Aris Runnels, Adam Chaney win 50m Back B-Finals
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the third straight day, Bobby Finke found himself on the podium, winning bronze in the 400m IM while Aris Runnels and Adam Chaney won the 50m back B-Finals on the third day of the Phillips 66 National Championships.
Finke posted a 4:09.55 to win his third medal of the week, shaving over five seconds from his prelim time. In the B-final, Giovanni Linscheer swam a personal-best 4:18.74 for third in the B-final. Mason Laur won the C-final by over five seconds, posting a 4:15.81.
Florida swept the 50m Back B-Finals, as Aris Runnels and Adam Chaney were victorious for the Gators. Runnels clocked a 28.30 to set a new personal-best for the two-time NCAA All-American while Chaney edged out the field with a 24.90 to secure the win.
Zoe Dixon, the 2023 SEC Female Freshman Swimmer of the Year this past season, clocked a 4:44.86 in the A-final, finishing fourth in the nation. In the C-final, Anna Auld went 4:49.55 for fifth
In the men’s 100m fly A-final, Caeleb Dressel continued his road back to stardom. The seven-time Olympic gold medalist finished tied for fifth after touching the wall in 51.66, dropping .29 seconds off his morning time.
Incoming freshmen Grace Rainey, Catie Choate and Caleb Maldari swam in C and D-Finals during the evening session. Rainey swam a 33.18 in the 50m breast C-final while Choate finished third in the 50m back D-final with a 29.26. Maldari won the 50m back D-final with a 25.97.
Prelims:
Women’s 400 IM
Zoe Dixon started off the morning with a 4:45.82, putting her in seventh to qualify for the A-final. Anna Auld posted a 4:51.84 for 25th, while incoming freshman Michaela Mattes placed 38th with a 4:55.35
Men’s 400 IM
Bobby Finke cruised to a 4:15.15 during his morning swim, finishing second overall and earning lane five for the A-final. Giovanni Linscheer posted a top-10 finish at 4:19.05, earning the second seed in the B-final. Mason Laur qualified for the C-final with a 4:21.45, while incoming freshman Andrew Taylor’s 4:28.13 put him in the D-final. Peter Bretzmann placed 43rd at 4:28.90, one spot ahead of Jack VanDeusen at 4:29.34.
Women’s 100 Fly
Three Gators finished from 25th-35th, led by Natalie Hinds’ 59.65 time for 25th. Olivia Peoples clocked a 1:00.08 for 31st, while Aris Runnels placed 35th after swimming a 1:00.28.
Men’s 100 Fly
Coming off a third-place finish in the 50 fly last night, Caeleb Dressel posted a 51.95 for ninth, but still qualified for the A-final after a scratch ahead of him. Incoming freshman Scotty Buff went 53.72 to place 31st and earn a second swim in the D-final.
Women’s 50 Breast
Incoming freshman Grace Rainey earned a spot in the D-final, swimming a 32.48 to place 27th.
Men’s 50 Breast
The lone Gator in the event, Julian Smith clocked a personal-best 28.60 to finish 30th.
Women’s 50 Back
Swimming in her second event of the morning, Aris Runnels clocked a 28.49 to tie for 11th and earn a spot in the B-final. Incoming freshman Catie Choate will swim in the D-final tonight after registering a 29.31 and tying for 31st.
Men’s 50 Back
Adam Chaney notched the top seed in the B-final, swimming a 25.06 to place ninth during the morning session. Incoming freshman Caleb Maldari (T34th) and Scotty Buff (44th) both earned spots in the D-final.
The 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships continue Friday, with prelims starting at 10 a.m. ET and finals at 7 p.m. ET. The prelims are streamed on the USA Swimming Youtube page while the finals are available on Peacock.
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