MEN’S 4×100 FREE RELAY
Meet record: 3:11.74, USA (Phelps, Lochte, Lezak, Adrian) 2010
American record: 3:08.24 (Phelps, Berens, Walters, Lochte) 2009
Australian record: 2:09.91 (Sullivan, Lauterstein, Callus, Targett) 2008
Canadian record: 3:12.26 (Hayden, Greenshields, Russell, Say) 2008
Japanese record: 3:14.73 (Fujii, Okumura, Yamamoto, Uchida) 2009
Australia All-comers record: 3:12.72 USA (Phelps, Walker, Jones, Lezak) 2007
The Australian men followed suit, winning the final relay of the day. They touched at 3:12.80, followed by the united states at 3:13.36.cBrazil finished third with their time of 3:13.59.
Adrian should be go for the last leg while Ervin first following by Locthe and Phelps.
Adrian should anchor – period. He has the speed and the head.
I agree with everyone’s comments here…but realize relay order is also dependent on other country’s relay order. It seems like the coaches like to pair Adrian with Magnussen…perhaps to make sure we don’t fall too behind…or to try to psych Magnussen out?
Adrian did not anchor in Olympics 2012, Worlds 2013, PanPacs 2014 and they did not win gold. And use pure sprint specialists. Lochte even though had the 2nd fastest time in Nationals might have not been so fresh after that 200IM. Feigen or Grevers might have been able to put up a decent time. McEvoy was more a factor than Magnussen, so to pair up Adrian and Magnussen may have not benefited. I guess we will have to wait till Worlds 2015.
Conventional LCM 400 F.R. logic:
1. Put your horse on the end.
2. Never put someone who fades in the 3rd spot.
3. Never put someone who doesn’t have front end speed in the lead off spot.
4. Rarely can you go wrong in the 2nd spot UNLESS you put your horse here.
So, saying it’s Phelps, Lochte, Adrian and Ervin, I would go:
1. Ervin
2. Lochte
3. Phelps
4. Adrian
Rationale: Put Michael in a position to race. He is a better sprint freestyler as a chaser. Force him to get out after it as he normally will be charging on the way home. This is how you will get a 47… Read more »
Well thought out and explained relay rationale, Greg! I’d hire you for the job! The US coaching staff seems to make their order based more on what the OTHER team is doing than on the team WE have. Oh well, better luck next year! 😉
This makes sense assuming all have equal flat vs relay starts. I’ve got to think the best flat starter relative to relay should always be going first
I decided against an Ervin leadoff because his flat start isn’t really that great. Phelps, on the other hand, has a great flat start, so I think it works better that way.
By the way, was this the oldest relay ever for the US in a major international competition? Combined age of 117, an average of over 29.
I think Lochte will be able to knock his 100 free time down a bit with a pared down meet schedule. I’d say Adrian for anchor, although I think Anthony Ervin could throw down something dirty if they wanted Adrian to lead off. But, that being said, Phelps has a great flat start and I think he’s our go-to leadoff for that relay. So my ideal order is Phelps>Lochte/Feigen>Ervin>Adrian.
Lochte/Feigen (whoever gets their mojo back over the next year) second because they’re the least predictable so Ervin and Adrian can bring it back if necessary. Ervin and Adrian have the top end speed, veteran relay experience, and that sprinter’s adrenalin rush that will feed off of the atmosphere as… Read more »
The problem is Lochte on the relay, not the order.
Not going to argue there…