2021 PRO SWIM SERIES – MISSION VIEJO (#3)
- April 8-11, 2021
- Marguerite Aquatics Center, Mission Viejo, CA
- LCM
- Prelims – 4:00pm PST/Finals – 10:00am PST
- Meet central
- Meet information
- Psych sheets
- Live stream (USA Swimming – evening prelims & 800 free Thursday)
- Live stream (Olympic Channel – mid-day finals)
- Live results
- Day 4 Prelims Recap
Reported by Nick Pecoraro.
MEN’S 200 METER INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY — FINALS
- Pro Swim Series Record: 1:56.32, Michael Phelps (NBAC) — 2012
- Wave II Trials Cut: 2:03.02
- Wave I Trials Cut: 2:04.09
Top 3:
- Michael Andrew (Race Pace), 1:57.98
- Andrew Seliskar (Cal Aquatics), 2:00.16
- Jay Litherland (Dynamo), 2:00.20
Michael Andrew stuck to his race strategy of taking each stroke out valiantly, splitting 24.07 on the 50 fly followed by 29.78 back and 33.72 breast. Andrew looked sharp throughout the majority of his last 50 until the lactic acid build-up slowed his tempo down into the flags, splitting 30.41. Nonetheless, Andrew pulled out his second 2021 PSS win in the 200 IM with a season best of 1:57.98. Andrew now moves up to No. 8 in the world, remaining the fastest American this season with the only sub-1:59 time.
While Jay Litherland is known for his closing speed, it was Andrew Seliskar who out-split Litherland 28.28 to 28.90 on the final 50 free to place second by four one-hundredths. Seliskar remains the No. 8 American this season at 2:00.16 while Jay Litherland jumped Josh Prenot (2:00.62) for No. 9 in the nation at 2:00.20.
He just does not have the base to close out a 200IM. His freestyle also looks like he is not getting extension to set a good catch. If he can get these things down I think he could be 1:55 or even 1:54. His splits would probably be 23.5, 29.3, 32.9, 28.9. You have to remember he went 1:57 on very little rest.
I can’t imagine someone going 23.5 in the fly and coming home in 28.9.
If he goes out in 23.5, he isn’t breaking 30 on the free.
Without a doubt, Michael’s father has played a huge role in his career, but for God’s sake…when will Michael speak as a singular individual? It’s as if his dad swims the races with him. Always we, us, and our. Maybe he needs to take some ownership of things…speak in my.
Yeah, we definitely need more people saying me, me, me.
Bob Bowman and MP regularly spoke together at press conferences
Need to check heart rate at the 100.
Needs to find that easy speed skill to be out as fast as he was with a 5% reduction in HR whatever it was.
That should take care of the 29 low free.
Congrats to MA on putting up a great swim.
Although spectators were not allowed to view the event, I still think it is incredibly unprofessional for supposedly “professional” swimmers to drop out of events. If I had made a long drive and paid for a ticket to see the 200 IM and found out that some of the top pros like Dressel and Lochte didn’t show up, I’d be pretty upset. We missed opportunity to see an epic battle. There should be some consequences for not showing up for a race. It is just not fair to the fans.
Bit facetious but wonder how well his backstroke technique would hold up if he were to swim that for the freestyle leg. I can imagine that it wouldn’t be too far off time-wise
Interesting idea. Not legal. Should be IMO, but isn’t.
Side stroke on the other hand 😂
The men’s 100/200 frees and the women’s 100/200 backs will not be nearly as exciting as the men’s 200 IM at Trials.
Everyone will be on the edge of their seats on the last 50 wondering if Michael Andrew can hold off everyone that’s closing in on him.
The last 50 of the men’s 200 IM will be the most exciting 50 of Trials. Haha.
All I hope is that he doesn’t swim too many events at Trials, preferably just keeps it at 50 freestyle/100 breaststroke/200 IM.
What is MA’s thinking/strategy behind shaving for every meet? Does anyone know? I would think you would want to save that extra edge for the really big meets.
From an Off the Blocks interview
“I shave for pretty much every meet I race in. The reason is every time I race is an opportunity to go fast. It helps me, it feels faster. But I think it helps me mentally know, OK, it’s go time, it’s time to race and focus in.”
And he still dropped time like a mother at 2016 OTs.
He may be aiming for that manscaped sponsorship