Day 5 Relay Lineups: Margalis Stays, Comerford Comes In For U.S. 4×200

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six of the eight teams have made at least one substitution for tonight’s women’s 4×200 freestyle relay, including three from the United States.

Melanie Margalis led off the prelims in a best time of 1:56.58, earning a berth on the finals relay. She’s joined by individual 200 representatives Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith, and Mallory Comerford. The lineup ends up being the top four finishers at U.S. Trials.

The Australians have made a pair of moves, subbing in Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus for Leah Neale and Shayna Jack.

The top seeded Chinese have made two moves, bringing in Ai Yanhan and rising youngster Li Bingjie. Hungary brings in Katinka Hosszu, Russia brings in Veronika Popova, and the Canadians bring in Mackenzie Padington.

Canada, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalists, likely forfeit any shot of a medal as they opt not to bring in Penny Oleksiak.

The Netherlands and Japan are the two teams who stand pat from the morning.

Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Final

  1. Hungary (Kesely, Jakabos, Verraszto, Hosszu)
  2. Netherlands (Neumann, Heemskerk, Vermeulen, Delno)
  3. USA (Smith, Comerford, Margalis, Ledecky)
  4. China (Ai, Liu, Zhang, Li)
  5. Japan (Igarashi, Ikee, Aoki, Takano)
  6. Australia (Wilson, McKeon, Ngawati, Titmus)
  7. Russia (Popova, Andreeva, Ustinova, Openysheva)
  8. Canada (Harvey, Smith, Savard, Padington)

In This Story

27
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

27 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
AWSI DOOGER
6 years ago

I don’t know if this was the correct call or not. I wouldn’t have complained if Mallory had been left out. Her style is more straight armed and robotic instead of relaxed elbows and ability to adjust from 50 to 50, which is normally ideal for 200 long course. I’m not sure she’ll improve as much as expected in the 200 long. Her entry and turns are very good, along with burst speed, which leads to success in 200 short course. Heck, she was quietly a top finisher in the NCAA 200 as a freshman.

They probably put Comerford on this relay because she’s viewed as a potential stalwart so they need to give her more swims and see what… Read more »

HOYA13
6 years ago

Why in the world was Madisyn Cox on the relay this morning? Did she even swim the 2Free at trials?

AvidSwimFan
Reply to  HOYA13
6 years ago

Only 10 teams were competing for 8 spots. The coaches made a call. They could get a lane while letting Manuel & Comerford rest up. Yes, maybe Manuel loses a gold medal, but it was the right call.

Prickle
6 years ago

Very fair decision. The question is why Manuel didn’t swim this relay in the morning. There would be no medal for her. I don’t think it is because of saving energy. She could do it as morning worm up exercise and would be still enough for the team to qualify for final.

Prickle
Reply to  Prickle
6 years ago

*warm up

Leto
Reply to  Prickle
6 years ago

Can be many factors. Manuel swam the mixed medley as well. She also has the 50 which Comerford does not. Maybe in managing her taper, Simone was focusing on the 50 and 100 and had made the decision prior to getting to worlds to jot swim the 200. I truly think if Simone wanted this swim we would have seen her in this relay either in the AM or PM. Nice for Cox to get the swim this AM.

swimmer
Reply to  Leto
6 years ago

Who would get the medals then?

AvidSwimFan
Reply to  swimmer
6 years ago

Those who swam prelims & finals. Simone doesn’t get any medals because she didn’t swim the event.

commonwombat
6 years ago

M200IM: Between Kalisz and Hagino, tough call. Bronze =open book Desplanches, Seto, Litchfield maybe Heintz

W100FR (SF): Top 8 from heats would need to fall away greatly or someone 9-16 to lift immensely to alter the finals line-up. Sub53s on the cards, how many open to question. Other than SS, would be surprised to see anyone else significantly below 52.7. Least likely to sub53 probably C2 who is now probably in realm of diminishing returns re shoulders

M100FR: Talks of WRs; whilst possible think its improbable. Would actually be surprising to see any time better than 47.4. Dressel and Metella have been the fastest so have to be fancied but who will handle the pressure best ? Adrian still a… Read more »

Brownish
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

Kapas isn’t in the relay, but I think we can win the bronze.

Swim-Fan
6 years ago

I’m pretty sure these athletes are condition to swim 3 races in 1 day. She swims the 100 first. The finals for the 100 are tomorrow night.

Wallaby
6 years ago

Notice China isn’t using Shen Duo. She was only 1:58 this morning. Wonder what’s happened to her, she went 1:55s last year

Tm71
6 years ago

Smith, commeford and margalis can all swim 156 splits which will make KL need 155

Prickle
Reply to  Tm71
6 years ago

It looks like Katie Ledecky will have a clear water from the very beginning. At their best this team can attack the world record. Most likely won’t do it being very careful with exchange.

MichaelTran
6 years ago

Comerford deserves it!!
Go MC!!

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

Read More »