Olympic Champion and distance swimming star, Katie Ledecky, makes her World Championship Trials cut, then immediately flies home. That was her plan. Ledecky was relaxed in the mixed zone with the media, despite cutting it close on making her flight. She was happy with her swim, explaining she was in heavy training.
Ledecky won the 1500 meters freestyle in 16:04.58.
You can follow Katie Ledecky on Twitter here.
2013 Charlotte Ultraswim Women’s 1500 meter free as reported by Morgan Priestley
Teenage distance sensation Katie Ledecky of Nation’s Capital opened the evening with a meet record time of 16:04.58 in the women’s 1500 freestyle. The teenage sensation from Nation’s Capital Swim Club stuck to her usual strategy, getting out in front of the race early (she was out in 4:11.87 over the first 400) before settling into a groove and grinding out the final portion of the event. That time is the second fastest in the world (behind only Lotte Friis of Denmark), and a massive time drop for the Olympic gold medalist. Coming into tonight, consensus was Ledecky was going to better her previous best of 16:24.46 from the 2011 Junior National Championships, but she surpassed the expectations of many, posting a time that would have placed fourth at the 2011 World Championships. Going this fast at an in-season meet is another step towards building the case that Ledecky could be one of the best distance swimmers of all time. Interestingly, Ledecky was significantly faster on the odd 50′s of each 100 (averaging right around 32.0 over the last 1200) than the even 50′s (averaging 32.8).
Three-time Chilean Olympian Kristel Kobrich was second behind Ledecky in the first timed final heat, touching in 16:08.08, also good for top five in the world this season. Kobrich actually outsplit the entire field over the last 1100 meters, but the opening 400 meter surge from Ledecky was too much to overcome.
Kobrich was knocked back to third place following a lifetime best swim from U.S. Olympian Chloe Sutton in the second timed final heat of the night. Sutton clocked in at 16:07.83, bettering her previous best from all the way back in 2009 (16:12.56) by almost five seconds. That time puts the Mission Viejo distance star fourth on the world rankings this season, setting her up for another great summer in the pool events.
Notably, after being held out of the ACC and NCAA Championship meets earlier this year, Stephanie Peacock of North Carolina competed in her first big event, finishing fifth in 16:33.47.
Maybe it’s just me – but when I read the comments along the lines of “like the next MP”, I read as “carrying the mantle, keeping the sport close to the espn radar” and not as good as x. we could have a healthy debate about who was the ‘better’ 200 flyer MP or Mary T. (KIDDING; sort of).
Point being that I think part of the reason we are seeing such an increase in the talent is because of MP. To keep a sport not just popular for a week every 4 years, we need to keep this level of excitement and talent. It’s great to see Katie in the distances, Missy in the back, and other young(er) stars… Read more »
Two meet wonder? As in 2011 Jr Nationals and Olympics? Or Olympic Trials Missouri Grand Prix? Or her high school meet? I think she has more than proven herself.
As in trials and Olympics. We’ve seen enough swimmers who have qualified, swum well and them faded for a myriad of reasons. I’m wicked happy that Katie is continuing to swim well, happy with the sport etc.
Reallly ? where did u find that ?
France and Belgium arguing over swimming stars…now that’s some funny stuff!
C’est très drôle!
Except that Belgium hasn’t been good since the days of Frederik DeBurghraeve and Brigitte Becue.
Jaeger did split the best 200 free in the heats … he is defenetly making something great here in Charlotte . Go On Jaeger ….
The 200 free today will be very interesting to watch …. where is everybody’s level on Long course … especially the guys training for trials and a spot for Barcelona .
Ledecky, Franklin, Conger, and Murphy will all be the faces of Usaswimming in the years to come…
U forgot Conor Dwyer , and maybe Tomas Shields ;;;;;
He talks about stars.
U didn’t see yet that Conor Dwyer is a star ! very sad . he was part of a relay that crushed the French team 10 montha ago ….u remember that relay ?
Lochte is a star. Agnel is a star. Yang is a star. Franklin is a star. Dwyer is good and I recognize that gold medal, but he still has a lot to prove. Same goes with Cordes.
One relay medal does not a star make
I even forgot to mention Kevein Cordes …. future star !! so BOBO , if u reply to me better have all your facts very clear and intuned .
Dear Belgian, pvk talked about the faces of American swimming in the next years. I understand he talks about stars. Present stars like Missy and Katie or probable future stars like Ryan Murphy and Jack Conger. Sorry, but Conor Dwyer is 24, is a very good swimmer but he isn’t a star. If he swims 1.43 in the next 2 years and wins a gold medal ahead of Yannick Agnel, ok. But he still has everything to prove. Like Kevin Cordes. Admit you have to win a few gold medals on individual or to break a world record to be called a star.
where did u ” seee ” the word stars ??? u are very funny BOBO and give me a lot of good laughts at home . Thanks a lot for your french humor . i love it .
For Phil Johnson and Eagle , nobody was speaking about stars here hehehe but about the faces of Usaswimming in the years to come . U are all very funny
We are still waiting for the next Belgian swimming star!
I think anyone would think that the “Face” that everyone recognizes on swimming must be of a star level swimmer.. someone among the greats..
Can you tell withouth wikipedia the name of the guys of the relay OG and Worlds medals that Popov won? Being a relay only medallist is far less than being a individual medalist…
You said that he is a star in your post.
Any love for breaststrokers? What about Kevin Cordes or Andrew Seliskar? Seliskar could be the next great IMer too.
And happy birthday to Missy Franklin!
It looked like she took a bath during the race while the others were at full speed.
I disagree…it looked like she was working pretty hard….just she is tired from training. which is ok…but definitely, she wasn’t just cruising.
Ok, I talked more about her first 200 meters. You are right, she has worked very hard then. I just wanted to say that, unlike for example the swimmer from Chile, she can swim much faster.
“That swimmer from Chile ” -who has a name – is a respected open water swimmer.
Kirstel consistently finals in the 800 1500 & finishes high up in world . championships 10 kms & Olympics.
Some swimswam readers are definitely nasty and terrible with me. First, I have not written “that”. Second, yes, Kristel Kobrich is a great swimmer, 4th in the 1500 free in 2011. But please, give me a break sometimes! Especially about these minor details.
P.S : but you’re right, a name is a name and we must be respectful of the names. I believe you should again read your comment. It’s Kristel and not Kirstel. I can be irritating too!
Bobo, don’t take things so rough. I always enjoy your comments.
Bobo your thoughts and opinions are very insightful, and I enjoy reading them. Do not take offense to those who disagree with you.
Note -the rec swimmers were not in her lane . They did give her one to herself so that she could attempt the WR.
Very good at this period! She will probably attack next summer or next years the fantastic world record of Kate Ziegler which is still alive despite the magical suits. The time to beat is 15.42.54. Not easy but if one girl can do it, it’s Katie!