TYR Pro Series: Michael Andrew Grabs Top Seed in 50 Freestyle; Several Showdowns On Tap
With small fields the norm, the last day of prelims at the USA Swimming TYR Pro Series in Westmont was relatively tame, the athletes doing just enough to advance to the evening finals. But when the night rolls around, expect some quick performances from some of the biggest names in the sport, including several Olympic champions.
The women’s 100 backstroke will bring together the trio of Hali Flickinger (1:00.22), Olivia Smoliga (1:00.28) and Claire Curzan (1:00.51), with Curzan and Smoliga coming off a one-two finish in the 200 backstroke. In that event, Curzan clocked a personal-best time and dipped under the 2:08 barrier for the first time in her career.
Curzan also claimed the second seed in the 50 freestyle, where she went 24.99 to trail only Abbey Weitzeil, who covered her length in 24.84. On the men’s side, Michael Andrew went 21.98 for the top seed, ahead of Brazilian Olympic medalist Bruno Fratus (22.23).
Shaine Casas (56.58) and Ryan Murphy (56.71) cruised through the morning of the men’s 100 backstroke to grab the top two seeds while Annie Lazor headed the women’s 200 breaststroke in 2:27.96, followed by Lydia Jacoby (2:28.03) and Lilly King (2:28.40), who earlier in the meet won the 100 breaststroke with a 1:06-low effort.
Teenager Leah Hayes, who won the 200 freestyle on Friday night, clocked a 2:11.22 to earn the top seed in the 200 individual medley. In other action, Anton McKee paced qualifying in the men’s 200 breaststroke in 2:15.91 and Nate Germonprez was 2:03.59 to lead the men’s 200 medley.
