Maxime Rooney Posts 1:49.0 200 Free Without Goggles In Doha

2015 FINA WORLD CUP: DOHA

The second day of the 2015 Doha World Cup demonstrated the mental fortitude it takes to compete at the highest level, even when things don’t go your way. American freestyler Maxime Rooney was faced with adversity before his 200 freestyle when his prescription goggles snapped behind the blocks. The referee was not willing to delay the race which only left him with enough time to rip the broken goggles from beneath his double cap before referee called “take your marks.”

Despite his poor vision and lack of goggles during the prelim swim, he managed to post the second fastest time of the morning with a time of 1:49.09. James Guy posted the top time of 1:48.31 to qualify first into finals.

The men’s 100 butterfly and the women’s 100 backstroke are gearing up to be two of the most exciting races of the night. Tom Shields, Chris Wright, Chad le Clos, and Giles Smith all finished between 53.21 and 53.51 this morning. In the women’s 100 backstroke, Katinka Hosszu posted the top time of 1:00.44, but Natalie Coughlin and 2015 World Champion Emily Seebohm were not far behind at 1:01.14 and 1:01.20, respectively. With Hosszu’s busy schedule, I don’t expect Hosszu to be as far ahead tonight. It will take a lot for either Coughlin or Hosszu to dethrone Seebohm as she has been on fire during this year’s World cup Series. All three swimmers have the potential to break one minute tonight during the final.

Mitchell Larkin has been on fire as well, breaking the Commonwealth and Australian 200 backstroke records this season. He qualified second in the 50 backstroke with a 25.43, behind David Plummer‘s 24.92. In the 200 backstroke, Larkin cruised in with a 1:59.80 to earn the top seed by nearly two seconds. His prelim time is still five and a half seconds slower than his top time this year of 1:53.34.

Lauren Boyle threw down a strong 4:09.28 morning swim to earn the top seed in the women’s 400 freestyle. She touched just ahead of Hosszu who finished second in 4:10.64.

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MrReferee
8 years ago

Are the times listed for Hosszu, Coughlin and Seebhom correct? If so, then Hosszu did not post the top 100 backstroke time.

Drury
8 years ago

Goggles*

Drury
8 years ago

I have seen one of my teammates win the 200free @ ncaa without googles and cap while keeping his silky smooth mullet. Miss those days

Joel Lin
8 years ago

Aside from the goggles point, what a talent this kid is. The future is so bright with the young stars coming out of USA, Aussie, Brazil, UK and elsewhere. 2016 is going to be the most engaging Olympiad with new players on the hunt for medals in many cycles.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Joel Lin
8 years ago

Great talent he is and becoming .

About Tony Carroll

Tony Carroll

The writer formerly known as "Troy Gennaro", better known as Tony Carroll, has been working with SwimSwam since April of 2013. Tony grew up in northern Indiana and started swimming in 2003 when his dad forced him to join the local swim team. Reluctantly, he joined on the condition that …

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