.com

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

TROFEO DEI 100 ANNI/Calligaris Memorial

• Saturday, May 4th – Sunday, May 5th
• Polo Natatorio B. Bianchi in Trieste, Italy
• LCM
• Meet Information
• SwimSwam Meet Preview
• live streaming
• Live Results

30-year-old Italian swimming icon Federica Pellegrini continues to impress in an event the freestyle ace had sworn-off at one time. The women’s 200m freestyle saw the prolific face of Italian swimming power her way to a near-season-best effort of 1:56.98 while competing on day 1 of the Trofeo Dei 100 Anni in Trieste, Italy today.

The 2-day meet consists of just timed finals, so Pellegrini put the pedal to the ‘medal’ in her one appearance, clocking her 1:56.98 time to beat out the field by well over 6 seconds. Her time fell within half a second of the 1:56.60 she put up for gold at last month’s Italian National Championships in Riccione. That time remains in the #7 slot among the fastest in the world this season.

16-year-old Giulia D’Innocenzo did damage today as well, reaping 2 golds. The teen first took the women’s 50m fly in 27.85, beating out runner-up Claudia Tarzia by just .10. D’Innocenzo then took on the women’s 200m back, where she logged 2:16.61 to obliterate the field by over 17 seconds for the win.

Dual citizen Sebastion Sabo was listed as representing Hungary at this meet, although he holds Serbian swimming records. Sabo won the men’s 50m fly in  23.84, the only sub-24 second outing of the field. He’s already ranked 3rd in the world with his time of 22.99 from March.

Sabo also was victorious in the men’s 50m free, where he pushed a time of 22.89 to represent the only sub-23 man of the timed final today.

Additional winners included Laszlo Cseh in the men’s 200m IM, with his pedestrian (by his standards) 200m IM effort of 2:03.88, followed by 16-year-old Dylan Buonaguro hitting his stride right behind in 2:03.89. Buonaguro won the B-Final in this event at the aforementioned Italian National Championships in 2:03.27.

The meet continues tomorrow with both a morning and afternoon session of timed finals.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Pellegrini Produces Another 1:56 200 Free; Sabo Wins Twice In Trieste

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

TROFEO DEI 100 ANNI – MEMORIAL CALLIGARIS

• 4/5 Maggio 2019
• Vasca Lunga 50 metri
• Polo Natatorio B. Bianchi, Trieste (ITA)
• live streaming

Si è aperto questo pomeriggio il Trofeo del Centenario – Memorial Calligaris.

In vasca, nei 200 metri stile libero femminili, Federica Pellegrini.

200 METRI STILE LIBERO FEMMINILI

1. Federica Pellegrini 1:56.98
2. Noemi Girardet 2:03.22
3. Giulia Salin 2:03.27

Una gara condotta in solitaria per Federica Pellegrini che con 1:56.98 vince la gara precedendo le altre di oltre sei secondi.

Il tempo è solo 38 centesimi più alto rispetto a quello nuotato ai Campionati di Riccione lo scorso Aprile.

La settimana prossima, la Pellegrini sarà impegnata nella tappa della FINA Champions Swim Series di Budapest.

La gara dei 200 metri stile libero femminili vedrà a Budapest la nostra Pellegrini gareggiare contro Sarah Sjostrom, Veronika Popova e Charlotte Bonnet.

200 metri misti MASCHILI

1. Laszlo Cseh 2:03.88
2. Dylan Bonaguro 2:03.89
3. Filippo Megli 2:07.35

Il giovane Dylan Bonaguro classe 2002 riesce a tenere testa all’ungherese Laszlo Cseh, che conduceva la gara con un margine che si è andato via via riducendo. Nell’ultima vasca parte l rimonta di Bonaguro. Laszlo Cseh chiude primo toccando la piastra in 2:03.88, un centesimo prima di Bonaguro.

Terzo Filippo Megli con 2:07.35

ALTRI RISULTATI

• 200 METRI MISTI FEMMINILI. Ilaria Cusinato, annunciata negli scorsi giorni, è assente al Trofeo, stante il trasferimento da Ostia.  I 200 metri misti femminili vengono vinti in scioltezza dall’ungherese Zsuzsanna Jakabos che chiude in 2:17.77. Seconda Alessia Capitano con 2:21.24, che sale sul podio insieme alla gemella Gaia, terza con 2:23.51
• 50 METRI FARFALLA FEMMINILI. Siamo abituati a vedere Giulia D’Innocenzo nuotare le distanze del dorso, ma i risultati sono buoni anche nello stile farfalla. Con il tempo di 27.85 si aggiudica la gara. Seconda Claudia Tarziacon 27.95. Terza con 27.97 Noemi Girardet.
• 50 METRI FARFALLA MASCHILI. L’ungherese  Szebasztian Szabo è l’unico a nuotare sotto i 24 secondi, aggiudicandosi la gara con 23.84. Lorenzo Gargani tocca per secondo con 24.14, mentre Laszlo Cseh è terzo con 24.30. Szebasztian Szabo poco dopo chiude primo anche i 50 metri stile libero con il tempo di 22.89
• 800 METRI STILE LIBERO FEMMINILI. La sedicenne Giulia Salin vince facilmente gli 800 metri stile libero, con un vantaggio di quasi 5 secondi. Tocca la piastra fermando il crono a 8:43.40. Seconda Alisia Tettamanzi con 8:48.33. Chiude il podio Alessia Capitano con il tempo di 9:03.52

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Trieste: Pellegrini 1:56.9 Nei 200SL. Tra Una Settimana In Gara A Budapest

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2019 U.S. OPEN WATER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

• May 3rd-5th, 2019
• Miami Marine Stadium, Miami, Florida
• Race course/logistics
• Start Lists
• SwimSwam Preview / Schedule
• Women’s Jr 5k Results
• Men’s Jr 5k Results

The second day of the US Open Water National Championships continues with the junior men’s and women’s 5k races. All competitors of Saturday’s races were ages 16 and under.

In the men’s race, 16-year-old Dylan Becker (Sandpipers of Nevada) ran away with the title in a 58:18.48. The Utah commit only had a short rest period after yesterday’s senior 10k, where he finished in 30th place.

The rest of the top 21 swimmers in the race were all under one hour. Clocking in second just 3 second behind Becker was Egg Harbor’s Joseph Tepper (58:21.07). Fellow Sandpipers of Nevada teammates Caleb Gould (58:33.02) and Dylan Gravley (58:40.74) joined Becker in the top 5. Out-touching Gravley for 4th place was TAC Titans’ Connor Hughes (58:40.06).

Last year’s junior 5k champion, Jackson Carlile (Fishers Area Swimming Tiger) finished in 7th place with a 58.57.41. In 2018, Carlile won with a 59:57.91, which would have placed 21st this year. Carlile also came off the senior 5k from Friday, finishing in 22nd place.

Top 10 Finishers: Men’s Junior 5k

1. Dylan Becker (Sandpipers Of Nevada)- 58:18.48
2. Joseph Tepper (Egg Harbor Twp Seahawks)- 58:21.07
3. Caleb Gould (Sandpipers Of Nevada)- 58:33.02
4. Connor Hughes (Tac Titans)- 58:40.06
5. Dylan Gravley (Sandpipers Of Nevada)- 58:40.74
6. Jared Carter (YMCA of the Triangle Area Swim)- 58:45.71
7. Jackson Carlile (Fishers Area Swimming Tigers)- 58:57.41
8. James Morrissey (Germantown Academy Aquatic Club)- 59:09.17
9. Brice Barrieault (Sandpipers Of Nevada)- 59:10.97
10. Logan Zucker (SwimMAC Carolina)- 59:19.81

On the women’s side, Chase Travis (Nation’s Capital Swim Club) took home her first junior open water title with a 1:02:07.57. Travis also swam the senior 10k the day before, placing herself 9th place overall. The Virginia Tech commit will also compete in the senior 5k tomorrow, where she has a chance at being one of the only swimmers to place top-10 in all 3 race disciplines.

Her male counter-part Dylan Becker will also be competing in the senior 5k on Sunday. At the end of the weekend, both junior 5k champions will have logged over 20,000 meters, roughly 12.43 miles.

Runner-up behind Travis in the women’s junior 5k was 13-year-old Kathryn Grimes of Sandpipers of Nevada (1:02:26.82). Right behind 3rd-place finisher East Coast’s Anna Auld (1:02:30.90) was fellow 13-year-old Cadence Fort of Gulf Coast Swim Team (1:02:31.11). Placing fifth in the three-way nail-biter finish for third place was Blue Dolfins’ Carlie Rose (1:02.31.17).

Top 10 Finishers: Women’s Junior 5k

1. Chase Travis (Nation’s Capital Swim Club)- 1:02:07.57
2. Kathryn Grimes (Sandpipers of Nevada)- 1:02:26.82
3. Anna Auld (East Coast Aquatic Club)- 1:02:30.90
4. Cadence Fort (Gulf Coast Swim Team)- 1:02:31.11
5. Carlie Rose (Blue Dolfins)- 1:02.31.17
6. Mackenzie Lanning (Lakeside Swim Team)- 1:02:34.95
7. Mallory Schleicher (South Florida Aquatic Club)- 1:02:47.57
8. Paige Kuwata (Sandpipers Of Nevada)- 1:02:48.98
9. Caroline Pennington (Badger Swim Club,Inc.)- 1:02:55.01
10. Blair Stoneburg (Treasure Coast Aquatics)- 1:02:55.94

The final day of the championships begins tomorrow, Sunday, at 7:30 am ET with the start of the men’s senior 5k. The women’s senior 5k will begin just 5 minutes after the men’s start.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Becker, Travis Take Home Junior 5k Titles Day After Senior 10k Swim

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Sarah Clark of Jackson, Michigan has committed to swim for Hillsdale College (Hillsdale, MI) in the class of 2023. The Chargers’ women’s swimming and diving team finished second in Division II’s GMAC conference this season and head coach Kurt Kirner was named GMAC Coach of the Year.

Clark is a senior at Lumen Christi Catholic School. She swims year-round for head coach Ian Townsend at Mid-Michigan Aquatics and specializes in distance freestyle. She is coming off a very successful meet at Michigan Swimming Senior Short Course Championships, where she notched PBs in the 500/1000/1650 free. She placed 11th in the mile, 12th in the 1000, and 36th in the 200 fly. Her best time in the 200 fly comes from the same meet last year.

Clark will be of immediate help to the Chargers. Her best times would have scored 3rd in the 1650 and 4th in the 1000 free at 2019 Great Midwest & Mountain East Conference Championships, which would have made her Hillsdale’s top distance freestyler. She also would have made the A final of the 500 free and the B final of the 200 fly.

Top SCY times:

• 1650 free – 18:02.39
• 1000 free – 10:43.74
• 500 free – 5:13.55
• 200 fly – 2:15.04

Clark will join Leah Tunney in the Hillsdale class of 2023.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

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Read the full story on SwimSwam: MMA Freestyler Sarah Clark Commits to Hillsdale for 2019-20

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

Three days after Indiana All-American Morgan Scott entered the NCAA transfer portal, freshman Hoosier Julia Wolf has also entered the database for student-athlete intending to change schools. A few days earlier, former sprint coaches Coley Stickels and Kirk Grand left the IU program. Wolf is a Bloomington native and graduated from Bloomington South High School alongside Mackenzie Looze, daughter of head coach Ray Looze.

Wolf was a member of the NCAA-qualifying 200 free relay alongside graduating senior Christie Jensen and returning swimmers Shelby Koontz and Laurel Eiber.

That Indiana 200 free relay placed 23rd at NCAAs in 1:30.07 (last among all legally-finishing relays) after entering the meet seeded 12th. That same relay finished in 3rd at Big Tens with a 1:28.48. Individually, Wolf placed 10th in the 50 free (22.53) and 11th in the 100 free (49.35) at Big Tens, both of which were very similar to her high school bests (identical in the 50 free).

With the absence of Scott and now Wolf, the rising senior Koontz is the only returning medley relay member and one of 2 remaining 200 free relay swimmers alongside Eiber. At Big Tens, Koontz and Eiber were both sub-22, splitting 21.97 and 21.95 respectively. At NCAAs, both swimmers were slower, with Eiber splitting 22.11 and Koontz a 22.72.

With the IU sprint ranks thinning, it is now up to class of 2019 commits Alexis Doherty (23.05/50.79),Ashley Turak (22.10/48.72), Cora Dupre (22.46/48.96), and Grace Pangburn (23.34/51.07) to reload the IU sprint crew.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NCAA Championship Participant Julia Wolf of Indiana Enters Transfer Portal

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

2019 CIF SAC-JOAQUIN – FINALS

• May 3-4, 2019
• Tokay High School, Lodi, CA
• Short Course Yards
• Results on Meet Mobile

Luca Urlando wasn’t quite as fast as yesterday in today’s finals. In the 200 IM, he won in 1:43.94, gaining seven hundredths from his morning swim and coming in about a second back of his 1:42.99 lifetime best. Urlando was then 46.03 in the 100 fly, about a half second from his best and off of his prelims time of 45.88 which broke Caeleb Dressel’s national public HS record.

On relays, he was 19.89 leading off C.K. McClatchy’s 200 free relay, which won in 1:24.85, while he was able to hit a lifetime best of 43.23 leading off their 4th place 400 free relay. Coming into the meet, Urlando’s lifetime best was a 44.47 from this meet last year. He was 43.59 leading off the relay in prelims, so he bettered that by over three more tenths today. That brings him close to Adam Chaney‘s 43.00 — Chaney is the best 100 freestyler in the high school class of 2020.

Winning that 400 free relay in 3:05.98 was Oak Ridge, who got a 45.65 lead-off from senior Colby Mefford. The younger brother of Bryce Mefford, an All-American and rising junior at Cal (where C. Mefford will swim next year), he took two runner-up finishes today, both behind Pioneer’s Connor Daniels. Mefford was 1:37.47 in the 200 free behind Daniels’ 1:37.27, while he was 4:26.90 in the 500 behind Daniels’ 4:23.46.

Oak Ridge sealed the meet win with that final relay, as they finished just 6.5 points ahead of Jesuit.

Mefford was 22.90 leading off Oak Ridge’s winning 200 medley relay, followed by a quick 24.56 split from Ben Dillard. Dillard would take second behind Urlando in the 200 IM with a 1:48.64, and would also win the 100 breast in 54.31.

Davis HS took control of this meet on the girls’ side, easily taking the team title. They opened with a win in the 200 medley relay (1:42.28), getting a 25.33 lead-off from junior Zoe Cosgrove. Davis’s top scorer, Cosgrove then won the 200 IM (2:01.36) as well as the 100 back (54.52).

Adding another win for Davis was sophomore Natalie Bercutt, who was 1:03.75 to take the 100 breast. Davis won both 200 relays, although Granite Bay pulled off the win in the 400 free relay, edging Davis 3:29.14 to 3:30.06. Cosgrove led off in 50.71, but Granite Bay’s Alissa Ongaco was 50.87 to run down Davis’s anchor.

OTHER WINNERS

• Emma Mehl of Oak Ridge swam to victories in the 200 free (1:51.56) and the 500 free (4:58.77).
• Lodi’s Madeline Woznick swept the girls’ sprints, going 23.18 in the 50 free and 50.91 in the 100 free.
• Finn O’Haimhirgin of Bella Vista clocked a 20.53 to win the 50 free and a 44.51 to take the 100 free.
• The boys’ 100 back went to Jack Donovan of Del Oro.
• Country Day’s Rebecca Waterson posted a 54.25 to win the 100 fly.

SCORES

Girls Top 5

1. Davis 397.5
2. Granite Bay 302
3. Folsom 147
4. Country Day 134.5
5. Lodi 126

Boys Top 5

1. Oak Ridge 293
2. Jesuit 286.5
3. Granite Bay 186
4. Rio Americano 174.5
5. C.K. McClatchy 114

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Urlando Goes Lifetime Best in 100 Free at CIF Sac-Joaquin Finals