2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: Torri Huske Scratches 200 IM Final, Will Focus on 50 Free

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

Torri Huske has scratched the 200 IM final tomorrow night. Her last event is the 50 free, where she is seeded 4th with a time of 24.31.

Huske had a strong swim in semifinal 1, blasting out to just over a second lead at the 100 mark. Defending world champion Kate Douglass managed to run her down in the back half, but Huske still qualified 3rd overall (2:09.43).

Huske had a breakout season in the event this year, setting a personal best time at the San Antonio stop of the Pro Swim Series (2:08.47). It looks like it will take at least that or better to get past the Virginia duo of Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass, especially with their much stronger breaststroke capabilities.

There are no other scratches for night 8 so far; the women’s 50 free could have some scratches out of semis after tomorrow morning.

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Awsi Dooger
5 months ago

I definitely think Huske had a better chance at defeating Walsh if this event had been early in the meet. Scheduling based decision but still a surprise.

In watching the semifinals tonight the variable that stood out toward Paris was Douglass’ weak backstroke underwater. She can patch that stroke weakness simply via longer submerged. Beata Nelson was level at the butterfly turn then gained a half body length on adjacent Douglass via underwater alone. It’s crucial toward Paris because Douglass can’t afford to cede midway ground against swimmers of that caliber.

Last edited 5 months ago by Awsi Dooger
Claveria
5 months ago

How the hell is this a gift when Walsh is 1.5 secs better? Walsh is an olympic silver medal, world champion in this event. Walsh time is closer to WR than Huske’s to hers. I don’t understand this thing. To me, there is a clear reason for this scrath: Huske knows all that.

CavaDore
Reply to  Claveria
5 months ago

It’s the intangibles. Huske has already made the team and Alex has not yet made the team and that can be an overwhelming pressure when you only have one chance left to do it. Especially to get on the team to join your sister and best friend.

Also, Huske just beat her in a 200 IM at a meet 2 months ago, albeit an in-season meet under heavy training for both. Lastly, Huske can close much harder on that freestyle leg than Alex and Huske beat her last year at NCAAs in this event, and it was a bit of a surprise.

Last edited 5 months ago by CavaDore
Summer Swim Fan
5 months ago

Regardless of any speculation of Huske’s intent or performance tomorrow, she’s had a fantastic meet and will be an amazing member of Team USA in multiple events and relays.

I will also bet that all of these women believe their experience will be even better with Alex on the team, so frankly, it’s a win-win for everyone involved no matter what people think might transpire in the race.

No need to over-analyze…

Jonathan
5 months ago

Torri just gifted Alex Walsh an Olympic spot.

No one else is even close. Alex and Kate don’t need to be close to their best tomorrow night.

Eddie
Reply to  Jonathan
5 months ago

🫣

Last edited 5 months ago by Eddie
HOO love
Reply to  Jonathan
5 months ago

Don’t know if gifted is the right word

RMS
Reply to  HOO love
5 months ago

I mean she’s beaten her twice recently in this event, so it’s valid.

VA Steve
Reply to  RMS
5 months ago

That is just silly. She clearly evaluated her chances in the two events and made the best decision for herself. Swimmers don’t think that way at all.

Boxall's Railing
Reply to  Jonathan
5 months ago

Definitely a gift to Alex! Torri looked fantastic in the IM tonight, especially the front half.

LBSWIM
Reply to  Jonathan
5 months ago

I feel Walsh may win the race, so gifted may not be the best word.

CavaDore
Reply to  Jonathan
5 months ago

Please, for the love of God, don’t jinx this

Tencor
5 months ago

She did seem extremely tired after that semi so probably the smart move

Aquajosh
5 months ago

Alex Walsh better have Torri on her Christmas card list.

I miss the ISL (go dawgs)
5 months ago

Alex is gonna sleep gooooood after hearing this news

ISL
Reply to  I miss the ISL (go dawgs)
5 months ago

As will Torri

Sub13
5 months ago

Darn. Was hoping for an upset there.

Ironically, Alex Walsh missing her first 2 events works for her. She’ll be the only contender in the 2IM who hasn’t already swum at least 8 times before the final. It’s her only event.

Bill Fleming
Reply to  Sub13
5 months ago

I think Alex finished 6th in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 200 breast, so she has swam 8 races as well heading in to the 200 IM final. Hope she gets to Paris!

CavaDore
Reply to  Sub13
5 months ago

That’s not correct. She swam three times in the 100 breast, three times in the 200 breast, and two times in the 200 IM. That’s eight times.

Sub13
Reply to  CavaDore
5 months ago

I mean in Paris. Obviously she has already swim events here but in Paris it will be her only event, so she will have 0 swims before it starts

Eddie
Reply to  Sub13
5 months ago

Whether or not Torri swam, there wasn’t gonna be an upset. As talented as a swimmer she is, she wasn’t getting past those Virginia girls. She has a real shot to make the team in the 50 though