Erika Connolly Wins Swim-Off, Another Chance at Olympic Berth in 100 Free
By Laura Rosado on SwimSwam
2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS
June 15-23, 2024
Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
LCM (50 Meters)
Session Start Times (ET):
11 a.m. Prelims
7:45 p.m. Finals (varying based on broadcast needs)
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The crowd started to clear out, but those who remained cheered for Erika Connolly and Anna Moesch as Darude – Sandstorm played them out of the tunnel.
Both swimmers were right on their opening splits for semis. They swam matching times of 54.09 in different heats, but side-by-side the difference in strategy was stark. Connolly had an early lead and didn’t look back, improving to 53.92. That time would have tied Beata Nelson for 6th had she swum it earlier.
Moesch opened just one-hundredth slower than she did in the semi, but was unable to catch Connolly down the stretch. Her time in semis was her first personal best in two years.
Erika Connolly, Swim-Off
Anna Moesch, Swim-Off
Erika Connolly, U.S. Olympic Trials Semifinal 1
Anna Moesch, U.S. Olympic Trials Semifinal 2
50
26.01
26.29
26.08
26.28
100
53.92 (27.91)
54.28 (27.99)
54.09 (28.01)
54.09 (27.81)
Connolly is now in the exact same position she was in at 2021 Trials, albeit with another 100 free under her belt. Swimming out of lane 8, she snagged the 2nd individual spot behind Abbey Weitzeil in the final.
Connolly won the swim off in 53.92 and will take lane 8 tomorrow night
In 2021, she was also 8th in the semifinals and wound up placing 2nd in the Final
Will lightening strike twice?
— Mark Wild (@Mark_Wild13) June 19, 2024
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