Versatile National Teamer Melanie Margalis is entered in the 200 free, 400 IM, and 200 IM at the 2018 U.S. National Championships. This means that she won’t swim the 200 breaststroke, where her 2:24.41 is the fastest by an American so far in 2018.
Margalis swam that time in the 200 breast at the Pro Swim Series stop in Indianapolis, which is her new lifetime best. She swam that event at the 2014 U.S. Nationals and 2016 Olympic Trials, but scratched it at last year’s World Championship Trials.
Margalis enters as the top seed in the 200 IM, the 2nd seed behind Leah Smith in the 400 IM, and the 3rd seed behind Katie Ledecky and Smith in the 200 free – where she’ll need a top-4 finish to assure herself of a spot on the relay at Pan Pacs (there are no prelims, so relay spots are more limited than most meets).
Margalis is swimming the very first race on days 2, 3, and 4 of the meet. That consistency-of-schedule should help her get into a routine at the meet.
If she makes the team, Margalis would still have the option of adding the 200 breaststroke to her schedule for Pan Pacs, where she would be racing for a spot at the 2019 World Championships.
Margalis’ Schedule for the 2018 U.S. Nationals (Prelims Timeline Included):
Day 1, Wednesday, July 25th:
- No Races
Day 2, Thursday, July 26th:
- 200 free – 9:00AM
- This is where the 200 breast is being raced, about an hour after the 200 free
Day 3, Friday, July 27th:
- 400 IM – 9:00AM
Day 4, Saturday, July 28th:
- No Races
Day 5, Sunday, July 29th:
- 200 IM – 9:00AM
With kicked out Cox , out of commission Eastin and overloaded Smith Melanie Margalis remains practically without competition in IM disciplines.
Alex Walsh will get her spot
Beating Margalis at 200 is the only chance for Missy Franklin to get on the 800 relay. By skipping 200BR and focusing on 200free Melanie says ‘no’ to Franklin’s ambitious plans.
I think Missy can do it if she goes 1:57 low. It won’t be easy though.
Schmitty will be there as well under 1.57 ….unfortunately for Missy
I have to agree. Top 4 certainly looking like Ledecky, smith, margalis, Schmitt. Maybe missy could come 5th or 6th and hope that’s good enough for the 2019 worlds relay, but I’m not sure even that’s going to happen. (I’d be more willing to put money on comerford and Manuel than missy any day)
With the mixed relays in play now, not sure Simone would swim the 4×200 anymore?!?