Shocking: Pro Swim Series

Athlete Profiles and Interviews

Spotlight on Top Performers

As we approach the finals of the 2025 Pro Swim Series in Sacramento, some standout performances have already emerged, particularly from athletes like Leah Shackley and Michael Andrew. Shackley, a promising NC State freshman, has been making waves with her consistent performance, setting her sights on the upcoming long course season. Shackley’s enthusiasm for the long course season is palpable. “I’m really excited for June,” she said in an exclusive interview with Morningpicker, “and I can’t wait to see how my training pays off in the long course pool.” Her dedication and promising talents make her a key figure to watch in the upcoming finals.

Michael Andrew, on the other hand, has been one of the most consistent performers of this series. Andrew, who tied for first in the 50 freestyle and took second in the 100 breaststroke, is looking to build on his previous performances. Andrew’s training partner, Grant House, is another standout. House, with a best time of 2:00.92 in the 200 IM, showcased his potential, finishing 5th in the prelims of the 200 IM with a time of 2:01.88. “We’ve been working rigorously on our technique and stamina,” Andrew stated, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics in achieving peak performance.

Athlete Insights and Expectations

Aliz Kalmar, who recently represented her university in the NCAA Championships, shared her insights during a sit-down with Morningpicker. Kalmar expressed her satisfaction with her recent performance, noting that it feels like a fresh start in the long course season. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done well in long course, and I’m really happy to see the improvement,” she said. Kalmar is expected to push for a top finish in the 100 breaststroke, alongside Anastasya Gorbenko, who is no stranger to the podium having previously achieved a personal best of 1:06.14 in June 2023. Gorbenko’s current time of 1:09.10 in the 100 breaststroke is a testament to her resolve and preparation for the finals.

Analysis of Swimmers’ Strengths and Weaknesses

Justina Kozan, a USC standout, has been a consistent performer this season. Her 1:59.31 in the 200 freestyle is a solid indicator of her strength in long-distance events. However, her performance in the 400 IM, where she finished 4th, suggests a slight improvement in her mixed events could yield better results. Kozan’s strength in the 200 free is undeniable, but her consistency across all strokes needs some fine-tuning to maximize her potential in mixed events.

Grant House, another American swimmer, has shown significant promise in the 200 IM with a time of 2:01.88. While House is known for his powerful and efficient breaststroke, his time in the 200 IM suggests that his performance could be enhanced by refining his butterfly technique. House’s time in the prelims was impressive, placing him 5th, but his best time of 2:00.92 suggests that with a more focused approach in the fly leg, he could inch closer to the podium.

Morningpicker Exclusive Insights

Expert Analysis and Predictions

Morningpicker’s expert panel is closely monitoring the Pro Swim Series and has compiled a list of potential winners and dark horses for tonight’s finals. In the men’s 100 breaststroke, Michael Andrew is a strong contender, having set a new season-best time of 1:00.54. Fellow Australian competitors, including Maxime Grousset, also present stiff competition, particularly in the men’s 100 fly, where Grousset is the top seed. Other key observations include the 100 breaststroke, where Denis Petrashov from Louisville secured first place in the finals with a time of 1:00.42, just a shade off his best time of 59.46 from last December.

Implications of the Pro Swim Series

The implications of the Pro Swim Series extend beyond the immediate event outcomes and touch on broader themes in the swimming world. The series has not only set the stage for future competitions, including the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, but also has significant implications for athlete rankings and national team selections. Swimmers like Leah Shackley and Michael Andrew are leveraging this series to solidify their positions on the national stage. The series is also seen as a critical stepping stone for athletes like Grant House and Justina Kozan, who are using this platform to fine-tune their strategies for the long course season.

Takeaways and Lessons Learned

The 2025 Pro Swim Series in Sacramento has provided valuable lessons in strategy, training, and mental preparation. Swimmers like Leah Shackley and Michael Andrew have demonstrated the importance of sustained effort and mental resilience. The series has highlighted the critical role of consistency in mixed events, a lesson that Justina Kozan and Grant House are set to apply in the finals. Additionally, the importance of technical refinement, particularly in butterfly and backstroke, has been emphasized as key for the long course season. Morningpicker’s analysis suggests that swimmers who can balance their training to enhance individual strength while maintaining consistency in mixed events will likely excel in the long course season and beyond.

Live Recap and Analysis

Women’s 200 Freestyle Final Recap

Justina Kozan, who just a fortnight ago was competing at the NCAA Championships, brought her A-game to the 2025 Pro Swim Series in Sacramento. Kozan’s 1:59.31 in the finals of the 200 freestyle marked her as the clear victor, just off her personal best time of 1:58.10 from 2021. Fellow competitor Albane Cachot from France secured second place with a time of 1:59.61, shaving a significant amount of time off her previous best. The third spot was taken by Alexa McDevitt, who improved her lifetime best by almost a second with a time of 2:00.13. This performance signals her readiness for the long course season and highlights her potential as a rising star in the women’s freestyle events.

Men’s 200 Freestyle Final Recap

Brooks Curry emerged victorious in the men’s 200 freestyle, setting the second fastest time in the world this year at 1:46.74. Curry’s performance was a testament to his endurance and tactical race management, outpacing the field from the start. Fellow Australian competitor Maximillian Giuliani took the second spot with a time of 1:46.89, followed closely by Sam Short from Australia with a time of 1:47.18. These times not only set records for these athletes but also set a high bar for other participants in the same event.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke Final Recap

Aliz Kalmar, who came off a successful NCAA championship, secured her place among the top performers in the 100 breaststroke, achieving a new best time of 1:07.61. Her performance, which was a significant improvement over her previous best of 1:08.61, was a sign of her readiness for the long course season. Anastasya Gorbenko, who has a personal best of 1:06.14, achieved a time of 1:09.10, showcasing her resilience and consistency over the course of the Pro Swim Series. Her finish in third place highlighted the potential she holds for future competitions and the importance of maintaining a high level of performance across multiple events.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke Final Recap

In the men’s 100 breaststroke, it was a close contest, with Denis Petrashov from Louisville edging out Michael Andrew with a time of 1:00.42. Andrew, who finished second with a time of 1:00.54, set a new season-best time. The performance highlighted the competitive depth in the men’s breaststroke category, with Evgenii Somov from California finishing third with a time of 1:00.55. These times underscore the level of competition and the high standards of performance expected in the long course season.

Final Thoughts and Analysis

The 2025 Pro Swim Series in Sacramento has been a showcase of the highest level of competitive swimming, with athletes like Leah Shackley, Michael Andrew, and others demonstrating the hard work and dedication required to excel in the sport. The series has not only provided valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of these athletes but has also set the stage for the upcoming long course season. Morningpicker’s coverage will continue to follow the performances and analyze the trends that will shape the future of competitive swimming.