World University Games: Five Nations Earn Top Seeds in Individual Events During Day Four Prelims
The fourth prelims session of the World University Games saw the return of South Africa’s Pieter Coetze to the pool, one day after he rocketed to a 51.99 mark in the 100-meter backstroke. On Sunday morning, Coetze was in action in the 50 backstroke and 100 freestyle. There were also women’s heats of the 1500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 breaststroke and 800 freestyle relay. Here is what unfolded on the morning of Day Four.
Women’s 1500 Freestyle
Gena Jorgenson (Nebraska) and Kate Hurst (Texas) got the United States rolling, as they advanced to Monday’s final in the 1500 freestyle as the top-two seeds. Jorgenson recorded a swim of 16:23.82 to post the fastest time by more than two seconds while Hurst, who was fourth in the 800 freestyle, touched the wall in 16:26.26. Romania’s Rebecca-Aimee Diaconescu (Michigan) was third in 16:29.18.
Men’s 50 Backstroke
Four men went under the 25-second mark, led by South Africa’s Pieter Coetze. Coming off a gold medal and 51.99 performance in the 100 backstroke, Coetze covered the one-lap distance in 24.69, which was .05 quicker than the 24.74 of Korea’s Yoon Jihwan. The American duo of Will Modglin (Texas) and Daniel Diehl (North Carolina State), who were silver and bronze in the 100 back, delivered respective times of 24.82 and 24.93.
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Great Britain’s Ciara Schlosshan picked up the top seed for the semifinals, thanks to one of two sub-59 efforts for the morning. Schlosshan checked in with a time of 58.65, which was ahead of the 58.97 posted by Australia’s Josephine Crimmins. The United States’ Leah Shackley (North Carolina State), already the winner of the 200 backstroke, was next at 59.12. Shackley will swim a double during the night session, balancing the final of the 100 backstroke and the semifinals of the 100 butterfly.
Men’s 100 Freestyle
Romania’s Patrick Dinu (Princeton) packaged the swiftest swim of the morning in the 100 freestyle, going 48.49. Dinu has steadily risen up the freestyle ranks over the past few years and was followed in the No. 2 position by Aleksandr Shchegolev (Independent Athletes), who went 48.57 for the only other time under 49 seconds. Aussie Marcus Da Silva was third in 49.00. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Pieter Coetze cruised to fifth in 49.02, but has much more left, as he was sub-48 in the 400 freestyle relay on the opening day of the meet.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
Japan’s breaststroke tradition was on display as the country secured the first and third seeds for the semifinals, with Yumeno Kusuda swimming the fastest time in 2:28.37. Germany’s Kim Herkle was second in 2:29.22 and was followed by the other Japanese entry, Yuyumi Obatake (2:29.32). The United States’ Katie Christopherson (Virginia) was fourth in 2:29.55.
Women’s 800 Freestyle Relay
The quartet of Leah Hayes, Lindsay Looney, Michaela Mattes and Cavan Gormsen combined for a time of 7:59.80 to secure Lane Four for the United States in the evening final. Hayes managed the fastest time for Team USA, as she led off in 1:58.60. Gormsen was also under two minutes for her split, going 1:58.81 on the anchor leg. Spain advanced as the second seed in 8:06.21.
