There were no huge surprises in the morning prelims on Day 2 at the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships, but we did see the first major DQ of the meet in the women’s 100 backstroke. Here’s a brief rundown of the qualifying, and some updated thoughts headed into tonight’s final.
Women’s 100m back
Natalie Coughlin (1:00.21) used some incredible underwater swimming to snag the top spot after this morning’s prelims. I doubt that anyone can knock her off tonight, she looked too strong in her best event. She will be chased by Elizabeth Beisel, Presley Bard, Rachel Bootsma (the top seed coming in), Missy Franklin, Liz Pelton, Taylor Wohrley, and Mary Mohler (Decsenza).
Maggie Meyer from the University of Wisconsin, a former U.S. Open champ, would have tied for the 4th overall seed in the event, and probably would have contended for a medal, but was DQ’ed.
Men’s 200 free
This was a loaded final, including the first swim by Mr. Michael Phelps. Peter Vanderkaay continued an amazing summer by taking the top spot easily in a 1:47.25. NCAA Champ Conor Dwyer was second at 1:47.83. Next were Lochte, Berens, Phelps, Matthew Maclean (who swam very well from the outside lane), and a tie for 7th by Scot Robison and Dave Walters. Michael Klueh, Daniel Medwed, and Charles Houchin were among the first swimmers out of the A final.
Phelps likely cruised in this prelim, as he has 4 very difficult races today (including the 200 fly). I expect him to crank up the heat tonight and win, although with how Vanderkaay has been swimming, Phelps could get an unexpected challenge. Also watch Lochte, who poured it on big time in the 400 IM final and might do so again tonight.
Men’s 100 back
The 3 favorites to medal (Piersol (54.02), Grevers (54.31), and Thoman (54.56)) qualified easily in 1st, 3rd, and 4th place. Breaking up the party was David Plummer from Minnetonka, who grabbed the second spot in 54.11. Also finaling were David Russell, Benedict Hesen, Randall Bal, and Rex Tullius. Tullius previously scratched the 200 free to focus on this race, and it paid off as he snuck into the A-final just barely by .03 seconds.
I still believe this is a three-man race between Piersol, Grevers, and Thoman. Grevers is just too huge (physically) to be denied here, in my opinion.
Women’s 200 free
Dana Vollmer appeared to be on a mission in this event to avenge her loss in the 100 fly last night, which she was also expected to win, by taking the top seed in a swift 1:57.43. Allison Schmitt and Morgan Scroggy (1:58.38) tied for second overall, as the Georgia teammates will bookend Vollmer on the inside in tonight’s final. Scroggy has been having a spectacular meet so far, so don’t be surprised if she can challenge Vollmer. Katie Hoff (1:58.57) and Dagny Knutson (1:58.70) were the next qualifiers, either of which could easily be in the mix as well. The young Jasmine Tosky, who is a rapidly rising star but seemed to be about a year away from cracking a USA relay, swam excellently to take 7th, and Open Water specialist Chloe Sutton, who really prefers longer distances, will round out the A final.
Missy Franklin and Ariana Kukors, who was probably expecting a better swim, are the next swimmers in line in the event of a scratch, although that doesn’t appear to be likely. Jessica Hardy also saw her first action in this race, where she qualified 12th in a season-best time at 2:00.08. Although this is not an event that she expected to compete in, it was likely added to her schedule to avoid having to wait until Thursday’s 100 breast for her first action. Her swim was a positive sign, leaving a good outlook for the rest of her events.
Men’s 200 fly
Michael Phelps again seemed to kill his speed off in this event, and looked very smooth and comfortable in taking the top seed at 1:57.54. Robert Bollier took the second spot in 1:57.67. Tyler Clary seemed to put his speed into 5th gear the last 15 meters of the race, just to let everybody know that he still had a lot more to give, and actually turned in the fastest last 50 (30.55) on his way to a 1:57.69 and the third overall seed.
As I predicted in my Day 2 preview, Mark Dylla turned in what was probably his first good swim of the summer to qualify 4th in 1:57.98, and Daniel Medwed also finally had a good swim at this meet to qualify 5th. Madwed, who was swimming next to former Club Wolverine teammate Michael Phelps, looked especially strong on the walls, which is hugely important in this race. Expect Madwed to scratch the 200 free (where he was a B-finalist) to focus on this race. Todd Patrick, AJ Tipton and Alex Vanderkaay were 6th, 7th and 8th, respectively.
