2016 U.S Olympic Trials: Day Six Finals Live Recap

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
• Friday heat sheets
• Live results

Tonight will feature six open roster spots that will be decided here in Omaha at the 2016 U.S Olympic Trials.

The most anticipated event of the night will be the men’s 200m IM where Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will have their final 200m IM showdown on American soil. The two are set up to be way out in front of the field in one last rematch before they likely settle the rivalry once and for all in Rio.

While the Phelps-Lochte swim is drawing the most excitement, the women’s 200m breaststroke is set up to be an amazing race. Micah Lawrence and Lilly King are set up to battle things out in a quest for gold. This is Lawrence’s last chance to make the Olympic team.

The men’s 200m backstroke is jam-packed with talent as well. Tyler Clary, the reigning Olympic champion, is putting it all on the line tonight. If he wants to make the team, he’s likely going to have to beat either Ryan Murphy or Jacob Pebley.

Along with the finals are plenty of semifinal action that will determine tomorrow night’s finalists.

MEN’S 50m FREESTYLE SEMIFINAL

Top seed: Caeleb Dressel (21.76)
World record: 20.91 – Cesar Cielo
American record: 21.37 – Nathan Adrian
U.S Open record: 21.14 – Cesar Cielo
U.S Nationals record: 21.47 – Nathan Adrian/Garret Weber-Gale
JR World record: 22.00 – Yu Hexin (China)
2012 Winning Time: 21.59 – Cullen Jones

Anthony Ervin and Nathan Adrian were side-by-side for the men’s 50m freestyle and put on a show. Both were out like a rocket and put up very strong times. Ervin was a 21.55 at the touch, Adrian was a 21.60.

With those times, Ervin is now ranked fourth in the world this year and Adrian is ranked fifth.

Adrian looked as though he could have gone faster as well. In the last 5-meters, it appeared as though he shut off the gas, slowing his stroke rate dramatically as he approached the wall. If that holds to be true, Adrian’s American record could be in jeopardy come finals.

Cullen Jones won the second semifinal in 21.93 to take the third seed overall. He was the only swimmer besides Ervin and Adrian to go under 22-seconds. Jimmy Feigen was fourth overall in 22.02, Caeleb Dressel was fifth in 22.04.

There will be a swim-off between William Copeland and Josh Schneider who both clocked in eighth at 22.13.

TOP 8

1. Anthony Ervin (21.55)
2. Nathan Adrian (21.60)
3. Cullen Jones (21.93)
4. Jimmy Feigen (22.02)
5. Caeleb Dressel (22.04)
6. Dillon Virva (22.06)
7. Michael Chadwick (22.11)
8. William Copeland (22.13) – TIE/SWIMOFF REQUIRED
9. Josh Schneider (22.13) – TIE/SWIMOFF REQUIRED

**UPDATE**

Josh Schneider beat William Copeland in the swim-off, moving him into the final. Schneider was a 21.84 which would give him the third overall seed, however because of the swim-off, he goes in as the eighth seed.

Copeland also bettered his time from this morning, going a 22.09

For official results click here.

WOMEN’S 200m BREASTSTROKE FINALS

Top seed: Lilly King (2:24.03)
World record: 2:19.11 – Rikke Moeller-Pedersen (Denmark)
American record: 2:19.59 – Rebecca Soni
U.S Open record: 2:20.38 – Rebecca Soni
U.S Nationals record: 2:20.38 – Rebecca Soni
JR World record: 2:19.64 – Viktoria Gunes (Turkey)
2012 Winning Time: 2:21.13 – Rebecca Soni

Lilly King struck once again, sweeping the breaststroke events here in Omaha in order to secure a second event for her schedule at the Olympic Games. King led the race start to finish, taking it out ahead of everyone else and holding on as she churned to the wall in order to clock in at 2:24.08, slightly slower than she was in semifinals, for the win.

King had to hold off a huge group of charging swimmers including 2012 Olympian Micah Lawrence. Lawrence was out with King for the majority of the race, but was passed by both Molly Hannis of Tennessee and Bethany Galat of Texas A&M on the final stretch.

After King touched, Hannis clocked in for second at 2:24.39 to secure her spot on the Olympic team as Galat had to settle for third, 0.13 seconds out of a spot on the team, with a 2:24.39. 2015 World Championship silver medallist Micah Lawrence finished fourth in 2:24.93.

1. Lilly King (2:24.08)
2. Molly Hannis (2:24.39)
3. Bethany Galat (2:24.52)
4. Micah Lawrence (2:24.93)
5. Melanie Margalis (2:26.92)
6. Emma Schoettmer (2:27.30
7. Annie Lazor (2:27.48)
8. Sarah Henry (2:28.12)

For official results click here.

MEN’S 200m BACKSTROKE FINALS

Top seed: Ryan Murphy (1:55.04)
World record: 1:51.92 – Aaron Peirsol
American record: 1:51.92 – Aaron Peirsol
U.S Open record: 1:53.08 – Aaron Peirsol
U.S Nationals record: 1:53.08 – Aaron Peirsol
JR World record: 1:56.79 – Li Guangyuan
2012 Winning Time: 1:54.54 – Ryan Lochte

Just like Lilly King in the breaststroke, Cal’s Ryan Murphy took the sweep in the men’s backstroke events with a 1:53.95 performance that put him in first ahead of his teammate Jacob Pebley and reigning Olympic champion Tyler Clary.

Pebley was out first in 27.04 followed closely by both Ryan Murphy and Sean Lehane. At the halfway mark Murphy had overtaken the lead, turning first in 55.46 with Pebley on his heals and Clary not far behind him.

At the 150 Murphy still had the lead as they continued in the same order with 50-meters to go. Down the stretch, Clary made a charge, but ultimately couldn’t pass Pebley. Murphy got his hand on the wall first in 1:53.95, Pebley was second in 1:54.77, Clary was third in 1:55.33.

That was Clary’s last chance to make the Olympic team, he will not be going to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

1. Ryan Murphy (1:53.95)
2. Jacob Pebley (1:54.77)
3. Tyler Clary (1:55.33)
4. Sean Lehane (1:56.44)
5. Austin Katz (1:57.20)
6. Robert Owen (1:57.48)
7. Michael Taylor (1:57.86)
8. Hennessey Stuart (1:58.69)

For official results click here.

WOMEN’S 200m BACKSTROKE SEMIFINALS

Top seed: Missy Franklin (2:09.69)
World record: 2:04.06 – Missy Franklin
American record: 2:04.06 – Missy Franklin
U.S Open record: 2:05.68 – Missy Franklin
U.S Nationals record: 2:05.68 – Missy Franklin
JR World record: 2:07.43 – Daria Ustinova
2012 Winning Time: 2:06.11 – Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin is through to the next round after putting forth the second overall seed in the 200m backstroke with a win in the second semifinal. Franklin was a 2:08.63 to win her semifinal by over a second.

Amy Bilquist managed to finish behind her in 2:09.68 holding off Elizabeth Beisel. Beisel was a 2:09.81 at the touch. The two take the third and fifth overall seeds respectively.

Taking the first and fourth overall seeds were Maya DiRado and Lisa Bratton in the first semifinal. DiRado won comfortably in 2:08.14, Bratton was second in 2:09.79.

Both Danielle Galyer, Elizabeth Beisel, and Bridgette Alexander were the only other swimmers under 2:10. Erin Voss qualified in eighth with a 2:10.06.

TOP 8

1. Maya DiRado (2:08.14)
2. Missy Fanklin (2:08.63)
3. Amy Bilquist (2:09.68)
4. Lisa Bratton (2:09.79)
5. Elizabeth Beisel (2:09.81)
6. Bridgette Alexander (2:09.83)
7. Danielle Galyer (2:09.88)
8. Erin Voss (2:10.06)

For official results click here.

MEN’S 200m IM FINALS

Top seed: Ryan Lochte (1:56.71)
World record: 1:54.00 – Ryan Lochte
American record: 1:54.00 – Ryan Lochte
U.S Open record: 1:54.56 – Ryan Lochte
U.S Nationals record: 1:54.56 – Ryan Lochte
JR World record: 1:59.44 – Joseph Bentz
2012 Winning Time: 1:54.84 – Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte went head-to-head for the last time ever on U.S soil, and the results came up in favor of Phelps.

Phelps took things out in first following the fly leg, turning in 25.05. Andrew Seliskar turned second ahead of Lochte who turned just behind in 25.19.

At the 100-meter mark, Phelps and Lochte had established themselves as the leaders although Phelps’ teammate David Nolan was right in the mix.

At the 150, it was Phelps and Lochte way in front with just 50-meters to go. A big turn for Lochte put him at par with Phelps, but in the final stretch Phelps made sure to edge out in front and take the win in 1:55.91. Lochte was second in 1:56.22.

Nolan touched in for third in 1:59.09.

1. Michael Phelps (1:55.91)
2. Ryan Lochte (1:56.22)
3. David Nolan (1:59.09)
4. Gunnar Bentz (1:59.36)
5. Jay Litherland (1:59.91)
6. Abrahm Devine (2:00.15)
7. Andrew Seliskar (2:00.27)
8. Austin Surhoff (2:00.33)

For official results click here.

WOMEN’S 100M FREESTYLE FINAL

Top seed: Abbey Weitzeil (53.57)
World record: 52.07 – Britta Steffen (Germany)
American record: 53.02 – Amanda Weir
U.S Open record: 53.30 – Cate Campbell (Australia)
U.S Nationals record: 53.43 – Missy Franklin
JR World record: 53.84 – Shen Duo (China)
2012 Winning Time: 53.96 – Jessica Hardy

Abbey Weitzeil qualified for her first Olympic team with a new U.S Open record in the 100m freestyle en route to a swift 53.28.

Weitzeil managed to hold off Simone Manuel during the last 10-meters who absolutely charged in order to put up a 53.52. American record holder Amanda Weir touched in just behind Manuel in 53.75.

Lia Neal grabbed the fourth relay position with a 53.77 performance. Likely, the United States will take six for the relay, which will then include Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer.

Schmitt was a 53.87 and Vollmer also posted a sub 54-second swim with a 53.92 performance.

Katie Ledecky managed to dip under 54-seconds with a swift 53.99. Kelsi Worrell was eighth in 54.06.

For official results click here.

MEN’S 100m BUTTERFLY SEMIFINALS

Top seed: Matthew Joa (51.61)
World record: 49.82 – Michael Phelps
American record: 49.82 – Michael Phelps
U.S Open record: 50.22 – Michael Phelps
U.S Nationals record: 50.22 – Michael Phelps
JR World record: 51.33 – Li Zhuhao (China)
2012 Winning Time: 51.14 – Michael Phelps

The first semifinal of the men’s 100m butterfly featured Michael Phelps finishing third with a fairly slow time of 51.83. That time for Phelps ranks him sixth overall heading into tomorrow’s final.

Both Tim Phillips and Tom Shields got their hands on the wall ahead of Phelps. Phillips was a 51.28, Shields was a 51.49. They go into the final seeded second and fourth respectively.

Shields tied for fourth with Jack Conger.

TOP 8

1. Seth Stubblefield (51.26)
2. Tim Phillips (51.28)
3. Tom Shields (51.49) – TIE
4. Jack Conger (51.49) – TIE
5. Matthew Josa (51.72)
6. Michael Phelps (51.83)
7. Will Glass (52.83)
8. Giles Smith (52.90)

For official results click here.

TritonWear Race Analysis

The final times in each race are only the end result. A race is won by much more than a time; it’s won by underwaters, stroke rate, turn time, DPS, and much more. See what went into these spectacular swims in the Finals of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha through a TritonWear lens!

• Women’s 200 Breast