Day one of the US swimming nationals was filled with upsets, speed and pure adrenaline. On the line were spots for the 2019 world championship team, 2018 Pan Pacifics national team and the 2019 World University Games national team.
The prelims were exciting, even featuring dark horse Zachary Apple winning the 100 freestyle, but it was the finals that caught people's attention. In the men's 100 free, reigning world record holder Caeleb Dressel finished seventh, a suprising defeat that nobody saw coming. Next the women's 100 free, which was won by former Stanford swimmer Simone Manuel, also featured some excitement. Manuel posted a time of 52.54, shattering the previous American record of 52.81 set just last summer by Mallory Comerford. It is the first of many wins soon to come to Manuel during this meet.
It also should be noted that the women's 800 free was won by the unstoppable Katie Ledecky who beat the rest of the field by eleven seconds! While it was still seven seconds off of her personal best, it was more than enough for her to claim a spot on the world championships team.
Day 2 kicks off with the 200 freestyle followed by the 200 breaststroke, 200 backstroke and the 50 butterfly.
Comments