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.

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Josh
9 years ago

BTW in Orlando today at Sectionals, Beisel went an 8:29 in the 800 free. That’s a 4 second drop from Santa Clara.

liquidassets
Reply to  Josh
9 years ago

This is her best in-season summer ever, I think. Psyched to see how fast she can get and maybe challenge the 4IM WR this summer.

TheTroubleWithX
9 years ago

Anyone want to try predicting the top 8 for the men’s 100 free at Nationals? It’s going to be interesting.

Rafael
9 years ago

Probably Locthe won´t quali for 100 free based on these times… maybe he will quali only on 200 IM… maybe..

TheTroubleWithX
Reply to  Rafael
9 years ago

No, he won’t swim it individually, but he could finish high enough at Nationals to technically “earn” a relay a spot at Pan Pacs or (more likely) World Championships next year.

beachmouse
9 years ago

So as they say in running, a quality swimmer in Kleuh would have been ‘chicked’ by Katie Ledecky.

Josh
Reply to  beachmouse
9 years ago

How’s this for getting chicked? Sarah Sjostrom’s WR in the 50 fly would currently be the 2nd fastest time in the world in the MENS 50 back, and only five-hundredths off of the #1 time.

Justin Thompson
9 years ago

So after watching the Grand Prix’s/Bulldog Grand Slam here’s what I think Phelps will swim at nationals:

Day 1
100M Free

Day 2
200 Free

Day 3
100 Fly

Day 4
100 Back

Day 5
200 IM

I don’t think he’ll swim this same lineup at Pan Pacs, but given how the events are laid out at Nationals I could see him swimming one event per day to see where he’s at and then based on his performance at Nationals he’ll narrow the events down from 5 individual to 3 individual and 3 relays assuming it all works out for him.

I do think the 200m free will be off the table at Pan Pacs,… Read more »

Sven
Reply to  Justin Thompson
9 years ago

Nah, I think Phelps has bored himself of those events. My predictions are 1500, 100 and 200 breast, and 400 free.

We Love Phelps
Reply to  Sven
9 years ago

no no no…. just lemme swim those events (1500/400 fr/100&200brst+50fr&50fly) for the Greatest of All Time in his honor. 😀 who wanna join me?
Let the man has a good rest & get ready for Nats.
Phelps did a great job in Athens and i’m sure all his fans/phans were proud of him.
yes, i’m so proud of him…as always!
love you MP.

Mike McCormack
Reply to  We Love Phelps
9 years ago

Phelps is only the greatest athlete of all time, with the possible exception of Secretariat. Does a horse count in the ‘greatest athlete’ derby? I think Phelps should can the 200 I.M. and, as suggested elsewhere here, stick to sprints. He never has done that, so we likely will see an entirely new side of him if he does go all 100 meter events plus, possibly, the 200 free. I’ve always wanted him to enter an Olympic backstroke event. If it hadn’t been for Peirsol and Lochte, and the NBAC team’s understanding that Phelps wasn’t certain to be able to beat both, I’m sure he would have had backstroke on his schedule. I know Phelps, in his heyday (Beijing-time), could… Read more »

liquidassets
Reply to  Sven
9 years ago

Phelps went 1:02 for the 100 breast in-season. Had he ever had the luxury to train breast full-time, I bet he could have been under a minute back in his hey-day.

Justin Thompson
9 years ago

Phelps has to be disappointed with the 100m Free time. I’m guessing he was expecting a 48 mid, but maybe not having someone with Adrians front half speed next to him hurt him going out? Will be interesting to see what he has to say if they do a post race interview. All in all I’m sure Lochte and Phelps are probably happy with the weekend.

9 years ago

NBAC finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in the mens’ 100m free.

Allion Schmitt of NBAC won the 100m free with Megan Romano coming in 2nd

Lazy observer
9 years ago

Bummer. No one under :49 on 100 free.

Kevin T
Reply to  Lazy observer
9 years ago

Yeah, I am highly disappointed in those 100 free times.

liquidassets
Reply to  Lazy observer
9 years ago

Yeah but end of a 3 day meet during heavy training without rest or taper– I’m not worried about any of them.

About Tony Carroll

Tony Carroll

The writer formerly known as "Troy Gennaro", better known as Tony Carroll, has been working with SwimSwam since April of 2013. Tony grew up in northern Indiana and started swimming in 2003 when his dad forced him to join the local swim team. Reluctantly, he joined on the condition that …

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