2017 SEC ChampionshipsFeb 17, 2017 by Maclin Simpson
SEC Prelims Day 4: Bama's Connor Oslin Scares Ryan Lochte's 100 Back Record
SEC Prelims Day 4: Bama's Connor Oslin Scares Ryan Lochte's 100 Back Record
Day four prelims at the 2017 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee featured fast times from Olympians Chase Kalisz and Olivia Smoliga.
Day four prelims at the 2017 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee was short and fast with only three events, but certainly had some great races and set up more records to potentially be broken tonight. On the women's side, the 100 backstroke will be the marquee event on the docket. Olympian Olivia Smoliga of Georgia lead the charge in the preliminary heats, but look for challengers on all sides as four other girls also threw down 51s. On the men's side, Look for Chase Kalisz of Georgia to drop a big swim tonight in the 200 butterfly, potentially scaring the SEC record and dipping under the 1:40 barrier.
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 1:54.01
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:59.59
With defending SEC Champion and U.S. Olympian Hali Flickinger of Georgia out of the picture due to graduation, Chelsea Britt will look to capitalize on her huge morning swim of 1:53.90 to give the Bulldogs back-to-back titles in this race. However, don't count out the second seed Sarah Gibson of Texas A&M who touched in 1:54.43. Gibson is last year's SEC silver medalist and has already won the 500 freestyle and 100 butterfly at this meet. Britt's teammate Megan Kingsley will also be a major contender in tonight's final. The Bulldog junior was last year's SEC bronze medalist and this event is her bread and butter, so she will make a strong push to stand atop the podium. Regardless of the outcome, you can guarantee this is going to come down to the final 25.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Chelsea Britt (Georgia): 1:53.90 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Sarah Gibson (Texas A&M): 1:54.43
3.) Megan Kingsley (Georgia): 1:54.94
4.) Kara Kopcso (LSU): 1:56.86
5.) Bailey Nero (Auburn): 1:56.96
6.) Sharli Brady (Mizzou): 1:57.02
7.) Alyssa Yambor-Maul (Florida): 1:57.34
8.) Michelle Cefal (Tennessee): 1:57.62
16th: 1:58.62
24th: 2:00.12
SEC Meet Record: 1:40.59 (Hugo Morris - Auburn, 2016)
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 1:41.86
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:47.99
As expected, the Georgia Bulldogs put four swimmers up in the A-final which has huge implications for them holding onto second in the team race. Led by Senior Chase Kalisz with a 1:42.37, this is anybody's race as second through seventh all touched in 1:43s. Watch out for the defending SEC Champion and meet record holder, Hugo Morris of Auburn, who barely snuck in the championship final touching 8th with a 1:43.82. Pace Clark of Georgia and Mark Szaranek of Florida will be very dangerous as well. Clark was last year's silver medalist and Szaranek has been ON FIRE this meet, barely losing out to Kalisz in the 200 and 400 IM races. Kalisz holds the second-fastest time in the country this year with a 1:40.38, so look for him to break the SEC meet record and dip under the 1:40 barrier.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Chase Kalisz (Georgia): 1:42.37
2.) Jan Switkowski (Florida): 1:43.04
3.) Fynn Minuth (South Carolina): 1:43.09
4.) Gunnar Bentz (Georgia): 1:43.16
5.) Mark Szaranek (Florida): 1:43.49
6.) Pace Clark (Georgia): 1:43.52
7.) Mick Litherland (Georgia): 1:43.71
8.) Hugo Morris (Auburn): 1:43.82
16th: 1:45.03
24th: 1:45.43
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 51.45
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 55.09
This is undoubtedly going to be one of the marquee races of the night. With five girls under the 52 second barrier and the top two seeds separated only by three hundredths of a second, you can bet this will come down to whoever has the longest finger nails. Defending SEC Champion and U.S. Olympian Olivia Smoliga of Georgia touched first in 51.10 with Missouri Senior Hannah Stevens right behind her in 51.13, both NCAA Automatic qualifying times. Don't sleep on Kira Toussaint of Tennessee, though as she is last year's silver medalist in this race. Kentucky's Asia Seidt is the wildcard. The Freshman has already put up a 51.50 this season and will look to capitalize on her strong underwaters to make a push for the podium.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Olivia Smoliga (Georgia): 51.10 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Hannah Stevens (Mizzou): 51.13 (NCAA 'A')
3.) Kira Toussaint (Tennessee): 51.56
4.) Asia Seidt (Kentucky): 51.66
5.) Nadine Laemmler (Mizzou): 51.98
6.) Danielle Galyer (Kentucky): 52.02
7.) Emma Ball (Florida): 52.49
8.) Chelsea Britt (Georgia): 52.54
16th: 53.71
24th: 54.27
SEC Meet Record: 45.19 (Ryan Lochte - Florida, 2005)
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 45.37
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 48.49
The Alabama Crimson Tide rolled their way through prelims of the 100 backstroke, claiming the top two seeds and three of the top six. Led by Senior Connor Oslin in 45.29 and Luke Kaliszak in 45.64. the two Bama boys will look to break Ryan Lochte's longtime SEC meet record of 45.19 from 2005. Both of these guys certainly have the speed and championship final experience to do so. Georgia's Taylor Dale is the wildcard. Last year's SEC silver medalist (behind Oslin), the Senior will look to go out with a bang at his final SEC Championships.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Connor Oslin (Alabama): 45.29 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Luke Kaliszak (Alabama): 45.64
3.) Taylor Dale (Georgia): 45.67
4.) Logan Rysemus (LSU): 46.27
5.) Karl Luht (LSU): 46.38
6.) Christopher Reid (Alabama): 46.43
7.) Brock Bonetti (Texas A&M): 46.62
8.) Daniel Hein (Mizzou): 46.65
16th: 47:40 (TIE, will require swim-off)
24th: 48.16
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 59.04
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:02.49
Missouri Senior Katharine Ross' absence left the door WIDE OPEN in this race. Ross, the defending SEC Champion, had to pull out of the meet due to an undisclosed illness. With only two girls under the 1:00 mark this morning and first through eighth separated by nine tenths of a second, it would not be a surprise to see any one of these swimmers take the crown. Even though Jorie Caneta of Texas A&M is the top seed, Alabama's Bridget Blood has to be the favorite as she was last year's SEC silver medalist. Madison Winstead of Kentucky is the wildcard. The Freshman dropped over half of a second from her seed time to scare breaking the 1:00 barrier and will use the excitement of her first SEC A-final to push for the top spot on the podium.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Jorie Caneta (Texas A&M): 59.78
2.) Bridget Blood (Alabama): 59.83
3.) Madison Winstead (Kentucky): 1:00.09
4.) Colleen Callahan (Tennessee): 1:00.20
5.) Ashley McGregor (Texas A&M): 1:00.28
6.) Natasha Lloyd (Auburn): 1:00.30
7.) Franko Jonker (Texas A&M): 1:00.44
8.) Colleen O'Neil (LSU): 1:00.66
16th: 1:02.05 (TIE, will require swim-off)
24th: 1:02.68
NCAA 'A' Automatic: 51.93
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 55.39
Fabian Schwingenschloegl of Missouri holds the fastest time in the country this year with a 51.07 from the Mizzou Invite in November, but he will have to settle for the second seed this morning. Nils Wich-Glasen of South Carolina threw down a quick 51.58 this morning to claim the sop seed and become the third man to break the 52-second barrier this season. Alabama veteran Anton McKee took third with a 52.33 just ahead of the defending SEC Champion from Auburn, Michael Duderstadt. How about Michael Chadwick, though? The sprint freestyle specialist showed off some serious versatility by taking fifth with a very respectable 52.76. Watch out for Peter Stevens from Tennessee as well. He has some SERIOUS front-end speed and will look to take it out fast and hold on.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Nils Wich-Glasen (South Carolina): 51.58 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Fabian Schwingenschloegl (Mizzou): 52.08
3.) Anton McKee (Alabama): 52.33
4.) Michael Duderstadt (Auburn): 52.46
5.) Michael Chadwick (Mizzou): 52.76
6.) Peter Stevens (Tennessee): 52.81
7.) Chandler Bray (Florida): 53.03
8.) Pavel Romanov (Alabama): 53.06
16th: 53.64
24th: 54.61
200 BUTTERFLY
Women
SEC Meet Record: 1:52.19 (Camille Adams - Texas A&M, 2014)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 1:54.01
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:59.59
With defending SEC Champion and U.S. Olympian Hali Flickinger of Georgia out of the picture due to graduation, Chelsea Britt will look to capitalize on her huge morning swim of 1:53.90 to give the Bulldogs back-to-back titles in this race. However, don't count out the second seed Sarah Gibson of Texas A&M who touched in 1:54.43. Gibson is last year's SEC silver medalist and has already won the 500 freestyle and 100 butterfly at this meet. Britt's teammate Megan Kingsley will also be a major contender in tonight's final. The Bulldog junior was last year's SEC bronze medalist and this event is her bread and butter, so she will make a strong push to stand atop the podium. Regardless of the outcome, you can guarantee this is going to come down to the final 25.
1.) Chelsea Britt (Georgia): 1:53.90 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Sarah Gibson (Texas A&M): 1:54.43
3.) Megan Kingsley (Georgia): 1:54.94
4.) Kara Kopcso (LSU): 1:56.86
5.) Bailey Nero (Auburn): 1:56.96
6.) Sharli Brady (Mizzou): 1:57.02
7.) Alyssa Yambor-Maul (Florida): 1:57.34
8.) Michelle Cefal (Tennessee): 1:57.62
16th: 1:58.62
24th: 2:00.12
Men
SEC Meet Record: 1:40.59 (Hugo Morris - Auburn, 2016)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 1:41.86
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:47.99
As expected, the Georgia Bulldogs put four swimmers up in the A-final which has huge implications for them holding onto second in the team race. Led by Senior Chase Kalisz with a 1:42.37, this is anybody's race as second through seventh all touched in 1:43s. Watch out for the defending SEC Champion and meet record holder, Hugo Morris of Auburn, who barely snuck in the championship final touching 8th with a 1:43.82. Pace Clark of Georgia and Mark Szaranek of Florida will be very dangerous as well. Clark was last year's silver medalist and Szaranek has been ON FIRE this meet, barely losing out to Kalisz in the 200 and 400 IM races. Kalisz holds the second-fastest time in the country this year with a 1:40.38, so look for him to break the SEC meet record and dip under the 1:40 barrier.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Chase Kalisz (Georgia): 1:42.37
2.) Jan Switkowski (Florida): 1:43.04
3.) Fynn Minuth (South Carolina): 1:43.09
4.) Gunnar Bentz (Georgia): 1:43.16
5.) Mark Szaranek (Florida): 1:43.49
6.) Pace Clark (Georgia): 1:43.52
7.) Mick Litherland (Georgia): 1:43.71
8.) Hugo Morris (Auburn): 1:43.82
16th: 1:45.03
24th: 1:45.43
100 BACKSTROKE
Women
SEC Meet Record: 50.53 (Gemma Spofforth - Florida, 2009)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 51.45
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 55.09
This is undoubtedly going to be one of the marquee races of the night. With five girls under the 52 second barrier and the top two seeds separated only by three hundredths of a second, you can bet this will come down to whoever has the longest finger nails. Defending SEC Champion and U.S. Olympian Olivia Smoliga of Georgia touched first in 51.10 with Missouri Senior Hannah Stevens right behind her in 51.13, both NCAA Automatic qualifying times. Don't sleep on Kira Toussaint of Tennessee, though as she is last year's silver medalist in this race. Kentucky's Asia Seidt is the wildcard. The Freshman has already put up a 51.50 this season and will look to capitalize on her strong underwaters to make a push for the podium.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Olivia Smoliga (Georgia): 51.10 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Hannah Stevens (Mizzou): 51.13 (NCAA 'A')
3.) Kira Toussaint (Tennessee): 51.56
4.) Asia Seidt (Kentucky): 51.66
5.) Nadine Laemmler (Mizzou): 51.98
6.) Danielle Galyer (Kentucky): 52.02
7.) Emma Ball (Florida): 52.49
8.) Chelsea Britt (Georgia): 52.54
16th: 53.71
24th: 54.27
Men
SEC Meet Record: 45.19 (Ryan Lochte - Florida, 2005)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 45.37
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 48.49
The Alabama Crimson Tide rolled their way through prelims of the 100 backstroke, claiming the top two seeds and three of the top six. Led by Senior Connor Oslin in 45.29 and Luke Kaliszak in 45.64. the two Bama boys will look to break Ryan Lochte's longtime SEC meet record of 45.19 from 2005. Both of these guys certainly have the speed and championship final experience to do so. Georgia's Taylor Dale is the wildcard. Last year's SEC silver medalist (behind Oslin), the Senior will look to go out with a bang at his final SEC Championships.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Connor Oslin (Alabama): 45.29 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Luke Kaliszak (Alabama): 45.64
3.) Taylor Dale (Georgia): 45.67
4.) Logan Rysemus (LSU): 46.27
5.) Karl Luht (LSU): 46.38
6.) Christopher Reid (Alabama): 46.43
7.) Brock Bonetti (Texas A&M): 46.62
8.) Daniel Hein (Mizzou): 46.65
16th: 47:40 (TIE, will require swim-off)
24th: 48.16
100 BREASTSTROKE
Women
SEC Meet Record: 57.28 (Breeja Larson - Texas A&M, 2014)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 59.04
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 1:02.49
Missouri Senior Katharine Ross' absence left the door WIDE OPEN in this race. Ross, the defending SEC Champion, had to pull out of the meet due to an undisclosed illness. With only two girls under the 1:00 mark this morning and first through eighth separated by nine tenths of a second, it would not be a surprise to see any one of these swimmers take the crown. Even though Jorie Caneta of Texas A&M is the top seed, Alabama's Bridget Blood has to be the favorite as she was last year's SEC silver medalist. Madison Winstead of Kentucky is the wildcard. The Freshman dropped over half of a second from her seed time to scare breaking the 1:00 barrier and will use the excitement of her first SEC A-final to push for the top spot on the podium.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Jorie Caneta (Texas A&M): 59.78
2.) Bridget Blood (Alabama): 59.83
3.) Madison Winstead (Kentucky): 1:00.09
4.) Colleen Callahan (Tennessee): 1:00.20
5.) Ashley McGregor (Texas A&M): 1:00.28
6.) Natasha Lloyd (Auburn): 1:00.30
7.) Franko Jonker (Texas A&M): 1:00.44
8.) Colleen O'Neil (LSU): 1:00.66
16th: 1:02.05 (TIE, will require swim-off)
24th: 1:02.68
Men
SEC Meet Record: 51.25 (Nic Fink - Georgia, 2014)NCAA 'A' Automatic: 51.93
NCAA 'B' Consideration: 55.39
Fabian Schwingenschloegl of Missouri holds the fastest time in the country this year with a 51.07 from the Mizzou Invite in November, but he will have to settle for the second seed this morning. Nils Wich-Glasen of South Carolina threw down a quick 51.58 this morning to claim the sop seed and become the third man to break the 52-second barrier this season. Alabama veteran Anton McKee took third with a 52.33 just ahead of the defending SEC Champion from Auburn, Michael Duderstadt. How about Michael Chadwick, though? The sprint freestyle specialist showed off some serious versatility by taking fifth with a very respectable 52.76. Watch out for Peter Stevens from Tennessee as well. He has some SERIOUS front-end speed and will look to take it out fast and hold on.
Top 8 Finalists
1.) Nils Wich-Glasen (South Carolina): 51.58 (NCAA 'A')
2.) Fabian Schwingenschloegl (Mizzou): 52.08
3.) Anton McKee (Alabama): 52.33
4.) Michael Duderstadt (Auburn): 52.46
5.) Michael Chadwick (Mizzou): 52.76
6.) Peter Stevens (Tennessee): 52.81
7.) Chandler Bray (Florida): 53.03
8.) Pavel Romanov (Alabama): 53.06
16th: 53.64
24th: 54.61