Reported by Lauren Neidigh.
MEN’S 800 FREE:
- Pro Swim Series Record: Michael McBroom, 7:49.96, Santa Clara 2014
- GOLD: Zane Grothe, 7:56.69
- SILVER: Anton Ipsen, 7:57.64
- BRONZE: Clark Smith, 8:00.70
Distance ace Zane Grothe is on a roll, picking up his 2nd win in as many days. Grothe and All-American Anton Ipsen were separated by just a few tenths though most of the race, with just .14 separating them going into the final 100. Grothe used his typical closing speed to seal the deal, winning in 7:56.69 by about a second over Ipsen. NCAA champion Clark Smith rolled in for the bronze, holding off Qiu Ziao (8:01.08) and All-American Marcelo Acosta(8:01.14) in the final 100 meters.
Why does Swimswam love this guy so much
Because the US hasn’t had exceptional distance swimming, relative to where we are at in 400s and lower, since the 80s and Zane could potentially put us on top in that area if he can pull together a great LC season.
And yah know he broke some American records with no one to race…
Jaeger was 3:43 7:44 and 14:39. That’s a little beyond what Zane has done even in shortcourse conversions
Did you forget about guys like Larsen Jensen, Klete Keller and Eric Vendt? They aren’t that old haha.
He seems like he is a long way away from being able to challenge the Sun Yangs and other top long course swimmers of the world. Long course is a different ball game.
How about because he is the only American Record setter this season so far. When we get to NCAA’s others will get more press. Zane deserves it right now.
Whatever happened to Michael McBroom?
You have to be a good Mid D guy in order to be a great Miler these days. Look at Sun, Horton. They can all get down into 3:40-low range and pull off a Top 8 Worlds 200. Sure you have a few freaks like Paltrinieri who can just go pure D forever, but I don’t think Zane is built like that.
When did Horton swim 3.40low 400 free or get into top 8 in 200 free at Worlds?
So is he tryna be a distance swimmer or a mid D er? I reckon we won’t need him in the 200, and his body type and skills would make a international medal worthy 1500m LC swimmer. Would’ve only needed 14:47 last year.
I disagree, I think we need everyone we can get in the 200, since the 4×200 was the only relay the men lost last summer. Anyone who can put up a 4:07 in the SCY 500 will probably be a factor in the LCM 200, so I’m interested to see what he does in that event this year.
I don’t think we would’ve lost if Dressel had been on it. He would’ve split 1:44. Also Conger will be 1:45 or 1:44 this summer on the relay. Plus Townley. Plus Dwyer, Pieroni, Lochte, some of the younger guys who are droppin down quick (C Foster, Krueger, etc.)
No way we lose this relay for at least the rest of the quad.
I highly doubt Dressel would have split anything under 1:45 mid