Sunday, August 21, 2022
USA Closes #DuelInThePool Strong, Beats Australia 309-284
The 2022 Duel in the Pool, a meet that has been absent for seven years, has officially concluded, seeing the U.S. extend its unbeaten streak to 8-0 in the competition after taking down the Australian team 309-284.
The final day got off to a rough start, seeing the Aussies finish first in both of the first two events to close the points-gap to just four points. The U.S. would come roaring back, posting a 1-2-3 finish in the men's 200m freestyle, courtesy of Luke Hobson, Trenton Julian and Grant House to kickstart a bit of momentum for the Americans.
Right after the 200 free was the debut of the Mixed-Class/Able Bodied relay, where each team was comprised of two able-bodied and two Para athletes swimming on the same relay. The event ultimately went to the U.S.' quartet of Amy Fulmer, Jamal Hill, Lizzi Smith and David Curtiss. You can watch the unique event below!
The Australians tried to answer with a strategic move in the men's 3x50m breaststroke skins event. After the field dwindled down to Australia's Sam Williamson and Michael Andrew, the final leg of the relay went to Michael Andrew. Immediately at the touch, the Aussies played a Power Play, meaning the event would be re-swum and double points would be awarded to the winner. tgetAndrew answered the call and still managed to win the re-swim, stealing the double-points opportunity from the Australians.
The session continued on, seeing Americans like Gabi Albiero and Beata Nelson add to the U.S. total. Ultimately, it was the American's 4x100m freestyle relay that proved to be the final dagger.
Before the swim, the U.S. put a Power Play into effect, which would award double points to whichever nation finished first. The U.S. sent out Ryan Held, Shaine Casas and Luke Hobson for the first three legs, who would go stroke-for-stroke with the Aussies before the U.S.' Grant House would close the event out with a win. Watch the swim below!
The rest of the session was highlighted by a Justin Ress win in the 100m backstroke to win double points after a Flag Frenzy was played, and wins by David Curtiss in the 50m freestyle and Shaine Casas in the men's 3x50m butterfly skins.
When all was said and done, the Americans won the competition 309-284, giving the team its eighth Duel in the Pool title in history and its fourth against Australia.
The final day got off to a rough start, seeing the Aussies finish first in both of the first two events to close the points-gap to just four points. The U.S. would come roaring back, posting a 1-2-3 finish in the men's 200m freestyle, courtesy of Luke Hobson, Trenton Julian and Grant House to kickstart a bit of momentum for the Americans.
Right after the 200 free was the debut of the Mixed-Class/Able Bodied relay, where each team was comprised of two able-bodied and two Para athletes swimming on the same relay. The event ultimately went to the U.S.' quartet of Amy Fulmer, Jamal Hill, Lizzi Smith and David Curtiss. You can watch the unique event below!
The Australians tried to answer with a strategic move in the men's 3x50m breaststroke skins event. After the field dwindled down to Australia's Sam Williamson and Michael Andrew, the final leg of the relay went to Michael Andrew. Immediately at the touch, the Aussies played a Power Play, meaning the event would be re-swum and double points would be awarded to the winner. tgetAndrew answered the call and still managed to win the re-swim, stealing the double-points opportunity from the Australians.
The session continued on, seeing Americans like Gabi Albiero and Beata Nelson add to the U.S. total. Ultimately, it was the American's 4x100m freestyle relay that proved to be the final dagger.
Before the swim, the U.S. put a Power Play into effect, which would award double points to whichever nation finished first. The U.S. sent out Ryan Held, Shaine Casas and Luke Hobson for the first three legs, who would go stroke-for-stroke with the Aussies before the U.S.' Grant House would close the event out with a win. Watch the swim below!
The rest of the session was highlighted by a Justin Ress win in the 100m backstroke to win double points after a Flag Frenzy was played, and wins by David Curtiss in the 50m freestyle and Shaine Casas in the men's 3x50m butterfly skins.
When all was said and done, the Americans won the competition 309-284, giving the team its eighth Duel in the Pool title in history and its fourth against Australia.