Sandpipers Teammates Claire Weinstein and Katie Grimes Go 1-2 in 800 Freestyle at TYR Pro Series
The USA Swimming TYR Pro Series stop in Westmont, Illinois got underway on Wednesday with teammates Claire Weinstein and Katie Grimes dueling in the 800-meter freestyle. Training partners with the Sandpipers of Nevada, Weinstein and Grimes comfortably turned in a one-two finish while looking strong during the early stages of this Olympic year.
Weinstein claimed victory in 8:23.73, thanks to a negative split combination of 4:14.02-4:09.71. Trailing Grimes for more than half the race, Weinstein picked up the pace during the back half and ultimately prevailed by a little more than a second. She closed with a 1:00.93 split over the final 100 meters.
Already qualified for the Olympics in Paris in the 10K open-water event, Grimes touched for second place in 8:24.84. She was followed in third by veteran Paige Madden, who posted a time of 8:31.70.
On the men’s side, The Swim Team (TST) training partners David Johnston and Michael Brinegar produced their own one-two finish. Johnston narrowly edged Brinegar, 7:57.00 to 7:57.11, with third place going to Luke Whitlock in 7:58.20.
Brinegar made a charge down the last length, which he covered in 27.29, but came up just shy of Johnston at the wall. Johnston closed in 27.89.
Action will pick up in Westmont on Thursday with a full slate of events. Women’s and men’s competition will take place in the 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly and 400 individual medley.
