Three Things From UltraSwim Day Two Prelims

Recap from day two prelims at the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim including results and highlights from Justin Ress, Katie Meili, Molly Hannis, and Leah Smith.

Jun 2, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Three Things From UltraSwim Day Two Prelims

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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We like to keep things short and snappy for you so your boss doesn't catch you reading too much swimming news at work on a Friday afternoon. So without further ado, we offer three highlights from Friday morning's prelims session at the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim.

1.) Justin Ress continues to impress in 100m backstroke

The rising NC State junior has looked very strong in the 100 back over the last month or so. After posting a swift 53.7 at the Atlanta Classic in May, Ress followed up Friday morning with a strong 54.34 in prelims at UltraSwim -- crushing second-place qualifier Ryosuke Irie (55.64). The 100 back has always been an event the United States dominated, and Ress is running into a buzzsaw with the likes of Ryan Murphy, Matt Grevers, and Jacob Pebley. But don't count Ress out just yet. Wild card: watch this guy in the 100 freestyle. If he can put the pieces together, there is a chance he could snag a spot in the top six at Nationals and punch a ticket to Budapest.

2.) Katie Meili vs. Molly Hannis
Rio Olympians Katie Meili and Molly Hannis snagged the top two spots in the 100m breaststroke with a 1:08.03 and 1:08.29, respectively. With Lilly King looking as dominant as ever, these two ladies will be gunning for a spot on the World Championship team in the 100 breast. The interesting thing is -- Meili made the Olympic team in the 100 breast but has been looking very strong in the 200. Hannis made the team in the 200 but has been looking very strong in the sprint breaststrokes. Don't take your eyes off Melanie Margalis, either. The 200 IM specialist looked solid in prelims as well, snagging the No. 3 seed with a 1:08.83.

3.) Leah Smith keeps on rolling

After her 8:23 on Thursday night in the 800m freestyle, 2016 Olympian Leah Smith posted a 4:10.47 in the 400m freestyle -- nine seconds ahead of second-place qualifier Hannah Moore of NC State in 4:19.61. That is a solid morning swim from Smith. If she can dip down into the 4:05 to 4:06 range on Friday night, she will certainly be poised for a sub-four-minute performance heading into Nationals and presumably World Championships. The goal for Smith? Keep chipping away the gap between her and Katie Ledecky. Smith is a fearless competitor and uses the greatness of Ledecky as motivation to swim faster as opposed to caving in to being the bridesmaid.

Stay tuned for finals kicking off 5:30 PM EDT. Events on the docket include the 100m backstroke, 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 400m freestyle, and 200m IM.
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