Several lifetime bests broken this evening @ 2019 LA Invite (still in progress):

*100m Fly* - B final
- #1 Ayla S. -> 1:00.58 => new PB! (old best = 1:01.40 @ 2018 LA Invite)

*100m Back* - A final
- #2 Keeks B. -> 1:00.36 => new PB! (old best = 1:00.72 @ 2019 Santa Clara International)

*100m Breast* - B final
- #2 Preston N. -> 1:04.62 => new PB! (old best = 1:05.25 @ 2018 CA-NV Sectionals)

*200m Free* - A final
- #3 Ayla S. -> 2:00.89 (got quite close to PB of 2:00.74 @ 2018 LA Invite...)

https://instagr.am/p/Bz4AsPXB15E
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• UPDATE ->

STEVE WEST REWRITES MASTERS WORLD RECORD IN 100 BR ON FINAL DAY OF LA INVITE

Team Elite's Ali DeLoof narrowly won the women's 100 back over Cal's Blovad Keaton, 1:00.08 to 1:00.36 a best time for Keaton by a couple tenths

West Coast's butterfly king Tom Shields dropped a 52.26 to take down Nikola Miljenic in the finals of the 100 fly.

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bearz012 said:

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The Fina World Championships this year will take place in Gwangju, South Korea, from July 21-28.
- Live Results
- Live Stream
- SwimSwam's Championship Previews

Bears Swimming WCs:
- Nathan Adrian (USA) - 400 FR-R
- Stephanie Au (HKG) - 50/100 back
- Jeremy Bagshaw (CAN) - 400 free, 800 FR-R
- Kathleen Baker (USA) - 50/100/200 back
- Camille Cheng (HKG) - 400/800 FR-R
- Marina Garcia (ESP) - 200 breast
- Hugo Gonzalez (ESP) - 100/200 back, 200 IM
- Katie McLaughlin (USA) - 100 fly
- Ryan Murphy (USA) - 50/100/200 back
- Nicole Oliva (PHI) - 200/400/800 free
- Farida Osman (EGY) - 50/100 free, 50/100 fly
- Jacob Pebley (USA) - 200 back
- Josh Prenot (USA) - 200 breast
- Zheng Wen Quah (SGP) - 50/100 back, 200 fly
- Ema Rajic (CRO) - 50/100 breast
- Andrew Seliskar (USA) - 200 free
- Abbey Weitzeil (USA) - 50 free, 400 FR-R

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CALM BEFORE THE STORM: TEAM USA PRE-WORLDS PHOTO VAULT


Katie McLaughlin, Abbey Weitzeil and a waving Kathleen Baker arriving in Gwangju with teammates for 2019 FINA World Championship courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Abbey Weitzeil smiling as her first swim in the Gwangju pool goes in the books. courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Mallory Comerford & Kathleen Baker getting ready for a pre-meet workout. courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Nathan Adrian. 2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Josh Prenot warming up. 2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Ryan Murphy. 2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Jacob Pebley finds Katie Ledecky amusing. 2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko


Matt Grevers has only eyes for Nathan Adrian. 2019 FINA World Championship Gwangju courtesy of Rafael Domeyko

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• UPDATE =>

https://instagr.am/p/B0HRKSUAYxU
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Abbey Weitzeil (left) and Ryan Murphy are two of more than a dozen Golden Bear swimmers at the World Championships.


Big Bear Presence At World Championships

More Than A Dozen Swimmers Plus Two Coaches At International Meet In South Korea

The World Championships for swimming get underway this weekend in Gwangju, South Korea, and Cal will be well-represented throughout the weeklong competition with more than a dozen Golden Bears slated to race in the water. In addition, David Durden is serving as head coach of the U.S. men's team and Teri McKeever is an assistant for the U.S. women.

Team USA features eight swimmers with Cal ties, with five on the men's side and three for the women, and almost all have previous World Championships experience. Other Bears will be donning caps for their home countries from Egypt, Spain, Hong Kong, Croatia and Singapore.

Nathan Adrian is the most decorated member of the group, having claimed 13 World Championships medals and eight Olympic medals during his career. He is competing at the world meet for the sixth time and earned four medals the last time the event was held in 2017 gold in the 400 free relay, 400 medley relay and 400 mixed medley relay, and silver in the 100 free.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy qualified to swim all three backstroke distances 50, 100 and 200 meters and will likely be on the medley relay. This summer marks his third world meet, and he enters the 2019 competition with six all-time medals three gold, two silver and a bronze. Two years ago, Murphy claimed gold on the 400 medley relay and 400 mixed medley relay, silver in the 200 back and bronze in the 100 back.

Kathleen Baker has a trio of World Championships medals to her credit - gold in the 400 medley relay, silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 200 back, all from 2017 and this marks her third all-time appearance at the meet. She's scheduled to compete in all three backstroke events this year.

The rest of Cal's lineup on the U.S. squad features Katie McLaughlin, Jacob Pebley, Josh Prenot, Andrew Seliskar, and Abbey Weitzeil.

Those representing foreign teams include: Farida Osman (Egypt), Camille Cheng and Stephanie Au (Hong Kong), Marina Garcia (Spain), Ema Rajic (Croatia) and Zheng Wen Quah (Singapore).

The 18th FINA World Championships run July 21-28 at the Nambu International Aquatics Center. Follow CalBears.com, and @CalMenSwim and @CalWSwim social media accounts for updates on the Bears throughout the meet. Additional coverage is available at:

• TV/Webcast Schedule
• Results
• FINA.org

bearz012 said:

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Bears Swimming WCs:
- Nathan Adrian (USA) - 400 FR-R
- Stephanie Au (HKG) - 50/100 back
- Jeremy Bagshaw (CAN) - 400 free, 800 FR-R
- Kathleen Baker (USA) - 50/100/200 back
- Camille Cheng (HKG) - 400/800 FR-R
- Marina Garcia (ESP) - 200 breast
- Hugo Gonzalez (ESP) - 100/200 back, 200 IM
- Katie McLaughlin (USA) - 100 fly
- Ryan Murphy (USA) - 50/100/200 back
- Nicole Oliva (PHI) - 200/400/800 free
- Farida Osman (EGY) - 50/100 free, 50/100 fly
- Jacob Pebley (USA) - 200 back
- Josh Prenot (USA) - 200 breast
- Zheng Wen Quah (SGP) - 50/100 back, 200 fly
- Ema Rajic (CRO) - 50/100 breast
- Andrew Seliskar (USA) - 200 free
- Abbey Weitzeil (USA) - 50 free, 400 FR-R

---

As prelims for the first day start tomorrow, here are some previews featuring Bears in them:

RYLOV SEEKS 200 BACK REPEAT VS. MURPHY

Gwangju sets the stage for a battle between the USA's Olympic champion Ryan Murphy and Russia's defending World champion Evgeny Rylov in the 200 back. Murphy had an off year in 2017, not matching his Olympic performances, as he took silver. Ahead of him, Rylov earned his first World Championships title. Murphy came back with new momentum in 2018 as he set a personal best 1:53.57 at the 2018 Pan Pacs, while Rylov also lowered his best to a 1:53.36 at the 2018 European Championships. This year, Rylov ranks #1 in the World with his 1:54.00 from Russian Nationals. Murphy is currently #9 with a 1:56.16, however, he hasn't needed a taper meet since last summer since the U.S. did not hold a trials meet this year.

The USA also has a good chance at getting 2 in with Olympic finalist Jacob Pebley in the mix. Like Murphy, Pebley hasn't had to taper for a trials meet this year. His season best is a 12th-ranked 1:56.35. Pebley was the bronze medalist in this race in 2017.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
2 | Ryan Murphy | USA
6 | Jacob Pebley | USA

FU POISED FOR TAKEOVER IN WOMEN'S 50 BACKSTROKE

100 backstroke World Record holder Kathleen Baker has had a rocky 2019, but can't be written off for a spot in the finals of the 50 backstroke. At the 2018 U.S. National Championships when Baker broke the World Record in the 100 back, she hit 50 meters in a blazing fast 27.90 to her feet. For perspective, Baker's 2018 split would rank her 16th in the world currently in the 50 back in 2019, though her own 27.76 ranks her 8th. In May, Baker revealed that she fractured a rib while coughing due to an illness in April. Because of the injury, Baker, under the advisement of Team USA, skipped the Budapest stop of the 2019 FINA Champions Series. In June, Baker dropped the 200 IM from her World Championship lineup to focus exclusively on backstroke. Baker's most recent and season-best 50 backstroke, a 27.76, came in March at the Des Moines stop of the 2019 Pro Swim Series.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
6 | Kathleen Baker | USA

STRATEGIES ABOUND IN MEN'S 200 FREE

The LCM 200 freestyle is one of the most difficult races to figure out in terms of splitting. The varying race strategies of this year's contenders are all over the map, and it will be intriguing to see which one prevails.

PUSHING THE MIDDLE 100
The main swimmers who come to mind when you think about attacking the middle 100 of the 200 free are Andrew Seliskar and Duncan Scott.
Last summer was Seliskar's coming out party both in this event and in major international competition, as he rattled off four straight 1:45s from U.S. Nationals to Pan Pacs.
His race strategy was reminiscent of what Ryan Lochte executed perfectly at the 2011 World Championships, where he pounced on the third 50 with a 26.29 split to top the only heat in history with five swimmers under 1:45.
Seliskar hasn't been quite that fast, but in his four swims under 1:46, he hasn't dipped over 27 seconds on any of the second or third 50s, and his middle 100 splits are incredibly consistent: 53.57, 53.59, 53.56, 53.56.
If the former Cal Bear can gravitate down from 24-high opening up to 24.5, and close in the vicinity of 27.0 (has averaged 27.39 in 1:45 swims), he's absolutely in the hunt to get on the podium and possibly go 1:44.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
6 | Andrew Seliskar | USA

MURPHY AND XU RE-MATCH IN 100 BACK

2017 was a bit of a blip in WR-holder Ryan Murphy's career. After setting the WR in Rio and winning gold in the 100 back, Murphy faltered in 2017: his time in the final of 52.59 good for only bronze. But it was back to gold in 2018, as he was 51-high once again to claim the Pan Pac title last summer. He's broken 52 seconds thrice, ever, and is the favorite going into Worlds as the fastest swimmer of 2018.
Over the last few years, China's Xu Jiayu has posed a threat to Murphy, and he's the only other active swimmer who has broken 52 seconds (Xu was 51.86 at 2017 Chinese Nationals). Xu is, after all, the defending World champion in this event. This year, he leads the way with a very quick 52.27 from Chinese Nationals. An on-form Xu and an on-form Murphy has fireworks potential, and it looks like we're getting both.
In 2017, only Xu, Matt Grevers, and Murphy broke 53 seconds. It's looking like the party will be raging primarily in the 52-second range (or better) this year.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
1 | Ryan Murphy | USA

CHUPKOV LEADS ALL-STAR PACK IN COMPETITIVE 200 BR

It would be hard to forget the top 2 swimmers from the 2016 Rio Olympics, Josh Prenot (USA) and champ Dmitriy Balandin (KAZ). Both swimmers have remained relatively quiet after their Olympic performances, but certainly have not given up on the 2019 Worlds meet.
Prenot, on the other hand, as been making waves in the US with his new professional career. At the 2018 US Nationals, Prenot won the 200 breast with a 2:07.28, just 0.11s off his 2016 American record and 5th-fastest time in history. In his most recent international meet at the 2018 SC Worlds meet, Prenot earned a silver medal in the 200 IM while finishing 5th in the 200 breast. While Prenot has only swam a 2:09.96 this season, his lifetime best and Olympic silver medal shows he still has more international waves to make.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
3 | Josh Prenot | USA

SANS BIGGEST CHALLENGER, SJOSTROM IS 100 FLY FAVORITE

That gives a reason to knock 3 of the top contenders. So who does have momentum? For one, the second American entrant Katie McLaughlin. After a neck injury a few years back, it wasn't clear if she'd ever return to her wunderkind destiny, but over the last 12 months she's been swimming faster-than-ever. Her 57.77 at the Santa Clara International in early June is the second-best time of her career, and was 6-tenths better than she was at the same meet a year earlier. She could be the next sub-56 in this field.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
6 | Katie McLaughlin | USA

TIGHT RACE FOR 50 FLY SILVER BEHIND SARAH SJOSTROM

The race for the silver and bronze medals, on the other hand, is a tight group of talent. The second-fastest swimmer this year is Egypt's Farida Osman, who swam her season best of 25.65 at the Richmond PSS. The former NCAA butterfly champ finalled in the event in the two previous editions, placing 5th in 2015 and 7th in 2013.
Osman then won the bronze medal in 2017, becoming the first Egyptian swimmer to medal at the world championships. Osman also swam her lifetime best in that performance with a 25.39, ranking #9 all-time in the event.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
2 | Farida Osman | Egypt

MASSE HUNTING 57 IN WOMEN'S 100 BACKSTROKE

For one year, Kathleen Baker set an alarm on her phone to remind her of a goal: 58.10. At the 2018 U.S. National Championships in Irvine, Baker accomplished that goal and broke Masse's 100 backstroke World Record. Before U.S. Nationals, Baker's best time the 100 back was a 58.54, done while leading off the 400 medley relay at the 2017 World Championships. Baker's best time since setting the World Record last July stands at 58.41 from the prelims at Pan Pacs. Under normal circumstances, Baker would be a no-brainer pick for top-3 at Worlds this year, though her health remains in question. In May, Baker revealed that she fractured a rib while coughing due to an illness in April. Because of the injury, Baker, under the advisement of Team USA, skipped the FINA Champions Series in Budapest. Last week, Baker dropped the 200 IM from her World Championship lineup to focus exclusively on backstroke, conceding her 200 IM spot to Ella Eastin. Baker's most recent performance was in March at the FFN Golden Tour in Marseille, where Baker established her season-best time of 59.05.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | COUNTRY
4 | Kathleen Baker | USA

bearz012 said:

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As prelims for the first day start tomorrow, here are some previews featuring Bears in them:

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Cheers bearz for compiling this! Morning heats will actually commence this evening for those of us based in America... :p

Won't alas be around much to post timely updates - but do look massively forward to the biggest swimming competition of 2019, and of course to cheering all our talented Bears wildly on!

https://instagr.am/p/B0IynPNHHFM

coach_mckeever: " Can't wait to see these Golden Bears and friends shine in Gwangju!! Racing begins in the morning. So excited to be here to cheer you on #gobears #earnit #proudofyou #grateful "
https://instagr.am/p/B0I5Bx3gkbC

If you have the Olympic channel #739 like I have thru xfinity, heats are at 6pm (PST) and the semi & finals will be on at 4:00 am (PST). These are for day 1. I would assume most days will be at the same time.

World Champs Day 1 Updates:
- Weitzeil to swim the 400 FR-R prelims for the USA, along with Schmitt, Geer, and Neal
- Farida a 58.43 to place 5th in the 4th heat of 100 fly // Update: didn't make it to semis
- Katie McLaughlin a 57.67 to place 2nd behind Kelsi Dahlia in the next heat. Solid swim for Katie!
- Katie to advance to semis in 8th place
- Adrian saved for the finals relay.

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 1 PRELIMS LIVE RECAP

Abbey splits 53.07 on the second leg of the 400 Free Relay in prelims. I think she's getting a spot on the finals relay.

World Champs Day 1 Finals:
- Katie McLaughlin just misses qualifying for the finals in the 100 fly by 0.1, places 3-8 were separated by only 0.1
- Unrelated to Cal but Katie Ledecky LOSES the 400 freestyle to Aussie Ariarne Titmus, going a 3:59.57 to Titmus' 3:58.97
- USA wins the men's 400 free relay, with our ever-reliable anchor Nathan Adrian splitting a 47.08 to hold off the Russians. Very impressive considering the time he took out for cancer treatment. Amazing job by Adrian. Zach Apple splits a 46.8 on the third length, US wins in 3:09.06, a new championship record.
- Abbey splits a 52.66 with a very solid first 50 to help the US hold off the Canadians for second, with a new American record of 3:31.02!

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 1 FINALS LIVE RECAP

https://instagr.am/p/B0LwOMfAXwi
https://instagr.am/p/B0Lv0s5gzLX


Adrian, Pieroni, Dressel, Apple



https://instagr.am/p/B0LrsaAn57T

bearz012 said:

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World Champs Day 1 Finals:

- Katie McLaughlin just misses qualifying for the finals in the 100 fly by 0.1, places 3-8 were separated by only 0.1

- Abbey splits a 52.66 with a very solid first 50 to help the US hold off the Canadians for second, with a new American record of 3:31.02!

---

Massively tough outcome for Katie despite a heroic effort in the semis (that final qualifier spot claimed by $C's Louise Hansson).

But heck, Bug's 57.23 easily takes down her former lifetime best of 57.51 from 2018 Nationals, and should be an encouraging boost for McL in the leadup to Olympic Trials and (hopefully) Tokyo!

Keeping me fingers crossed that Katie will be given a shot on the 4x200m Free Relay this Thursday...

Abbey's split was I reckon more than "very solid" haha - Dubs' 1st ever swim down into the 52 sec range? Well done!

Weitzeil's contribution propelled Team USA from 3rd place to take a temporary lead after her leg, helping Abbey's team break the 4x100m Free *American Record* from 2017 Worlds by a significant .7 of a sec!

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• UPDATES ->

bearz012 said:

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Pictures & Videos to come!

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Relay Medals For Bears On Day 1 Of Worlds

Nathan Adrian Leads USA To Gold; Abbey Weitzeil Helps Team Set American Record


Adrian, just months removed from announcing that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, covered his 100-meter split in 47.08 as the Americans led wire-to-wire and finished in a meet-record 3:09.06. Caeleb Dressel led off, and he was followed by Blake Pieroni and Zach Apple, allowing Adrian to bring it home for his 14th career World Championships medal.

"It's not anything anyone's prepared to deal with - sitting down with a doctor and learning you have cancer," Adrian told USA Swimming. "Fortunately, mine was treated with just surgery. The good thing is swimming brings me back to home base. Being on the block with three excellent, excellent swimmers that threw down great legs for me, getting me in the spot that I was - that's home. That brings me away from the cancer stuff. That brings me away from the anxiety that this might come back at any time, so that was huge for me."

In the women's relay, Weitzeil, who will be a senior for the Golden Bears in the fall, handled the second leg and gave the United States a narrow lead with a 52.66 split. Mallory Comerford, Kelsi Dahlia and Simone Manuel handled the other three legs and touched in 3:31.02 to set an American record. Australia won the race in a meet-record 3:30.21.

In addition to Nathan and Weitzeil, recent graduate Katie McLaughlin swam in the 100-meter butterfly. She qualified out of morning heats for the evening semifinals but finished an agonizing ninth to just miss a spot in the final. Still, McLaughlin's time of 57.23 was a personal best and moved her up to the fourth fastest performer in the event in U.S. history.

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From the above writeup, "Weitzeil, who will be a senior for the Golden Bears in the fall" - can one fairly safely assume no blueshirt plans on Dubs' part for this coming NCAA season? :p

Although, reckon it wouldn't be a completely bad thing being treated to the sight of Abbey anchoring a Bears medley relay squad @ 2021 NCAAs, with Isabelle Stadden leading off on back, Ema Rajic handling breast duties, and Izzy on the fly leg...

Don't know how much I'll be able to update, but here's SwimSwam's day 2 prelims live recap:



2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 2 PRELIMS LIVE RECAP

Thleen posted a 59.31 to win the final of heat of the 100 back, advances into the semis in 4th. She took it out in 28.47, fastest first 50 of the field, which bodes well for her 50 back.

A 1:01.25 for Stephanie Au for 24th in the prelims.

Ryan Murphy took it easy in the prelims, qualifies for semis in 53.69. Hugo Gonzalez a 55.67 for 37th.

Ema placed 32nd in the 100 breaststroke prelims with a time of 1:10.10.

Seli posted an easy 1:46.74 to qualify 12th for the finals in what looks to be a tight race, with everyone who advances to the semi posting a 1:46, save for the final qualifier.

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 2 FINALS

(unrelated) but another shocking victory for a young upstart! Michigan/Canada's Maggie MacNeil posted a 55.83 in the 100 fly to beat out the Swedish vet, Sarah Sjostrom. Also beats Dana's Americas record, and becomes the second-fastest performer of all time.

Murph was a solid 52.44 to tie for second in the semis and qualify towards the final of the 100 back.

Thleen posted a 59.03 in the 100 back to beat her prelims time by 0.3, qualifies 4th for the final behind Kylie Masse, Minna Atherton, and Taylor Ruck.

In the 200 free, Seli goes 7th in the first semi, a 1:46.83. 15th overall in the semis.

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 3 PRELIMS LIVE RECAP

2020 Baby Bear Nicole Oliva, representing the Philippines, swims a 2:04.26, good for 34th place.

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 3 FINALS LIVE RECAP

In the 100 back, Thleen ties for 6th in 59.56.

On the men's side, neither American podium'd. First time this has happened for the Americans since the 2011 World Champs in Shanghai. Murphy struggled hard in the last few meters, finished 4th in 52.78, just 0.01 behind bronze medalist Mitch Larkin. The US has been having a rough meet.

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 4 PRELIMS LIVE RECAP

Thleen qualifies for the semis in the 50 back, posting a time of 28.17

bearchamp said:

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Has anyone heard any explanation for the dismal showing of the US at Worlds?

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No real need to start panicking I reckon

It's just that the rather quirky, or dare I suggest dodgy :p, qualifying process in this country of selecting the Worlds team a year earlier in the period preceding an Olympic year (in this case, from 2018 Pan Pacs & Nationals), has historically contributed to a markedly less dominant American squad @ Worlds, with every US fan seemingly bemoaning that it's the end of the world lol...yet Team USA always manages to bounce back with a massive vengeance at the subsequent Olympics!

Tokyo (well OTs I guess ) is ultimately the goal that most of the training cycle is prepping for anyway (i.e. think long term).

Besides, I personally think that it's quite refreshing to see other, often smaller, countries get to be in the limelight & take centre stage at these Worlds...

I agree that competition from other countries is good: but slow performances from the US swimmers is not good. You suggest looking "long term", which any swimmer must, but that view is a bit of an insult to the Worlds, i.e., we don't take the Worlds seriously enough to give our best effort.

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US WOMEN'S 800 FREE RELAY BREAKS AMERICAN RECORD IN SILVER MEDAL SWIM

Their 7:41.87 lost out to Australia's 7:41.50, with both going under the old World Record of 7:42.08 set in 2009 by China.

The old American Record was set in 2009 by the team of Dana Vollmer, Lacey Nymeyer, Arianna Kukors, and Allison Schmitt.

Other splits of significance for the Americans: Katie McLaughlin's swim was 1.12 seconds better than her flat-start lifetime best. In a week where the Americans have had lots of challenges, all 4 swimmers in this race had good swims by their own standards.

It looked like the current American wave was losing out on its best chance to break this record, with the 'super relay' that was to include Missy Franklin (retired) and Allison Schmitt (moving past her athletic prime) never putting the full relay together.

But with a gutsy performance from a sick Katie Ledecky, with Katie McLaughlin returning from a serious injury to her previous trajectory, with Simone Manuel being able to do just enough to extend her range from the 100 free, and with Melanie Margalis continuing to be a rock of versatility for the Americans, the American Record and silver comes away as a consolation prize.

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DRESSEL & SMOLIGA HELP U.S. SURGE TO TOP OF OVERALL GWANGJU MEDAL TABLE

Through night 5 of the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, the United States has taken back the lead in the overall medal table, thanks to a gold medal-winning performance by Caeleb Dressel in the men's 100m free and Olivia Smoliga's podium-topping outing in the women's 50m back.

The women's 4x200m free relay also snagged silver in a time that would have set a new World Record, had the Australians not beaten them to the wall first to capture the win.

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No Need to Panic: As 2020 Tokyo Games Beckon, Team USA Will be Just Fine

"This is where Team USA needs to be," said Rowdy Gaines, the three-time Olympic champion and NBC analyst. "They are swimming better than 2015 and we all know what happened in 2016. I feel like quoting Matthew McConaughey when he got his Oscar. 'All right. All right. All right Everyone needs to settle down.' Team USA will be just fine. There's a reason why they've been No. 1 for 63 years."

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2019 US NATIONALS PSYCH SHEETS RELEASED: 22 US WORLDS TEAM MEMBERS ENTERED

2019 Phillips 66 National Championships

• July 31- August 4, 2019
• Avery Aquatics Center
• Stanford, CA
• Meet Site
• Psych Sheet

The psych sheets for the 2019 Phillips 66 National Championships have been officially released. The championships are to begin 3 days after the FINA World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

There are many Worlds team members entered on the psych sheets, however, it won't be guaranteed they show up. Here's the list of Worlds swimmers entered into Nationals:

• Abbey Weitzeil

Another name quietly entered is Dana Vollmer, who only is scheduled to swim the 100 fly. She is seeded with a 59.27 in 17th place.

Besides those mentioned above, expect most of the big name Americans who didn't compete at Worlds to be there as well, including the Foster brothers, the Walsh sisters, Tom Shields, and Erika Brown.

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From a quick scan of the psych sheet, here are some Bears who are entered:

Abbey Weitzeil
Cassidy Bayer
Isabel Ivey
Keaton Blovad
Maddie Murphy
Sophie Krivokapic-Zhou

Amy Bilquist
Dana Vollmer

Ayla Spitz
Sarah Dimeco
Ashlyn Fiorilli

Tea Laughlin
Nicole Oliva

KT Kustritz (reportedly just training @ Cal for the summer, i.e. not transferring here)

Sean Grieshop
Ryan Hoffer
Reece Whitley
Bryce Mefford
Trenton Julian
Nate Biondi
Karl Arvidsson
Jarod Hatch
Shane Forker
Chris Jhong
Ethan Young

Jason Louser
Michael Petrides
Calvin David

Destin Lasco
Forrest Frazier
Dare Rose

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• EDIT -> Also:

Tom Shields
Long Gutierrez
Justin Lynch

UPDATED Psych Sheet (27 July):
https://cdn.swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/19-7-27_psych-sheet_nationals_v5-1.pdf

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Cal Bears at 2019 FINA World Championships update: 5 relay and 1 individual medals

Golden Bears have been more Silver than Gold at the 2019 World Championships



Cal Bears are now a part of 4 different medal winning relays - all for Team USA.

By the way, fellow American Regan Smith broke Calympian Missy Franklin's 200 Back world record in just the semifinal swim. Unfortunately (for Cal women's chance in the NCAA), the 17 year old Smith has committed to swim for Stanford (though she could always turn pro early with the Olympics an year away).

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MISSY FRANKLIN ON SMITH WR: 'ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING SWIMS I'VE EVER SEEN'



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https://instagr.am/p/B0YWAOuBZQA
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17-YEAR-OLD REGAN SMITH SHATTERS MISSY FRANKLIN'S 200 BACK WORLD RECORD

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• UPDATE -> a couple of WRs by Americans in today's semis:

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DAY 7 RELAY LINEUPS: U.S. OPTS FOR ADRIAN, MCLAUGHLIN ON MIXED FREE PRELIMS



---------

• Spoiler ->

The 3 Team USA Bears (Nathan Adrian, Katie McLaughlin & Abbey Weitzeil), along with IU's Blake Pieroni, earned the top seed for tonight's mixed 400 free relay finals over AUS by over a second:

Blake Pieroni (48.15), Nathan Adrian (47.67), Katie McLaughlin (53.96), Abbey Weitzeil (52.92)

1. United States - 3:22.70
2. Australia - 3:23.77
3. Canada - 3:24.09
4. France - 3:24.27
5. Italy - 3:25.06
6. Russia - 3:25.38
7. Japan - 3:25.41
8. Netherlands - 3:27.29

International Bears Camille Cheng (HKG) & Nicole Oliva (PHI) had also contributed to relay legs for their respective countries.

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Farida wins the bronze in the 50m Fly - well done!



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• UPDATES ->

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AFRICA: FARIDA OSMAN WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE BRONZE IN 50 FLY

After matching her 17th place finish from the 2017 World Championships in the women's 100 butterfly earlier this week, Egypt's Farida Osman equalled a much more favorable result from Budapest in the final of the 50 fly.

The 24-year-old captured the bronze medal in a time of 25.47, the same position she finished in two years ago.
When she placed third in 2017, she won Egypt's first-ever World Championship medal in swimming and just the second among African women.

Osman's time was 0.08 shy of her African Record set in her bronze medal-winning performance two years ago. This was also her fourth straight final in the event, finishing seventh in 2013 and fifth in 2015.

A former member of the California Golden Bears in the NCAA, Osman also broke a National Record earlier in the meet in the women's 100 free, clocking 54.93 to finish 28th overall.

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International Bears @ Worlds - Marina, Farida & Camille

https://instagr.am/p/B0dXYK0h3qb
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Not sure if I have missed anyone :p ... but FWIW, here's the Worlds medal tally for Cal (I'm listing relay medals earned by individual Bears here, including from morning heats):

• 5 ***Golds***

M 4x100m Free Relay *CR* - Nathan Adrian (Finals)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Katie McLaughlin (Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Abbey Weitzeil (Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Nathan Adrian (Finals & Prelims)
W 4x100m Medley Relay *WR* - Katie McLaughlin (Prelims)

• 6 **Silvers**

M 200m Back - Ryan Murphy
W 4x100m Free Relay *AR* - Abbey Weitzeil (Finals & Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay - Ryan Murphy (Finals)
W 4x200m Free Relay *AR* - Katie McLaughlin (Finals)
M 4x100m Medley Relay - Ryan Murphy (Finals)
M 4x100m Medley Relay - Nathan Adrian (Finals)

• 2 **Bronzes*

W 50m Fly - Farida Osman
M 4x200m Free Relay - Andrew Seliskar (Finals & Prelims)


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UNITED STATES ADDS 3 GOLD TO WIN OVERALL MEDAL TABLE WITH 27 TOTAL, 14 GOLD

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https://instagr.am/p/B0ehK-yBwlP
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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Just a fortnight later, Alicia Wilson was back in action @ British Swimming Summer Championships 2019 held in Glasgow this past week.

Earned a lifetime best along with a bronze medal in the 100m Fly with her 1:00.29 (prev best = 1:01.00 @ BSC17)

• 100m Fly race intros begin at around 1:37:35 - Alicia's swimming in Lane 2:

• Medal Ceremony starts at around 2:26:49

Alicia won another bronze medal in the 100m Back, in 1:01.79 - which isn't that far off her 1:01.68 PB from British Championships 2019.

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Robin Neumann got into the bronze medal act too, 3rd in the 200m Free with a 2:01.41.

• 200m Free race starts at around 57:09 - Robin's swimming in Lane 5:

Was 5th in the 100m Free (56.23).

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US Nationals Day 1 Heat Sheet

Bears in Action:
W 200 Fly:

• Sarah DiMeco: H2 L7
• Ashlyn Fiorilli: H7 L7
• Cassidy Bayer: H8 L2

M 200 Fly:

• Jarod Hatch: H2 L7
• Jason Louser: H3 L7
• Tom Shields: H7 L4
• Trenton Julian: H8 L5
• Dare Rose: H9 L1

W 100 Free:

• Ayla Spitz: H7 L2
• Gracie Felner: H7 L3
• Amy Bilquist: H9 L7
• Isabel Ivey: H10 L2
• Abbey Weitzeil: H11 L4

M 100 Free:

• Michael Petrides: H2 L6
• Dare Rose: H3 L3
• Nate Biondi: H4 L8
• Ryan Hoffer: H5 L8
• Justin Lynch: H8 L2
• Destin Lasco: H10 L2
• Long Gutierrez: H11 L2

M 1500 Free:

• Calvin David: H2 L6 (Heat 1 of 1500)

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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Not sure if I have missed anyone :p ... but FWIW, here's the Worlds medal tally for Cal (I'm listing relay medals earned by individual Bears here, including from morning heats):

• 5 ***Golds***

M 4x100m Free Relay *CR* - Nathan Adrian (Finals)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Katie McLaughlin (Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Abbey Weitzeil (Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Free Relay *WR* - Nathan Adrian (Finals & Prelims)
W 4x100m Medley Relay *WR* - Katie McLaughlin (Prelims)

• 6 **Silvers**

M 200m Back - Ryan Murphy
W 4x100m Free Relay *AR* - Abbey Weitzeil (Finals & Prelims)
Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay - Ryan Murphy (Finals)
W 4x200m Free Relay *AR* - Katie McLaughlin (Finals)
M 4x100m Medley Relay - Ryan Murphy (Finals)
M 4x100m Medley Relay - Nathan Adrian (Finals)

• 2 **Bronzes*

W 50m Fly - Farida Osman
M 4x200m Free Relay - Andrew Seliskar (Finals & Prelims)

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BRAGGING RIGHTS: WHICH NCAA TEAM WON THE MOST MEDALS AT 2019 WORLDS?

We've included medals from pool and open water swimming.

COLLEGE | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL
Stanford | 7 | 6 | 5 | 18
Cal | 5 | 6 | 2 | 13
IU | 7 | 2 | 3 | 12
UGA | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10
Florida | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8
Louisville | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7
USC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6
Michigan | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4
Texas | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4
Texas A&M | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4
Northwestern | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3
UVA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
Alabama | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2
Emory | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2
Mizzou | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1
Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
NC State | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Duke | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1

Regan is a member of the Stanford class of 2020. We understand that Stanford gets no credit for developing her that goes to Mike Parrato at the Riptide Swim Team. But, this is about collegiate bragging rights, and Stanford gets those, even though she hasn't attended a class yet.


#2 CALIFORNIA

Cal racked up the 2nd most medals of any NCAA program, with most (11) of their 13 medals coming from relays. Nathan Adrian and Katie McLaughlin each earned 3 relay medals apiece, while Abbey Weitzeil and Ryan Murphy each won 2 relay medals. Murphy also took silver in the 200 back, while Farida Osman (competes for Egypt) won bronze in the women's 50 fly. Andrew Seiliskar took home a bronze medal for the men's 4200 free relay.

Ryan Murphy:

• Silver Men's 200 back
• Silver men's 4100 medley relay
• Silver mixed 4100 medley relay

Nathan Adrian:

• Gold men's 4100 medley relay
• Gold mixed 4100 free relay
• Silver men's 4100 medley relay

Katie McLaughlin:

• Gold mixed 4100 free relay (prelims)
• Gold women's 4100 medley relay (prelims)
• Silver women's 4200 free relay

Abbey Weitzeil:

• Gold mixed 4100 free relay (prelims)
• Silver women's 4100 free relay

Farida Osman:

• Bronze women's 50 fly

Andrew Seliskar:

• Bronze men's 4200 free relay

For a more immediate reactionary table, when you take just swimmers who were on their school's varsity roster for the 2018-2019 season, the medal table looks like this:

COLLEGE | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL
Indiana | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8
Cal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6
Stanford | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5
Louisville | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4
Michigan | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3
Texas A&M | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3
Texas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2
Alabama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1

This is a very different list than the one that included alumni, with Stanford falling to 3rd, and Indiana leading the way.

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Cal at '19 World Aquatics Championships Recap: 7 relay, 1 team, 2 individual medals


Two Cal Bears joined forces to help USA to a Silver in the Men's 4x100 Medley Relay Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

When it was all over, Team USA did fairly well at this World Championships with Cal men's head coach Dave Durden at the helm of the men's team and Cal women's head coach Teri McKeever as an assistant for the women's team. The stars for the meet were Florida alum Caeleb Dressel and Stanford alum Simone Manuel. Katie Ledecky missed the beginning of the week with a sickness but did race and win toward the end of the week. Stanford also has a future commit, Regan Smith, who earned a lot of accolades for breaking Missy Franklin's 200 Back world record - Stanford is seriously threatening Cal for the title of Backstroke U (IF Smith does not turn pro early and actually race for the Cardinal).

Against their lofty results in the past decade, Cal alumni as a whole did underwhelmed. Then again, Kathleen Baker, Josh Prenot, Jacob Pebley, Andrew Seliskar, etc. do have some time to regain their mojos ahead of the US Olympic Trials next June and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games next July/August. Swimming should again be the one sport where Cal Golden Bears shine next summer.

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2019 US Nationals - Day 1 Prelims Results

W 200 Fly:

• Cassidy Bayer: 2:11.93 - 15th - B Finalist
• Ashlyn Fiorilli: 2:14.21 - 38th - D Finalist
• Sarah DiMeco: 2:16.38 - 58th

M 200 Fly:

• Tom Shields: 1:56.12 - 2nd - A Finalist
• Trenton Julian: 1:57.18 - 5th - A Finalist
• Jason Louser: 2:00.23 - 30th - D Finalist
• Jarod Hatch: 2:04.68 - 71st
• Dare Rose: DQ

W 100 Free:

• Abbey Weitzeil: 53.47 - 1st - A Finalist
• Isabel Ivey: 54.97 - 8th - A Finalist
• Amy Bilquist: 55.63 - 20th - C Finalist
• Gracie Felner: 56.78 - 74th
• Ayla Spitz: 56.83 - 77th

M 100 Free:

• Destin Lasco: 49.57 - 13th - B Finalist - with this placement, Destin makes Junior Worlds!
• Ryan Hoffer: 49.61 - 14th - B Finalist
• Long Gutierrez: 49.71 - 20th - C Finalist
• Justin Lynch: 50.47 - 55th
• Michael Petrides: 50.76 - 73rd
• Nate Biondi: 50.88 - 77th
• Dare Rose: 51.73 - 99th

Brilliant win by Abbey to overcome her jet lag and claim the national title in the *100m Free*!

That 53.18 breaks Dubs' former lifetime best of 53.28, from all the way back @ 2016 OTs.

• UPDATES ->

Izzy's pair of 54.97s today represents her 2nd best ever, a mere 0.02 sec off her personal record achieved @ 2016 Jr Pan Pacs.

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ABBEY WEITZEIL HITS FIRST 100 FREE PR SINCE 2016 OLYMPIC TRIALS



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2019 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: SIX STARS OF NIGHT ONE

ABBEY WEITZEIL - 100 FREE CHAMPION - 53.18

• Speaking with NBC, Weitzeil said she didn't know if she'd swim at this meet just days after returning to California from the 2019 World Champs. She wound up throwing on a suit, had her first cup of coffee (ever) this week, and raced the 100 free. It was a great decision for her. Maybe the coffee helped. Despite jet lag, travel, and a week of racing, Weitzeil tonight dropped a lifetime best of 53.18, her first best since back in 2016. While she's been a regular name for Team USA individually and in the sprint relay, she, like Held, has felt due for a resurgence.
• As Team USA fights an uphill battle against Australia on the 4x100 free relay, Weitzeil is looking more like the 52-mid-or-better split that the Americans need to keep pace. They still need that fourth hammer leg, and the young Gretchen Walsh might be the answer next year she was 54.13 to tie with Erika Brown, another potential leg, for second behind Weitzeil. Both Walsh and Brown hit bests.

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2019 US Nationals - Day 1 Finals Results

W 200 Fly:

• Cassidy Bayer: 2:10.12 - 4th in B-Final
• Ashlyn Fiorilli: yet to swim - will update when results come out

M 200 Fly:

• Trenton Julian: 1:57.18 - 4th in A-Final
• Jason Louser: 2:00.23 - 30th - D Finalist

W 100 Free:

• Abbey Weitzeil: 53.18 - National Champ!
• Isabel Ivey: 54.97 - 8th in A-Final
• Amy Bilquist: yet to swim - will update when results come out

M 100 Free:

• Ryan Hoffer: 49.48 - 7th in B-Final
• Destin Lasco: 49.74 - 8th in B-Final

US Nationals Day 2 Heat Sheet

Bears in Action:
W 200 Free:

• Gracie Felner: H5 L5
• Ayla Spitz: H7 L5
• Isabel Ivey: H9 L6

M 200 Free:

• Calvin David: H3 L0
• Colby Mefford: H6 L0
• Michael Petrides: H7 L0
• Destin Lasco: H9 L3
• Dare Rose: H11 L4
• Trenton Julian: H13 L3

W 200 Breast:

• No Bears Entered

M 200 Breast:

• Jason Louser: H4 L1
• Reece Whitley: H8 L5

W 200 Back:

• Tea Laughlin: H2 L6
• Sophie Krivokapic-Zhou: H3 L1
• Amy Bilquist: H10 L6

M 200 Back:

• Colby Mefford: H2 L4
• Kyle Millis: H3 L1
• Ethan Young: H7 L7
• Destin Lasco: H8 L8
• Bryce Mefford: H10 L5

2019 US Nationals - Day 2 Prelims Results

W 200 Free:

• Isabel Ivey: 2:00.48 - 13th - B Finalist
• Ayla Spitz: 2:02.17 - 45th - 2nd Alternate for D Final
• Gracie Felner: 2:05.38 - 90th

M 200 Free:

• Trenton Julian: 1:47.73 - 6th - A Final
• Dare Rose: 1:49.26 - 17th - C Final
• Destin Lasco: 1:49.58 - 20th - C Final
• Colby Mefford: 1:51.75 - 79th
• Michael Petrides: 1:52.29 - 96th
• Calvin David: 1:52.32 - 97th

M 200 Breast:

• Reece Whitley: 2:10.18 - 2nd - A Finalist
• Jason Louser: 2:16.32 - 33rd - D Finalist
• Karl Arvidsson: 2:16.87 - 43rd
• Forrest Frazier: 2:22.97 - 84th

W 200 Back:

• Tea Laughlin: 2:16.27 - 45th - 1st Alternate for D Final
• Sophie Krivokapic-Zhou: 2:19.26 - 68th
• Amy Bilquist: NS

M 200 Back:

• Bryce Mefford: 1:57.59 - 3rd - A Finalist
• Colby Mefford: 2:03.44 - 46th - D Finalist
• Ethan Young: 2:01.36 - 29th
• Kyle Millis: 2:04.59 - 57th
• Destin Lasco: NS

2019 US Nationals - Day 2 Finals Results

W 200 Free:

• Isabel Ivey: 2:00.69 - 6th in B Final

M 200 Free:

• Trenton Julian: 1:48.03 - 6th in A Final
• Dare Rose: 1:49.48 - 5th in C Final - Junior Worlds qualifier!
• Destin Lasco:1:50.09 - 6th in C Final

M 200 Breast:

• Reece Whitley: 2:09.69 - National Champ! Well done, Reece!
• Jason Louser: 2:16.84 - 5th in D Final

M 200 Back:

• Bryce Mefford: 1:57.39 - 4th in A Final
• Colby Mefford: 2:02.66 - 4th in B Final - New Trials Cut!

US Nationals Day 3 Heat Sheet

Bears in Action:
W 400 IM:

• Sarah DiMeco: H1 L1
• Ashlyn Fiorilli: H5 L2

M 400 IM:

• Chris Jhong: H7 L7
• Jason Louser: H8 L8
• Sean Grieshop: H9 L4

W 100 Fly:

• Gracie Felner: H2 L2
• Ashlyn Fiorilli: H3 L8
• Maddie Murphy: H6 L0
• Ayla Spitz: H8 L0
• Cassidy Bayer: H9 L3
• Dana Vollmer: H12 L2
• Isabel Ivey: H13 L7

M 100 Fly:

• Destin Lasco: H2 L2
• Jarod Hatch: H5 L4
• Dare Rose: H7 L4
• Justin Lynch: H10 L4
• Ryan Hoffer: H11 L1

Dana's last swim(s)! Thank you to an all time great Golden Bear!