Kenneth To dominates Men’s 200m IM prelims – US Open Swimming Championships
Kenneth To of Australia dominated the preliminary rounds of the Men’s 200m Individual Medley (IM) on fifth day of the 2012 US Open Swimming Championships at Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 11.
The 20-year-old To stifled hopes of his opponents with his scintillating form in the four-lap race. He showed no leniency to his challengers throughout the discipline and tapped the finishing wall for fastest qualification spot.
With his astonishing pace, he remained just an arm stroke ahead of his following swimmer and made his way to the finishing wall for top position with a timing of 2 minutes and 01.21 seconds.
To was followed by Cory Chitwood of Northern KY Clip, who remained only 0.26 seconds slower from his preceding swimmer and surfaced on the finishing blockade with an effort of 2 minutes and 01.47 seconds.
Chitwood was chased by Adam Hinshaw of Palo Alto Stanford, who was 0.36 seconds apart and hit the wall with a timing of 2 minutes and 01.83 seconds for third position.
Similarly, Hinshaw was traced by Cody Miller of Indiana University, who was only 0.13 seconds behind and settled on the finishing blockade as fourth fastest swimmer with an effort of 2 minutes and 01.96 seconds.
Fifth fastest spot of the event was obtained by Kyle Whitaker of University of Michigan, who was 0.54 seconds slower and completed his race in a time of 2 minutes and 02.50 seconds.
Whitaker was traced by Austin Surhoff of North Baltimore, who remained 0.08 seconds apart and tapped the wall with an effort of 2 minutes and 02.58 seconds for sixth place.
Seventh position of the race was secured by Alex Wold of Santa Clara Swim Club, who stayed half body length behind and posted a time of 2 minutes and 03.04 seconds.
Last qualification spot of the discipline was obtained by Stephen Schmuhl of Indiana University, who ended eighth in the race with an effort of 2 minutes and 03.42 seconds.
Furthermore, To was overjoyed with his fastest qualification effort and stated that he would try to achieve the same in the final round.
Tags: