Ledecky wins 800m crown as US swim championships begin

Nine-time Olympic champion Ledecky, who has won 800 free gold at the past four Olympics and 1,500 free gold in the past two, is a 21-time long course world champion and captured her 31st US crown by taking the 800 in 8mins, 5.76secs. Claire Weinstein was a distant second in 8:19.67. The top two finishers in each event plus relay swimmers in the 100m and 200m freestyles will make the US team for the worlds in Singapore from July 11-August 3 provided they meet qualifying time standards up to a maximum of 26 men and women.