Ledecky, Baker capture titles

IRVINE » Katie Ledecky led all the way to win the 200-meter freestyle at the U. S. national championships on Thursday night, earning a second individual event to swim in Japan next month.

Ledecky touched first in 1 minute, 55.82 seconds, second-fastest in theworld this year behind her top time of 1:54.66 she swam in June. The Stanford student qualified to swim the event at the Pan Pacific championships, as well as the 800 free after winning it onWednesday.

Cal’s Kathleen Baker earned her second consecutive national championship in the 200-meter backstroke, tying for the top spot with Regan Smith with a time of 2:06.43 to earn a berth at the Pan Pacific championships.

Missy Franklin didn’t make the final in either of her events and as a result will miss the Pan Pacific championships and the 2019 world championships.

Andrew Seliskar surprised a field including five Olympians to win the men’s 200 free in 1:45.70, third- quickest in the world this year.

Micah Sumrall, who took time off after failing to make the 2016 Olympic team, won the 200 breaststroke by 1.26 seconds. Sumrall, who used to swim under her maiden name of Lawrence, touched in 2:22.06, fourth-best in the world this year. Lilly King, the Olympic 100 breast champion, was fifth.

The men’s 200 breast winner was 2016 Olympic silvermedalist Josh Prenot in 2:07.28, theworld’s fastest time this year.