TYR Pro Series – Day Four Men’s Finals: Bobby Finke Once Again Flashes Dynamic Closing Speed For 1500 Free Title
The calendar reads January, and for the majority of athletes in the sport, that timeframe equates to grinding workouts and tired bodies. While Bobby Finke is certainly logging significant yardage during his training sets in Gainesville, the two-time Olympic champion is still gifted enough to produce impressive performances in a worn-down state.
As the TYR Pro Series wrapped up its Knoxville stop on Saturday night, Finke turned to his well-known finishing power to claim victory over Tunisian Ahmed Hafnaoui in the 1500-meter freestyle. Trailing Hafnaoui by a half-second heading into the closing length, Finke dug deep and pulled ahead in the closing strokes to win in 15:06.53, with Hafnaoui going 15:07.07 for second place. The difference was Finke’s last 50, which he covered in 27.04, compared to the 27.99 of Hafnaoui.
The fact that Finke was able to rally on the last lap was hardly a shock, given his track record. The best evidence of his closing speed was on display at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the Japanese capital, Finke twice fought to the front of the field at the end of distance races to earn gold medals in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle.
Ahead of his outing in the 1500 freestyle, Finke was the runnerup to Hafnaoui in the 800 freestyle and was the winner of the 400 individual medley. Both events featured quality in-training marks for Finke, who was timed in 7:56.97 in the 800 freestyle and clocked 4:17.64 in his medley win.
Event 26 Men 1500 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 14:31.02 8/4/2012 Yang Sun, CHN
American: A 14:36.70 6/29/2022 Bobby Finke, USA
U.S. Open: O 14:45.54 7/6/2008 Peter Vanderkaay, Club Wolverine
Pro Swim: P 14:53.12 2016 Jordan Wilimovsky
Jr World: j 14:46.09 8/28/2019 Franko Grgic, CRO
Oly Trials: T 15:39.89
Name Age Team Seed Finals
==================================================================
1 Bobby Finke 23 SPA-FL 14:36.70 15:06.53T
r:+0.74 27.90 57.89 (29.99)
1:28.39 (30.50) 1:58.89 (30.50)
2:29.45 (30.56) 2:59.93 (30.48)
3:30.50 (30.57) 4:01.07 (30.57)
4:31.50 (30.43) 5:02.10 (30.60)
5:32.42 (30.32) 6:02.88 (30.46)
6:33.25 (30.37) 7:03.61 (30.36)
7:34.08 (30.47) 8:04.61 (30.53)
8:35.07 (30.46) 9:05.54 (30.47)
9:35.78 (30.24) 10:05.96 (30.18)
10:36.42 (30.46) 11:06.93 (30.51)
11:37.54 (30.61) 12:08.03 (30.49)
12:38.11 (30.08) 13:08.47 (30.36)
13:39.14 (30.67) 14:09.75 (30.61)
14:39.49 (29.74) 15:06.53 (27.04)
2 Ahmed Hafnaoui 20 Tunisia 15:16.04 15:07.07T
r:+0.81 27.99 57.99 (30.00)
1:28.56 (30.57) 1:58.84 (30.28)
2:29.43 (30.59) 2:59.98 (30.55)
3:30.51 (30.53) 4:01.10 (30.59)
4:31.64 (30.54) 5:02.09 (30.45)
5:32.58 (30.49) 6:03.03 (30.45)
6:33.36 (30.33) 7:03.78 (30.42)
7:34.22 (30.44) 8:04.86 (30.64)
8:35.16 (30.30) 9:05.73 (30.57)
9:35.78 (30.05) 10:06.13 (30.35)
10:36.54 (30.41) 11:07.03 (30.49)
11:37.42 (30.39) 12:07.87 (30.45)
12:37.91 (30.04) 13:08.38 (30.47)
13:38.99 (30.61) 14:09.56 (30.57)
14:39.08 (29.52) 15:07.07 (27.99)
3 Michael Brinega 23 Ohio St-OH 15:00.82 15:28.17T
r:+0.75 28.00 58.25 (30.25)
1:28.81 (30.56) 1:59.24 (30.43)
2:29.85 (30.61) 3:00.47 (30.62)
3:31.18 (30.71) 4:01.65 (30.47)
4:32.41 (30.76) 5:03.12 (30.71)
5:34.14 (31.02) 6:05.41 (31.27)
6:36.59 (31.18) 7:07.81 (31.22)
7:38.80 (30.99) 8:10.10 (31.30)
8:41.26 (31.16) 9:12.59 (31.33)
9:43.93 (31.34) 10:15.37 (31.44)
10:46.88 (31.51) 11:18.46 (31.58)
11:49.80 (31.34) 12:21.38 (31.58)
12:52.94 (31.56) 13:24.54 (31.60)
13:56.06 (31.52) 14:26.77 (30.71)
14:58.37 (31.60) 15:28.17 (29.80)
4 Zane Grothe 30 BCH-CA 15:30.22 15:38.18T
r:+0.72 27.64 57.88 (30.24)
1:28.80 (30.92) 1:59.84 (31.04)
2:30.94 (31.10) 3:01.85 (30.91)
3:33.20 (31.35) 4:04.62 (31.42)
4:36.40 (31.78) 5:08.04 (31.64)
5:39.81 (31.77) 6:11.72 (31.91)
6:43.81 (32.09) 7:15.79 (31.98)
7:47.63 (31.84) 8:19.18 (31.55)
8:50.71 (31.53) 9:22.38 (31.67)
9:53.75 (31.37) 10:25.28 (31.53)
10:56.78 (31.50) 11:28.40 (31.62)
12:00.18 (31.78) 12:32.07 (31.89)
13:03.92 (31.85) 13:35.61 (31.69)
14:07.21 (31.60) 14:38.75 (31.54)
15:09.70 (30.95) 15:38.18 (28.48)
5 Luke Ellis 16 SAND-CA 15:59.95 15:40.50
59.91 2:03.37 (1:03.46)
3:06.72 (1:03.35) 4:10.17 (1:03.45)
5:13.18 (1:03.01) 6:16.04 (1:02.86)
7:19.12 (1:03.08) 8:22.62 (1:03.50)
9:25.73 (1:03.11) 10:28.93 (1:03.20)
11:31.80 (1:02.87) 12:35.00 (1:03.20)
13:37.99 (1:02.99) 14:40.23 (1:02.24)
15:40.50 (1:00.27)
6 Luke Whitlock 16 FAST-IN 15:38.15 15:46.38
r:+0.71 28.46 59.34 (30.88)
1:30.73 (31.39) 2:02.37 (31.64)
2:34.05 (31.68) 3:05.96 (31.91)
3:37.42 (31.46) 4:09.34 (31.92)
4:40.75 (31.41) 5:12.46 (31.71)
5:44.11 (31.65) 6:15.84 (31.73)
6:47.60 (31.76) 7:19.48 (31.88)
7:51.34 (31.86) 8:23.05 (31.71)
8:54.80 (31.75) 9:26.49 (31.69)
9:58.18 (31.69) 10:30.03 (31.85)
11:01.76 (31.73) 11:33.40 (31.64)
12:05.11 (31.71) 12:36.78 (31.67)
13:08.94 (32.16) 13:40.68 (31.74)
14:12.50 (31.82) 14:44.53 (32.03)
15:16.24 (31.71) 15:46.38 (30.14)
7 Jack Little 22 Tennessee-SE 15:16.85Y 15:49.65
59.59 2:02.51 (1:02.92)
3:04.94 (1:02.43) 4:07.40 (1:02.46)
5:10.20 (1:02.80) 6:13.24 (1:03.04)
7:16.58 (1:03.34) 8:20.38 (1:03.80)
9:24.55 (1:04.17) 10:28.80 (1:04.25)
11:33.41 (1:04.61) 12:38.63 (1:05.22)
13:43.25 (1:04.62) 14:47.95 (1:04.70)
15:49.65 (1:01.70)
8 *Rafael Ponce d 22 Tennessee-SE 15:54.72 16:03.16
59.68 2:04.02 (1:04.34)
3:08.27 (1:04.25) 4:12.92 (1:04.65)
5:17.18 (1:04.26) 6:20.83 (1:03.65)
7:24.93 (1:04.10) 8:28.89 (1:03.96)
9:33.55 (1:04.66) 10:37.61 (1:04.06)
11:42.25 (1:04.64) 12:47.31 (1:05.06)
13:52.70 (1:05.39) 14:58.08 (1:05.38)
16:03.16 (1:05.08)
- Day One Recap
- Day Two Women’s Recap
- Day Two Men’s Recap
- Day Three Women’s Recap
- Day Three Men’s Recap
- Meet Results
In Other Action:
200 Individual Medley
Canadian Finlay Knox fended off a charge from Kieran Smith on the freestyle leg and captured first place in the 200 medley. Knox and Smith turned in the only sub-2:00 efforts, with Knox going 1:59.27. Smith checked in with a runnerup mark of 1:59.85, which enabled him to finish ahead of Trenton Julian (2:00.08). Knox has enjoyed a quality stretch, as he was the bronze medalist in the 200 IM at the World Short Course Championships.
Event 28 Men 200 LC Meter IM
==================================================================
World: W 1:54.00 7/28/2011 Ryan Lochte, USA
American: A 1:54.00 7/28/2011 Ryan Lochte, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:54.56 7/10/2009 Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Pro Swim: P 1:56.32 2012 Michael Phelps
Jr World: j 1:56.99 5/19/2021 Hubert Kos, HUN
Oly Trials: T 2:03.49
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Finlay Knox 22 Canada 2:03.34 1:59.27T
r:+0.66 25.22 55.70 (30.48)
1:30.81 (35.11) 1:59.27 (28.46)
2 Kieran Smith 22 Ridgefield Aq-CT 2:03.55 1:59.85T
r:+0.69 25.85 56.77 (30.92)
1:31.61 (34.84) 1:59.85 (28.24)
3 Trenton Julian 24 MVN-CA 2:06.29 2:00.08T
r:+0.66 25.58 56.45 (30.87)
1:31.95 (35.50) 2:00.08 (28.13)
4 Daniel Sos 24 CARD-KY 2:02.76 2:00.30T
r:+0.67 26.31 56.81 (30.50)
1:32.13 (35.32) 2:00.30 (28.17)
5 Jay Litherland 27 SUN-AZ 2:04.39 2:01.82T
r:+0.70 26.03 56.66 (30.63)
1:33.02 (36.36) 2:01.82 (28.80)
6 Ilya Kharun 17 SAND-CA 2:06.08 2:03.31T
r:+0.69 25.58 57.74 (32.16)
1:34.17 (36.43) 2:03.31 (29.14)
7 Justice Migneau 20 Canada 2:06.30 2:05.84
r:+0.68 26.41 58.92 (32.51)
1:35.73 (36.81) 2:05.84 (30.11)
8 Thomas Cope 25 CW-MI 2:06.46 2:05.93
r:+0.65 26.77 59.91 (33.14)
1:34.65 (34.74) 2:05.93 (31.28)
200 Backstroke
With top qualifiers Ryan Murphy (1:57.62) and Destin Lasco scratching out of the finals, the door opened at night for 17-year-old Daniel Diehl to take command of the event. One of several up-and-coming teenagers on the American scene, Diehl was the sole athlete to break the two-minute barrier, as he won in 1:58.45. Diehl was a little more than two seconds quicker than the 2:00.50 of Chase Kalisz, who was followed by Kieran Smith (2:01.96) in third place.
Event 29 Women 200 LC Meter Backstroke
==================================================================
World: W 2:03.35 7/26/2019 Regan Smith, USA
American: A 2:03.35 7/26/2019 Regan Smith, USA
U.S. Open: O 2:05.08 4/27/2022 Phoebe Bacon, Una WA-WI
Pro Swim: P 2:05.94 1/19/2020 Regan Smith, Riptide-MN
Jr World: j 2:03.35 7/26/2019 Regan Smith, USA
Oly Trials: T 2:13.59
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Kylie Masse 26 Canada 2:11.66 2:08.97T
r:+0.58 30.27 1:03.01 (32.74)
1:35.62 (32.61) 2:08.97 (33.35)
2 Josephine Fulle 19 Tennessee-SE 2:11.67 2:11.59T
r:+0.63 31.03 1:04.77 (33.74)
1:38.98 (34.21) 2:11.59 (32.61)
3 Katie Grimes 17 SAND-CA 2:12.94 2:11.96T
r:+0.58 31.64 1:05.35 (33.71)
1:39.06 (33.71) 2:11.96 (32.90)
4 Leah Smith 27 TXLA-ST 2:14.80 2:13.55T
r:+0.79 32.09 1:05.80 (33.71)
1:40.26 (34.46) 2:13.55 (33.29)
5 Finley Anderson 17 DU Hilltoppers-C 2:14.70 2:14.02
r:+0.64 32.01 1:05.78 (33.77)
1:39.92 (34.14) 2:14.02 (34.10)
6 Gabby Deloof 26 TNAQ-SE/NYAC 2:14.54 2:14.59
r:+0.73 32.18 1:05.54 (33.36)
1:39.88 (34.34) 2:14.59 (34.71)
7 Charlotte Crush 14 LAK-KY 2:16.17 2:15.22
r:+0.69 30.44 1:04.40 (33.96)
1:39.64 (35.24) 2:15.22 (35.58)
8 Haley McDonald 15 LAK-KY 2:16.82 2:17.43
r:+0.67 31.90 1:06.19 (34.29)
1:41.78 (35.59) 2:17.43 (35.65)
50 Breaststroke
Michael Houlie handed Tennessee a sweep of the 50 breaststroke events, as he cruised to a winning time of 27.47. Houlie’s victory followed Mona McSharry dominating on the women’s side. Houlie led the top-three finishers under the 28-second barrier, as second place went to Tommy Cope in 27.84. Rounding out the podium was Miguel De Lara Ojeda, who touched the wall in 27.93.
Event 32 Men 50 LC Meter Breaststroke
==================================================================
World: W 25.95 7/25/2017 Adam Peaty, GBR
American: A 26.52 4/28/2022 Michael Andrew, USA
U.S. Open: O 26.52 4/28/2022 Michael Andrew, MA Swim Academy-
Pro Swim: P 26.97 3/8/2019 Felipe Lima
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 *Michael Houlie 22 Tennessee-SE 27.76 27.47
r:+0.61
2 Thomas Cope 25 CW-MI 28.01 27.84
r:+0.59
3 Miguel de Lara 28 ANV Puebla 28.08 27.93
r:+0.67
4 Jarel Dillard 22 Tennessee-SE 28.46 28.16
r:+0.50
5 *Lyubomir Epitr 23 Tennessee-SE 28.35 28.43
r:+0.58
6 Youssef Elkamas 27 EGYPT 28.32 28.58
r:+0.66
7 James Dergousof 26 Canada 28.57 28.74
r:+0.37
8 Brandon Fischer 34 TRIV-PC 28.58 28.82
r:+0.70
100 Freestyle
The series stop was capped by Andrej Barna claiming top honors in the 100 freestyle in 49.00, which held off the 49.15 of Gui Caribe. Barna was the top seed after prelims and backed up his morning swim with an effort that was .03 faster. Placing third was Canadian Javier Acevedo, who went 49.56. Henry McFadden, the 17-year-old American and winner of the 200 freestyle earlier in the meet, was fourth in 49.60.
Event 34 Men 100 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 46.86 8/13/2022 David Popovich, ITA
American: A 46.96 7/25/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
U.S. Open: O 47.39 7/31/2019 Ryan Held / Caeleb Dressel, NYAC/GSC
Pro Swim: P 48.00 2016 Nathan Adrian
Jr World: j 46.86 8/13/2022 David Popovici, ROM
Oly Trials: T 49.99
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Andrej Barna 24 CARD-KY 49.03 49.00T
r:+0.62 23.56 49.00 (25.44)
2 Guilherme Santo 19 Tennessee-SE 49.56 49.15T
r:+0.59 23.46 49.15 (25.69)
3 Javier Acevedo 24 Canada 49.94 49.56T
r:+0.65 24.01 49.56 (25.55)
4 Henry McFadden 17 JW-MA 50.05 49.60T
r:+0.68 24.36 49.60 (25.24)
5 Brett Pinfold 27 SHAC-GU 49.98 49.62T
r:+0.71 24.40 49.62 (25.22)
6 Stephen Calkins 24 Canada 50.07 49.72T
r:+0.63 23.95 49.72 (25.77)
7 Nicolas Albiero 23 CARD-KY 50.02 50.13
r:+0.64 24.01 50.13 (26.12)
8 Drew Kibler 22 CSC-IN 50.03 50.30
r:+0.64 24.15 50.30 (26.15)
.png "2022 TYR Pro Swim Series Knoxville - logo"){kind=logo}