2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: Can Casas Crack the Foster/Kalisz IM Duo? (Day 6 Prelims Preview)

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

Day 6 Prelims Heat Sheet

After the excitement of the women’s 100 back on Tuesday night, expect the 200 to bring even more, as it will be the last chance for many swimmers to make the Olympic team, as there are just two more days of prelims and only three women’s events after this. American Record holder Regan Smith leads the entries with her seed time of 2:03.80. Last night, Regan, who set a new World Record in the 100 back, took on the semifinals of the 200 fly, where she

Its a very strong race for second behind Smith. Claire Curzan and Rhyan White are tied at 2:05.77, but the 4th-seeded Kennedy Noble has looked great this meet. In the 100, Noble, who trains with White at NC State, finished 3rd behind Smith and teammate Katharine Berkoff. Don’t sleep on Phoebe Bacon either, who is the 2022 Worlds silver medalist in the event and along with White, upset the then WR-holder Smith to take the two spots in this event at the Tokyo Games.

If the 100 free last night was too long of a sprint for you, don’t worry; the Splash and Dash is on the schedule. In the final of the 100 last night, Chris Guiliano got the better of Jack Alexy and Caeleb Dressel. All three will return to the 50 this morning but will be chasing top seed Ryan Held. Held finished 5th last night in the 100 but must wait for his return to the Olympics until a roster spot opens up.

With just three events on tap, it’ll be a quick morning as we end with the men’s 200 IM. With no prelims on Sunday, there are just two men’s events left after the 200 IM, so like the women’s 200 back, expect a lot of anxious energy to fill the stadium. Shaine Casas is the top seed with an entry time of 1:56.06. Casas swam the 100 back and placed 9th in the semis, and has the 100 fly only remaining on his schedule. Behind Casas are Carson Foster and Chase Kalisz, who went 1-2 in the 400 IM and would each love to add a second event. Young stars Max Williamson and Daniel Diehl are looking to end their meets on a good note. Diehl has had the better showing of the two, tying in for 8th in the semifinals of 200 free and swimming in an epic swim-off with Aaron Shackell (Diehl also has the 100 fly). Williamson added 3 seconds to his 200 and placed 42nd overall. He also added over a second in the 100 free, but the 200 IM was always going to be his best shot at making the team.

We also have some bonus swimming as last night’s tie for 6th place in the Women’s 100 free final needs to be resolved. The swim will pit Catie Deloof against Erika Connolly née Brown, who tied at 53.86.

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Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
5 months ago

If Shaine Casas does not make it into the final, my pick ’ems will be sinking faster than Trenton Julian in the last 50 meters of the men’s 200 meter butterfly.

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Hank
5 months ago

Washed

Lpman
5 months ago

Can we please have will licon swim the im and somehow make the team??? The dude finished 3rd, 3rd and 4th in 200 br in 2016, 2021 and 2024

Swimdad
5 months ago

Casas will qualify 16th in prelims, top seed in semi’s and place 8th in the final.

Shouldn’t have scratched the 200 back buddy.

Dirtswimmer
5 months ago

He isn’t swimming good so far but I think he could still pop a sub 1:57 and sneak on the team like last year. I think it more depends on if lasco or kalisz are in 1:56 form right now

EXCALIBUR
Reply to  Dirtswimmer
5 months ago

he could sneak in the final / get qualified but will he be relevant in Paris without changing his mental fitness / preparation ?

Yikes
5 months ago

Will they do a second place finisher ceremony soon? Or do the women have to wait for the men to lock it up too?

Breezeway
5 months ago

Casas, top 2 200IM. Let’s go 🫣

Last edited 5 months ago by Breezeway
RealCrocker5040
5 months ago

no