2017 Arena Pro Swim Series – Santa Clara
- Thursday, June 1st-Sunday, June 4th
- 50-Meter Course
- Prelims 9 am/Finals 5 pm (PST)
- Santa Clara, California
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream
- Live Results
Stanford’s Katie Ledecky took the day off Friday after putting up the 6th fastest 1500 free in history on Thursday night, but she came back on Saturday ready to go at the 2017 Arena Pro Swim Series at Santa Clara. Tonight, Ledecky stepped up to compete in the 200 free, an event in which she’s the reigning World and Olympic champion.
Ledecky demolished the field, as she roared to a 1:55.34 to finish over 3 seconds faster than anyone else. That time makes her the fastest swimmer in the world this year, surpassing Sweden’s Michelle Coleman (1:55.64). Her time was also a new Meet Record, taking down the former mark of 1:55.68 done by Femke Heemskerk in 2015.
Ledecky’s Splits By 50:
- 1st 50 Split- 27.81
- 2nd 50 Split- 29.00
- 3rd 50 Split- 29.19
- 4th 50 Split- 29.34
- Final Time- 1:55.34
Ledecky’s Splits By 100:
- 1st 100 Split- 56.81
- 2nd 100 Split- 58.53
- Final Time- 1:55.34
Ledecky was joined on the podium by Stanford teammate Katie Drabot, who popped a 1:58.85 to take 3rd behind Michigan All-American and Hong Kong Olympian Siobhan Haughey (1:58.14).
What interesting about this race is that the second 100 was swum just by 0.2sec slower than she did it in her great race in Rio. At her post race interview she mentioned that she was glad how she made the third fifty. That was historically the most difficult put of her 200 races where she dropped speed the most. As soon as she swims it under 29sec she will be ready to challenge Pelligrini’s world record.
I think that the purpose of these two races at the busy school time was to get #1 rank.
The message made is clear and is intimidating: if you want to see my feet you’d better be well under 1:55. I also think that E. McKeon will focus more now on her 100 where she got individual spot than on 200. And in no way Sjostrom will think that 200 can be an easy win. So there will be no temptation for her. The temptation that would definitely exist should Ledecky be weak this season after first year in college.
Sjostrom is trying other things focusing on speed race.
She has no interest in the 200 free and she probably won’t swim the 200 free ever again in her career in international competition.
You are right about other than 200 interests of Sarah Sjostrom. But if the only thing required to win a gold medal at 200 is to swim under 1:58 prelim, under 1:57 semi and 1:55 flat final then I’m not sure if she misses such chance because those times won’t even make her sweat. It is just warm up exercises for her.
Sjostrom said after the Olympics that she is done with the 200 Free as an individual event at international championships and she focusing on the 50 free/ 100 free. New coach/new stroke mechanics. And Sweden is not sending an 800 FR this summer so no 200 Free at all for Sarah.
I’d like to see her extend to the 100 back now. She went a 59 in season a few years ago. With her focus on the 50/100, she should show improvement here too.
should easily win at worlds, want to see 1:53 low
I think she wants that WR!! She’s a bigggg taper swimmer
Sorry, but would not necessarily say “easily”, mate. Yes, she has the drive & is working always on her speed, but we shall see. That said, it would be amazing for her to continue that streak of being unbeaten in races at the international level.
who exactly could beat her?
Don’t forget her heavy loaded schedule…if her line-up is the same with 2015, she would had at least 4200m(…) swim before that 200 free final.
I shook my head for writing down this 4200m…
I believe Coach Mike didn’t try to imply someone will beat her, but to win the 200 free final(along with a 1:53 low) is surely not “easily”.