By Retta Race on SwimSwam

MCCULLAGH INTERNATIONAL OPEN MEET 2020

• February 20th-23rd
• Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex, Northern Ireland
• 50m (LCM)
• Meet Info
• SwimSwam Preview 
• Meet Entries
• Live Stream

The 2020 McCullagh International Meet gives swimmers a chance to test out having finals in the morning, as the ‘day 2 prelims’ took place last night at Aurora Complex in Bangor. This mimicks the timing set to happen at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Following up on his 48.8 in-season 100m freestyle victory here already was 22-year-old Duncan Scott of the University of Stirling, owning the 200m free event to get fans on their feet.

The two-time relay Olympic silver medalist staked his claim on this 2free early, hitting a prelims mark of 1:47.32 last night. Dropping .26 this morning, however, Scott checked in with a 1:47.06 to comfortably beat out runner-up Jack McMillan of Bangor, who touched in 1:48.28 for silver.

Splits for Scott in this final included 51.79/55.27, with an encouraging drop in these morning finals to help train for Tokyo timing. As such, Scott wrapped up on the 100m/200m freestyle double here in Northern Ireland, with the 100m fly and 200m IM yet on his schedule.

Last weekend at BUCS, Scott stuck to the 200m fly and 400m IM events, so fans missed seeing him in his bread-and-butter freestyle events. This 1:47.02 is a positive outlook for where the versatile swimmer stands just 2 months out from the British Championships, which represent the nation’s Olympic Trials.

Scott now ranks as the 12th fastest 200m free performer worldwide this season. Not to be missed, however, is the fact that McMillan’s time tonight for silver sits just .28 outside of his 1:48.00 lifetime best from last year’s World Championships.

Home nation swimmer Mona McSharry cruised her way to victory in the women’s 50m breast, hitting the wall in 27.14. Loughborough’s Harriet West was next in line in 27.46, while Ellen Walshe was also under the 28-second threshold in 27.79 for bronze.

Although Commonwealth Games 200m fly champion Alys Thomas looked poised to take the 200m free based on her 1:59.65 prelims performance last night, it was Abbie Wood who got the job done for gold during this morning’s final.

Splitting 58.90/1:01.06, 21-year-old Wood hit the only sub-2:00 time of the field, with 30-year-old Thomas settling for silver in 2:00.54. Stirling’s Aimee Willmott finished in 2:00.96 for the bronze this morning.

Olympians Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Hannah Miley were also both in the race, finishing in 4th and 5th with respective efforts of 2:02.07 and 2:02.72.

Wood, who competed for the International Swiming League (ISL) NY Breakers, is coming off of double IM victory at last weekend’s BUCS and she also took the 200m free gold there in Sheffield as well. Her time of 1:59.66 from that meet checked in as her lifetime best, so she was just .30 outside of that mark one week later.

Another exciting women’s race came in the 100m back, where Kathleen Dawson nabbed gold in 1:00.28 over Irish national record holder Danielle Hill‘s 1:00.90. The latter’s time represents a new Irish national record, outperforming her own 1:01.08 produced along Hill’s record-breaking tear of 2019. You can read more about Hill’s new record here.

23-year-old Dawson’s shining moment actually came in last night’s prelim, where the Scot posted a sub-minute effort of 59.98. That time falls within striking of her own national record of 59.82 she logged in 2016, a mark which renders her as Great Britain’s 4th fastest performer all-time in the women’s 100m back.

Dawson, who has been plagued with injuries as of late, hit a time of 59.94 at last week’s BUCS as a guest swimmer. As such, her producing 2 consecutive sub-minute outings is encouraging, despite adding slightly during this morning’s final. Her 59.94 from BUCS ranks her 13th in the world this season.

The men’s 100m back, one of our meet previews top 5 races to watch, was indeed a thriller, with Luke Greenbank and Shane Ryan separated by just .16 when all was said and done.

After having led the men’s field from last night’s prelim swim of 55.11, Greenbank shaved off .09 to land atop the podium this morning in 55.02. That held off Irish national record holder Ryan who clocked 55.18 to drop massively from his 56.10 prelim swim.

Also getting on the podium was Larne swimmer Conor Ferguson, although he added slightly to his 55.29 prelim effort to finish in 55.50.

Just off BUCS Long Course Championships, there in Sheffield last weekend Greenbank posted a winning time of 55.51 to get his 2020 year started. In 2019, Greenbank busted out a time of 53.75 in the semi-finals at the 2019 World Championships for a new lifetime best, rendering him 14th overall.

As for Ryan, he owns the Irish national record in his lifetime best of 53.73 put up in Dublin last year.

Another one of our top 5 races to watch here was the men’s 200m breaststroke, with the likes of Adam Peaty, Ross Murdoch, James Wilby, Craig Benson and Eoin Corby among the stacked competitive field.

Commonwealth Games champion Wilby led the way through yesterday’s prelims, positioning himself in the middle lane for the final with a night swim of 2:11.98. Murdoch and Peaty earned lanes to flank him with respective prelims efforts of 2:13.42 and 2:14.64.

Peaty wound up dropping the final, however, giving the rest of the field one less Olympian to worry about. Wilby took advantage, dropping well over half a second from yesterday’s mark to take gold in 2:11.23.

Murdoch kept his 2nd place spot with a 2:13.04, while bronze went to 18-year-old Irish junior national record holder Corby, who posted 2:14.66.

Going back to Peaty, although he has been entered in the 200m breast at other long course meets, the most recently registered official time for him is represented by the 2:16.62 he posted at the 2017 Manchester International Swim Meet. As such, his 2:14.64 from last night mark his fastest in over 2 years.

Additional Winners:

• Olympic finalist Max Litchfield posted a time of 4:19.81 to take 400m IM gold, out-performer the rest of the field by over 14 seconds.
• The men’s 50 fly saw Calum Bain get to the wall first in a time of 24.60 as the only sub-25 second swimmer in the final.
• The women’s 200m breast had just one swimmer get under the 2:30 barrier, as Molly Renshaw touched in 2:27.92 for the win. The 24-year-old Loughborough swimmer already ranks 15th in the world this season by way of the 2:25.31 she produced at Northampton’s Winter Festival last December.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: McCullagh: Scott Clocks 1:47.0 200 Free, Dawson Posts Another 59.9 100 Back

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

MCCULLAGH INTERNATIONAL OPEN MEET 2020

• February 20th-23rd
• Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex, Northern Ireland
• 50m (LCM)
• Meet Info
• SwimSwam Preview 
• Meet Entries
• Live Stream

25-year-old Adam Peaty already made his mark here at the 2020 McCullagh International Open Meet, swimming an on-fire men’s 100m breaststroke time of 58.78 for gold. That outing places Peaty among the top 5 performers in the world this season, which is a comfortable spot for the Olympic champion to be considering this is an in-season meet for him with British Championships just over a month away.

This meet is mimicking the 2020 Olympic Games timing format, with prelims occurring in the evening and finals taking place in the morning. As such, Peaty’s time drop between night prelims and morning finals in that 100m breast is a nice indicator of how things may play out for him in Toyo this summer.

However, Peaty was back at it here shortly here in Bangor, contesting the men’s 200m breaststroke during last night’s prelims. One of our top 5 races to watch here at this McCullagh International, Peaty was entered in the race against the likes of countrymen Ross Murdoch, James Wilby, Craig Benson, and Edward Baxter, not to mention multi-Irish junior record holder Eoin Corby.

Splitting 1:04.03/1:10.61, Peaty wound up stopping the clock in a time of 2:14.64 to place 3rd in last night’s prelims. Wilby took the top spot with a night swim of 2:11.98, while Murdoch was next in line with an effort of 2:13.42.

Peaty wound up dropping the final, however, giving the rest of the field one less Olympian to worry about. Wilby took advantage, dropping well over half a second from yesterday’s mark to take gold in 2:11.23.

Murdoch kept his 2nd place spot with a 2:13.04, while bronze went to 18-year-old Irish junior national record holder Corby, who posted 2:14.66.

Going back to Peaty, although he has been entered in the 200m breast at other long course meets, the most recently registered official time for him is represented by the 2:16.62 he posted at the 2017 Manchester International Swim Meet. As such, his 2:14.64 from last night mark his fastest in over 2 years.

As a reality check, the FINA ‘A’ Olympic qualifying time rests at 2:10.35 while the even stiffer British Swimming-mandated consideration standard is situated at 2:07.60.

Peaty is Britain’s 5th fastest performer ever in the 200m breast, holding a PB of 2:08.34 from the 2015 British Championships. The short course meters time of 2:04.63 he swam for a new personal best at the International Swimming League (ISL) London meet translates to a LCM mark of 2:08.62 using SwimSwam’s Speedo time converter.

Bottom line, he would have his work cut out for him to insert himself into the conversation for Olympic qualification. But, then again, it’s Adam Peaty we’re talking about.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Adam Peaty Posts Fastest 200 Breast Time In Over 2 Years

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

2020 – CITY OF TURIN TROPHY

• 21-23 February 2020
• Palazzo del Nuoto – Turin (IT)
• Day 1 SCM, Days 2 & 3 LCM
• Event website
• START LIST
• SwimSwam Italia Preview

You can read the original report on SwimSwam Italia here.

Under the unique format of swimming short course meters on day 1, followed by long course meter finals the remaining days of this City of Turin Trophy, 15-year-old Benedetta Pilato busted out 2 solid performances to kick off her 2020 calendar year.

Teenager Pilato powered her way to a swift morning 50m breaststroke swim of 29.42 to top the prelims field. That time fell just .10 shy of the 29.32 she produced at the 2019 European Short Course Championships, a mark which gave her gold and a new Italian national record.

Pilato was slightly slower in the final here, hitting the wall in 29.66, but still logged the only time of the field under 31 seconds, as Anita Bottazzo was next in line for silver in 31.41.

Announcing herself to the international swimming scene last summer, Benedetta, then just 14 years old, won the silver medal in the 50m women’s breaststroke at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Italian Pilato Kicks Off 2020 With Near-National Record In 50 Breast

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S ACC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm (1650 prelims Saturday at 4:00 pm)
• Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: North Carolina State University (NC State) (1x) (results)
• Streaming: ACC Network
  • Day 2 Finals
  • Day 3 Finals
  • Day 4 Finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results

With the final day of the 2020 ACC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, this morning’s prelims sessions should go a long way in determining the meet champion. UVA currently leads by over a hundred points and has roughly an equal number of women seeded in the top eight as does NC State, which currently is in 2nd.

This morning’s action will feature prelims for only four swimming events, plus platform diving, with the timed finals of the mile to be contested later today. Three of the four pool events this mornings will feature the defending champion: Emma Muzzy in the 200 back, Sophie Hansson in the 200 breast, and Grace Oglesby in the 200 fly

Women’s 200 Back – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 1:49.61 – Alexia Zevnik, 2017
• ACC record: 1:49.09 – Alexia Zevnik, 2017
• 2019 ACC champion: Emma Muzzy (NC State) – 1:51.66

Women’s 100 Free – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 46.57 – Mallory Comerford, 2019
• ACC record: 46.20 – Mallory Comerford, 2018
• 2019 ACC champion: Mallory Comerford (Louisville) – 46.57

Women’s 200 Breast – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 2:04.34 – Emma Reaney, 2014
• ACC record: 2:04.06 – Emma Reaney, 2014
• 2019 ACC champion: Sophie Hansson (NC State) – 2:06.73

Women’s 200 Fly – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 1:52.81 – Grace Oglesby, 2019
• ACC record: 1:50.61 – Kelsi Worrell, 2016
• 2019 ACC champion: Grace Oglesby (Louisville) – 1:52.81

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2020 ACC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

By Dan Dingman on SwimSwam

SwimSwam’s daily swimming workout series is a collection of workouts written by coaches from a variety of backgrounds. All daily swimming workouts have been written using Commit Swimming. The workouts themselves are not indicative of SwimSwam’s or Commit’s views on training. They strictly reflect the opinions of the author swim coach.

Workout Context

• Purpose:  Base building
• Target age group:  19-22 years old
• Target level:  National/ Collegiate Level, Senior Age Group/ High School State Level
• Weeks until target meet:  6 weeks
• Team Location:  United States
• Course:  25 Yards
• Shared workout link:  Click here to view this workout on commitswimming.com

The Workout

Warmup
    600    75 Free – 25 Scull (middle)
    2x
        1×200    3:00     Str Dr/Free Swim
        4×50     1:00     Ch Kick
        1×100    1:30     50 Str Dr – 25 Free Swim – 25 Stroke Swim
        4×50     :45/:40    Desc 1-4
    19    underwater kick

Preset
    1×200    3:00    Swim w/ ankle band
    3×75     :55    Swim w/ first colony turns
    1×150    2:00    Swim w/ ankle band
    3×50     :40    Swim w/ fast turns
    1×100    1:15    Swim w/ ankle band
    3×25     :25    FAST

Preset
    100    1:10    Pull
    100    1:15    Swim w/ paddles
    100    1:30    500 pace
    200    2:20    Pull
    100    1:15    Swim w/ paddles
    100    1:30    500 pace
    300    3:30    Pull
    100    1:15    Swim w/ paddles
    100    1:30    500 pace
    400    4:40    Pull
    100    1:15    Swim w/ paddles
    100    1:30    500 pace
    500    5:50    Pull
    100    1:15    Swim w/ paddles
    100    1:30    500 pace

Main Set
    2x
        3×50    :50    500 pace
        3×50    :45    500 pace
        4×50    :40    500 pace
        100 easy
    
Cool Down
    8:00 minutes continuous

Coach Notes

The swim coach was asked to define any shorthand he or she used in this workout. Their notes should provide some additional context to this swimming workout.

the middle scull position is done under the shoulders with in high elbow position sculling under your shoulder base with fast sculling with a very light kick but not much propulsion. The ankle bands are the TYR rally training straps. a D band could be supplemented as well. First colony turns are when you dive down under the underwater at the flags, complete dolphin kicks to the wall and then three at, perform at submerged turn and a normal (fast) breakout working on a tight tuck position.

Jerod Simek
Head Swimming Coach, Truman State University

SwimSwam’s daily swimming workout is powered by Commit Swimming.

Swimming news for swim coaches and swim teams, courtesy of Commit Swimming. Click here to view all daily swimming workouts on SwimSwam.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Daily Swim Coach Workout #79

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
• Men’s Fan Guide|Women’s Fan Guide
• Psych Sheets
• Championship Central
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times|NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Live Results

The stage is set for the final prelims session of the 2020 SEC Championships in Auburn, Alabama. Swimmers will compete in the 200 back, 100 free, and 200 breast this morning. The early heats of the mile will swim this afternoon, while the top 8 seeds compete at the beginning of finals.

Florida’s Kieran Smith and Alabama’s Zane Waddell will swim the 100 free. One of those men could come up 3-for-3 in their individual races at this meet. Defending champion Ben Walker of Texas A&M will headline the 200 breast. Teammate Shaine Casas is chasing Lochte’s Meet Record in the 200 back.

Tennessee’s Erika Brown is seeking her 3rd-straight title in the 100 free and will chase her own SEC Record. All 3 medalists from the 100 back will return for the 200 back. Alabama’s Rhyan White looks to break another SEC Record. Kentucky’s Asia Seidt is the defending champion. Florida’s Sherridon Dressel, the 100 back silver medalist, will also be in the mix. Georgia freshman Zoie Hartman will be chasing a breaststroke sweep.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK

• SEC Meet Record: Gemma Spofforth (Florida), 2009, 1:48.34
• NCAA Record: Kathleen Baker (Cal), 2018, 1:47.30
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:50.50
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 1:54.01
• 2019 Champion: Asia Seidt (Kentucky), 1:49.31

Top 8 Qualifiers:

MEN’S 200 BACK

• SEC Meet Record: Ryan Lochte (Florida), 2005, 1:38.29
• NCAA Record: Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016, 1:35.73
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:39.16
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 1:41.31
• 2019 Champion: Joey Reilman (Tennessee), 1:38.97

Top 8 Qualifiers:

WOMEN’S 100 FREE

• SEC Meet Record: Erika Brown (Tennessee), 2019, 46.41
• NCAA Record: Simone Manuel (Stanford), 2017, 45.56
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 47.18
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 48.56
• 2019 Champion: Erika Brown (Tennessee), 46.41

Top 8 Qualifiers:

MEN’S 100 FREE

• SEC Meet Record: Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2016, 41.07
• NCAA Record: Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2018, 39.90
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 41.71
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 42.53
• 2019 Champion: Robert Howard (Alabama), 41.57

Top 8 Qualifiers:

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST

• SEC Meet Record: Syndey Pickrem (Texas A&M), 2018, 2:04.62
• NCAA Record: Lilly King (Indiana), 2018, 2:02.60
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 2:06.84
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 2:09.77
• 2019 Champion: Anna Belousova (Texas A&M), 2:04.80

Top 8 Qualifiers:

MEN’S 200 BREAST

• SEC Meet Record: Nic Fink (Georgia, 2015, 1:51.58
• NCAA Record: Will Licon (Texas), 2017, 1:47.91
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:52.61
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 1:54.04
• 2019 Champion: Ben Walker (Texas A&M), 1:52.55

Top 8 Qualifiers:

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2020 SEC Championships: Day 5 Prelims Live Recap

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

SwimSwam Italia’s Giusy Cisale contributed to this report.

The Italian Swimming Federation (Federnuoto) has suspended all activity in the Lombardy region of northern Italy after a deadly outbreak of the coronavirusCOVID-19 there. The suspension of activity coincides with a quarantine on the region by the Italian government, with schools, public buildings, restaurants, and cafes all being closed after positive tests for the virus in the area began multiplying at a rapid rate earlier this week.

There have so far been 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 between Lombardy and neighboring Veneto regions near Milan, and on Saturday morning the first death in Italy caused by the virus occurred when a 78-year old man died at a hospital in Padua. A second person, a female, has also died in Lombardy on Saturday.

Lombardy is the core of the country’s financial and industrial sectors.

On Friday, Federnuoto issued a press release ordering that all athletes, technicians, managers, and race officials who reside in quarantined communities to suspend their swimming activities.

As a precaution and on the indications of the health authorities, Federnuoto , in agreement with the Lombardy Regional Committee, suspends all the races scheduled in the ten isolated Municipalities of the Lodi area indicated by the Lombardy Region.

At present, the isolated municipalities include:

• Codogno
• Castiglione d’Adda
• Casalpusterlengo
• Maleo
• Fombio
• Bertonico
• Castelgerundo
• Terranova dei Passerini
• Somaglia
• San Fiorano

The Lombardy regional aquatics committee has also postponed all water polo matches scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this weekend, as well as all training facilities and competitive events scheduled over the weekend.

Next weekend’s City of Milan Trophy, hosted less than 50km from the Italian center of the outbreak in Lodi, is preparing with preparations as normal, according to organizers.

COVID-19, which was first identified in China in late December, has now infected almost 78,000 globally according to coronatracker.com. There have been 2,361 confirmed deaths around the world, 2,345 of which have occurred in China. In an effort to stop the disease, countries multiple countries have instituted travel restrictions and quarantines, including schools closing in Iran where 5 have died, and most major western airlines cancelling flights to and from China. In China, the most severe restrictions are in place, preventing many citizens from leaving their homes, especially after visiting the epicenter of the outbreak in Hubei Province.

The Italian outbreak is believed to have begun with a 38-year-old man in the town of Lodi, who became sick after meeting with a friend who had recently visited China. Italy was the first Eurozone country to suspend all direct flights to China, after 2 Chinese tourists from Wuhan, Hubei tested positive in Rome in late January.

While organizers of the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and the International Olympic Committee, have both said that they have no plans to cancel or reschedule the Olympic Games, Shaun Bailey, a British candidate for mayor of London, Tweeted out that London was ready and willing to host the Olympic Games this summer if needed. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike expressed anger at the comments of Bailey, saying “It is inappropriate to talk about the Coronavirus during an election campaign, now that it has attracted global interest.”

In Asia, the outbreak has led to the cancellation of many large-scale sporting events, including several in aquatics. A stop of the Para Swimming World Series scheduled for early May has been cancelled, as has the Beijing stop of the FINA Diving World Series. Chinese divers have been noticeably absent form international competition early this year, and China has postponed its upcoming Olympic Trials in swimming over coronavirus fears as well.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Coronavirus Outbreak Causes Suspension of Aquatic Activities in Northern Italy

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

Anche FIN Veneto prende misure cautelari per contrastare la diffusione del coronavirus.

Dopo l’annuncio della Federazione Italiana Nuoto e del Comitato Regionale lombardo, FIN Veneto ha diramato il seguente comunicato:

A causa della criticità determinata dal Coronavirus, è sospesa la partecipazione di Atleti e Società del Comune di Vo’ alle manifestazioni in programma questo fine settimana in linea con l’ordinanza emessa dal Comune medesimo.

LA SITUAZIONE ATTUALE

Questa mattina vi abbiamo notiziati circa la sospensione delle attività nei comuni lombardi di:

• Codogno
• Castiglione d’Adda
• Casalpusterlengo
• Maleo
• Fombio
• Bertonico
• Castelgerundo
• Terranova dei Passerini
• Somaglia
• San Fiorano

La Federazione Italiana Nuoto ha diramato un comunicato stampa nel quale si sospendono le attività nella zona colpita dall’epidemia dicoronavirus.

Sono stati momentaneamente sospesi dalle attività anche tutti gli atleti, i tecnici, i dirigenti e gli ufficiali gara che risiedono nei comuni isolati.

Si legge nel comunicato ufficiale:

In via cautelativa e su indicazioni delle autorità sanitarie, la Federnuoto, in accordo con il Comitato Regionale Lombardia, sospende tutte le gare in programma nei dieci Comuni isolati del lodigiano indicati dalla Regione Lombardia

Determinazioni del Comitato Regionale Lombardia

Il Comitato Regionale della Lombardia della Federazione Italiana Nuoto ha pubblicato ieri la seguente determina:

A causa della criticità determinata dal Coronavirus che ha coinvolto alcune zone del Lodigiano, e nel rispetto dell’ordinanza emanata in data odierna da Regione Lombardia, il Comitato regionale lombardo della Federazione italiana nuoto ha deciso che i presidenti della società interessate possono chiedere il rinvio delle partite di pallanuoto di sabato 22, domenica 23 e lunedì 24 febbraio di tutti campionati nelle quali risultino coinvolti atleti, tecnici e dirigenti residenti o tesserati per società con sede o impianti di allenamento nei comuni oggetto dell’ordinanza sopracitata.

Allo stesso modo, il Comitato regionale lombardo della Federazione italiana nuoto ha deciso di sospendere la partecipazione a tutte le manifestazioni agonistiche in programma sabato 22, domenica 23 degli atleti, dirigenti e tecnici tesserati per società con sede o impianti di allenamento nei comuni oggetto dell’ordinanza sopracitata.

TROFEO CITTA’ DI MILANO CONFERMATO

Il Trofeo Città di Milano è confermato. L’importante manifestazione internazionale, avrà luogo il prossimo fine settimana.

Il comitato organizzatore del Trofeo Città di Milano porterà avanti con normalità la preparazione del meeting in programma per il prossimo fine settimana (28, 29 Febbraio e 1 Marzo), seguendo con attenzione e scrupolo le disposizioni prescrittive e cautelative da parte delle Autorità, circa il problema “coronavirus”.

Informazioni e aggiornamenti verranno dati tempestivamente

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Aggiornamento Coronavirus: Anche FIN Veneto Sospende Attività

By Aglaia Pezzato on SwimSwam

MCCULLAGH MEET 2020

• February 20th-23rd
• Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex, Northern Ireland
• 50m (LCM)
• Meet Info
• SwimSwam Preview 
• Meet Entries
• Live Stream
• Live Timing

4° sessione di gare conclusa al McCullagh Meet nell’Irlanda del Nord. Nelle finali disputate nella mattinata (per seguire il programma olimpico di Tokyo 2020) si sono sfidati i più forti nuotatori del Regno Unito.

Nella prima giornata Adam Peaty ha segnato due sub 59″ nei 100 rana, 58.9 in batteria migliorato in 58.7 nella finale, stabilendosi nella Top5 della distanza nel ranking mondiale stagionale.

Il programma della seconda giornata ha visto Peaty impegnato nella doppia distanza, sicuramente a lui meno congeniale. Nelle batterie il campione inglese a nuotato i 200 in 2:14.64 (1:04.03/1:10.61) che gli sarebbe valso il 3° crono di ingresso in finale. Finale alla quale ha poi rinunciato.

Il gioco per le medaglie è stato vinto da James Wilby in 2:11.23 davanti a Murdoch 2:13.04 e Corby 2:14.66

200 METRI STILE LIBERO

Nei 200 stile libero maschili i fari erano puntati sul 22enne Duncan Scott che dopo aver nuotato i misti nelle recenti gare internazionali è tornato allo stile libero, segnato 48.8 nei 100 stile durante la prima giornata di gare. Nelle batterie l’argento olimpico della staffetta britannica ha nuotato 1:47.32. Nella finale mattutina ha abbassato il suo crono di 26 centesimi siglando 1:47.06 (51.79/55.27) che gli vale la vittoria davanti a Jack McMillan in 1:48.28

Sfiorando il muro dell’1:47 Scott entra nella lista delle migliori prestazioni stagionali piazzandosi all’11° posto davanti all’1:47.07 di Nils Liess e all’1:47.22 nuotato da Stefano Ballo ai Campionati Italiani Invernali lo scorso dicembre.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: McCullagh Meet: Scott 1:47.0 Adam Peaty 2:14 Ma Rinuncia Alla Finale

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2020 SUMMIT LEAGUE Swimming & Diving Championships – MEN & WOMEN

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Midco Aquatic Center, Sioux Falls, SD (Central Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Denver women (6x) & Denver men (6x) (results)
• Live results
• Live Video 
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The Denver Pioneers remained undefeated in the lanes, while South Dakota State continued their success in the men’s diving events, on day 3 of the 2020 Summit League Swimming & Diving Championships.

The Denver women haven’t lost a single event with just 1 day of competition to go, while the Denver men have won every swimming event, falling only in diving competition to South Dakota State.

If Denver completes the meet undefeated, this would mark the 4th-straight season of a perfect swimming meet for the Denver men (they haven’t won any diving events in that run) and the 5th-straight season of a perfect swimming meet for the Denver women. The Denver women also went 1-2 in 1-meter diving, so they could score a complete sweep for the first time since 2015. The Denver women have only lost 1 swimming event, the 200 breast in 2014, since joining the conference.

Summit League Friday – Men’s Recap

Team Scoring – After Day 3:

1. Denver – 743
2. South Dakota – 503
3. (TIE) South Dakota State/Eastern Illinois – 420
5. Western Illinois – 166
6. Valparaiso – 156

The Denver men kicked off the night by winning the 400 medley relay in 3:07.93 – a better-than-11 second margin of victory. The swim set a new Summit League Championship Record.

That time was .19 seconds of the NCAA Provisional Standard in the event. Denver already has an Auto cut (“A” cut) in the 200 free relay, which means they only need “B” cuts in other relays to be eligible to race those at the NCAA Championships as well. A 400 medley relay time trial is scheduled for Saturday after prelims.

That was one of 2 Meet Records on the 3rd day of competition. The other came in the men’s 100 breaststroke, where Denver’s Adriel Sanes swam a 52.32. That time ranks him 18th in the country so far this season and would have earned an invite to last year’s NCAA Championship meet.

His previous personal best in the event was 53.50, and his best time coming into this season was 54.00.

After the relay victory, Denver went 1-2-3 in the men’s 400 IM, led by a season best of 3:54.74 from junior Trent Panzera. Panzera takes the torch in the race from the now-graduated Kyle Ewoldt, who through last year was 4-for-4 in his career in Summit League titles in the 400 IM.

Freshman Riley Babson took 2nd in 3:55.34 and sophomore Blayze Jessen placed 3rd in 4:01.25.

Denver senior Hugo Sykes pulled off an upset in the 200 free, winning in 1:37.67. His teammate Colin Gilbert, the defending champion, tied for 4th in 1:39.37, part of a 5-in-A-finals effort for the Denver men.

Valparaiso’s Dominic May placed 2nd in the 200 free in 1:39.08, which cut almost 2 seconds off his previous school record in the event. He becomes Valparaiso’s first All-League honoree in men’s swimming since 2006.

Rounding out the day for the Denver men was a 1-2 finish in the men’s 100 backstroke with Neil Wachtler winning in 47.28 and Patrick Groters placing 2nd in 48.26. That’s Wacthler’s 2nd-straight title in the event; he’s also the defending champion in the 200 back, which he’ll race on Saturday.

In the evening’s lone diving event, South Dakota State took a 1-2 finish with freshman Zach Boyd winning over senior teammate Mitch Raihle. On Wednesday, Raihle won the men’s 3-meter event. There is no platform diving at the Summit League Championships.

Summit League Friday – Women’s Recap

Team Scores, after Day 3

1. Denver – 742.5
2. South Dakota – 401
3. South Dakota State – 376.5
4. Omaha – 321
5. Eastern Illinois – 165
6. Western Illinois – 122.5

The Denver women started the day the same way their men did: with a dominating performance in the 400 medley relay. The team of Natalie Arky, Brandi Vu, Kylie Cronin, and Josiane Valette combined for a 3:37.92. That beat out South Dakota’s 2nd-place relay of 3:48.51 and South Dakota State’s 3rd-place relay of 3:48.57.

A second expressions of Denver’s dominance came in the 200 free, where the Pioneers went 1-2-3-4-5-7 in the A final (as well as 9th and 10th in the B final), led by junior Alysia Leckie in 1:49.54. That’s her 3rd-straight conference title in the event, albeit in a time 2 seconds slower than she swam last year. Josiane Valette wasn’t far behind in 2nd in 1:49.72.

The Pioneers had another dominant win in the 100 backstroke from the freshman Arky, who previously in the night led off the 400 medley relay. She swam 54.37, beating out South Dakota’s runner-up Sabrina Sabadeanu, who was 2nd in 57.00. As compared to the team’s depth in the 200 free, Arky was the team’s only scoring entrant in the 100 back.

But not all races were dominance for Denver on the night. In the 100 breaststroke, Omaha freshman Caroline Gardner came close to ending Denver’s unbeaten streak, swimming a 1:02.90, but a fast final 25 yards from Denver sophomore Brandi Vu was enough to hold on for the win in 1:02.23.

For Gardner, that’s a lifetime best, her first since 2018, in the event. Vu has been half-a-second faster.

The other individual event, the women’s 400 IM, saw 3 Denver Pioneers finish in the top 4, led by junior Uma Knaven in 4:21.43. The lone interloper was South Dakota State freshman Alyssa Eckstein, who took 2nd in 4:23.52.

Eckstein’s evolution in this event throughout the season indicates that she might be the one to end Denver’s run, even if it has to wait until next year. Her best time entering her collegiate career was a 4:32.89, done in 2016 when she was only 14 years old. Mid-season she improved that to 4:27, and now has cut another three-and-a-half seconds off her personal best.

Champions

Swimming

• Women’s 400 Yard IM – Uma Knaven, Denver (4:21.43)
• Men’s 400 Yard IM – Trent Panzera, Denver (3:54.74)
• Women’s 200 Yard Freestyle – Aysia Leckie, Denver (1:49.54)
• Men’s 200 Yard Freestyle – Hugo Sykes, Denver (1:36.67)
• Women’s 100 Yard Breaststroke – Brandi Vu, Denver (1:02.23)
• Men’s 100 Yard Breaststroke – Adriel Sanes, Denver (52.32) *
• Women’s 100 Yard Backstroke – Natalie Arky, Denver (54.37)
• Men’s 100 Yard Backstroke – Neil Wachtler, Denver (47.28)

Relays

• Women’s 400 Yard Medley Relay – Denver (3:37.92)
• Men’s 400 Yard Medley Relay – Denver (3:07.93) *

Diving

• Men’s 1-meter – Zach Boyd, South Dakota State (315.60)

*Summit League Championship meet record

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Denver Swimmers Still Undefeated Through Day 3 of Summit League Championships

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
• Men’s Fan Guide|Women’s Fan Guide
• Psych Sheets
• Championship Central
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times|NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Live Results

After smashing the 100 back SEC Record on day 4, Alabama’s Rhyan White is still on fire. In prelims of the 200 back, White took down the SEC Record with a 1:48.06. That makes her the 7th fastest woman in history. White took down the former record of 1:48.24 set by Florida’s Gemma Spofforth at this pool at the 2009 SEC meet. Spofforth was a World Champion for Great Britain that year.

Compared to Spofforth, White was out significantly faster, outsplitting Spofforth by over 2 seconds. However, Spofforth negative split that race back in 2009. So Spofforth’s back half was 2 seconds faster than White’s. White is now within a second of the NCAA Record set by Wisconsin’s Beata Nelson last year. Given her sizeable drop from prelims to finals in the 100 back last night, she could be eyeing that record in finals tonight.

Splits Comparison: Sopfforth 2009 vs. White 2020

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS: WOMEN’S 200 BACK

In tonight’s final, White will race Kentucky’s Asia Seidt, the reigning SEC Champion. Seidt is the 10th fastest performer in history. Spofforth’s time from 2009 still rankes her as the 8th fastest in history.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Alabama’s Rhyan White Clocks 1:48.0 in 200 Back Prelims for New SEC Record

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S ACC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm (1650 prelims Saturday at 4:00 pm)
• Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: North Carolina State University (NC State) (1x) (results)
• Streaming: ACC Network
  • Day 2 Finals
  • Day 3 Finals
  • Day 4 Finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results
• Day 4 Prelims Heat Sheets

With the final day of the 2020 ACC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, this morning’s prelims sessions should go a long way in determining the meet champion. UVA currently leads by over a hundred points and has roughly an equal number of women seeded in the top eight as does NC State, which currently is in 2nd.

This morning’s action will feature prelims for only four swimming events, plus platform diving, with the timed finals of the mile to be contested later today. Three of the four pool events this mornings will feature the defending champion: Emma Muzzy in the 200 back, Sophie Hansson in the 200 breast, and Grace Oglesby in the 200 fly

Women’s 200 Back – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 1:49.61 – Alexia Zevnik, 2017
• ACC record: 1:49.09 – Alexia Zevnik, 2017
• 2019 ACC champion: Emma Muzzy (NC State) – 1:51.66

Top 8:

1. Emma Muzzy (NC State) – 1:51.92
2. Katharine Berkoff (NC State) – 1:52.69
3. Megan Moroney (Virginia) – 1:53.33
4. Emma Seiberlich (Virginia) – 1:53.59
5. Danika Huizinga (NC State) – 1:53.77
6. Erin Earley (Virginia) – 1:54.26
7. Bayley Stewart (Notre Dame) – 1:54.27
8. Mackenzie Glover (NC State) – 1:54.74

This final tonight will be mostly a NC State-Virginia show, as the two schools accounted for seven of the eight top spots this morning. Last year’s champion, Emma Muzzy went 1:51.92 in prelims to lead a strong Wolfpack contingent that also includes Katharine Berkoff (1:52.69), Danika Huizinga (1:53.77), and Mackenzie Glover (1:54.74).

UVA will return last year’s 2nd and 3rd place swimmers, Megan Moroney (1:53.33) and Emma Seiberlich (1:53.59), as well as Erin Earley (1:54.26). Additionally, Virginia will have another two swimmers in tonight’s B-final, while NC State added one.

Notre Dame sophomore Bayley Stewart came within three-tenths of her lifetime best this morning, dropping a 1:54.27 to take #7 seed and becoming the only swimmer not from NC State or Virginia in tonight’s A-final.

Women’s 100 Free – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 46.57 – Mallory Comerford, 2019
• ACC record: 46.20 – Mallory Comerford, 2018
• 2019 ACC champion: Mallory Comerford (Louisville) – 46.57

Top 8

1. Casey Fanz (Louisville) – 47.94
2. Alyssa Marsh (Duke) / Kylee Alons (NC State) – 48.10
3. (tie)
4. Morgan Hill (Virginia) – 48.12
5. Arina Openysheva (Louisville) – 48.28
6. Caroline Hauder (North Carolina) – 48.41
7. Emma Cole (North Carolina) / Lexi Cuomo (Virginia)- 48.67
8.  (tie)

It was a speedy morning, as most of the top eight swimmers posted their fastest times ever. Louisville senior Casey Fanz had a lifetime best by nearly half a second, breaking 48 seconds for the first time in her career as she took the top seed with a 47.94. Teammate Arina Openysheva also went a lifetime best, taking #5 seed with a time of 48.28.

Duke’s Alyssa Marsh and NC State’s Kylee Alons tied at 48.10 for the #2 seed. Marsh shaved 0.01s off her lifetime best, while Alons’ had stood at 48.78. Somewhat surprisingly, NC State will only have one swimmer in tonight’s A-final, as Ky-lee Perry, who finished 3rd overall last year, just missed the A-final with a 48.79 in prelims.

UVA got two up, as Morgan Hill, last year’s silver medalist, went 48.12 for the #4 seed, and freshman Lexi Cuomo swam a lifetime best by nearly a second to tie for the #7 seed with a 48.67.

UNC’s Caroline Hauder (48.41) and Emma Cole (48.67) took the last two spots in the top eight.

Women’s 200 Breast – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 2:04.34 – Emma Reaney, 2014
• ACC record: 2:04.06 – Emma Reaney, 2014
• 2019 ACC champion: Sophie Hansson (NC State) – 2:06.73

Top 8

1. Ella Nelson (Virginia) – 2:07.23
2. Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2:07.67
3. Sophie Hansson (NC State) – 2:08.44
4. Julia Poole (NC State) – 2:09.06
5. Morgan Friesen (Louisville) – 2:09.23
6. Alexis Wenger (Virginia) – 2:09.70
7. Mariia Astashkina (Louisville) – 2:09.87
8. Olivia Calegan (NC State) – 2:11.00

UVA freshman Ella Nelson continues to a great ACC champs debut, knocking 0.36s off her lifetime best this morning to take the top seed here and the #2 time overall in the country with a 2:07.23 (pending other results this morning). Her fellow Wahoo freshman, Kate Douglass, holds the top time in the country with a 2:06.19 from the Tennessee Invite, and she put up a 2:07.67 this morning for the #2 seed. UVA got a third A-finalist in the form of Alexis Wenger, who went 2:09.70.

As we suspected, it’s been the NC State and UVA show for the most part this morning, and the Wolfpack matched the Cavaliers with three A-finalists of their own. Defending champion Sophie Hansson led the way with a 2:08.44, Julia Poole holds the #4 seed with a 2:09.70, and Olivia Calegan knocked half a second off of her personal best to take the final spot with a 2:11.00.

The Louisville Cardinals accounted for the other spots in the top eight. Alexis Wenger, yesterday’s 100 breast runner up, went 2:09.70 for the #6 seed, and Mariia Astashkina went 2:09.87 for the #7 seed.

Women’s 200 Fly – Prelims

• ACC meet record: 1:52.81 – Grace Oglesby, 2019
• ACC record: 1:50.61 – Kelsi Worrell, 2016
• 2019 ACC champion: Grace Oglesby (Louisville) – 1:52.81

1. Abby Richter (Virginia) – 1:54.69
2. Coleen Gillilan (Notre Dame) – 1:54.94
3. Grace Oglesby (Louisville) – 1:55.03
4. Jessica Nava (Virginia) – 1:55.14
5. Alena Kraus (Louisville) – 1:56.31
6. Bryanna Cameron (North Carolina) – 1:56.37
7. Luciana Thomas (Notre Dame) – 1:56.77
8. Julia Menkhaus (Virginia) – 1:57.19

UVA junior Abby Richter cracked 1:55 for the first time to put up the top time of this morning with a 1:54.69. The Cavaliers put three women into the A-final, including Jessica Nava (1:55.14) and Julia Menkhaus (1:57.19).

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had their best event of the morning, with freshman Coleen Gillilan taking the #2 seed with a 1:54.94, tying her lifetime best from just a month ago. Luciana Thomas put up a 1:56.77 to take the #7 seed.

Louisville also got two up for the third straight event. Defending champion Grace Oglesby cruised to a 1:55.03 for the #3 seed, and Alena Kraus went 1:56.31 for the #5 time. UNC’s Bryanna Cameron rounded out the top eight with a 1:56.37, good for the 6th-fastest time of the morning.

—-

We’re still waiting for the result of a swim off for 16th place in the 100 free, but we’ll give you a quick preview

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
• Men’s Fan Guide|Women’s Fan Guide
• Psych Sheets
• Championship Central
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times|NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Live Results

On day 5 of the 2020 SEC Championships, Texas A&M’s Anna Belousova declared a false start in the 200 breast prelims. Belousova was the 2019 champion in both breaststrokes and took bronze in the 100 breast last night. Her season-best 2:08.23 in the 200 breast would’ve qualified 4th for tonight’s final. Now that she’s a senior, last night’s 100 breast was likely her final career race at an SEC Championships.

This has some impact for the team race, as Texas A&M is in a tight battle with Florida, Kentucky, and Georgia after last night’s events. The Aggies do have a few scorers for tonight’s finals in the 200 breast. Their highest finisher was Caroline Thiel, who took 16th to make the B final.

TEAM SCORES THROUGH DAY 4 – WOMEN

  1. Tennessee, University of, Knox    817   2. University of Florida           720.5
  3. Texas A&M University              713   4. Kentucky, University of         701.5
  5. Georgia, University of            692   6. Auburn University                 560
  7. University of Alabama             526   8. Missouri                          363
  9. South Carolina, University of,    352  10. Louisiana State University        318
 11. University of Arkansas            299  12. Vanderbilt University             120

Georgia freshman Zoie Hartman, who won the 100 breast on day 4, will be racing for a sweep of the breaststrokes tonight. She’ll battle teammate Danielle DellaTorre, the 100 breast silver medalist, and Kentucky’s Bailey Bonnett, the 2019 bronze medalist in the 200 breast. Also in the title conversation is Kentucky freshman Gillian Davey, who broke 2:08 for the first time this morning and finished just 2 hundredths behind Hartman.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: TAMU Defending Champ Anna Belousova Declares False Start in 200 Breast at SECs

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Swimming & Diving Championships – Men and Women

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, California (swim)/Marguerite Aquatics Center, Mission Viejo, California (Dive) (Pacific Time Zone)
• Teams: BYU, UC Santa Barbara, Hawaii, Cal Poly, Pacific, UC-Davis (women only), San Diego (women only), UCSD
• Defending Champion: Hawaii men (1x) & Hawaii women (3x) (results)
• Live results on Meet Mobile
• Live Video
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheets

Day three results

MEN’S MEET

The Hawaii men hold onto their lead with one day remaining in Los Angeles.

Olli Kokko of Hawaii took the 100 breast, setting a new MPSF meet record at 52.34. BYU’s Josue Dominguez was second in 53.05 followed by Hawaii’s David Springhetti (53.21). Kokko went on to split a quick 51.40 on the 400 medley relay, as Hawaii clocked a 3:08.59 to set a new meet record and win by over three seconds. Connor Stirling had a standout 42.48 anchor for BYU’s third-place relay (3:12.55), while UCSB touched in second (3:11.85).

Another winner for the Rainbow Warriors was ‘aukai Lileikis, who took the 100 fly with a 46.32 to rattle the meet record. His teammate Mateusz Chaba posted a 46.80 to nab second.

UCSB had another strong night, going 1-2 in the 400 IM and winning the 100 back. Dominic Falcon took the 400 IM with a 3:47.66 followed by teammate Douglas Nogueira in 3:49.80. In the 100 back, Jolen Griffin posted the winning time at 47.48, edging Hawaii’s Kane Follows (47.63).

Cal Poly put up a win, as Paul Rogers clocked a 1:36.19 to win by over a second. In the morning, though, Rogers unloaded a 1:33.73, which set the meet record for the senior.

SCORES (through Day Three)

1. Hawaii 486
2. UCSB 442
3. BYU 350
4. UCSD 337
5. Cal Poly 233
6. Pacific 152

WOMEN’S MEET

Hawaii won most of the women’s events last night, but UCSB snagged a win and opened up a near triple-digit lead.

Emily Boggess charged to the win in the 200 free for the Gauchos, clocking a 1:46.64. Phoebe Hines was 1:47.29 for second for Hawaii, while Emily Ward added a third-place effort for UCSB at 1:47.50.

Hawaii got wins out of Kionna Clayton, Karolina Hajkova, and Lucia Lassman. All part of their 400 medley relay which would win in 3:35.84 at the end of the session in meet record-fashion, Lassman kicked off the session with a 52.47 to win the 100 fly by over a second. Clayton took the 100 breast in 1:00.56, while Hajkova was 52.73 to win the 100 back. UCSB’s Heaven Quintana took runner-up honors in both the 100 fly (53.66) and 100 breast (1:01.13).

BYU freshman Katie McBratney followed up her 200 IM victory with another win here in the 400 IM, going 4:15.61 for the title.

SCORES (through Day Three)

1. UCSB 479.5
2. Hawaii 388
3. UCSD 278
4. UC Davis 251
5. BYU 249
6. Cal Poly 204
7. Pacific 179.5
8. San Diego 109

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Cal Poly’s Paul Rogers Rips 1:33.7 200 Free at MPSF Day 3

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
• Men’s Fan Guide|Women’s Fan Guide
• Psych Sheets
• Championship Central
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times|NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Live Results

The stage is set for the final prelims session of the 2020 SEC Championships in Auburn, Alabama. Swimmers will compete in the 200 back, 100 free, and 200 breast this morning. The early heats of the mile will swim this afternoon, while the top 8 seeds compete at the beginning of finals.

Florida’s Kieran Smith and Alabama’s Zane Waddell will swim the 100 free. One of those men could come up 3-for-3 in their individual races at this meet. Defending champion Ben Walker of Texas A&M will headline the 200 breast. Teammate Shaine Casas is chasing Lochte’s Meet Record in the 200 back.

Tennessee’s Erika Brown is seeking her 3rd-straight title in the 100 free and will chase her own SEC Record. All 3 medalists from the 100 back will return for the 200 back. Alabama’s Rhyan White looks to break another SEC Record. Kentucky’s Asia Seidt is the defending champion. Florida’s Sherridon Dressel, the 100 back silver medalist, will also be in the mix. Georgia freshman Zoie Hartman will be chasing a breaststroke sweep.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK

• SEC Meet Record: Gemma Spofforth (Florida), 2009, 1:48.34
• NCAA Record: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 2019, 1:47.24
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:50.50
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 1:54.01
• 2019 Champion: Asia Seidt (Kentucky), 1:49.31

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Rhyan White (Alabama)- 1:48.06
2. Asia Seidt (Kentucky)- 1:50.27
3. Ali Galyer (Kentucky)- 1:50.43
4. Sophie Sorenson (Kentucky)- 1:52.38
5. Sherridon Dressel (Florida)- 1:52.57
6. Caitlin Brooks (Kentucky)- 1:52.81
7. Sonnele Oeztuerk (Auburn)- 1:53.22
8. Meghan Small (Tennessee)- 1:53.25

Alabama’s Rhyan White took down the SEC Record this morning as she became the 7th fastest performer in history. White smashed her best by 2 seconds, leading the way in 1:48.06. That took down the former record set by Florida’s Gemma Spofforth in this pool at the 2009 SEC Championships.White now owns the SEC Record in both backstrokes.

Kentucky will get big points here with 4 women in the final, led by defending champion Asia Seidt (1:50.27), the 10th fastest woman in history.Ali Galyer, the 2019 silver medalist, was 3rd in 1:50.43, within a few tenths of her best. Teammates Sophie Sorenson, who swam a lifetime best 1:52.38, andCaitlin Brooks, a freshman, will join them in the championship heat.

Florida’s Sherridon Dressel broke 1:53 for the first time. Dressel, the 100 fly bronze medalist and 100 back silver medalist at this meet, qualified 5th in 1:52.57. Auburn’s Sonnele Oeztuerk (1:53.22) returns to the championship final. Tennessee’s Meghan Small, the 200 IM champion, was 8th in 1:53.25. Just missing the final was Missouri’s Sarah Thompson in 1:53.34.

MEN’S 200 BACK

• SEC Meet Record: Ryan Lochte (Florida), 2005, 1:38.29
• NCAA Record: Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016, 1:35.73
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:39.16
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 1:41.31
• 2019 Champion: Joey Reilman (Tennessee), 1:38.97

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Clark Beach (Florida)- 1:40.12
2. Nick Alexander (Missouri)- 1:40.58
3. *TIE 3RD* Shaine Casas (Texas A&M)- 1:40.68
4. *TIE 3RD* Matthew Garcia (Tennessee)- 1:40.68
5. Matt Menke (Alabama)- 1:41.56
6. Ian Grum (Georgia)- 1:41.65
7. Harry Homans (Georgia)- 1:41.99
8. Daniel Hein (Missouri)- 1:42.24

Florida’s Clark Beach, the 2019 bronze medalist, led the way through prelims in 1:40.12. Beach’s time was within a second of his lifetime best and within 2 tenths of his time from last season’s SEC meet. Missouri’s Nick Alexander, the 200 IM runner-up, was 2nd in 1:40.58, his fastest time since 2018 in the event. Teammate Daniel Hein, the 100 back bronze medalist, qualified 8th in 1:42.24. He was just ahead of another Tiger, Jack Dahlgren, who took 9th in 1:42.49.

Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas, the 2019 silver medalist here and last night’s 100 back runner-up, is tied for 3rd seed with Tennessee’s Matthew Garcia (1:40.68). Garcia was just 8 hundredths shy of his best. Casas is the 8th fastest man in history in this event. His best time (1:38.18) from midseason would break Florida Olympic Champion Ryan Lochte’s Meet Record if he can match it tonight. Lochte still holds the SEC Record in 1:36.81.

Alabama freshman Matt Menke dropped nearly 4 seconds as he qualified 5th in 1:41.56. Georgia had a pair of freshmen make the final. Ian Grum and Harry Homans, the 200 fly bronze medalist, broke 1:42 for the first time in 1:41.65 and 1:41.99 respectively.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE

• SEC Meet Record: Erika Brown (Tennessee), 2019, 46.41
• NCAA Record: Simone Manuel (Stanford), 2017, 45.56
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 47.18
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 48.56
• 2019 Champion: Erika Brown (Tennessee), 46.41

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Erika Brown (Tennessee)- 46.56
2. Anna Hopkin (Arkansas)- 47.06
3. Julie Meynen (Auburn)- 47.43
4. Claire Fisch (Auburn)- 47.58
5. Veronica Burchill (Georgia)- 47.68
6. Kalia Antoniou (Alabama)- 48.48
7. Tjasa Pintar (Tennessee)- 48.49
8. Abbey Webb (Auburn)- 48.52

Tennessee’s Erika Brown was a tenth off her own SEC Record as she led prelims in 46.56. Brown has already been faster than her SEC Meet Record this season when she set the SEC Record at 46.15 at midseason. Arkansas’ Anna Hopkin, the 2019 runner-up, was within half a second of her best in 47.06.

Auburn has performed very well in the sprints here. Their showing in the 100 free prelims bodes well for a potential sprint relay sweep. Julie Meynen, the 50 free bronze medalist, clipped her lifetime best with a 47.43 to qualify 3rd. Teammate Claire Fisch was just a tenth away from her best in 47.58 for 4th. FreshmanAbbey Webbmade her first championship final, dropping nearly a second in 48.52 for 8th. Robyn Clevenger qualified 10th for the Tigers in a lifetime best 48.74.

Georgia’s Veronica Burchill, the 2019 bronze medalist and 200 free champion here, was 5th this morning in 47.68. Alabama’s Kalia Antoniou (48.48) and Tennessee’sTjasa Pintar (48.49) dropped a couple of tenths as they were 6th and 7th, respectively.

MEN’S 100 FREE

• SEC Meet Record: Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2016, 41.07
• NCAA Record: Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2018, 39.90
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 41.71
• 2019 NCAA Invited: 42.53
• 2019 Champion: Robert Howard (Alabama), 41.57

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Brooks Curry (LSU)- 42.02
2. Zane Waddell (Alabama)- 42.05
3. Lewis Burras (South Carolina)- 42.33
4. Kieran Smith (Florida)- 42.52
5. Adam Koster (Texas A&M)- 42.55
6. Khader Baqlah (Florida)- 42.74
7. Alec Connolly (Tennessee)- 42.96

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S B1G CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Swimming & Diving
• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 11am | Finals 6:30pm (6pm Saturday)
• Where: Campus Recreation & Wellness Center, Iowa City, Iowa (Central Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Indiana University Hoosiers (1x) (results)
• Live Results
• Streaming: Big Ten Network
• Championship Central: here
• Fan Guide
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times
• NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Saturday Prelims Heat Sheet
• Saturday 1650 Heat Sheet

Here we are, the last prelims session of the 2020 Women’s Big Ten Championships. This morning we’ll see the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, and 200 fly. This afternoon will feature the early heats of the mile, and prelims of platform diving. Ohio State heads into today with a commanding lead over Michigan. The Buckeyes can seal their team victory up this morning by putting enough swimmers into finals. Ohio State is chasing its first Big Ten title since 1986.

The  Buckeyes have some things moving in their favor this morning. Only 3 Ohio state swimmers are entered in the 200 fly, however, among them is the defending Big Ten Champ, Kathrin Demler. Demler shouldn’t have an issue making it through to the A final tonight. Also likely to make appearances in the A final are Big Ten conference record-holder Vanessa Krause of Michigan, and her new teammate Olivia Carter.

It looks like prelims of the 200 breast will be just as fast as the 100 breast yeasterday. Michigan’s Miranda Tucker comes in as the 100 breast champion and top seed this morning. Northwestern’s Calypso Sheridan, who has had an excellent meet so far, has decided to swim the 200 breast today instead of the 200 back. Noelle Peplowski (IU) came in 6th in the event at NCAAs last year, and is fresh off a lifetime best in the 100 breast last night.

Maggie MacNeil will look for her 3rd decisive victory of the meet today, as she enters the 100 free with the top time by a significant margin. MacNeil may end up more challenged in the 100 than she was in the 50 on Thursday, however, becasue the #2 seed is Indiana Cora Dupre, who shattered her lifetime best to win the 200 free last night.

200 BACK – PRELIMS:

• B1G Record: Beata Nelson (WISC) – 1:47.24
• Meet Record: Beata Nelson (WISC) – 1:48.47
• Pool Record: Lucie Nordmann – 1:52.18
• Defending Champion: Beata Nelson (WISC) – 1:48.47
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:50.50

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Beata Nelson (WISC) – 1:50.55
2. Maddie Hart (PSU) – 1:53.42
3. Emma Lepisova (NU) – 1:53.84
4. Tevyn Waddell (MINN) – 1:54.15
5. Chloe Hicks (MICH) – 1:54.47
6. Kristen Romano (OSU) – 1:54.80
7. Emilia Sansome (IOWA) – 1:54.86
8. Krystal Lara (NU) – 1:55.01

Beata Nelson looked like she was cruising as she established the top time of the morning by 3 seconds. Nelson is the hands down favorite to take the title tonight, after swimming a 1:48.47 to do so last year. It was Northwestern that got the most swimmer in to the A final, with Both freshman Emma Lepisova and senior Krystal Lara swimming lifetime bests to qualify.

In the battle between Ohio State and Michigan, they each got a swimmer to the A final, 2 into the B final each, and 1 into the C final. Chloe Hicks leads the Wolverines with her 5th place 1:54.47 this morning, coming in well off her season best of 1:53.47. Right behind Hicks is Ohio State’s Kristen Romano, who swam a season best this morning.

Aside from Lepisova, there was another freshman to make the A final. Iowa’s Emilia Sansome swam a lifetime best 1:54.86 to finish 7th this morning. Iowa also had freshmen Julia Koluch and Kennedy Gilbertson qualify for the C final.

100 FREE – PRELIMS:

• B1G Record: Siobhan Haughey (MICH) – 46.64
• Meet Record: Siobhan Haughey (MICH) – 47.06
• Pool Record: Rebecca Thompson – 48.28
• Defending Champion: Siobhan Haughey (MICH) – 47.06
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 47.18

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Maggie MacNeil (Mich) – 48.02
2. Daria Pyshnenko (MICH)/Freya Rayner (OSU) – 48.38
3. –
4. Amy Fulmer (OSU) – 48.44
5. Lillie Hosack (WISC) – 48.68
6. Taylor Petrak (OSU) – 48.73
7. Georgia White (OSU) – 48.76
8. Lucija Jurkovic-Perisa (OSU) – 48.87

Wisconsin’s Lillie Hosack came out of heat 8 to make the A final, coming in as the only swimmer not from Ohio State or Michigan to make the A final. Hoscack was just off her personal best of 48.52 this morning. Maggie MacNeil, the 50 free champion, backed up her top seed in this event by swimming the fastest time of the heats. Teammate Daria Pyshnenko tied for 2nd, putting the Wolverines at the top of the heap.

No team came out better than Ohio State in this event, however, as the Buckeyes qualified 5 swimmers to the A final. in fact, all of the Buckeyes to make finals made the A final. Freya Rayner led the way for Ohio State, also touching in a tie with Pyshnenko. Amy Fulmer got out to a very quick start to swim a new lifetime best. IU’s Cora Dupre was disqualified, which was fortunate for Ohio State, since she would have bumped one of their swimmers out of the A final. Dupre was the champion in last night’s 200 free.

200 BREAST – PRELIMS:

• B1G Record: Lilly King (IU) – 2:02.90
• Meet Record: Lilly King (IU) – 2:04.03
• Pool Record: Emma Reaney – 2:05.85
• Defending Champion: Lilly King (IU) – 2:05.14
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 2:06.84

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Noelle Peplowski (IU) – 2:08.13
2. Emily Weiss (IU) – 2:08.24
3. Hannah Brunzell (NU) – 2:08.76
4. Calypso Sheridan (NU) – 2:08.93
5. Hanna Gresser (OSU) – 2:10.16
6. Sophie Angus (NU) – 2:10.22
7. Lindsey Kozelsky (MINN) – 2:10.24
8. Miranda Tucker (MICH) – 2:10.39

Noelle Peplowski and Emily Weiss swam side-by-side in the 7th heat, touching the wall for the top 2 times of the morning. The swim marked a huge lifetime best for Weiss, who hadn’t been under 2:10 before. Peplowski will take the top seed for tonight, having finished 6th at NCAAs in the event last year.

Michigan’s Miranda Tucker, the top seed and 100 breast champion from last night, barely held on to make the A final, touching in 2:10.39. Tucker still has the fastest best time in the field and will be a threat for the title tonight. It was Northwestern yet again that got the most swimmers into the A final, with Hannah Brunzell, Calypso Sheridan, and Sophie Angus sitting in the middle of tonight’s field. Brunzell and Sheridan were the only swimmes other than Peplowski and Weiss to crack 2:10 this morning. Sheridan is the 400 IM champion from last night, well Brunzell finished 6th in the 100 breast last night.

200 FLY – PRELIMS:

• B1G Record: Vanessa Krause (MICH) – 1:53.31
• Meet Record:Gia Delasandro (IU) – 1:53.95
• Pool Record: Dakota Luther – 1:55.19
• Defending Champion: Kathrin Demler (OSU) – 1:55.23
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:53.20

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2020 Women’s B1G Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2020 U SPORTS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• February 20-22, 2020
• Saanich Commonwealth Place, Victoria, British Columbia
• Prelims: SCM (25m) / 10 am PT
• Finals: LCM (50m) / 6 pm PT
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results
• Webcast
• Meet Records (LCM)
• Meet Records (SCM)

The UBC Thunderbirds enter the final day of the 2020 U Sports Swimming Championships leading both the men’s and women’s scoring. The men’s side, where they lead Calgary by 148 points, is a runaway, while the women’s margin, 43, is still confident, but not insurmountable.

The last day of competition will include long course finals in the women’s 800 free, men’s and women’s 50 breast, men’s and women’s 200 back, men’s and women’s 100 free, men’s and women’s 200 IM, men’s 1500 free, and the 400 medley relays.

The session will feature some of the biggest stars of the meet in their individual finales. Canadian Record holder Markus Thormeyer cruised through prelims of the 200 back as the 4th seed and was also the top seed in the 100 free in 48.35. After winning both the 100 back (in a new U Sports record) and the 200 free earlier in the meet, he’ll be looking for four individual wins.

Also looking for a triple will be University of Manitoba’s Kelsey Wog, who already has victories this week in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. She’ll try to add a win in the 50 breaststroke after taking the top seed in prelims by more than a second plus the 200 IM where she’s the 3rd qualifier. Emily Overholt enters finals as the top qualifier in the 200 IM, where a 4th win would add to earlier wins in the 200 free, 400 IM and 400 free.

Women’s 800 Free – Timed Final

• Meet Record: Emily Overholt, UBC, 2019 – 8:46.89

1. Danica Ludlow (UOFC)- 8:45.45 *U Sports meet record
2. Marit Anderson (UOFC)- 8:52.72
3. Megan Dalke (UBCT)- 8:53.14

The Calgary women earned a 1-2 sweep in the 800 free timed final, led by Danica Ludlow‘s U Sports record time of 8:45.45. Teammate Marit Anderson touched 0.42s ahead of UBC’s Megan Dalke.

Men’s 50 Breast – Finals

• Meet Record: Konrad Bald, McMaster, 2015 – 28.46

1. Cale Kooyman (UOFA)- 28.90
2. Tengbo Yu (MCGIL)- 28.96
3. Will Barrett (OTT)- 29.06

Alberta’s Cale Kooyman came out on top of the men’s 50 breast final, touching 0.06s ahead of McGill’s Tengo Yu. Ottawa’s Will Barrett finished in third place with a 29.06.

Women’s 50 Breast – Finals

• Meet Record: Fiona Doyle, Calgary, 2015 – 31.11

1. Kelsey Wog (UM)- 31.21
2. Hillary Metcalfe (UBCT)- 32.39
3. Marie-Laurence Godin (USHER)- 32.51

University of Manitoba’s Kelsey Wog was lethal from the start, yet fell just a tenth short off the 2015 U Sports record. Wog’s time of 31.21, on the contrary, is good enough to rank 19th in the world this season.

UBC’s Hillary Metcalfe took a narrow runner-up finish at 32.39 while Sherbrooke’s Marie-Laurence Godin took third place at 32.51.

Men’s 200 Back – Finals

• Meet Record: Markus Thormeyer, UBC, 2019- 1:58.64

1. Markus Thormeyer (UBCT)- 1:58.54 *U Sports meet record
2. Richie Stokes (UOFC)- 2:01.70
3. Anders Klein (UOFC)- 2:02.57

After cruising to 4th in SCM prelims, UBC’s Markus Thormeyer was red-hot in the 200 back final. At the finish, Thormeyer stopped the clock at 1:58.54, slicing a tenth off his 2019 U Sports record. His time now moves him up to #19 in the world this season.

Calgary’s Richie Stokes (2:01.70) and Anders Klein (2:02.57) went a 2-3 finish in the final.

Women’s 200 Back – Finals

• Meet Record: Kylie Masse, Toronto, 2019 – 2:08.70

1. Aleksa Gold (UT)- 2:13.62
2. Lauren Crisp (UVIC)- 2:14.84
3. Olivia Ellard (UBCT)- 2:14.99

Aleksa Goldcarried on Kylie Masse‘s 2019 legacy as she won the 200 back for Toronto at 2:13.62. Finishing in second was Victoria’s Lauren Crisp at 2:14.84, touching 0.15s ahead of UBC’s Olivia Ellard.

Men’s 100 Free – Finals

• Meet Record: Markus Thormeyer, UBC, 2019 – 48.71

1. Markus Thormeyer (UBCT)- 49.36
2. Davide Casarin (OTT)- 50.51
3. Alexander Pratt (UBCT)- 51.17

Earning his 4th win this weekend was UBC’s Markus Thormeyer, swimming the only sub-50 LCM 100 free time of the evening at 49.36. Toronto’s Davide Casarin touched in next at 50.51 while UBC’s Alexander Pratt completed a UBC 1-3 finish in the event.

Women’s 100 Free – Finals

• Meet Record: Sandrine Mainville, Montreal, 2015 – 54.73

1. Hoi Lam Tam (UBCT)- 55.50
2. Aleksa Gold (UT)- 56.35
3. Ainsley McMurray (UT)- 56.58

UBC’s Hoi Lam Tam swam not only a lifetime best but earned the Thunderbirds a dominant 100 free win at 55.50. Yet right behind Lam Tam was a Toronto 2-3 finish, led by 200 back champ Aleksa Gold (56.35) and Ainsley McMurray(56.58).

Men’s 200 IM – Finals

• Meet Record: Montana Champagne, Ottawa, 2019 – 2:02.09

1. Brodie Young (UBCT)- 2:04.10
2. Brian Palaschuk (UOFR)- 2:04.50
3. Robert Hill (UOFC)- 2:04.74

It was a tight race among the top 3 finishers in the 200 IM final, all clocking in 2:04s. Brodie Young (2:04.10) was able to touch ahead of Regina’s Brian Palaschuk (2:04.50) for another UBC Thunderbird win.

Calgary’s Robert Hill snuck in for third at 2:04.74.

Women’s 200 IM – Finals

• Meet Record: Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson, UBC, 2016 – 2:12.85

1. Kelsey Wog (UM)- 2:10.87 *U Sports meet record
2. Emily Overholt (UBC)- 2:12.86
3. Hannah Genich (UT)- 2:16.98

Kelsey Wog earned her 4th win this weekend as she destroyed the U Sports meet record by nearly 2 seconds at 2:10.87. Wog’s time now ranks 10th in the world this season.

UBC’s Emily Overholt came in second at 2:12.86, good enough to rank 23rd in the world. Toronto’s Hannah Genich took the bronze at 2:16.98.

Men’s 1500 Free Timed Finals

• Meet Record: Eric Hedlin, Victoria, 2019 – 15:34.16

1. Davide Casarin (OTT)- 15:30.55 *U Sports meet record
2. Hau-Li Fan (UBCT)- 15:33.13
3. Eric Hedlin (UVIC)- 15:40.17

After placing second in the 100 free final earlier in the meet, Toronto’s Davide Casarin took down the 2019 U Sports record with his title-winning time of 15:30.55. UBC’s Hau-Li Fan was also under the former record, placing second at 15:33.13.

Victoria’s Eric Hedlin took the bronze medal at 15:40.17.

2020 U Sports Most Outstanding Swimmers of the Meet/Swimmers of the Year

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Torri Huske, a junior at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia, lowered the National Public High School Record in the 100 fly on Saturday. Swimming at the 2020 VHSL Class 6 State Swim & Dive Championships, she clocked a 50.69 in finals to win the event by more than 4 seconds. That performance lowered her own Virginia 6A, all-time Virginia High School, and National Public High School records which she had set last February with 51.29. Huske also won the 50 free, breaking her own 6A and all-time Virginia state records of 21.95 with 21.83.

Most of Huske’s improvement came on the second half of the race, where she was nearly half a second faster than she had been last year:

Huske swam a lifetime best 100 fly of 50.49 in December at the 2019 NCAP Invitational. That ranks her 4th all-time among 17-18 girls:

Watch the 2020 VHSL Class 6 State Swim & Dive Championships race video here:

The overall National High School Record still belongs to Claire Curzan, who established the mark with 50.35 at the 2020 North Carolina 4A State Championships.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Torri Huske Lowers National Public High School Record in 100 Fly (Race Video)

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 CCSA SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Defending Champion: Incarnate Word men (2x), Liberty women (1x)
• 2019 Results
• Psych Sheet
• Live Stream
• Live Results
• Fan Guide
• Championship Central

The 2020 CCSA Championships concluded tonight in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Libery women earned back-to-back titles as they defeated rival FGCU by over 150 points. Incarnate Word extended their streak of men’s victories to 3-straight.

Highlight Swim: Women’s 200 Breast

(reported by Braden Keith)

DAY 4 RECAP

(Reported by Lauren Neidigh)

Halmai wasn’t to only swimmer to demolish a record tonight. Liberty junior Payton Keiner took nearly a full second off her own record in the 200 back. She had set the CCSA Record with a 1:53.29 at the 2018 Liberty Last Chance Meet. Tonight, she broke 1:53 for the first time to defend as champion in 1:52.63. That should safely qualify her for NCAAs in the event. Liberty swept the podium in that event, with Emma Hazel (1:56.53) taking silver and freshman Eva Suggs (1:56.75) taking bronze.

Incarnate Word’s Alvaro Ibarra crushed the field with a new record in the mile. Ibarra dropped over 20 seconds, taking down the CCSA Record in 15:12.25. The former mark was a 15:19.61 set by UIW’s Sergio Duran Mata in 2019. He was also under his former record as he took 2nd tonight in 15:16.14.

Teammate Leonardo Sanchez won a close battle in the 100 free. Sanchez, who placed 5th in this event last year, dropped a second from his best to win it in 44.23. He got his hand to the wall first as he outpaced Gardner-Webb’s Zach Dingfield (44.41) on the back half. UIW won every men’s event on the final day. Oleksandr Karpenko completed his sweep of the breaststrokes as he won the 200 breast in 1:56.86.

Liberty’s Mikayla Herich stayed perfect in her individual events as she won the mile on day 4. Herich, who swept the IM titles here, won the title in 16:38.96. That’s her 2nd fastest time ever, behind her 16:37.35 from last season’s CCSA meet. She now owns back-to-back title in the event. Incarnate Word freshman Ximena Conde, the 500 free champion, took silver in 16:46.22 as she slightly outpaced teammateBrenda Diaz Martinez (16:47.00).

ADDITIONAL DAY 4 WINNERS

• The Incarnate Word men picked up another win from freshman Fernando Ruvalcaba Cruz, who dropped nearly a second in the 200 back to win the title in 1:45.48.
• Older brother Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz repeated as champion in the 200 fly. He set his lifetime best 1:44.49 in prelims before winning the title for UIW in 1:46.00.
• Incarnate World closed the meet with a 400 free relay victory in 2:58.74. They got a 44.31 leadoff from Sanchez ad a 44.28 on the 2nd leg from Christopher Lestage.
• Lindsey Cohee won the 200 fly for Liberty. Her 1:59.21 marked her fastest swim since 2018.
• Liberty teammates Brittany Weiss and Colleen Donlin were separated by just 6 hundredths in the race for the 100 free title. Weiss got her hand to the wall first for gold, 49.50 to 49.56, as Donlin took silver.
• Weiss had the team’s fastest split on their winning 400 free relay (3:18.85), splitting a 49.25 on the 3rd leg. Keiner’s 49.81 leading off was her fastest since 2018 and hundredths shy of a best.

FINAL TEAM SCORES – WOMEN

  1. Liberty University               1566   2. Florida Gulf Coast University    1403
  3. University of Incarnate Word     1037   4. Univ North Carolina Asheville     782
  5. University of North Florida       698   6. Campbell University               690
  7. Gardner-Webb University           657   8. Georgia Southern University       526
  9. Howard University                 299

FINAL TEAM SCORES – MEN

  1. University of Incarnate Word    874.5   2. Gardner-Webb University           685
  3. Florida Atlantic University     651.5   4. Old Dominion University           392
  5. New Jersey Institute of Techno    333   6. Howard University                 212
  7. Mount Saint Mary's                150

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2020 CCSA Champs Day 4: Halmai Crushes CCSA Record with 2:07 200 Breast

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
• Men’s Fan Guide|Women’s Fan Guide
• Psych Sheets
• Championship Central
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times|NCAA ‘A’ Cuts
• Live Results

There were a handful of historic swims on the final night of the 2020 SEC Championships. The first of which was Bobby Finke‘s American Record-setting mile. Finke blew away the American and NCAA marks to repeat as champion. Next up was Alabama’s Rhyan White, who swam the 8th fastest 200 back in history.

Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas took down Ryan Lochte’s SEC Meet Record in the men’s version of that race. Finally, Tennessee’s Erika Brown set an SEC Record as she became the 2nd woman to ever break 46 in the 100 free.

You can check out a video of Finke’s mile here. Below, we’ve included videos of the other men’s A finals, courtesy of TAMU Swim on YouTube. We’ll keep an eye out for videos of the women’s finals, but haven’t found any yet. SwimSwam will post those videos later on if they become available.

MEN’S 200 BACK

MEN’S 200 BREAST

MEN’S 100 FREE

Read the full story on SwimSwam: WATCH: Casas Breaks Lochte’s Meet Record, Race Videos from Day 5 of 2020 SECs