Katie Ledecky (courtesy of rafael domeyko)
Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky  are a formidable duo, towering swim stars, making Team USA’s 800m freestyle relay deadly.
Franklin’s 200 free at the London Olympic Games was still in development and didn’t fully flower until 2013 FINA World Championships in Rome, resulting in gold with a 1:54.81.
Ledecky’s 200 free didn’t come online until the 2013 FINA World Championship 800m free relay, which she leadoff in a personal best time of 1:56.32.
This year’s 200 free matchup is developing dramatically. Franklin’s transitioning off of her college season, one where she focused exclusively on freestyle adding the 500 to her schedule. Ledecky’s breaking world records in-season (8:11 in the 800m free and 15:34.23 in the 1500m, in-season, unshaven) and she swam a lifetime best in her 200m free, 1:55.79.
Franklin & Ledecky (courtesy of Tim Binning)
How will the women’s 200 freestyle shakeout at US Nationals in Irvine or Pan Pacific Championships in Australia?
Prediction – Women’s 200 Free
I don’t know. This is a tough one.
Allison Schmitt’s the 2012 Olympic Champion, and she’s training with Bob Bowman which makes her dangerous, but she’s not my pick.
And Ledecky? It’s stupid to bet against her the way she’s swimming…but I am.
Allison Schmitt – 2014 Arena Grand Prix at Mesa (courtesy of Mike Lewis, olavistaphotography.com)
My pick: Franklin. She tops the field this summer with a 1:54.87.
Who is your pick this summer in the women’s 200 free?Â
Follow Missy Franklin on Twitter here.
Follow Katie Ledecky on Twitter here.
Follow Allison Schmitt on Twitter here.
This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com.
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15519 winning time
1st – Franklin
2nd – Ledecky
(Franklin just touching Ledecky out)
This will be a great race. I have a hard time picking against Ledecky, who may be the best female athlete on the planet right now. Should be exciting.
Ledecky at Nationals, Franklin at Pan Pacs. Schmitt could easily be spoiler for either.
Is there going to be a pick-em-contest this year?
Swam – planning on it!
I’m with Mel. Missy for the win with ledecky and Schmidt behind. Not sure what order though… can’t wait for this race!! It’s gonna be insane.
seriously mel, love the videos.
1. Missy
2. Katie
3. Shmidty
I wonder how rested they’ll all be for Nats. I think this Nationals is almost like US Olympic Trials. You have to go all-in b/c you’re racing for spots on the 2014 Pan Pac Team and the 2015 Worlds Team.
Rightly mentioned Mel ! These are paticular Naitonals with so much in the balance for many top level swimmers . Usa will be powerfull anyway in Pan Pacs and worlds ! very exciting
But Mel; can’t they coast at Nationals once they’ve made the Pan Pac team on one event, and save there best for Pan Pacs?
Very true. You don’t have to win to fill your schedule. Franklin / Ledecky / Allison are seasoned. They could turn in swims that are just enough with sights set on Pan Pacs and Worlds next year.
I think Ledecky is an exception. I Really don’t think she has to “go all-in” for Nationals to make those teams. 😉
Yes. Even with 10 miles of training in the morning, she would easily qualify for Pan Pacs.
LOL LOL I think you are correct!
Franklin- 1:55.10
Ledecky-1:55.25
Schmidt- 1:55.40
Ledecky leads off the 4×200 and swims the fastest 200 of the meet at pan pacs in 1:54.60.