Leah Smith Leads UltraSwim Day One With 8:23 800m Free, World No. 4

Recap from day one finals Thursday at the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim hosted by SwimMAC Carolina featured fast swimming from Leah Smith in the 800 freestyle, Molly Hannis in the 50 breaststroke, and Michael Chadwick in the 50 freestyle.

Jun 2, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Leah Smith Leads UltraSwim Day One With 8:23 800m Free, World No. 4

2017 Charlotte UltraSwim

Charlotte, North Carolina
June 1-4, 2017
Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
LIVE RESULTS -- Available via Meet Mobile (iPhone/Android)

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The 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim kicked off Thursday night with events at opposite ends of the distance spectrum. Events on the docket included the women's 800m freestyle, men's 1500m freestyle, and prelims/semifinals of the 50s of stroke (including freestyle). In the 50s, 16 swimmers advanced to the semifinals, and the top eight from that round move on to Friday's final.

Leah Smith Rocks 8:23 800m Free, World No. 4

Recent Virginia grad Leah Smith highlighted the first session with a quick 8:23.27 in the 800m freestyle -- the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. Smith is certainly the clear No. 2 behind Ledecky in the 400, 800, and 1500 freestyle events, and that 8:23 is a great setup for Nationals. It will be interesting to see what Smith can throw down in a 1500, assuming she snags a spot on the World Championship team in a few weeks.

Molly Hannis Blazes 30.67 50m Breast, World No. 6

Coming off of a successful 2016 season that featured an Olympic berth in the 200m breaststroke, Molly Hannis is proving her well-roundedness by notching a quick 50 breast in 30.67 -- the sixth-fastest time in the world this year. Even though she made the Olympic team in the 200, Hannis has always favored the sprint breaststrokes. This is a sign of good things to come for her heading into the World Championships where 50s of stroke are competed. The only problem? She will have to get through red-hot Katie Meili or Lilly King at Nationals to earn a spot.

Chadwick vs. Held Showdown

Two contenders to earn a spot on this summer's World Championship team in some capacity, Michael Chadwick and Ryan Held, are set to square off Friday night in the 50m freestyle final. Chadwick cruised through prelims and semifinals easily with a 22.67 and 22.52, respectively. Held snagged the second spot with a semifinals swim of 23.03. Beware of the the wolf, however. Held was wearing a speedo Thursday night, indicating he did not unload all of his resources. Don't count out Held's NC State teammate Justin Ress, either. Ress, who snagged the third seed in 23.04, has made tremendous progress during his first two seasons in Raleigh. After popping off a 53.75 in the 100m back at the Atlanta Classic in May, Ress proved he is ready for the big stage.
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Stay tuned for more LIVE action from the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim all throughout the weekend on FloSwimming.

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