It’s day 2 of the 2015 U.S. Nationals and we’re in for another exciting morning of fast swimming. Both the men and women will swim the 100 back and 200 free, with the men’s 200 fly closing the session.
First up for the women, some big names in the women’s 100 back will include Belinda Hocking, Olivia Smoliga, Clara Smiddy, and Courtney Bartholomew. The 200 free will feature Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt. Schmitt will look to rebound after a tough 400 free finish, but 17-year-old Katie Drabot and Team USA relay standout Megan Romano could be tough to beat.
The first event for the men, the 200 free, is headlined by 18-year-old Townley Haas. Behind him, there are several men that could move up to make the final. David Nolan, Jack Conger, Caeleb Dressel, and Zane Grothe come to mind. The 2012 Olympic silver medalist, Nick Thoman, comes in as the top seed in the 100 back. He’ll have to fend off Jacob Pebley, Eugene Godsoe, and international veteran Arkady Vyatchanin.
Finally, Michael Phelps will swim the 200 fly prelims as the 8th seed. He’ll have to take on Jack Conger, the American record holder in yards, in his heat. Andrew Seliskar, Clark Smith, and 2013 National Champion Tom Luchsinger will also look to make a splash here.
2015 U.S. NATIONALS
- Thursday, August 6 – Monday, August 10
- Northside Swim Center – San Antonio, Texas
- Prelims 9AM/Finals 6PM (Central Daylight Time)
- Full Coverage
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream Link
- Live Results
- Day 2 Prelims Heat Sheet
Women’s 100m Backstroke
One of the biggest surprises in this event came from a familiar face, but not one we’re used to seeing in the backstroke events. After winning the 100 fly last night, Kelsi Worrell scorched her previous best in the 100 back to make the championship final. She came to the meet with a 1:02.76, but raced to a 1:00.38 in prelims.
That was the fastest swim up to the circle seeds, until 17-year-old Claire Adams dropped a 1:00.08 to lead prelims. Georgia Davies posted a 1:00.11 in the last heat to take 2nd overall, while Ali Deloof came in just behind her at 1:00.35. That left Worrell 4th, still a finalist in an event we haven’t seen her do a lot of damage in.
Behind Worrell, Olivia Smoliga (1:00.43) and Hannah Stevens (1:00.65) took the 5th and 6th seeds. USA National Teamer Clara Smiddy tied with Danielle Galyer for 7th in 1:01.10.
Men’s 200m Freestyle
Texas Longhorn Jack Conger had a great swim in the men’s 200 free prelims, dropping 2 seconds to post a 1:47.62. He’s got the top time headed into finals, followed by Blake Pieroni (1:48.10) and Frank Dyer (1:48.64).
Some top junior talent will join them in the final. Maxime Rooney qualified 4th after dropping a second to clock a 1:48.68. Fresh off a bronze in the 400 free last night, Townley Haas grabbed 5th in 1:48.74.
Trevor Carroll (1:48.78), Michael Wynalda (1:48.79), and Tom Kremer (1:48.88) rounded out the top 8. Zane Grothe, last night’s 400 free champion, just missed the final. He was 0.01 behind Kremer to swim a 1:48.89 for 9th.
Men’s 100m Backstroke
With the only sub-54 of the morning, Junya Koga took top seed in the men’s 100 back with a 53.63. Nick Thoman will swim alongside him to challenge for the win tonight. Thoman was 2nd overall in 54.03.
Alabama’s Luke Kaliszak dropped 2.5 seconds to post a 54.32 for 3rd over international backstroke star Arkady Vyatchanin (54.34). Auburn’s Kyle Darmody raced to the wall behind them in 54.43 for 5th seed.
There was a tie for 6th place between Cal’s Jacob Pebley and Florida’s Jack Blyzinskyj. Both men hit the wall at 54.58. Georgia’s Taylor Dale dropped a half second to take the last spot in the final at 54.69.
Eugene Godsoe narrowly missed the final, 9th in 54.72. Michael Andrew will get a second swim after placing 14th in 55.34.
Women’s 200m Freestyle
The defending Olympic gold medalist in this event, Allison Schmitt, topped the prelims with a 1:58.12. Schmitt will look for redemption after last night’s 400 free final, but this has been a much stronger event for her lately.
Behind Schmitt, Georgia’s Hali Flickinger took 2nd seed in 1:58.54. She was the silver medalist in the 400 free. Sarah Henry (1:59.42), Katie Drabot (1:59.47), and Madisyn Cox (1:59.90) joined her under 2:00 to make the final.
It took a 2:00.51 to make the top 8. Haley Lips swam a best time to nearly swim sub-2:00 in 2:00.08. Hannah Cox, a finalist in the 400, swam to 7th in 2:00.43. Alexa Davis (2:00.51) grabbed the 8th spot.
Men’s 200m Butterfly
He’s back. If there was any doubt about it, Michael Phelps just threw some crazy shade on that doubt. Phelps swam a 1:55.15 to move into 10th in the world for 2015. That was just in prelims. He showed some great front half speed in his splits (54.85/1:00.30), leaving room to improve on the back half.
Phelps wasn’t the only swimmer to impress in prelims. Jack Conger went head-to-head with him in their heat, blazing to a 1:56.19 for 2nd seed. That was Conger’s 2nd race of the morning, going 2-for-2 in best times.
Conger’s teammate Clark Smith will come in as 4th seed with a 1:57.59. Pace Clark dropped over a second to earn himself the 3rd seed in between them at 1:57.39.
Team USA’s Andrew Seliskar (1:58.58) qualified 6th just behind Dakota Hodgson (1:58.38). Seliskar comes to this meet after representing the Americans at World University Games. He was also a finalist in the 400 I.M. last night.
Spain’s Carlos Peralta Gallego was 7th in 1:58.81. Another Texas swimmer rounded out the final, as John Martens was 8th in 1:58.82.
wpDiscuz
We’ll see some intense swims today, hopefully most by the youngsters.
It looks like Worrell can swim backstroke also… 1:00.38. Wow!
The times are in the sidebar again so that should make some folks happy. Stream coming across 720p this morning.
Mmm…the times haven’t been displayed for the past couple of races. Hopefully they can get that worked out.
whoa, new AR Adrian!!
I’d say everybody’s watching world’s and nobody’s paying attening