2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Day Two 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
• Monday heat sheets
• Live results

Tonight marks the second session of semifinals and finals at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. Event finals will include the women’s 100 fly, men’s 100 breast, and the women’s 400 free. Event semifinals will include the men’s 200 free, the women’s 100 breast, the men’s 100 back, and the women’s 100 back.

Women’s 100 Fly – Finals

Ever since it became apparent that Cal Aquatics’ Dana Vollmer was back and in top shape after her post-2012 break from swimming (which included the birth of her first child), the swimming community has been aching for a high pressure showdown between her and NCAA star Kelsi Worrell of Louisville.

And it looks like we’re going to get it.

Last night, Vollmer clocked 56.90 and Worrell went 57.12, but Worrell was even faster (56.84) in the heats. And both looked like they were holding back. Tonight, we will see a historical showdown between the two fastest American women in history.

Also in the final will be A&M’s Sarah Gibson, Nation’s Capital’s 16-year-old Cassidy Bayer, North Coast Aquatics’ Kendyl Stewart, North Carolina Aquatic Club’s Hellen Moffitt, South Florida’s Claire Donahue, and Georgia’s Hali Flickinger, 

Bayer will be one to watch, as yesterday, she came within .12 of Mary T. Meagher’s 35-year-old national age group record for the event.

Men’s 200 Free – Semifinals

Tonight’s men’s 200 free semifinals are packed with talent from young NCAA up-and-comers to seasoned international veterans. Once finals roll around, at least four (and up to six) Olympic spots are at stake here. The top two finishers will swim the individual event, and more will be added as the coaches determine the members of the 800 free relay.

The top swimmer from this morning is Trojan’s 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the 800 free relay Conor Dwyer, who posted 1:46.66. Ryan Lochte is the other member of the semifinals who was on the relay in 2012; despite battling a possible groin injury, he qualified fifth this morning with 1:47.77. We may have to see a bit more of Lochte to know how his injury will affect him over the course of the week, but before the meet’s start, the two were the favorites to take the event.

Also in the field will be University of Texas trio Jack Conger of North Baltimore (1:47.25), Clark Smith (1:47.68), and Townley Haas (1:47.25) of NOVA. All three will be dangerous if the make it through the semifinals tonight. Smith, in particular, demonstrated a killer first 200 of the men’s 400 free yesterday, and Haas turned out the fastest 800 yard relay split in history earlier this year. Meanwhile, Conger swam his best time this morning, so he’s on top of his game.

Also in the field tonight will be Georgia’s Gunnar Bentz, Indiana’s Blake Pieroni, SwimMAC’s Tyler Clary. Deeper in the seeding are young star Maxime Rooney and 2016 Olympic teamer (after yesterday’s 400 free) Connor Jaeger. 

Women’s 100 Breast – Semifinals

After she took down the NCAA, U.S. Open, and American records in the 100 short course breaststroke at this year’s NCAAs, all eyes have been on Lilly King going into this meet. This morning, she outraced Jessica Hardy with 1:06.45 to become the top seed going into the night.

Pan Am Games gold medalist Katie Meili (1:06.57) will be her biggest competition come tomorrow, though, although Sarah Haase (1:07.04) and Molly Hannis (1:07.27) have the potential to squeeze into the top placements.

Men’s 100 Breast – Final

Yesterday morning, Kevin Cordes broke the U.S. Open and American records in the 100 breast in semifinals with 58.94 to become the second-fastest swimmer in the world this year.  Look for the American record to go down again.

However, it may be Cody Miller, who at 59.09 became the fourth-fastest American in history yesterday, who sneaks ahead of Cordes and takes it.

The two are well ahead of the next two swimmers, Cal’s Josh Prenot (59.60) and Indie Swimming’s youngest American under a minute Michael Andrew, who just keeps getting faster with every swim (59.85), are almost a second behind the duo. However, Andrew keeps surprising it, so he could make a big jump.

Also in the field are Longhorn’s Andrew Wilson (59.87), Athens Bulldogs’ Nic Fink (59.88), Tucson Ford’s Marcus Titus (1:00.19), and Longhorn’s Will Licon (1:00.30).

Women’s 400 Free- Final

As expected, the women’s 400 freestyle will be the one to watch tonight. Katie Ledecky, who the Washington Post called “better at swimming than anyone is at anything” will be in the middle lane, and, as always when Ledecky is in top form, the world record is in danger. (And if you want to read even more about her, check out our incredible profile from Matt Rees here.)

Ledecky set the current world record, a 3:58.37 at 2014 Pan Pacific Championships. Her time this morning was 4:02.62.

Also keep an eye on Leah Smith of Cavalier, who, with 4:03.33, is the second-fastest swimmer in the world this year.

London silver medalist Allison Schmitt of North Baltimore is also in the field (4:06.66), and this swim will help us gauge where she will be going into the 200 free later this week. Her teammate Cierra Runge should also be in the mix; she went 4:07.12 in prelims.

Men’s 100 Back- Semifinals

Both backstroke events are shaping up to be highly competitive, so there will be a lot to look forward to tomorrow night. Tonight, the first semi will be a Cal matchup between Jacob Pebley (53.48) and Ryan Murphy (53.84).

The second semi has three swimmers who went under 54 this morning. Two-time defending Olympic gold medalist Matt Grevers (53.98) will take on 2012 Olympic trials third-place finisher David Plummer (53.22) and Dynamo’s 17-year-old Michael Taylor (53.77).

Women’s 100 Back- Semifinals

The first heat of the women’s 100 back will be headed up by Cal’s Amy Bilquist, who scored 59.67 for the second-fastest time in prelims. She will be challenged by Ali Deloof, one of three Deloof sisters out of Michigan, who swam 1:00.09 this morning.

The second heat is packed with star power. In the fast lane tonight will be top qualifier Olivia Smoliga (59.65) of Georgia, who posted a 59.41 at the Arena Pro Swim in Indianapolis earlier this month. Mizzou’s standout Hannah Stevens is in lane 5 (50.72), and the duo are bookended by two of the fastest female 100 backstrokers in history: Cal’s Natalie Coughlin (1:00.75) and the Colorado Stars’ Missy Franklin (1:00.35).