2023 Winter Juniors – East: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

2023 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST

• December 6-9, 2023
• McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Columbus, OH
• Prelims: 9:00 am (EST)/ Finals: 5:00 pm (EST)
  • Wednesday finals (relays only): 6:00 pm (EST)
• SCY (25 yards)
• Meet Central (USA Swimming)
• How To Watch
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results (Also available on MeetMobile)
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap|Day 2 Finals Recap

FRIDAY PRELIMS HEAT SHEET

Girls Livestream:

Boys Livestream:

Day 3 of the 2023 Winter Juniors East meet is here. This morning’s prelims session will feature heats of the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back.

Following an electric set of performances on Thursday, Lakeside Swim Team 15-year-old Charlotte Crush is set for another huge day. Crush is the top seed in the girls 100 back, where she comes in with a time of 50.44. Of course, Crush blew that time away last night, leading off the Lakeside 400 medley relay in a stunning 49.53, setting a new 15-16 NAG in the process. Given that swim last night, Crush stands a great chance of taking down the meet record, which is a 50.53 by Bella Sims from last year’s meet.

Crush is also entered in the girls 100 fly, where she is the #3 seed with a 51.52. Carmel Swim Club 17-year-old Alex Shackell is the top seed in the event, coming in with a 50.47, which is notably under the meet record of 50.87. Blair Regional Y 17-year-old Leah Shackley is right there as well, coming in as the #2 seed with a 50.96.

16-year-old Thomas Heilman (Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family Y) has a busy day ahead of him as well. Heilman is the top seed in the boys 100 fly, where he is the meet record holder with the 44.67 he swam to win this event at last year’s meet. Heilman is also the 15-16 NAG record holder in the event with that time as well.

On top of the 100 fly, Heilman is also entered in the 100 breast, where he is the #4 seed with a 54.26. Bolles School Sharks 17-year-old Wyatt Porch is the top seed with a 53.88.

Alex Shackell is also the top seed in the girls 200 free, coming in with a 1:43.60. Shackell also led off the Carmel 800 free relay in 1:42.28 on Wednesday night, so she could have a huge race in store today.

After winning the girls 500 free last night, Carmel 15-year-old Kayla Han comes in as the top seed in the girls 400 IM today. Han is the top seed in the event by a significant margin, coming in with her personal best of 4:06.95, which also stands as the 13-14 girls NAG in the event.

GIRLS 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 3:57.02, Summer McIntosh (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 4:06.95, Kayla Han (2022)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 3:57.02, Katie Grimes (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:56.59, Bella Sims (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Kayla Han (Carmel Swim Club) – 4:08.82
2. Audrey Derivaux (Jersey Wahoos) – 4:10.27
3. Sofia Plaza (SwimMAC Carolina) – 4:11.64
4. Emily Thompson (Greater Somerset County Y) – 4:11.83
5. Avery Klamfoth (SwimMAC Carolina) – 4:12.28
6. Chloe Kim (Scarlet Aquatics) – 4:13.69
7. Stella Chapman (Club Wolverine) – 4:14.51
8. Addie Robillard (Mason Manta Rays) – 4:16.18

13-14 NAG record holder Kayla Han, now a 15-year-old competing for Carmel Swim Club, took the top spot in the girls 400 IM this morning, speeding to an excellent prelims swim of 4:08.82. Han was great across the board this morning, splitting 56.45 on fly, 1:02.53 on back, 1:11.82 on breast, and 58.02 on free. We can expect Han to be faster tonight, but as it stands now, she’s #28 performer all-time in the 15-16 girls age group.

Speaking of all-time rankings, Jersey Wahoos 14-year-old Audrey Derivaux had a fantastic swim this morning as well. Derivaux turned in a 4:10.27, taking nearly 3 seconds off her previous best. She was out fast, splitting 56.30 on fly and 1:00.51 on back, for a 1:56.81 on the first 200. Moreover, her time of 4:10.27 now ranks her #5 all-time in the 13-14 girls age group.

Club Wolverine 17-year-old Stella Chapman made it into the ‘A’ final from back in heat 4. Chapman stormed out to a lead in her heat and ended up clocking a 4:14.51, which marks a new personal best by over 6 seconds. Her time would stand as the top time of the morning all the way until heat 7, the first of the circle seeded heats. The time would end up being enough for 7th overall, putting the Wisconsin recruit in the ‘A’ final from an early heat.

BOYS 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 3:38.65, Carson Foster (2019)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 3:51.46, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 3:39.83, Maximus Williamson (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 3:35.27, Carson Foster (2020)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Drew Hitchcock (Baylor Swim Club) – 3:46.04
2. Baylor Stanton (Gwinnett Aquatics) – 3:46.48
3. Gregg Enoch (Carmel Swim Club) – 3:47.33
4. Landon D’Ariano (Germantwon Academy) – 3:48.00
5. Noah Cakir (Team Suffolk) – 3:48.01
6. Thomas Mercer (Lakeside Swim Team) – 3:48.97
7. Luke Whitlock (Fishers Area Swimming Tigers) – 3:49.41
8. David King (Cavalier Aquatics) – 3:49.78

Drew Hitchcock and Baylor Stanton put up a pair of great prelims swims in the final heat of the boys 400 IM this morning. Hitchcock, the top seed coming into the event with his personal best of 3:41.81, clocked a 3:46.04, while Stanton clipped his PB of 3:46.73, taking 2nd with a 3:46.48. Stanton was out ahead of Hitchcock on the first 200, but Hitchcock claimed the lead on breaststroke. Stanton was slightly faster on free but it wasn’t quite enough.

Carmel’s Gregg Enoch, the winner of the 500 free last night, came in 3rd this morning with a big personal best of 3:47.33. Enoch was out fast, splitting 51.03 on fly, which was faster than both Hitchcock and Stanton.

Similarly, Luke Whitlock, the 2nd-place finisher in the 500 free last night, also made it into the ‘A’ final here. Whitlock clocked a 3:49.41, taking a little more than 4 seconds off his best time in the event. He was incredibly fast coming home this morning, splitting 51.31 on the freestyle 100.

GIRLS 100 BUTTERFLY – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 50.87, Claire Curzan (2019)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 50.64, Claire Curzan (2019)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.51, Claire Curzan (2021)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.24, Claire Curzan (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Alex Shackell (Carmel Swim Club) – 50.28 (Meet Record)
2. Annie Jia (Upper Dublin Aquatic Club) – 51.41
3. Leah Shackley (Blair Regional Y) – 51.46
4. Charlotte Crush (Lakeside Swim Team) – 51.51
5. Molly Sweeney (Carmel Swim Club) – 52.28
6. Elle Scott (SwimMAC Carolina) – 53.14
7. Audrey Derivaux (Jersey Wahoos) – 53.35
8. Katie Christopherson (Swim Atlanta) – 53.56

Carmel Swim Club 17-year-old Alex Shackell wasted not time this morning, roaring to a new career best of 50.28 to establish the top time of the morning. Not only was Shackell’s swim good for a best time and the top seed for tonight, she also shattered the meet record of 50.87, which Claire Curzan set in 2019. Additionally, Shackell’s swim now ranks her #4 all-time in the 17-18 age group. She was out fast, splitting 23.52 on the opening 50 of the race.

Upper Dublin Aquatic Club 16-year-old Annie Jia had a terrific swim as well this morning, ripping a new personal best of 51.41. With the swim, Jia is the #2 seed for tonight and she now ranks #7 all-time in the 15-16 age group.

Leah Shackley (Blair Regional Y) was 51.46 this morning, coming in half a second off her personal best of 50.95.

15-year-old Lakeside Swim Team product Charlotte Crush went a 51.51 this morning, taking 0.01 seconds off her personal best. With the swim, Crush now ranks #9 in the 15-16 age group.

Of note, 14-year-old Audrey Derivaux out of Jersey Wahoos came in 7th this morning with a 53.35. That swim came shortly after she ripped a new personal best in the 400 IM.

BOYS 100 BUTTERFLY- PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 44.67, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 45.81, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 44.67, Thomas Heilman (2022)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.75, Aiden Hayes (2022)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Jacob Johnson (Suburban Seahawks Club) – 46.36
2. Lucca Battaglini (East Carolina Aquatics) – 46.46
3. Spencer Nicholas (Nashville Aquatic Club) – 46.48
4. Thomas Heilman (Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family Y) – 46.53
5. Kyle Peck (Rappahannock Stingrays Swim Team) – 47.08
6. Johnny Crush (Lakeside Swim Team) – 47.34
7. Chase Swearingen (New Albany Aquatic Club) – 47.44
8. Devin Dilger (OLY Swimming) – 47.48

16-year-old Thomas Heilman looked relaxed this morning as he put up a 46.53 to earn the #4 seed for tonight’s final. While it would typically be unusual to suspect a 16-year-old of putting up a “relaxed” 46.53 100 fly, Heilman holds a personal best of 44.67, which he swam at this meet last year and stands as the meet record.

It was Jacob Johnson, a 17-year-old out of Suburban Seahawks Club, who posted the top time of the morning, ripping a 46.36. It was a huge swim for Johnson, taking more than a second off his previous best of 47.51.

Spencer Nicholas, an 18-year-old from Nashville Aquatic Club, popped a new personal best of 46.48 for 3rd overall. Nicholas was a member of the NAC 200 medley relay that set the 17-18 NAG on the opening night of the meet.

East Carolina Aquatics 18-year-old Lucca Battaglini, the champion in the 50 free last night, was 2nd this morning in 46.46. That performance marks a new personal best for Battaglini by about half a second.

GIRLS 200 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 1:40.63, Summer McIntosh (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:44.55, Missy Franklin (2010)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:42.03, Katie Ledecky (2013)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:40.31, Missy Franklin (2014)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Alex Shackell (Carmel Swim Club) – 1:45.07
2. Lillie Nesty (Gator Swim Club) – 1:46.30
3. Rylee Erisman (Laker Swimming) – 1:47.37
4. Kayla Han (Carmel Swim Club) – 1:47.45
5. Kennedi Dobson (Eastern Express Swim Team) – 1:47.50
6. Lynsey Bowen (Carmel Swim Club) – 1:47.76
7. Lily King (Mount Pleasant Aqua Club) – 1:47.84
8. Elise Nardozzi (Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics) – 1:48.08

As expected, Carmel’s Alex Shackell came out with the top time of the morning in the girls 200 free. Shackell clocked a 1:45.07, a very solid swim considering she was coming off her huge 100 fly in which she shattered the meet record. We can say with a lot of confidence that Shackell will be significantly faster tonight, especially since she went 1:42.28 leading off the Carmel 800 free relay on the first night of the meet.

Carmel also saw 15-year-old Kayla Han and 16-year-old Lynsey Bowen make it into the ‘A’ final. Both girls were off their personal bests but given their swims in the 500 last night, we can expect them to put up some faster times tonight.

Gator Swim Club 17-year-old Lillie Nesty was 2nd this morning, swimming a 1:46.30. Nesty was a little over a second off her personal best of 1:45.28.

Laker Swimming 14-year-old Rylee Erisman had a huge swim, coming in with an LCM time and managing to make the ‘A’ final with a 1:47.37. Her best time coming into the day was a 1:49.61, which she swam this spring.

BOYS 200 FREESTYLE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 1:33.07, Henry McFadden (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:34.68, Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:32.46, Thomas Heilman (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:32.00, Maximus Williamson (2023)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Jason Zhao (Mason Manta Rays) – 1:35.29
2. Gregg Enoch (Carmel Swim Club) – 1:36.48
3. Ethan Ekk (Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club) – 1:36.56
4. Alex Thiesing (Lakeside Swim Team) – 1:36.57
5. Cooper McDonald (Dynamo Swim Club) – 1:36.81
6. Devin Dilger (OLY Swimming) – 1:37.34
7. Will Gavin (Life Time Georgia) – 1:37.46
8. Kenneth Barnicle (Greater Somerset County Y) – 1:37.49

Mason Manta Rays 16-year-old Jason Zhao ripped a new personal best of 1:35.29 to lead the field in the boys 200 free this morning, dipping under 1:36 for the first time. In addition to the personal best and top seed for tonight, Zhao now ranks 13th all-time in the 15-16 age group, with a chance to break into the top 10 tonight.

Carmel Swim Club’s Gregg Enoch was back in action, taking 2nd overall in a new personal best of 1:36.48. Enoch, the champion of the 500 free last night, also qualified for the ‘A’ final of the 400 IM tonight. Enoch dropped big from prelims to finals in the 500 yesterday, so keep an eye on him tonight.

Greater Somerset County Y 16-year-old Kenneth Barnicle was out really fast, splitting 45.96 on the opening 100, which was the fastest first 100 split of anyone. He ended up falling off that pace but still managed to make it into the ‘A’ final, swimming a 1:37.4 for 8th.

GIRLS 100 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 57.76, Lydia Jacoby (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:00.02, Alexis Wenger (2015)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 58.19, Alex Walsh (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 57.29, Lydia Jacoby (2023)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. McKenzie Siroky (UN-MI) – 59.76
2. Addie Robillard (Mason Manta Rays) – 59.79
3. Elle Scott (SwimMAC Carolina) – 1:00.24
4. Molly Sweeney (Carmel Swim Club) – 1:00.59
5. Emily Santos Silva (Montverde Aquatic Club) – 1:00.74
6. Mary Cespedes (Valparaiso Swim Club) – 1:01.42
7. Avery Klamfoth (SwimMAC Carolina) – 1:01.53
8. Charlotte Headland (Monocacy Aquatic Club) – 1:01.55

Unattached Michigan 18-year-old McKenzie Siroky ripped a new personal best of 59.76 in the 100 breast to clock the top time of the morning, Siroky, who is currently taking a gap year before beginning her collegiate career at Tennessee, hadn’t yet been under 1:00 in the event.

Speaking of breaking 1:00 for the first time, Mason Manta Rays 16-year-old Addie Robillard clocked a 59.79 for 2nd overall this morning, breaking 1:00 for the first time in her career as well.

It should make for an awesome ‘A’ final tonight, as Carmel Swim Club’s Molly Sweeney and SwimMAC Carolina’s Elle Scott have both been under 1:00 before as well.

BOYS 100 BREASTSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 52.21, Michael Andrew (2015)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 53.06, Reece Whitley (2014)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 51.75, Michael Andrew (2015)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 51.16, Reece Whitley (2018)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Noah Cakir (Team Suffolk) – 53.62
2. Alexei Avakov (Phoenix Swimming) – 53.81
3. Jake Wang (Suburban Seahawk Club) – 54.05
4. Grayson Nye (TAC Titans) – 54.07
5. Xavier Ruiz (Ridgefield Aquatic Club) – 54.16
6. Austin Carpenter (Central Ohio Aquatics) – 54.21
7. Carter Lancaster (Bolles School Sharks) – 54.23
8. Luke Vickers (David YMCA Phantoms) – 54.24

Team Suffolk’s Noah Cakir ripped a new personal best en route to clocking the top time of the morning in the boys 100 breast. Cakir posted a 53.62, taking more than a second off his previous best in the event.

Similarly, Phoenix Swimming’s Alexei Avakov clocked a 53.81 for 2nd overall, which was more than a second faster than his previous best in the event. Avakov was out a bit faster than Cakir, splitting 25.18 on the first 50 to Cakir’s 25.54 but Cakir had the superior closing speed this morning.

Ridgefield Aquatic Club’s Xavier Ruiz had a huge drop this morning as well, taking 5th overall with a 54.16. Ruiz entered the day with a personal best of 55.45 in the event.

Of note, Thomas Heilman was the first swimmer out in this event, coming in 9th with a 54.40. That time is just off Hielman’s best of 54.26. He’ll be the top seed in the ‘B’ final tonight.

GIRLS 100 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 50.53, Bella Sims (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 50.44, Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 49.53, Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 49.46, Claire Curzan (2023)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Charlotte Crush (Lakeside Swim Team) – 50.75
2. Leah Shackley (Blair Regional Y) – 51.45
3. Jillian Crooks (TAC Titans) – 52.75
4. Sarah Rodrigues (Jersey Aquatic Club) – 53.26
5. Lila Higgo (Bolles School Sharks) – 53.36
6. Roos Rottink (Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club) – 53.52
7. Virginia Hinds (All Star Aquatics) – 53.57 (TIE)
8. Emily Thompson (Greater Somerset County Y) – 53.57 (TIE)

15-year-old Charlotte Crush out of Lakeside Swim Team led the charge in the girls 100 back this morning, speeding to a 50.75. It was a solid morning swim for Crush, who, of course, ripped a new 15-16 NAG with a stunning 49.53 on the 400 medley relay last night. We can expect a faster swim from her tonight. Crush will also be racing in the ‘A’ final of the 100 fly.

Similarly, Blair Regional Y’s Leah Shackley is in the ‘A’ final of the girls 100 fly and made it through here as well. Shackley clocked a 51.45 this morning, which comes in 0.62 seconds off her personal best in the event.

There was a tie for 7th this morning, as All Star Aquatics’ Virginia Hinds and Greater Somerset County Y’s Emily Thompson both went 53.57.

BOYS 100 BACKSTROKE – PRELIMS

• Meet Record: 45.01, Will Modglin (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 47.44, Daniel Diehl (2020)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 45.60, Anthony Grimm (2019)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 44.63, Ryan Murphy (2014)

TOP 8 QUALIFIERS:

1. Johnny Crush (Lakeside Swim Team) – 45.85
2. Baylor Stanton (Gwinnett Aquatics) – 46.57
3. Lucca Battaglini (East Carolina Aquatics) – 46.64
4. Kyle Peck (Rappahannock Stingrays Swim Team) – 46.66
5. Blake Amlicke (Nasheville Aquatic Club) – 46.99
6. Spencer Nicholas (Nashville Aquatic Club) – 47.01
7. Kenneth Barnicle (Greater Somerset County Y) – 47.41
8. Landon Kyser (Bolles School Sharks) – 48.14

The final event of the morning is now in the books. Lakeside Swim Team 18-year-old Johnny Crush ripped a 45.85 to lead the boys 100 back this morning, clearing the rest of the field by a healthy margin. It was a big swim for Crush, coming in 0.09 seconds off his personal best of 45.76, which he swam leading off the 400 medley relay last night. He was out fast this morning, splitting 22.04 on the opening 50, then came home in 23.81.

Baylor Stanton, 16, was the 2nd-fastest swimmer of the morning, swimming a 46.57 to shatter his personal best of 47.89. Stanton now ranks #7 all-time in the 15-16 boys age group with the swim. He’s got a real shot to move up even further tonight as well.

50 free champion Lucca Battaglini had a big swim as well, popping a 46.64 for 3rd overall this morning. That was Battaglini’s first time under 47 seconds in the event.

Kyle Peck cracked 47 seconds for the first time as well, taking 4th this morning with a 46.66.