2016 U.S. Olympic Trials: Day Five Prelims Preview

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

Yes, it’s already the fifth day. Here’s what to expect for this morning’s session, wam-bam style.

PRELIMS

  • WOMEN’S 100 FREE 
    • Simone Manuel and Abbey Weitzeil each took a stab at the 200 free, and each went out fast— under 56 seconds. Sure, they didn’t have the back-end of all back-ends, but the speed is certainly there for these two. We’ll see 200 free top finishers Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky, as well as Dana Vollmer. Also looking to make the team who hasn’t yet is veteran Natalie Coughlin, who only has this event and the 50 free left to try to make it to Rio.
  • MEN’S 200 BACK
    • Cal. Ryan Murphy and Jacob PebleyRyan Lochte scratched this event, and Tyler Clary is not looking like the man who won gold in London in the 200 back. Clary can’t be counted out this early, and he should easily be through to semifinals, but Murphy and Pebley are looking phenomenal thus far.
  • WOMEN’S 200 BREAST
    • Katie Meili and Lilly King have been on their game thus far– but can they extend to the 200? They’ve shown they’re very capable of getting under 2:24, but swimmers like Laura Sogar and Micah Lawrence are made for the 200 breast. They both faltered in the 100 breast, but this is their bread-and-butter event. Last night’s double-event warrior Melanie Margalis is now looking like a contender for an individual spot here with the way she’s been performing this week.
  • MEN’S 200 IM
    • Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will set the stage for yet another duel between two titans of the sport. Phelps hasn’t been happy with his swims thus far, and Lochte is injured, but it’s hard to see anyone but those two representing the USA at Rio. 3rd and 4th seeds Conor Dwyer and Josh Prenot dropped this event, but if we HAD to pick anyone to give Phelps and Lochte a scare in this event, it’d be 400 IM champion Chase Kalisz.

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Rannug
8 years ago

Bentz will upset Lochte and make the team in an individual to accompany his spot on the 800 free relay.

Haas for the win
Reply to  Rannug
8 years ago

As much as I want to love this comment, his backstroke still holds him back a great deal. I want him in badly but his backstroke will have to be better than it was on the 400IM.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

Ledecky will pop a good 54. in prelims than a 53.5 in semis . No doubt about that . I can see Smoliga earning a spot for the semis as well . Simone ? no idea , she hasn’t been that great all season in LC 100 free . Lets see how Neal does as well .

Hswimmer
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

Well, going under 56 in the 200 split is pretty dang good so I think that means she has a lot of speed and energy in her for the 100 today.

Deraj
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

Simone’s been under 54 at a couple PSS already in season. I think she will be, at a bare minimum, around her 53.2 seed time. Hopefully she will be quicker.

Beachbumj343
8 years ago

Karl,

Have you heard much information at all if phelps fully tapered? A little rest? No rest?

Dru
8 years ago

Wish prenot and Dwyer didn’t scratch the 2IM..

Can’t see what ledecky does in the 100 free

Observer
Reply to  Dru
8 years ago

Ledecky hasn’t really done anything spectacular this far, not why you think her 100 would be any different

Haas for the win
Reply to  Observer
8 years ago

Yeah 1:56.1 to the feet isn’t impressive at all for the first 200 of the 4

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Observer
8 years ago

lazy observer mate ….lazy

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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