2014 Athen’s Bulldog Grand Slam: Ryan Lochte Cracks Top 10 In The World To Win 200 IM

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are set to face off in the 100 meter freestyle after a weekend of exciting racing. Phelps has won all of his races against Lochte this weekend, but it is still positive to see Lochte is recovering so well as we close in on the National Championships. That meet in early August serves as the national qualifying meets for several of the major international championship meets through 2015.

Day three features the 200 IM, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, and the remaining distance heats .The final heats of the women’s 800 freestyle and the men’s 1500 freestyle take place during tonight’s finals.

The men’s 200 IM should be exciting, with Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary, and Chase Kalisz seeded 1-2-3. The other thriller will be the women’s 100 freestyle, where Amanda Weir will have to fight to hold off a talented group of finalists.

ATHENS BULLDOG GRAND SLAM

• Thursday, July 10-Sunday, July 13
• Gabrielsen Natatorium, University of Georgia, Athens Georgia
• Thursday finals 4PM, Friday-Sunday Prelims 9AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
• Psych Sheets
• Meet Website
• Results available on Meet Mobile

Women’s 800 Freestyle – FINALS

North Baltimore’s Becca Mann, currently the 10th fastest 800 freestyler this year, won the women’s 800 freestyle with a time of 8:30.28. She ran away from the field, finishing 9 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Mann has already been named to the US Pan Pacific Championships team after winning the 10k at Open Water Nationals.

Mann’s NBAC teammate, Sierra Schmidt finished second at 8:39.28, followed by ABSC’s Amber McDermott at 8:40.59. Six swimmers total were able to break 9 minutes in today’s 800 freestyle.

Men’s 200 IM – FINALS

And you thought the Cleveland Cavaliers’ fans were excited to have Lebron back!? Ladies and Gentleman, Ryan Lochte is back!!! With the 10th fastest time in the TYR World Rankings, Ryan Lochte defended his top qualifying morning swim to win the men’s 200 IM with a time of 1:58.65. Lochte is the current FINA World Record holder in this event, and it could be a blow to the United States to not have him representing us through 2015. 1:58.65 at this point in the season is very exciting for not only US swimming fans, but fans all over the world. Personally, I would like to see times get pushed to a new level over the next few years, and the world needs all the talent they can get to make it happen.

Phelps’ young prodigy, Chase Kalisz, managed to finish second, sneaking under two minutes with the 18th fastest time in the world this year. He was under 2 minutes at the Santa Clara Grand Prix, but todays swim was a little faster than he was in Santa Clara. Tyler Clary finished third with a time of 2:01.32.

Will Raynor won the B-final of the men’s 200 IM with a time of 2:04.96.

Women’s 200 IM – FINALS

Melanie Margalis followed suit, defending her top qualifying morning swim to win the women’s 200 IM this evening. She took control of the race, winning easily with a time of 2:10.71. As if Lochte’s top 10 time wasn’t impressive enough, she decided to one-up him, swimming the ninth fastest time in the world this year. There is a large group of swimmers all sitting at 2:10 in the TYR World Rankings. Alicia Coutts has the top time at 2:08.89, but the third fastest time is only 2:10.21. The third fastest through 10th fastest are all between 2:10.21 and 2:10.92

Second place went to SwimMAC’s Kathleen Baker, with her time of 2:14.20. ABSC’s Emily Cameron finished third at 2:16.00, and her teammate, Shannon Vreeland was fourth at 2:16.16.

Heidi Miller won the B-final of the women’s 200 IM with a time of 2:16.99.

 Women’s 200 Backstroke – FINALS

Dynoamo’s Kylie Stewart won the women’s 200 backstroke with a time of 2:11.25. She touched out Jordan Mattern, who touched second with a 2:11.42. ABSC’s Amber McDermott added another third place finish after finishing third in the women’s 800 freestyle. Emma Saunders and McKenna DeBever were 4th and 5th and both under 2:20’s.

Cammile Adams won the B-final of the women’s 200 backstroke with a time of 2:16.77.

Men’s 200 Backstroke – FINALS

The defending Olympic champion, Tyler Clary, swims away with the win again in the 200 meter backstroke. He was just shy of breaking two mintues, touching the wall at 2:00.92. NBAC’s Drew Cosgarea finished second at 2:02.07, and Jay Litherland finished third with a time of 2:02.59.

Chase Kalisz won the B-final of the men’s 200 backstroke with a time of 2:02.33.

Women’s 100 Freestyle – FINALS

Step aside for Allison Schmitt!! She hammered out a 54.64 for the win, touching out Megan Romano. Romano finished second with a time of 54.93. Amanda Weir, the top seed coming into the meet with a 55.17. She was the top seed coming into tonight’s finals. Shannon Vreeland finished fourth at 55.23.

Katie Meili won the B-final of the women’s 100 freestyle with a time of 56.22.

 Men’s 100 Freestyle – FINALS

Yannick Agnel got his hand on the wall for the win in the men’s 100 freestyle.  Michael Phelps finished second, edging out his national rivals, Ryan Lochte and Conor Dwyer. Agnel touched at 49.37, followed by Phelps (49.42), Dwyer (49.54), and Lochte (49.64).

Dax Hill won the B-final of the men’s 100 freestyle with his time of 50.13.

Men’s 1500 Meter Freestyle – FINALS

Club Wolverine’s Michael Klueh won the final event of the meet, winning the 1500 freestyle with a time of 15:36.26. He was way out ahead of the rest of the field, winning by close to 30 seconds. Garrett Powell from ABSC finished second at 16:02.85. Brennan Day finished third with a time of 16:02.58.