Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Fink and Finke Break American Records, U.S. Dominates Mixed Medley on Night Four
Team U.S. continued its domination on day four of the 2022 FINA World Championships. The only women’s final tonight was the 200-meter freestyle, but the American men stayed busy collecting hardware in the 800m freestyle, 200m butterfly and 50m breaststroke.
In predictable-yet-spectacular fashion, the men in the 800m freestyle got "Finke'd" again, with Bobby Finke closing them out with a 25.9 on the last 50 meters to grab gold. The 25-year-old relied on his unparalleled closing speed to overcome the field from lane seven where his views were limited. His new American Record of 7:39.36 is a big drop from his own previous American record of 7:41.87.
“I was just thinking in my head it is just a 50 left. It is only like 26 seconds of pain and if I can pull off a win it is worth it. I’ll settle through the pain,” said Finke. “My strategy going into the race was just to try and actually be in front for the last 50 and then just really pound the last 50 but things changed when Romanchuk started pulling away.”
This is Finke’s first career world title, and the seventh fastest time in history. “This one means a lot,” he said. “This whole past year has been pretty stressful. Just coming off of Tokyo and high expectations for myself, this one means a little bit more.”
In the men’s 200m butterfly, Luca Urlando , the 20-year-old Californian who swims for University of Georgia swam in lane two fighting for a podium spot. He was seeded second going into finals but finished fifth in a very fast heat, including a world record from Krisof Milak (1:50.34). Urlando’s 1:54.92, was just four tenths of his semifinals swim.
In the men’s 50m breaststroke, the Americans proved their sprinting prowess with Nic Fink and Michael Andrew winning gold and bronze, respectively. Fink’s 26.45 is an American Record for the breaststroker who turns 29 next week and is swimming better than ever.
"It felt surprisingly good. I didn’t think it was going to feel good, especially going day four, swim number whatever so I was happy that I kind of found my stroke a little bit. The first prelims and semis I think I rushed it a little bit so it was nice to breaststroke on the last one and I knew it was going to be close so I just tried to get hand on the wall as fast as I could.”
Both Fink and Andrew were quick of the blocks (.66 and .64 reaction times), with Fink gaining an early edge and maintaining it the entire 50. This is Andrew’s second bronze for an individual event this week and his 26.72 is an improvement from his semi-final swim.
“It’s always an honor to share podium with a fellow American and teammate,” said Andrew. “It’d be nice if I was a little higher (second). I’ve got two medals at long course worlds, and now it gives me something to strive for — we’d like some shinier hardware.”
In tonight’s final event, the 4x100m mixed medley relay, the U.S. packed a power punch with their lineup of Hunter Armstrong, Nic Fink, Torri Huske and Claire Curzan. All four have secured early success at this meet in their individual events and kept their momentum going for the relay. Seeded fourth going into finals with a 3:38.56, the Americans were up against several world champions entered in the field.
Armstrong led with a backstroke split of 52.14, giving the team a one-tenth lead. Fink kept the momentum, splitting his breaststroke with a 57.8. Huske kept the stretching that lead by over a second, holding on with her butterfly split of 56.17. Curzan anchored with a closing freestyle split of 52.62, giving the final time of 3:38.79 and touching for gold for the USA.
“I’m was super grateful for the lead,” said Curzan. “The 100 free is a touch race but hearing the crowd and feeling the energy carried me home.”
In predictable-yet-spectacular fashion, the men in the 800m freestyle got "Finke'd" again, with Bobby Finke closing them out with a 25.9 on the last 50 meters to grab gold. The 25-year-old relied on his unparalleled closing speed to overcome the field from lane seven where his views were limited. His new American Record of 7:39.36 is a big drop from his own previous American record of 7:41.87.
“I was just thinking in my head it is just a 50 left. It is only like 26 seconds of pain and if I can pull off a win it is worth it. I’ll settle through the pain,” said Finke. “My strategy going into the race was just to try and actually be in front for the last 50 and then just really pound the last 50 but things changed when Romanchuk started pulling away.”
This is Finke’s first career world title, and the seventh fastest time in history. “This one means a lot,” he said. “This whole past year has been pretty stressful. Just coming off of Tokyo and high expectations for myself, this one means a little bit more.”
In the men’s 200m butterfly, Luca Urlando , the 20-year-old Californian who swims for University of Georgia swam in lane two fighting for a podium spot. He was seeded second going into finals but finished fifth in a very fast heat, including a world record from Krisof Milak (1:50.34). Urlando’s 1:54.92, was just four tenths of his semifinals swim.
In the men’s 50m breaststroke, the Americans proved their sprinting prowess with Nic Fink and Michael Andrew winning gold and bronze, respectively. Fink’s 26.45 is an American Record for the breaststroker who turns 29 next week and is swimming better than ever.
"It felt surprisingly good. I didn’t think it was going to feel good, especially going day four, swim number whatever so I was happy that I kind of found my stroke a little bit. The first prelims and semis I think I rushed it a little bit so it was nice to breaststroke on the last one and I knew it was going to be close so I just tried to get hand on the wall as fast as I could.”
Both Fink and Andrew were quick of the blocks (.66 and .64 reaction times), with Fink gaining an early edge and maintaining it the entire 50. This is Andrew’s second bronze for an individual event this week and his 26.72 is an improvement from his semi-final swim.
“It’s always an honor to share podium with a fellow American and teammate,” said Andrew. “It’d be nice if I was a little higher (second). I’ve got two medals at long course worlds, and now it gives me something to strive for — we’d like some shinier hardware.”
In tonight’s final event, the 4x100m mixed medley relay, the U.S. packed a power punch with their lineup of Hunter Armstrong, Nic Fink, Torri Huske and Claire Curzan. All four have secured early success at this meet in their individual events and kept their momentum going for the relay. Seeded fourth going into finals with a 3:38.56, the Americans were up against several world champions entered in the field.
Armstrong led with a backstroke split of 52.14, giving the team a one-tenth lead. Fink kept the momentum, splitting his breaststroke with a 57.8. Huske kept the stretching that lead by over a second, holding on with her butterfly split of 56.17. Curzan anchored with a closing freestyle split of 52.62, giving the final time of 3:38.79 and touching for gold for the USA.
“I’m was super grateful for the lead,” said Curzan. “The 100 free is a touch race but hearing the crowd and feeling the energy carried me home.”