Cavan Gormsen Chasing Golden Double at World University Games; Team USA Owns Final Prelims Session
It’s been a dominant week for the United States at the World University Games in Berlin, so it was fitting that Team USA grabbed all four top seeds during the last session of preliminaries. Heading into the final day of competition, the U.S. leads the medals standings with 37, including 20 gold. They’ll look at add more after strong morning showings in the women’s 400 freestyle, men’s 400 individual medley and both 400 medley relays.
Here is what unfolded during Wednesday’s prelims:
Women’s 400 Freestyle
After claiming gold with a come-from-behind performance in the 200 freestyle, Cavan Gormsen (Virginia) is set up to add the 400 free title to her collection. Gormsen went through her morning swim in 4:12.30m which was just ahead of American teammate Michaela Mattes (4:12.39), who attends the University of Florida. Canadian Julie Brousseau was third in 4:12.42.
Men’s 400 Individua Medley
Mason Laur (Florida) will try to complement his bronze medal from the 200 butterfly with a victory on Wednesday night in the men’s 400 IM. Laur narrowly secured the top seed for the final by touching in 4:17.64, ahead of the 4:17.71 of Japan’s Takumi Mori. Japan’s Riku Yamaguchi followed in a mark of 4:17.89 and American Baylor Nelson (Texas) is lurking after a 4:20.26.
Women’s 400 Medley Relay
The United States earned Lane Four for the final of the women’s 400 medley relay behind the quartet of Teagan O’Dell, Leah Hayes, Ella Welch and Isabel Ivey. The American squad recorded a time of 4:03.00, which was more than three seconds faster than the 4:06.22 of Italy.
Men’s 400 Medley Relay
The top seed for the final event of the meet was comfortably claimed by the United States, which turned to the foursome of Owen McDonald, Nate Germonprez, Matt Klinge and Mitchell Schott in the 400 medley relay. The Americans posted a time of 3:34.42 to finish ahead of Germany (3:37.44) by more than three seconds. Germonprez split 59.66 for his breaststroke leg.
