Margalis wins 200-meter individual medley at U.S. Championships

INDIANAPOLIS — Melanie Margalis was more interested in helping her friend than celebrating another victory.

After winning the women’s 200-meter individual medley title and claiming a spot on the American world championship team Saturday night, she reached over to the next lane, hugged Ella Eastin and mouthed some encouraging words.

In time, Margalis’ memorable actions may help ease the pain Eastin felt after missing out on the big swimming party next month in Budapest, Hungary. But on the final day of the U.S. National Championships, everyone seemed to leave with the same emotions.

“I’m a huge Ella fan my heart was broken the other night after seeing her disqualified,” Margalis told the crowd. “I just wanted her to know we were all rooting for her.”

The crowd responded with a loud ovation — a stark contrast from the resounding boos heard Thursday night when it was announced Eastin, the second-place finisher in the women’s 400 IM, had been disqualified.

Only winners of each event automatically qualify for the U.S. team.

Eastin rebounded Saturday with two strong legs to start before fading to third and finishing in 2 minutes, 10.89 seconds. Margalis won with a time of 2:09.57, Madisyn Cox was second in 2:09.69 and again, Eastin was out.

“I know she’s pretty disappointed,” said Abrahm DeVine, another Stanford swimmer who had something to prove Saturday.

Like Eastin, DeVine lost his first chance to qualify because of a ruling in the men’s 400 IM prelims. And like Eastin, he was disqualified for the same violation — swimming more than a quarter of the race on his back.

DeVIne redeemed himself in the pool by finishing second in 1:56.79, just behind Chase Kalisz at 1:56.51. Other swimmers had reasons to smile, too. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel won the women’s 50 freestyle in 24.27 seconds, the No. 3 time in the world this year. Abbey Weitzeil was second in 24.74.

Caeleb Dressel captured the men’s 50 title in 21.53. Dressel held off Nathan Adrian, another Olympic gold medalist, who touched at 21.87.