Matt Fallon Breaks American Record; Attendance Sets New Record At U.S. Olympic Trials

By Sharon Robb
INDIANAPOLIS, June 20, 2024—In front of another record crowd Wednesday night at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, Matt Fallon broke the American record in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Fallon of Warren, N.J. and University of Pennsylvania, won the 200-meter breaststroke in an American record 2:06.54. In the 2021 Olympic Trials Fallon finished eighth in the 200 breast. Now Fallon is one of 11 swimmers to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the first from Penn.

“I’ve been eyeing that record for a while,” said Fallon of the eight-year-old American record. “I knew I had the capability to do it. I know I’ve had it in me this entire time. I just really wanted to be able to go out and do it on the biggest stage.

“I just wanted to do mainly the same thing I did in semis,” Fallon said. “I was strong. I tried to keep it together even though I went out fast. I just tried to hammer it home in the last 50.

With 22,209 attendees, the crowd reset the record for the largest swim meet ever breaking the previous record of 20,689.

To open up the championship finals, Kate Douglass, New York Athletic Club, Torri Huske, Arlington Aquatic Club, Gretchen Walsh, University of Virginia) and Simone Manuel, Sun Devil Swimming secured spots for the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

“I didn’t realize how hard it is to truly make Team USA until you’re competing for that spot,” Huske said. “And to make it three times is just an insane accomplishment.”

For Manuel, who took time off after diagnosed with overtraining syndrome, it was a successful comeback.

“People say they all fade, but the memories are things that will last forever,” Manuel said. “I’m just so proud of myself, my character, what I’ve learned through this process. And more than anything, having fun in this sport again.”

Teenager Thomas Heilman of Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA stunned the field to win the 200-meter butterfly in 1:54.50 followed by Luca Urlando of DART in 1:55.08 to make their first Olympic teams.

“Looking up at the board and seeing my name at the top was…it was really special,” said the 17-year-old after making his first Olympic team. “It’s a goal I’ve had for years now, and to see it up there, it was a little bit of disbelief.”

Katie Ledecky, Gator Swim Club, soaking up the record crowd and swimming in a football stadium, won her third event, the 1500-meter freestyle in 15:37.35. Katie Grimes of Las Vegas Sandpipers was second in 15:57.77.

“It’s been awesome,” said the all-time greatest woman swimmer. “I think it blew away all of our expectations. It’s just really neat to walk out of that tunnel every night for finals, or even for prelims races, and hear the excitement that everyone has. To see little kids in the stands with posters and big smiles and cheering really loud, I mean, that’s what it’s all about. It’s really neat that we’re chasing our dreams and pursuing these big goals, and just as a by-product of that, we’re inspiring some of these little kids. I’m sure many of them will be at future Olympic Trials, and that’s really exciting.”

In the final event, the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle was also decided with first-time Olympians Chris Guiliano of University of Notre Dame and Jack Alexy of California Aquatics taking the top two individual spots, followed by former world record holder Caeleb Dressel (Green Cove Springs, Fla./Gator Swim Club/Bolles alum) and Tokyo Olympian Hunter Armstrong.

“I’m just excited,” Alexy said. “It’s a bit of a relief to finally officially make the team. I am happy with my swim, my time, and my place. It’s legendary and a dream come true to think about the people who have come before me.”

Including open water and pool swimming events, USA Swimming has confirmed 27 athletes for the Olympics.

For the first time in the history of the Trials, the event is being held inside the National Football League’s Lucas Oil Stadium and attracting record crowds.

Among local swimmers’ five day action:

Stanford’s Josh Zuchowski of FAST finished 12th in the semifinals of the 200-meter backstroke in 1:59.59.

More than 1,000 swimmers including ten from Florida Gold Coast Swimming, are competing for 52 spots (two swimmers per individual event) on Team USA headed to the July 26-Aug. 11 Paris Summer Olympics. The trials are being featured on prime time television coverage each night on USA Network, NBC and Peacock.

Each day features a preliminary session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with races to determine who will advance to the semifinals and finals. The semifinals and finals sessions take place from 8-10 p.m. depending on TV coverage with at least one Olympian named to Team USA every night.

TUESDAY FINALS
WOMEN
100-meter freestyle:

1. Kate Douglass, NYAC 52.56, 2. Torri Huske, AAC 52.93, 3. Gretchen Walsh, NAC 53.13, 4. Simone Manuel, SUN 53.25.

1500-meter freestyle:

1. Katie Ledecky, GSC 15:37.35, 2. Katie Grimes, SAND 15:57.77, 3. Ashley Twichell, TAC 16:08.07.

MEN
200-meter butterfly:

1. Thomas Heilman, CA 1:54.50, 2. Luca Urlando, DART 1:55.08, 3. Mason Laur, UF 1:55.37.

200-meter breaststoke: 1. Matt Fallon, UPN 2:06.54, 2. Josh Metheny, ISC 2:08.86, 3. Ananias Pouch, VT 2:09.05.

100-meter freestyle: 1. Chris Guiliano, ND 47.38, 2. Jack Alexy, CAL 47.47, 3. Caeleb Dressel, GSC 47.53, 4. Hunter Armstrong, NYAC 47.78.

U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 20: Women’s 200 Backstroke, Men’s 50 Freestyle, Men’s 200 IM.

Friday, June 21: Men’s 100 Butterfly, Women’s 200 IM, Women’s 800 Freestyle.

Saturday, June 22: Women’s 50 Freestyle, Men’s 1500 Freestyle.

Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com