“I’m happy I set the world record. I felt like I got out fast,” said Long. “I’m a little upset at the backstroke time so I’ll improve on that. I’m 10 seconds ahead of my nearest competitor. I know all the competitors are great swimmers and will drop time tonight, so I’m going to need to swim hard. I can’t wait to race tonight.”
The U.S. women’s team also holds the top two spots in the 400m freestyle (S7.) Cortney Jordan (Henderson, Nev.) finished in first place with a time of 5:31.27, while teammate Erin Popovich (Fort Collins, Colo./Silverbow, Mont.) is ranked second (5:34.18.)
Lantz Lamback (Colorado Springs, Colo./Augusta, Ga.), who is coming off a world-record, gold medal swim (1:12.09) in the men’s 100m backstroke (S7), will be chasing a third medal in the men’s 400m freestyle (S7) tonight.
13 U.S. athletes advance to tonight’s finals, including:
- 17:00 Men’s 400m Freestyle (S7) – Lantz Lamback (Colorado Springs, Colo./Augusta, Ga.) – 5:05.65 (2)
- 17:00 Men’s 400m Freestyle (S7) – Alex Dionne (Mequon, Wis.) – 5:14.97 (5)
- 17:09 Women’s 400m Freestyle (S7) – Cortney Jordan (Henderson, Nev.) – 5:31.27 (1)
- 17:09 Women’s 400m Freestyle (S7) – Erin Popovich (Fort Collins, Colo./Silverbow, Mont.) – 5:34.18 (2)
- 17:24 Men’s 200m IM (SM5) – Roy Perkins (Del Mar, Calif.) – 3:30.69 (5)
- 17:55 Women’s 200m IM (SM8) – Jessica Long (Baltimore, Md.) – 2:42.56 (1, WR)
- 17:55 Women’s 200m IM (SM8) – Amanda Everlove (Colorado Springs, Colo.) – 2:52.93 (2)
- 18:19 Men’s 200m IM (SM9) – Michael Prout (West Springfield, Mass.) – 2:25.65 (5)
- 18:19 Men’s 200m IM (SM9) – Cody Bureau (Colorado Springs, Colo./Latrobe, Pa.) – 2:27.30 (6)
- 19:32 Women’s 200m IM (SM10) – Anna Eames (Golden Valley, Minn.) – 2:43.21
- 19:32 Women’s 200m IM (SM10) –Susan Beth Scott (Colorado Springs, Colo.\Cape Girardeau, Mo.) – 2:45.39
- 18:49 Men’s 400m Freestyle (S11) – Philip Scholz (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) – 5:02.07 (5)
- 18:59 Men’s 400m Freestyle (S12) – Tucker Dupree (Raleigh, N.C.) – 4:24.95 (2) 19:55 Men’s 4x50m Freestyle relay (20 point) – Team USA (to be announced)
Popovich
“It was a really smooth race and it didn’t take a lot out of me, which gives me confidence going into the final tonight. I know it’s going to be tough going up against my teammate Cortney [Jordan] and of course the rest of the competition. Cortney is a really smart swimmer and I know she wants the win just as badly as I do. I’ve got a feeling tonight is going to be a very tough race.”
Jordan
“I had a lot of energy left when I finished. I feel really strong. I’m going to push harder in the middle 200 and just go as hard as I can.”
Julie O’Neill (Colorado Springs, Colo.), head coach, U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team
“In the 400m prelims, they tend to sit back a little more and just make sure they get in [to the finals.] Our swimmers are in a good position going into tonight.”
Gruen
“I’m not quite there yet [on my race performances], but I’m doing my best and that’s all you can ask for. I’m looking forward to the 100m breaststroke.”
Team USA Results
- MEN'S 400M FREESTYLE - S7
2nd - LAMBACK Lantz 5:05.65
5th - DIONNE Alex 5:14.97 - WOMEN'S 400M FREESTYLE - S7
1st - JORDAN Cortney 5:31.27
2nd - POPOVICH Erin 5:34.18
10th - GRUEN Deborah 6:05.90 - MEN'S 50M BREASTSTROKE - SB3
9th - DEMARCO Michael 1:03.26 - MEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY - SM5
5th - PERKINS Roy 3:30.69 - WOMEN'S 200M IND MEDLEY - SM8
1st - LONG Jessica 2:42.56 WR
2nd - EVERLOVE Amanda 2:52.93 - MEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY - SM9
5th - PROUT JR Michael 2:25.65
6th - BUREAU Cody 2:27.30
PERRY Jarrett DSQ - WOMEN'S 200M IND MEDLEY - SM10
4th - EAMES Anna 2:43.21
6th - SCOTT Susan Beth 2:45.39 - MEN'S 400M FREESTYLE - S11
5th - SCHOLZ Philip 5:02.07 - MEN'S 400M FREESTYLE - S12
2nd - DUPREE Tucker 4:24.95
PR = Paralympics Games Record
