Olympian Roundup: 200 Free Leaves Major Players on the Outside Looking in

2017 U.S. NATIONALS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS

Several stars from the Rio Olympic Games have returned to compete at the 2017 U.S. Nationals/World Championships Trials in Indianapolis. On day 2, the men brought the heat in prelims of the 200 free, leaving a couple of Olympic gold medalists on the outside of the championship final.

Men’s 200 free: Rio 800 free relay champions Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz missed the final, as it took a 1:48.10 or better to take a spot in the top 8. Bentz placed 10th in 1:48.36, while Conger’s 1:48.71 landed him 16th. Rio relay teammates Olympians Townley Haas (1:46.85), Clark Smith (1:47.10), and Conor Dwyer (1:48.10) all made it in to compete for a spot tonight. Joining them are fellow Olympians Blake Pieroni (1:47.49), Caeleb Dressel (1:47.45), and Jay Litherland (1:47.76).

Men’s 200 breast: Both Kevin Cordes (2:09.35) and Josh Prenot (2:09.27) looked smooth this morning to qualify for tonight’s final.

Men’s 200 back: The Cal backstroke duo of Ryan Murphy (1:57.35) and Jacob Pebley (1:57.49) took it easy this morning, qualifying 3rd and 4th respectively.

Men’s 50 fly: Olympic veteran Cullen Jones powered to a new Championship Record time of 23.26 to lead prelims, while sprint ace Caeleb Dressel was narrowly behind in 23.33. Olympic butterflier Tom Shields placed 7th this morning with a 23.90, and Ryan Held snagged the 8th spot in 23.93.

Women’s 200 free: Defending Olympic champ Katie Ledecky (1:55.87) took the top spot with ease this morning. Rio Olympic relay teammates Melanie Margalis (1:57.27), Leah Smith (1:57.61), and Cierra Runge (1:58.91) will join her in the final, as well as fellow Olympian Simone Manuel (1:58.00).

Women’s 200 breast: Top qualifier Lilly King posted a 2:24.68 to lead the way. Rio Olympian Molly Hannis is out of the final after putting up a 2:31.82 to place 22nd.

Women’s 200 back: Olympic silver medalist Kathleen Baker is trying her hand at the 200 back this summer. She was the top qualifier in 2:08.56.

Women’s 50 fly: As expected, Kelsi Worrell took a good lead over the field, closing in on Dara Torres’ American Record (25.50) to take the top spot in 25.78.

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tea rex
7 years ago

Bentz and Conger missed their warmup after they stopped at a gas station on the way to the pool.

Ervin
Reply to  tea rex
7 years ago

lol this is messed up but hilarious

G.I.N.A
Reply to  tea rex
7 years ago

It helps to stay under the inebriated level – not only do ppl do uncharacteristic stupid stuff but insurance will not cover you . Also this explains Otto’s wildly pulling down the political poster in PRK ( in staff quarters no less) . His tour group was smashed the whole ‘tour’ . In fact this hedonous fun in the world’s most austere austere state was the groups selling point – Millenial Resistance at its best .

Hey guys Brazil is not such a bad place is it ?

willy beeman
7 years ago

Lots of talent seriously underestimating what it takes to make the A final

musty
7 years ago

wow sara sjoestroms 50 fly record is really incredible. The top american(by far) isn’t even within a second of it

Steve Nolan
Reply to  musty
7 years ago

Would’ve placed 3rd at US Olympic Trials last year in the 50 free.

Frequentflyer
Reply to  Steve Nolan
7 years ago

Love this

marklewis
Reply to  musty
7 years ago

You know, I watched the video, and it looks like she had a tailwind. It was outdoors and the wind was blowing behind her.

She also swam a great race. So that’s a record that will stand apart for awhile.

CraigH
Reply to  marklewis
7 years ago

Pretty sure she went with it a few tenths of that WR a few weeks ago, so it’s not like it was a one-time thing.

Bigly
Reply to  marklewis
7 years ago

It would’ve had to have been a cyclone.

Steve Nolan
7 years ago

Others – Katie Meili and Breeja Larson both made the final in the 200 breast. Hali Flickinger’s in the final of the 2 back and Claire Donahue was 11th in the 50 fly.

ole 99
7 years ago

Looks like Conger scratched the B final.

Ervin
Reply to  ole 99
7 years ago

He should swim it. They could always throw him on the relay in Budapest

Brownie
Reply to  ole 99
7 years ago

As he should no point in swimming it now save up for tomorrow’s 1 fly

Wojo
Reply to  Brownie
7 years ago

JacObson

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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