2016 Canadian Olympic Trials: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap

2016 CANADIAN OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRIALS

After a sizzling opening night of action at the Canadian Olympic Trials, we are set for day two prelims this morning. This mornings action includes the men’s 200 fly, the women and men’s 100 back, and the women’s 400 IM. After two Canadian record performances on the women’s side last night, the events today will once again highlight the strength of this women’s team. The 100 back is loaded, featuring seven women seeded under 1:01, while the 400 IM features last years World Championship bronze medalist Emily Overholt. After the men went 0 for 3 last night in making the Olympic qualifying standard, they’ll have a good chance of getting a couple men on the team tonight. Both Zack Chetrat in the 200 fly and Russell Wood in the 100 back are seeded under the FINA-A standard.

Men’s 200m Butterfly Prelims

  1. Nicolaas Dekker, 1:59.35
  2. Coleman Allen, 1:59.39
  3. Mack Darragh, 2:00.56
  4. Colin Gilbert, 2:01.20
  5. Evan White, 2:01.25
  6. Zack Chetrat, 2:01.84
  7. Ivan Cocunubo, 2:02.36
  8. Ryan Kelly, 2:02.68
  9. Connor Wilkins, 2:02.90
  10. Montana Champagne, 2:03.07

Nicolaas Dekker is the surprise top seed for tonight in the men’s 200 fly after posting a time of 1:59.35 this morning. Dekker chopped over a second a half off his previous best time to claim 1st this morning. 2nd went to Coleman Allen in 1:59.39, which is also a best time. Dekker and Allen both broke two minutes for the first time this morning, and they were the only two to do so. Mack Darragh will be seeded 3rd for tonight after going 2:00.56 this morning. Darragh boasts a best time of 1:58.52, so look for him to be under two minutes tonight.

The man with the best shot at getting under the FINA-A standard of 1:56.97 didn’t have the best swim this morning, as top seed Zack Chetrat was just 6th in 2:01.84, well off his best time of 1:56.90. Chetrat will need to be much better tonight in order to make the Olympic team.

This event was loaded with international swimmers. 2015 World Championship bronze medalist Jan Switkowski led the way posting a time of 1:57.01 this morning. He was followed by Mick Litherland (1:58.06), Michael Klueh (1:58.55), and Michael Flach (2:00.55). Those four will contest the B-final tonight. Among the international swimmers not moving onto the B-final was American Tom Shields, who was the 6th best non-Canadian in 2:01.09. Only the top-4 foreigners can swim in the B-final.

Women’s 100m Backstroke Prelims

  1. Kylie Masse, 59.17 NR
  2. Dominique Bouchard, 1:00.43
  3. Alexia Zevnik, 1:00.98
  4. Mackenzie Glover, 1:01.18*
  5. Danielle Hanus, 1:01.18*
  6. Hilary Caldwell, 1:01.27
  7. Brooklyn Snodgrass, 1:01.50
  8. Samantha Corea, 1:01.88
  9. Marie-Pier Couillard, 1:02.18
  10. Ingrid Wilm, 1:02.34

Kylie Masse of WEST came in and dominated the women’s 100 back prelims, touching in a new Canadian record of 59.17. The previous record belonged to Sinead Russell at 59.68 set at the 2011 World Championships. The swim also moves Masse up from 11th to 5th in the world since the 2015 World Championships.

Second went to Dominique Bouchard in 1:00.43, and third was Alexia Zevnik in 1:00.98. 200 back specialist Hilary Caldwell was 6th in 1:01.27, and former 50 back national record holder Brooklyn Snodgrass was 7th in 1:01.50. Masse looks like a lock right now, and it will be up to the other women to battle it out for the 2nd spot and try to get under the qualifying standard of 1:00.25.

A surprise this morning was Taylor Ruck, 4th place at the 2015 trials but just 17th this morning in 1:02.85.

2015-2016 LCM Women 100 BACK

EmilyAUS
SEEBOHM
11/03
58.34
2Katinka
HOSSZU
HUN58.4508/08
3Mie
NIELSEN
DEN58.7305/19
4Kathleen
BAKER
USA58.7508/08
5Kylie
MASSE
CAN58.7608/08
View Top 26»

Men’s 100m Backstroke Prelims

  1. Russell Wood, 54.87
  2. Javier Acevedo, 55.14
  3. Jeremie Dezwirek, 55.28
  4. Rob Hill, 55.57
  5. Markus Thormeyer, 55.75
  6. Yuri Kisil, 55.98
  7. Adam Best, 56.15
  8. Noah Choboter, 56.24
  9. Joe Byram, 56.55
  10. Bradley Crocker, 56.78

Russell Wood defended his top seed in the 100 back, coming in at 54.87 for 1st place. Wood will need to get down under the qualifying standard of 54.36 tonight if he hopes to qualify in this event. His best times is 53.96. 2nd went to Javier Acevedo in 55.14, taking a tenth off his personal best time. They were followed by Jeremie Dezwirek (55.28), Rob Hill (55.57), and Markus Thormeyer (55.75). It will be interesting to see what tonight brings. Wood looks good for the win, but can he get under the 54.36 qualifying standard? Acevedo is definitely a racer, and could very well dip into the 54s tonight, as could Thormeyer who already won the 200 free at this meet.

Ryan Murphy led the way on the international side, clocking 53.66. He was followed by Cal teammate Jacob Pebley (54.08), Corey Maine (54.27), and Dylan Carter (54.94). All four will swim in the B-final tonight.

Women’s 400m IM Prelims

  1. Sydney Pickrem, 4:46.86
  2. Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson, 4:47.40
  3. Emily Overholt, 4:48.33
  4. Marni Oldershaw, 4:49.73
  5. Sarah Darcel, 4:50.10
  6. Bailey Andison, 4:51.03
  7. Katie Mann, 4:51.16
  8. Tessa Cieplucha, 4:51.17
  9. Breanne Siwicki, 4:52.94
  10. Mary-Sophie Harvey, 4:53.73

Sydney Pickrem from Island Swimming took the top seed in the women’s 400 IM in 4:46.86, just ahead of Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson of the GO Kingfish who was 2nd in 4:47.40. Pickrem won this event at the 2015 trials in 4:39.26, and then lowered her best time again at Pan Ams going 4:38.03 for silver. Top seeded Emily Overholt seemingly cruised the prelims, placing 3rd in 4:48.33. Expect her to be much closer to her personal best of 4:32.52 tonight. The Olympic qualifying standard of 4:43.46 is well within reach of all of the top-3 women, as they have all been well under 4:40. Marni Oldershaw took the 5th seed in 4:49.73, and Sarah Darcel was 5th in 4:50.10.

American Elizabeth Beisel put up a very impressive time of 4:35.82 this morning, setting her up well for the consolation final tonight.

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The Grand Inquisitor
8 years ago

“American Elizabeth Beisel put up a very impressive time of 4:35.82 this morning, setting her up well for the consolation final tonight.”

Interesting contrast in approach…the US swimmer attacks her morning swim in a near all-out effort in order to simulate what she will be facing in the US trials and the Olympic Games. The top Canadian swimmers basically sleep-walk through the prelims presumably to save themselves for the final.

Njones
Reply to  The Grand Inquisitor
8 years ago

This is in season training meet for Biesal. Waste of her training time to not go full out on every swim. Nothing on the line for her. Completely different for Canadian girls. They have to use everything in their tool box to prepare to race for the standard and top 2 in finals. If that means saving energy in prelims to help be ready for a very competitive final with 3 or more vying for 2 spots then that’s what they have to do! I doubt every single high end American swimmer will be at 100% effort in the morning of their trials if they don’t have to be. ..Ledecky aside ????

The Grand Inquisitor
Reply to  Njones
8 years ago

Not saying the approach taken by the Canadian swimmers is bad. It’s perfectly logical within the parameters of what they need to accomplish. I understand that there is no reason to go harder than necessary in prelims if the clear goal is to make the final and qualify for Rio.

But I do wonder why Canada allows 10 to advance to finals. This allows their top swimmers to swim even more absurdly slow in prelims, especially considering it will require a 4:36 in prelims to make the Olympic final. It seems like a qualification effort which somewhat more closely reflects the demands of the target competition might be useful.

In contrast, you see Beisel’s effort already anticipating the US trials… Read more »

Njones
Reply to  The Grand Inquisitor
8 years ago

Certainly they (Can) swimmers canNOT have this approach at the Olympics. Phelps/Lochte and handful of others only ones with the talent to ease off the pedal in some morning swims. I give them a free pass to do what it takes to qualify, but certainly in spring prep meets they will have to replicate racing/competition environment in Rio as much as possible including swimming all out morning efforts.

carlo
8 years ago

I agree but she should also drop the 200 backstroke and concentrate on the 100 and 200 freestyles. The 200 back will kill her legs. I say she should drop the 50 and 800 free as well as the 200 back and swim the 100 and 200 frees.

Captain Ontario
Reply to  carlo
8 years ago

Isn’t 200 back on the last day? Why save your legs? That’s why I think she needs to stop the 800 and 50 so she has legs on Sunday.

Captain Ontario
8 years ago

Ruck can still salvage this meet just by dropping the 800 and 50.

thomaslurzfan
8 years ago

Crazy time from Masse, very good news for canadian medley relay, they need sub 1:07 in womens 100 breast.
Last year Ruck looked like the most promising talent, but it looks as if Oleksiak overtook her. Maybe Ruck focused more on freestyle. Canadian trials are really perfect for swimming fast times, just like french trials. No semifinals, top athletes dont have to swim at their best to reach the final, only 3 or 4 events every day. I think at the japanese trials for example its much more difficult to swim fast times, so lets see if canadian athletes will be able to repeat those times in Rio.

carlo
8 years ago

Nooo I was expecting Taylor ruck to battle for a spot here but great NR by Kylie masse. If she can go faster in the finals and if they can get a 1:06 breaststroker then their medley relay team will be in play.

I think Taylor ruck,s schedule is too much. She,s swimming 50-800 free, 100 and 200 backstroke I think.

OntarioSwimming
Reply to  carlo
8 years ago

I agree with you re: Ruck’s schedule.
Whoever advised her to swim that kind of schedule for Olympics trials must hang their head in shame.
I understand there’s no semis, but really??

Rafael
8 years ago

What was Masse previous PB?

jon
Reply to  Rafael
8 years ago

59.91 i believe which she did at this years CIAUs

nick
8 years ago

Prelims?!?! This is a joke considering swim Canada sends us a dead link to CBC for live stream. We are in Canada and can’t even support our own team…

Disappointed
8 years ago

What a joke and incredibly disappointing, no live webcast for prelims….not even in Canada

ingrid ferris
Reply to  Disappointed
8 years ago

That’s what happens when the CBC gets involved. There were wall to wall live feeds from CIS.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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