Stacked Field Set to Race at Pro Series Stop in Westmont; Ledecky vs. McIntosh in 800 Freestyle (Psych Sheets)
The USA Swimming Pro Series stop in Westmont, Illinois is a week away and the initial psych sheets for the competition have been released. The meet is loaded with talent, headlined by Summer McIntosh, Katie Ledecky and Leon Marchand. Between them, that triumvirate boasts 26 Olympic medals, including a combined nine gold medals from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The women’s 800 freestyle is slated to feature Ledecky and McIntosh, the two-fastest performers in the history of the event. While Ledecky is the world-record holder at 8:04.12, McIntosh owns a best time of 8:05.07. At last summer’s World Championships in Singapore, Ledecky captured the gold medal in the 800 freestyle, with McIntosh earning the bronze behind silver medalist Lani Pallister of Australia.
In addition to the 800 freestyle, McIntosh is scheduled to contest the 200 butterfly, the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley. Ledecky is also entered in the 400 individual medley, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. On the women’s side, the Walsh sisters, Gretchen and Alex, will contest multiple events. Gretchen Walsh is entered in the 100 butterfly, where she is the world-record holder. Olympic champion Kate Douglass will also be in action, including in the 200 breaststroke.
A four-time Olympic champion at the Paris Games, Marchand is entered in the 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle. In the distance-freestyle events, Olympic titlists Bobby Finke and Daniel Wiffen are expected to face off in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, with Aussie Sam Short also in the fields. Meanwhile, Caeleb Dressel is entered in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly.
