US Olympic Trials Wave II, Day 2: Walsh, Albiero Scratch 100 Back Semi-Finals

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS


There were a number of scratches for the day 2 finals/semi-finals session of the 2021 US Olympic Trials.

As previously reported, both Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Held scratched the 200 freestyle semi-finals after qualifying 2nd and 11th, respectively. Their scratches move Grant House (1:48.18) and Julian Hill (1:48.56) into the semi-finals.

Another previously reported scratch was Regan Smith’s scratch from the 100 butterfly final, as she will focus upon the 100 backstroke semi-finals, where she is the top seed. 

Other scratches for tonight include Nicolas Albiero and Alex Walsh pulling out of the men’s and women’s 100 backstroke semi-finals. 

Albiero qualified 13th this morning in the men’s event, and does not have any other events tonight. His scratch moves first alternate Destin Lasco into the semi-finals, after he missed it by .01 this morning. 

Walsh was the 13th qualifier in the women’s event after making semi-finals in the event at the 2016 Olympic Trials. Like Albiero, Walsh does not have another event tonight. Her scratch moves JoJo Ramey into the semi-finals.

The only other scratch was Ashley Twichell, who was the 8th seed in the 400 freestyle final. Twichell is already qualified for Tokyo in the open water 10k via her placement at the 2019 World Championships and is most likely saving her energy for the 1500 freestyle and 800 freestyle later this week. Her scratch moves 16-year-old Cavan Gormsen into the final after she finished 9th this morning. 

Notably, Michael Andrew did not scratch the 100 backstroke semi-finals, despite being the top qualifier for the 100 breaststroke finals. Andrew had already had a great meet, breaking the American record in the 100 breaststroke twice yesterday. The 100 breaststroke is scheduled to occur before the 100 backstroke semis, so the two should not conflict too much. 

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NCSwimFan
3 years ago

Awesome for Cavan Gormsen to get a finals swim at 16. Gotta be exciting!

Bobthebuilderrocks
3 years ago

Im thinking he’s going for as many PB’s as he can intelligently and safely swim, which let’s be honest is what the primary goal is in this sport for most, the desire for personal improvement.

Rafael
3 years ago

Imagine if Andrew tires and gets 3rd on 100 breast..

swimfan210_
Reply to  Rafael
3 years ago

The 100 breast is before the 100 back tonight

Pvdh
Reply to  Rafael
3 years ago

It is always funny to watch you become intensely envious and start predicting negative things for young American stars. You’ll be doing it forever Rafael.

Last edited 3 years ago by Pvdh
Akos
3 years ago

Personally I think MA and Dean should have scratched the 100BK and Dean should have raced the 200. But hey, what do I know. They must have talked through everything at length with their coaches.

anonymous
3 years ago

Just hope MA doesn’t compromise his later races because if swimming an extra event right now

Last edited 3 years ago by anonymous
Drake
3 years ago

LETS GO MA 57.9 in breast and 52.9 in back YOU GOT THIS

Little Mermaid
Reply to  Drake
3 years ago

MA knows what he is doing!

Scotty P
Reply to  Drake
3 years ago

I agree with you on the 57.9. I honestly think he has that in him. However, can anyone point out a time where MA handled a double particularly well? Just curious.

Irish Ringer
3 years ago

If he can swim that 100bk semi in a 53.5 or better after the 100 BR tonight, that may give us an indication of what the back half of the IM will look like. He typically doesn’t do well with 100 doubles especially that close together.

He’s in that second heat as well so what? 30-45 minutes between races?

Joe
Reply to  Irish Ringer
3 years ago

Probably about an hour I would think

ACC
Reply to  Joe
3 years ago

The projected timeline on the heat sheet says 30 minutes (7:54 100 breast, 8:25 for heat 2 of the 100 back) so an hour seems unlikely.

Joe
Reply to  ACC
3 years ago

ah for some reason I thought that the 100 breast was the first event.

Joe
3 years ago

I do not understand what MA is trying to achieve by swimming 100 back. So far away from Murphy and Cassas

ACC
Reply to  Joe
3 years ago

Could just be going for a best time. Or he wants to have a race tomorrow, for some people a day off in the middle of the meet is tough to come back from.

A C
Reply to  Joe
3 years ago

Pride goes before a fall

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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