Daniel Roy Talks New Race Strategy: “Not coming back on anyone anymore” (Video)

2019 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINAL

  • World Record: Anton Chupkov (Russia), 2:06.12, 2019
  • American Record: Josh Prenot, 2:07.17, 2016
  • Championship Record: Josh Prenot (United States), 2:07.17, 2016
  • U.S. Open Record: Josh Prenot (United States), 2:07.17, 2016
  • Olympic Trials Cut: 2:17.89

TOP 3

  1. GOLD: Reece Whitley (CAL), 2:09.69
  2. SILVER: Daniel Roy (ALTO), 2:10.01
  3. BRONZE: Joshua Matheny (PEAQ), 2:11.02

Reece Whitley and Daniel Roy have been battling in this race since they were age group swimmers. Roy had the edge going into the final turn, but Whitley kicked it into gear to win this one, breaking 2:10 for the first time in 2:09.69. Roy wound up 2nd in 2:10.01. That makes Whitley the #6 American this year, while Roy is ranked #5 with his season-best 2:09.50.

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Luis Vargas
5 years ago

I love watching Roy and Whitley race as they are the future of U s breastrokers. Then I see Whitley dolphin his way to the wall to beat Roy. So disappointing

Superfan
Reply to  Luis Vargas
5 years ago

The guy who got 3rd is also the future. Only 16

tnp101
5 years ago

I am a big fan! Great to hear comments about the new coaches.

Superfan
Reply to  tnp101
5 years ago

I think he could have more politically correct about the former coaches

Anonymous
5 years ago

The 🦡s miss Neil, but so happy for him. Hearing that he is well received is awesome.

marklewis
5 years ago

The 200 breast is a pacer’s race. If you watch Chupkov swim his WR, he started with a slow turnover and then on the last 50, he went into a very fast turnover.

Everyone knew Chupkov swims that way, but he swam the last 50 at a pace no one could match.

YINZ
Reply to  marklewis
5 years ago

Chupkov swam something like 10,12,15,22 strokes per 50m. Crazy progression for 200br!

marklewis
Reply to  YINZ
5 years ago

Yeah, he looked different than any other breaststroker in the final.

Does he try to conserve energy and stay relaxed until a final 50 sprint? That’s what it looked like to me.

Yabo
Reply to  marklewis
5 years ago

He probably tries to conserve energy for the back half but I bet that first hundred is at a strong and smooth pace

m d e
Reply to  Yabo
5 years ago

It was the slowest in the field. And well behind the leaders.

His first 100 is super relaxed.

Yes it was a 1:02.2, which is awesome for the vast majority of swimmers as a 100LCM time, but for a swimmer as good as he is it is very slow.

Superfan
Reply to  marklewis
5 years ago

Isn’t that how Prenot swam the race in 2016 at Trials and Olympics? Not saying it is the only way but it is an effective way!

Gator
5 years ago

Very impressive young man!

Sccoach
5 years ago

I don’t think he means he’s going to take every race out like a lunatic. I was one of those swimmers that got used to just going 100 relaxed speed 100 all out… sometimes lead to me having great finishes and good overall times, but in most instances it’s a good finish with a slow time. I think every swimmer that focuses on 200’s is very familiar with this issue. Finding the perfect balance is hard.

Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

Wise move. Comebacks are for suckers. For whatever reason fans love that strategy but it is detrimental far more often than not. Simply too difficult to cede ground at highest level. Unfortunately too many young athletes can rally through age group level and have zero comprehension that it won’t be available at upper tier. Thankfully we now have the Ledecky, Dressel and Smith types who understand the immense value of taking control early.

Brooke Forde is someone who needs to figure it out. Her strategy varies sharply from event to event and race to race. In the best 400 individual medley I’ve seen from her she took it out hard from the outset and looked great the vast majority of… Read more »

Yabo
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

What about sun yang, chupkov, Milak etc

Swammer from Wakanda
Reply to  Yabo
5 years ago

Wouldn’t throw Milak in that category. 52.8 going out in a 200 fly is not pedestrian. He was 2nd to only fly-and-die le Clos at the 100. His previous best he was out very fast and couldn’t quite hold on at the end.

Superfan
Reply to  Swammer from Wakanda
5 years ago

Milak came back faster than Phelps (they both went the exact same time at 100) so I would throw Milak into this conversation!

DLSwim
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

There are so many exceptions to this statement that it makes me think that perhaps it should be taken with a grain of salt, to say the least.

Artvandelegh10
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

Dressel, Ledecky, and Smith are able to go out fast in their races because they have a tremendous amount of top end speed for their events. Roy isn’t a sprint breaststroke’s so he’ll never be able to go out fast but easy.

Caleb
Reply to  Artvandelegh10
5 years ago

Dressel has a fantastic back half, especially in butterfly, and swims it closer to even pace than anyone else at an elite level…

Superfan
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

You obviously didn’t watch Worlds! All the examples listed by Yabo plus many others like Rhapys and Mack Horton on relay (who had the slowest split at 100 and fastest 200 split! All the top 4 male swimmers in 400 even split their races, but you keep with your strategy.

Pvdh
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
5 years ago

I don’t know about Smith but Dressel and Ledecky do insane volume and have the base to use speed out front and not die on the way back. I doubt any other sprinter has Dressels base

Yabo
Reply to  Pvdh
5 years ago

More sprinters could probably use that base

A$AP POCKY
5 years ago

YEAH BUDDY

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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