Isabelle Stadden Keeps Firing During Prelims of Fort Lauderdale Open; Notches PR in 100 Backstroke
The first three days of the Fort Lauderdale Open have offered several engaging storylines. There was Katie Ledecky’s No. 5 time in history in the 1500-meter freestyle. There was Summer McIntosh’s narrow triumph over Ledecky in the 400 freestyle. There was Leon Marchand’s 1:53.08 showing in the 200 butterfly. And there was Isabelle Stadden rocketing to the No. 4 performer slot in the 200 backstroke, thanks to a swim of 2:04.37.
What will the final day of competition in South Florida bring? Here’s a look at how the Day Four prelims unfolded to set up action for the evening session at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.
Women’s 100 Backstroke
The women’s 100 backstroke could be the race of the night, with Isabelle Stadden, Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff headlining the field. Coming off her superb performance in the 200 backstroke from Friday night, Stadden set a personal best in prelims of the 100 back, going 58.05. That effort moved Stadden to No. 7 on the all-time performer list. She was followed as the second seed by Smith in 58.25, while Berkoff checked in at 59.09.
Men’s 100 Backstroke
A little more than a month removed from leading the University of Texas to an NCAA team title repeat, Hungarian star Hubert Kos easily led qualifying in the men’s 100 backstroke. Kos, the reigning Olympic champ in the 200 backstroke, clocked in at 54.03, which was well ahead of the 55.95 of Jack Aikins. Kos has already won the 50 backstroke and 200 backstroke in Fort Lauderdale.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
Olympic champion Kate Douglass cruised to the top seed, on the strength of a 2:24.75 effort. Douglass claimed titles in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke on Thursday night and added a runnerup finish in the 50 butterfly on Friday. Ireland’s Mona McSharry posted the second-fastest time of the morning, a 2:25.84, and was followed by Sophia Umstead (2:28.38), Alex Walsh (2:29.34) and Summer McIntosh (2:30.12).
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
The European-record holder in the event, Leon Marchand eased his way to a mark of 2:13.37 for the morning. The Olympic champ was followed as the second seed by Jack Kelly (2:14.28), who has won the 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke at the meet. The 200 breaststroke was the first of two events for Marchand, complementing the 200 individual medley.
More to come…(Meet Mobile Not Updated)
