Ledecky Out of 1500 on Day 5 of Nats, Will Still Have Worlds Spot

2017 U.S. NATIONALS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS

Katie Ledecky will not be swimming the 1500 free today, but she retains her slot in the event at Worlds. Like in the 50 stroke events, the selection procedure for the women’s 1500 free allows for a swimmer who doesn’t compete in the event at Nationals to swim the event at worlds.

The United States’s first slot in the women’s 1500 will go to the top finisher tonight. The second slot in the event will be “chosen from already-qualified athletes based on world ranks.” Check and check for Ledecky.

Ledecky’s scratch could potentially give a new swimmer who hasn’t yet qualified for the team a guaranteed spot on the Worlds roster. However, likely, the slot will be filled by the University of Virginia veteran Leah Smith, who (very surprisingly) has not swam a 1500 since 2014. Smith has already qualified for the team in the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, 400 IM, and 4×200 free relay (!!). She will not be swimming with finals, according to the heat sheet, due to her yards seed time. Her heat is scheduled to start at 4:30 pm.

Other scratches for the 1500 free this afternoon and tonight include Michigan distance standout G Ryan and 16-year-old Erica Sullivan (both of whom we picked to make the top 8). York YMCA’s Courtney Harnish is also a scratch.

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Leto
7 years ago

Anyone know if Katie is training with Gemmell this summer at NCAP or did she stay with Stanford?

Prickle
Reply to  Leto
7 years ago

Why do you think so? I saw Greg Meehan on the stands and he looked like he cared of what Katie did in the pool. I can assume that Gemmell was asked for consultation because he has a great record of tapering Katie’s training process to make her peaking at right moment. What happened with Katie at NCAA finals gave me some doubts that Greg Meehan understands of what kind of unique swimmer he has under his coaching and how to make this swimmer even greater.

Leto
Reply to  Prickle
7 years ago

It was a comment made in one of the interviews from Meehan that made me think she wasn’t training there this summer.

Prickle
Reply to  Leto
7 years ago

In last interview Bruce Gemmell was directly asked if he has anything to do with Ledecky’s preparation for the WC. He answered:”No”. But then he explained that he indeed has been talking a lot to Katie recently, but it was all about weather, school, family, and other insignificant things. During this short interview he tried multiple times underline that his communication with Katie isn’t of professional nature. Because the word ‘no’ was said so many times I began to suspect that ‘yes’ he is involved. These two like to keep secrets. Sometimes three years long.

E Gamble
7 years ago

You couldn’t pay me to swim a 1500 at Worlds after I unexpectedly made top three in the world in the 4 IM. Leah…you should drop that 1500. ?

Tigerswim22
7 years ago

Good move by Katie L. She’s likely trusting her instincts and her coach’s advice. She’ll also likely impress us with a stellar effort at World’s. Her competitive schedule in Budapest will be the most challenging of her career. This is an intelligent decision. Best wishes for a some great performances in Europe!

bobo gigi
7 years ago

Smart decision.

Newt CJ
7 years ago

too many similar events in swimming…if she wants to race all the events, then she must compete to earn a spot. BS…

Jim C
7 years ago

By scratching, Ledecky gives swimmers who have not already made the team a chance to qualify for a spot without defeating the WR holder.

lilaswimmer
Reply to  Jim C
7 years ago

unless leah smith scratches too.. i don’t see that likely..

SUNY Cal
7 years ago

Does anyone know what’s up with G Ryan?? She had bad swims all week & has now scratched this event. Wondering if she is sick??

bobo gigi
Reply to  SUNY Cal
7 years ago

Many other swimmers had a bad meet. Especially many of the best teenagers. I wonder how many times this week I have asked what happened to x or y?

bobo gigi
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

“what happened to x or y?”

Lpman
7 years ago

I am not a fan of this selection process

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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