Finke, Ledecky Claim National Titles to Open up US Nationals
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Bobby Finke and Katie Ledecky continued their dominance in the water Tuesday night, as both won National Titles at the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships.
Finke set the U.S. Open and Championship records with his 1500m time of 14:42.81, the fifth-fastest in the world this season. The Clearwater, Florida native beat the rest of the field by over eight seconds.
Ledecky swam the third-fastest 800m free time ever Tuesday night with a 8:07.07. The Gators volunteer coach, who is training under head coach Anthony Nesty, notched her fastest time since 2016. Ledecky won the event by over 13 seconds.
In the men’s 200m fly A-final, Mason Laur notched a career-best 1:55.67 to finish fifth in the nation. An All-American this past NCAA season, Laur shaved .30 seconds off his prelim time.
Macguire McDuff posted a 48.24 in the 100m free, a personal-best, to finish seventh in the A-final. In the C-final, Caeleb Dressel finished third with a 49.24, ahead of Julian Smith’s 50.37 time and seventh place finish.
In the women’s 100m free A-final, incoming freshman Bella Sims placed seventh with a 53.73 to give her a new personal-best. In the B-final, Natalie Hinds touched the wall in 54.56 to finish sixth.
Swimming in the B-final of the 200m fly, Zoe Dixon recorded a 2:11.73 to put her in seventh. In the C-final, incoming freshman Lainy Kruger went 2:11.98 for fourth while Amanda Ray finished seventh in the final at 2:13.01
Prelims
Women’s 200 Fly:
Zoe Dixon, the reigning SEC Female Freshman Swimmer of the Year, swam a 2:10.75 to finish 11th in the prelims and advance to the B-final. Incoming freshman Lainy Kruger finished 20th at 2:12.68, while Amanda Ray’s 2:13.05 put her in 22nd during the morning.
Men’s 200 Fly:
Mason Laur finished in the top-five, notching a 1:55.97 to advance to the A-final. Jace Crawford went 2:00.69 for 37th, while Billy Jones placed 40th at 2:01.84.
Women’s 100 Free:
Bella Sims, the top-ranked signee for the Gators next season, finished eighth in the morning at 54.18 for a spot in the A-final. Natalie Hinds finished T16 at 54.52, advancing to a swim-off to determine which final she’ll swim in. Isabel Ivey touched the wall in 55.16 to finished tied for 27th while Micayla Cronk placed 35th at 55.67.
Men’s 100 Free:
Florida had six swimmers in the men’s 100 free, including three-time 2023 NCAA National Champion Macguire McDuff who placed fifth at 48.08 to lead the Gator crew. Kieran Smith qualified for the B-final after a 10th-place finish at 48.58. Adam Chaney finished 26th, just ahead of Caeleb Dressel (29th) and Julian Smith (32nd). Incoming freshman Scotty Buff finished 60th with a time of 50.97.
The 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships continue Wednesday, with prelims beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) and finals at 7 p.m. (ET).
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