The North Baltimore Aquatic Club put on a clinic in the women’s 1500 freestyle as the Charlotte stop on the United States Swimming Grand Prix circuit got under way with the distance program on Thursday night. Denmark’s Lotte Friis led a one-two-three sweep for NBAC, finishing ahead of teammates Becca Mann and Gillian Ryan.
The silver medalist in the 1500 free from last summer’s World Championships, where she engaged in an epic duel with American Katie Ledecky, Friis prevailed in a time of 16:07.14, the second-fastest in the world this year. Mann was right behind in 16:08.86, the No. 3 outing in the world rankings. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte tops the charts in 15:58.07.
Although she was third among her club members, Ryan also delivered a strong performance with a time of 16:12.64, good for fifth in the world rankings. Mann and Ryan are teenagers who are expected to contend for Team USA berths behind Ledecky at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships. For Friis, the summer focus is the European Championships.
In the men’s 800 freestyle, Club Wolverine’s Connor Jaeger took top honors with the sole sub-8:00 performance of the evening. The headliner of USA distance swimming, Jaeger was timed in 7:58.59, good for 19th in the world. Jaeger was followed by Matt McLean in 8:03.08.
The schedule in Charlotte goes full force on Friday, with the meet running through Sunday. The highlight of the weekend will be Michael Phelps’ efforts in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle, which are slated for Friday. Phelps is in his second meet since returning to action at the previous Grand Prix stop in Mesa, Arizona.
Comments are closed.