Melanie Margalis: The double feels very worth it now (Video)

^{Reported by Mitch Bowmile.}

WOMEN’S 200M FREESTYLE FINAL

Top seed: Katie Ledecky (1:55.10)
World record: 1:52.98 – Frederica Pellegrini (Italy)
American record: 1:53.61 – Allison Schmitt
U.S Open record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt
U.S Nationals record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt
JR World record: 1:56.12 – Shen Duo (China)
2012 Winning Time: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt

After a tough week Missy Franklin has no secured an individual event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games by finishing second behind Katie Ledecky in the 200m freestyle.

As per her strategy, Simone Manuel was out like a rocket, taking charge of the race through the first one-hundred meters in order to flip at the halfway point under world record pace. Ledecky turned second, Allison Schmitt turned third, Missy Franklin turned fourth.

Heading towards the third wall, Ledecky surged to a lead as both Franklin and Manuel flipped at the same time in second.

After the turn Ledecky was out in front, but Franklin came on strong to pass a charging Schmitt. Ledecky touched first in 1:54.88, Franklin was second in 1:56.18.

Leah Smith made a move and passed Schmitt to clock in for third in 1:56.63. Schmitt grabbed the final relay position with a 1:56.72.

Although Smith and Ledecky already made the team earlier this week, this final marks a sigh of relief for both Franklin and Schmitt who are now both officially on the team.

1. Katie Ledecky (1:54.88)
2. Missy Franklin (1:56.18)
3. Leah Smith (1:56.63)
4. Allison Schmitt (1:56.72)
5. Cierra Runge (1:57.16)
6. Melanie Margalis (1:57.65
7. Simone Manuel (1:57.84)
8. Katie McLaughlin (1:57.84)

For official results click here.

WOMEN’S 200M IM FINAL

2016 Top seed: Maya DiRado (2:10.09)
World record: 2:06.12 – Katinka Hosszu
American record: 2:06.15 – Ariana Kukors
U.S Open record: 2:08.66 – Katinka Hosszu
U.S Nationals record: 2:09.34 – Julia Smit
JR World record: 2:11.03 – Viktoria Gunes
2012 Winning Time: 2:10.22 – Caitlin Leverenz

Maya DiRado added a second event to her schedule for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, rocking a swift 2:09.54 to give her the win by over half-a-second.

The real battle was for the second spot. On the final turn, Melanie Margalis turned in fifth, over a body-length behind DiRado and Leverenz who were leading the way.

Off the wall, Margalis started charging and she began to creep up on Leverenz. Leverenz didn’t budge, and the two went stroke for stroke into the wall. Margalis opted for a glide in, Leverenz took the extra stroke.

Margalis was second in 2:10.11, Leverenz was third in 2:10.16.

With the second spot going to Margalis, Leverenz will not be going to the Olympic Games.

1. Maya DiRado (2:09.54)
2. Melanie Margalis (2:10.11)
3. Caitlin Leverenz (2:10.16)
4. Madisyn Cox (2:11.24)
5. Ella Eastin (2:11.49)
6. Bethany Galat (2:12.82)
7. Meghan Small (2:13.31)
8. Emily Cameron (2:14.16)

For official results click here.