Ledecky, Costa Win Second Events, Pelaez Takes Second, Gets Olympic Trials Cut On Day Two Of Toyota U.S. Open Swimming Championships; SOFLO’s Horrego Competes Friday

By Sharon Robb
GREENSBORO, N.C., December 1, 2022—The rematch between Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh lived up to the hype Thursday night at the Toyota U.S. Open Swimming Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Ledecky successfully avenged her narrow loss (.08 seconds) to the Canadian teenager in the 400-meter freestyle at the World Cup Series meet in Toronto last month.

Ledecky, the top qualifier in 4:021.51, edged out McIntosh by 8/100ths in 3:59.71. Her final split was 28.99 to move into the lead for good. McIntosh, 16, finished in 3:59.79 and Sarasota Sharks training mate Michaela Mattes, 17, was third in 4:09.53.

It was Ledecky’ second win of the meet. On opening night, she easily won the 800 freestyle.

Brazil’s Guilherme Costa, 24, also won his second event in the 400 freestyle in 3:48.13 ahead of Florida’s Alfonso Mestre, 21, of Venezuela in 3:49.63.

N.C. State’s David Curtiss, 20, won the 50-meter freestyle despite swimming blind for the entire race. He said his goggles filled up with water after the start and he relied on muscle memory to get him to the wall.

N.C. State-bound and U.S. junior national team member Erika Pelaez, 16, of Eagle Aquatics was second in the 50 freestyle in 25.29 behind Louisville’s Gabi Albiero in 25.06. She was seeded sixth after prelims in 25.75. She has the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle left to swim.

South Florida Aquatic Club’s 2020 Olympian Julio Horrego begins competing on Friday. The 24-year-old Honduran and national record holder will compete in the 100-meter breaststroke on Friday and 200-meter breaststroke on Saturday. Horrego is using the meet as a tuneup for the Dec. 13-18 World Championships in Australia.

The four-day meet has attracted both U.S. and international swimmers and is expected to be one of the most competitive. The finals are being televised by Peacock with Rowdy Gaines calling the action.

WOMEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, GSC 3:59.71, 2. Summer McIntosh, SYS 3:59.79, 3. Michaela Mattes, SYS 4:09.53, 4. Emma Weyant, UN 4:10.12.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Regan Smith, SUN 2:10.40, 2. Leah Hayes, TIDE 2:10.67, 3. Zoe Dixon, Florida 2:14.37.

50-meter freestyle: 1. Gabi Albiero, LOU 25.06, 2. Erika Pelaez, EA 25.29, 3. Camille Spink, NCAP 25.36.

MEN
400-meter freestyle: 1. Guilherme Costa, Brazil 3:48.13, 2. Alfonso Mestre, Florida 3:49.63, 3. Jake Mitchell, Florida 3:49.65.

200-meter individual medley: 1. Chase Kalisz, SUN 1:56.52, 2. Baylor Nelson, TAM 1:59.14, 3. Daniel Diehl, CUY 1:59.89.

50-meter freestyle: 1. David Curtiss, NCS 21.92, 2. Josh Liendo, Florida 21.99, 3. Victor Alcara, Brazil 22.11.

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