5 Big Things from Day 2 of the 2016 Longhorn Elite Invite

2016 LONGHORN ELITE INVITE

• June 3rd-5th, 2016
• Austin, Texas (University of Texas Jamail Swim Center)
• Prelims start at 9:30 AM, Finals start at 6:30 PM, except Sunday, 5:30 PM (U.S. Central Time)
• Psych Sheets
• Meet Central
• Timeline
• Live Results 
• Finals Live Stream (Longhorn Network)

#1 CHASE KALISZ SWIMS 4TH BEST 400 IM THIS YEAR

Chase Kalisz churned out a 4:11.51 in the 400 IM tonight, moving himself up to 4th in this year’s World Rankings. His previous season best was a 4:14.64 from Arena Pro Swim in Austin. Kalisz is the American Record holder in the yards version of this event, and has a strong chance of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Team after establishing himself as the top American in the event over the last 2 years.

#2 TEXAS LONGHORNS IMPRESS IN MEN’S 200 FREE

The Texas men swept the top 3 in the men’s 200 free tonight, led by Townley Haas in 1:47.86. Haas’ time was just 3 tenths shy of his lifetime best 1:47.55 from Nationals last summer. Clark Smith finished 2nd, narrowly behind in 1:47.97 to lower his previous best of 1:49.01 by over a second. Taking 3rd was Clay Youngquist in 1:48.48. Jack Conger was also sub-1:50, clocking a 1:49.54 for 5th.

#3 SCHMITT BESTS FRANKLIN FOR 200 FREE WIN

In the women’s 200 free, defending Olympic champion Allison Schmitt had her hands full in tonight’s final against Missy Franklin and Cierra Runge. Schmitt managed to win the race by almost a full second, clocking a 1:56.87. That time was just off her season best 1:56.52 from Arena PSS at Mesa in April. Franklin wound up 2nd in 1:57.78, just ahead of Runge (1:57.97).

#4 JONATHAN ROBERTS MATCHES BEST 200 BACK

Texas’ Jonathan Roberts handily won the men’s 200 back tonight, posting a 1:58.74 to beat out Olympian Matt Grevers (2:00.01). That was Roberts’ first time under 2:00 since 2014, and matched the 1:58.74 from 2014 Nationals. That time makes Roberts the 10th fastest American this year, and puts him in the conversation as a potential finalist in Omaha.

#5 PHELPS WILL LIKELY SWIM 200 FREE IN OMAHA

Prior to the meet, Michael Phelps made it known that he wanted to swim fast enough in the 200 freestyle at this meet to be considered for the 4×200 free relay in Rio without swimming this event at trials. Tonight, Phelps placed 4th in a solid 1:48.73, slightly slower than his season best 1:48.21 from the Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa. He’ll need to be faster than that to get a spot on the relay, so we’ll likely see him swim this race in Omaha.