Sjostrom dominates at International Swimming League finale

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sarah Sjostrom earned season MVP honors and her Energy Standard team won the grand finale of the International Swimming League on Saturday.

The Swedish swimmer received $50,000 in edging out American star Caeleb Dressel by 3 1/2 points. He was named MVP of the two-day grand finale in Las Vegas, a prize worth $10,000 in the league that features men and women competing equally.

Sjostrom totaled 243.5 points to 240 for Dressel, who swam for Cali Condors. Aussie Emma McKeon of London Roar was third at 192.

Sjostrom and her Europe-based team comprised of 14 men and 14 women split $100,000. They celebrated by chanting “Energy! Energy!” before jumping into the 25-meter temporary pool inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Strip.

Energy Standard rallied to win after London Roar led for most of the final day. Energy Standard totaled 453.5 points to 444 for London Roar. Cali Condors took third at 415.5, followed by LA Current at 318.

It all came down to the final two races: the women’s and men’s 50-meter freestyle skins. Four of the eight swimmers in the finals were eliminated after the first race. Two more were cut after the second race, leaving Sjostrom and Aussie Cate Campbell of London Roar to duel it out.

Sjostrom led all the way and finished first in 24.32 seconds. Campbell touched in 25.63. Sjostrom’s victory was worth triple points, leaving them trailing London Roar by 15 1/2 points going into the men’s skins.

The men’s 50 free pitted Dressel against Frenchman Florent Manaudou of Energy Standard. Dressel won easily in 21.46 to 23.83 for Manaudou.

A larger crowd was on hand in the 3,800-capacity arena than for Friday’s session.