Spring Grove swimmer Hali Flickinger wins US nationals, secures spot at worlds

Spring Grove graduate Hali Flickinger raced to yet another milestone Tuesday night, winning the 200-meter butterfly at the Phillips 66 USA Swimming National Championships at the IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI in Indianapolis.  

Flickinger led almost from from start to finish, taking the lead before hitting the wall for the opening 50 meters. The win secured Flickinger a spot with Team USA at the FINA World Championships, July 14-30, in Budapest, Hungary.

Flickinger placed seventh in the event at last summer's Rio Olympics, and it marks the first time she has qualified for a world championship team.  

Swimming out of lane four, and wearing her Georgia swim cap, Flickinger held the lead by .04 seconds through the first turn. She opened a larger lead, building a .88 advantage through 100 meters. Flickinger remained comfortably in front, stretching her lead to 1.39 seconds through 150 meters to win in 2 minutes, 7.60 seconds.

"Just trying to get faster," Flickinger told NBC Sports after the win. "There's still a lot left for me. We're just trying to get there, step by step."

The time put Flickinger in the world's top-10 rankings at No. 10 overall this year. 

Teenager Dakota Luther (2:08.71) and Sarah Gibson (2:08.75) rounded out the top three. 

Flickinger, 22, posted the fastest time in Tuesday's preliminary heats. She won her heat in 2:08.43, earning a spot in the fastest or A-final.  She was the oldest swimmer to reach the A-final, finishing just ahead of 17-year-old Luther (2:08.88). 

MORE SWIMMING: Flickinger's Olympics journey from Spring Grove to Rio

Flickinger and Luther were the only women in the morning heats to crack 2:09. And Flickinger was able to top the feat in the final. 

The former University of Georgia swimmer, who still trains in Athens, had set herself up for another demanding schedule at U.S. nationals. Capable of swimming multiple events at some of the biggest meets in the sport, Flickinger had choices entering the most important meet in the United States this year.

A versatile swimmer, Flickinger had qualified in five events. She also expected to swim the 200 backstroke and 200 freestyle at the meet, with both preliminary races in those events scheduled for Wednesday. 

Flickinger grew up in Spring Grove and competed for the Spring Grove Swim Club, starting at age 7. She moved to the York YMCA Aquatic Club at age 11, stepping up her training.

She qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials as a 17-year-old at Spring Grove High School. Recruited by some of the best programs in the country, Flickinger verbally committed to Texas before changing her mind. She signed her national letter of intent to swim for Georgia, helping the Bulldogs win three NCAA team titles. 

Other locals

Manchester's Leah Braswell raced in the 800 meter preliminaries, with the York YMCA swimmer posting a top-25 time (8:44.67).

Braswell is expected to swim in the 200 free (Wednesday preliminary), 400 individual medley (Thursday preliminary), 400 free (Friday preliminary), and 1,500 free (Saturday) at nationals. 

West York's Courtney Harnish posted the 38th-fastest time in the 200 fly. The University of Georgia commit was scratched from the 800 free preliminary, but she still should have a demanding meet.

The recent high school grad is expected to swim in five more events after the first day, including two preliminary races (200 free, 200 back) Wednesday.