Ledecky Heading to Rio, Wins 400 Free at US Olympic Trials

Katie Ledecky earned her spot for the Rio Olympics, winning the 400-meter freestyle at the U.S. swimming trials Monday night.

The only thing that didn't go her way was another world record.

Ledecky set a blistering pace over the first half of the race, putting her more than 2 seconds ahead of the pace from her record-setting performance at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships in Australia.

But Ledecky tired a bit over the final 200, another world mark slipping away when she touched in 3 minutes, 58.98 seconds. Leah Smith pushed the 19-year-old winner all the way, also claiming an Olympic berth by finishing at 4:00.65.

The crowd of more than 14,000 groaned a bit when the saw Ledecky's time, but it was still the third-fastest in history.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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