GUTTERTALK

BY ANDY ROSS | PHOTOS BY PETER H. BICK

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO?

KIERAN SMITH Univ. of Florida/ Ridgefield AC, Conn. (After 400 free, 1st, 3:44.86): It’s a pretty good feeling. I’m really excited with that swim, and I’m looking forward to improving upon that against the rest of the world. After this morning, I saw that the top eight was wide open, and I was not concerned about time tonight, and I wanted to make sure there weren’t two guys that could beat me.

TORRI HUSKE Arlington Aquatic Club, Virginia (After 100 fly, 1st, 55.66 American record): It was super exciting being next to (Claire Curzan) and (Kelsi Dahlia). I get so hyped up whenever I race (Curzan). I don’t even remember seeing her (during the race), but I know she has great underwaters. But the race was a blur. I think it’s so fun to race each other. I met (Claire) at a Select Camp and got to know her a little better in Budapest at Junior Worlds. I really admire her work, and I’m excited to go to Tokyo with her.

MICHAEL ANDREW Race Pace Club, Calif. (After 100 breast, 1st, 58.73/58.14sf American record): It’s still hard to believe it’s real. It’s been five years in the making, and I remember the walk down the stairs was really hard as a 17-year-old in 2016. To be able to come back and rectify that is a blessing and an honor. ANDREW WILSON Athens Bulldog, Georgia (After 100 breast, 2nd, 58.74): I’m so stoked right now. The experience last time in ’16 just taught me so much, and I knew that tonight was the swim that mattered. I know I wasn’t the fastest of the three in the last couple of days, but I just got it done when it mattered.

I’m still processing it all. It doesn’t feel real yet. I just told myself that my plan is to be done at this level after this summer. I told myself to try and swim the best 100 breast of my career, and if it was going to be the last one, it was going to be the last one. Now I have hopefully three more in Tokyo. I’ll celebrate it a little tonight by going to bed early because I have this 200 to prepare for.

SWIM MART

REACH LONG KICK STRONG

PAIGE MADDEN Univ. of Virginia (After 400 free, 2nd, 4:04.86): (This year) has been tremendous for me. (My teammates) were all crying. I was crying. I was in shock, and it was special to enjoy this with them.

REGAN SMITH Riptide, Minnesota (After 100 back, 1st, 58.35): There were a ton of emotions after that race, and there still are, honestly. I’m still trying to process everything, but it’s very special. That was a great race. I could have done some things a little bit better. I had a great semis (57.92). I wish I could have repeated that, but you know what?—it’s OK. I’m very happy with that race overall. Lots of relief, absolutely. I’m just very happy. It was very special. Now, going forward, I’m just excited to have some of the pressure off my back. v