Runge, Clifton off to fast starts at national championships
June 27, 2017 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Cierra Runge claims fourth-place finish in 800 freestyle
MADISON, Wis. — What could be a big week for Wisconsin's Cierra Runge got off to a strong start Tuesday.
The sophomore held serve in the first of her four races at the 2017 USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, taking fourth place in the 800-meter freestyle with a time of 8 minutes, 28.64 seconds.
World record holder and defending Olympic champion Katie Ledecky won the race in 8:11.50.
For Runge, who entered the race as the No. 4 seed, the race was the opening act for a schedule that also includes the 200 freestyle on Wednesday and 400 freestyle on Friday. She holds the No. 3 seed in both events. Runge also will race the 1500 free on Saturday.
Senior Cannon Clifton led the way for the Badgers men, taking seventh place in the B Final of the 100 free in a personal-best 49.49 seconds to place 15th overall.
The four-day meet, which serves as the selection event for the U.S. national teams for the upcoming FINA World Championships and World University Games, continues Wednesday with prelims at 8 a.m. (CT) and the finals session set for 5 p.m.
Wisconsin Results – Tuesday
Women's 100 Freestyle
18-p. Marissa Berg (55.75)
29-p. Abby Jagdfeld (56.08)
39-p. Emmy Sehmann (56.31)
59-p. Beata Nelson (56.80)
Women's 800 Freestyle
4. Cierra Runge (8:28.64)
Women's 200 Butterfly
54-p. Megan Doty (2:18.60)
Men's 100 Freestyle
15. Cannon Clifton (49.49)
20-p. Michael Weiss (49.64)
23-p. Brett Pinfold (49.68)
("p" denotes preliminary round placing)
Players Mentioned
