2016 U.S. Olympic Trials: Day Four Finals Preview

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

• Sunday June 26th-Sunday July 3rd, 2016
• Century Link Center – Omaha, Nebraska
• Friday-Sunday – Prelims – 11:00 am EDT   Finals – 7:45 pm EDT
• SwimSwam Preview Links & Schedule
• NBC Televison Coverage Schedule
• Psych Sheets
• Live results

This morning’s prelims session held more drama than expected– Cammile Adams was disqualified after swimming the fastest 200 fly of the morning, only for the DQ to later be overturned. Then, in the 200 breast, Kevin Cordes stayed ahead of world record pace up to the 150 turn, where he touched right on record pace. He eased off toward the finish, but the crowd was deafening during his swim– it should only get louder tonight. Here are a few things to watch out for in tonight’s six races:

FINALS

• WOMEN’S 200 FREE
  • We already know that Katie Ledecky has serious speed this week, and she’s the big favorite to win tonight. Missy Franklin finished seventh in the 100 back final last night, though her freestyle looks stronger (if only marginally). While it’d be really surprising if Franklin misses the 4×200 relay altogether and touches out of the top six, Leah Smith has been on fire and looks a like a solid bet for another individual spot on the team. Allison Schmitt hasn’t been outstanding, either, and girls like Melanie Margalis and Simone Manuel are well within striking distance to knock off Schmitt and/or Franklin.
• MEN’S 200 FLY
  • At long last, it’s time for Michael Phelps to swim his first final in Omaha. He was not happy with his times in prelims or finals, but nobody has been that close. 2nd seed Jack Conger barely made it into this final, as he had the 200 free final right before the 200 fly semis, but the outside smoke should be very real out of lane one. Georgia boys Pace Clark and Chase Kalisz have looked strong, and 2014 U.S. Champ Tom Shields sits at third going into the final. Conger will be much faster, barring distaster, but there are guys right on his heels.
• WOMEN’S 200 IM
  • Maya Dirado and Melanie Margalis have impressed at this meet. Ella Eastin, after stellar performances at NCAAs in her freshman season with Stanford, was off in the 400 IM, but seems capable of a sub 2:10 swim that could get her a spot on the Olympic team. 2012 Olympian Caitlin Leverenz is through to the final, too, as well as NCAA rivals Bethany Galat (A&M) and Madisyn Cox (UT).

SEMIFINALS

• MEN’S 100 FREE
  • Nathan Adrian was the top seed as expected, with an impressive touch from Ryan Held three hundredths behind him at 48.46. That was Held’s first time under 49, and by a long shot. Caeleb Dressel shaved a few hundredths off of his best time, and Anthony Ervin looked really strong with a 48.76– these four are notably much faster than the top prelims swimmers in 2012– nobody was under 49 in the morning four years ago.
• WOMEN’S 200 FLY
  • Cammile Adams‘ DQ was overturned, and she looks far and away to be the favorite for the win in this event. Hali Flickinger and Kelsi Worrell were strong this morning, as was 16-year-old Cassidy Bayer, who nearly broke Mary T. Meagher‘s 100 fly 15-16 NAG record in the 100 fly semifinals the other night.
• MEN’S 200 BREAST
  • Kevin Cordes will be on World and American record watch tonight, with Will Licon, Nic Fink, and Josh Prenot chasing. 16-year-old Reece Whitley also qualified 7th this morning, and will try to make the final with a strong swim tonight.