World University Games: United States Dominates Day Three Prelims Behind Jack Dahlgren
The United States looked sharp during the first two days of the World University Games in Berlin, and that fact did not change during Saturday’s prelim session. Team USA posted the fastest-two times in the first three events of the morning, the men’s 200 butterfly, women’s 100 backstroke and men’s 200 breaststroke, and ended the session by finishing first in the mixed medley relay.
Here is a look at how the Day Three prelims unfolded:
Men’s 200 Butterfly
The United States opened the third morning of competition with Jack Dahlgren and Mason Laur qualifying one-two into the semifinals of the 200 fly. Dahlgren (Missouri) won the third heat in 1:56.82 for the top time while Laur (Florida) prevailed in the fifth heat, behind a swim of 1:57.47. They were followed by the Canadian duo of Benjamin Loewen (1:57.70) and Patrick Hussey (1:58.00).
Women’s 100 Backstroke
Coming off a gold-silver finish in the 200 backstroke, North Carolina State teammates Leah Shackley and Kennedy Noble led the way into the semifinals of the 100 backstroke. Shackley was the only athlete to break the minute barrier in the opening round, going 59.74. Noble was next in 1:00.23, with Korea’s Lee Eunji at 1:01.14 for the third seed in the semifinals.
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
Another one-two finish was produced by Team USA in the prelims of the men’s 200 breaststroke, with Ben Delmar (North Carolina) clocking 2:11.05 for the fastest time of the morning. Delmar was the bronze medalist in the 100 breaststroke and opened his chase for the title in the 200 breast in strong fashion. Josh Bey, bound for Indiana, posted the second-fastest time of qualifying with a swim of 2:12.21, just ahead of the 2:12.36 of Korea’s Lee Sanghoon.
Men’s 1500 Freestyle
Brazil’s Joao de Gruttola Campos and Thiago Maturana Ruffini went one-three to advance into the final of the 1500 freestyle, which is scheduled for Sunday night. Campos posted a time of 15:12.87, which was nearly five seconds faster than the 15:17.29 of Italy’s Davide Marchello, the No. 2 qualifier. Ruffini covered his 30 laps in 15:19.94.
Mixed 400 Medley Relay
The United States wrapped up its dominant morning by recording the top time in the mixed 400 medley relay by nearly three seconds. Team USA went 3:46.34 behind the foursome of David King (53.91), Nate Germonprez (1:00.12), Ella Welch (58.55) and Isabel Ivey (53.76). Italy posted the second-fastest time, going 3:49.28 to place just ahead of Japan (3:49.64).
