2016 Pro Swim Series Mesa
The psych sheets are out for the Arena Pro Swim Series taking in place in Mesa, AZ from April 14-16, and there are plenty of big names to watch for. 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will be the biggest story, as he is at any competition he goes to. Phelps is entered here in the 200 free, 200 fly, and 200 IM, surprisingly not swimming the 100 fly. The 200 fly and 200 IM are two of the events he has focused on since his comeback, but the 200 free is one he hasn’t competed in at a high level individually since the 2012 Olympic Trials. It is unknown whether or not Phelps will compete in the 200 free at the Trials this year, but he will likely be looking for a spot on the 4×200 relay regardless. He is the top seed in both the 200 fly (1:52.94) and the 200 IM (1:54.75), and is seeded 9th in the 200 free (1:48.20).
Phelps’ friendly rival Ryan Lochte will also be competing, as he is entered in six events. Lochte will swim the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 fly, 200 fly, and 200 IM. None of these events are out of the ordinary for Lochte, other than the 200 fly. Lochte recorded a personal best in the event for the first time in ten years a month ago at the Southern Premier Meet, and is seeded 20th here with that time of 2:01.19. He’s seeded 1st in the 200 free and 2nd in the 200 IM.
Katie Ledecky is also swimming six events, competing in the 100-800 freestyles, the 100 fly and the 200 IM. The 100 fly and 200 IM are likely just ‘fun’ events for Ledecky, allowing her to switch things up, but keep an eye out for her in the longer freestyle events. After her world record in the 800 free at the Austin stop of the series, she proved anything is possible no matter what the meet is.
Missy Franklin rounds out USA’s “Big four”, as she’ll be competing in four events. Franklin will swim the 100 and 200 free and the 100 and 200 back, her four main events. After an impressive showing at the Orlando stop in March, Franklin will be looking to continue her momentum in Mesa with some fast swims as the Olympic Trials at the end of June are fast approaching.
This meet is loaded with stars. Other American stars competing include:
- Kelsi Worrell
- Dana Vollmer
- Jack Conger
- Michael Andrew
- Caitlin Leverenz
- Tyler Clary
- Cammile Adams
- Chase Kalisz
- Simone Manuel
- Abbey Weitzeil
- Nathan Adrian
- Anthony Ervin
- Cullen Jones
- David Plummer
- Katie Meili
- Allison Schmitt
- Maya Dirado
- Conor Dwyer
And many more. There will also be many established international swimmers competing, including:
- Katinka Hosszu, Hungary
- Alia Atkinson, Jamaica
- Arkady Vyatchanin, Serbia
- Ous Mellouli, Tunisia
- Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Bahamas
- Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe
- Hilda Luthersdottir, Iceland
- Lotte Friis, Denmark
Any body notice how the qualifying time for the 50 and 100 dropped drastically? I’m 16 and i made the first cut before they dropped it so it is kind of disappointing knowing that i have to cut over .5 in the 50 and 2 seconds in the 100 now. Any body know why they did this?
No one will ever understand how amazing it was to train in the same pool that the Arena Pro Series is held at – thank you Skyline Aquatic Center !
I predict Ledecky will set world records in all of her events at Mesa including the events she doesn’t swim.
I’m very interested to see how Clark Smith does
FYI…. Heard Clark Smith was sick at NCAAs.
No Texas guys?
Final exams etc I am sure
SwimSwammy- There are a few, including Jack Conger and Clark Smith.
Where are Tom Shields and Townley Haas
Shields is in Canada with Prenot, Murphy, etc. Townley has school maybe? But a couple Longhorns in the meet,….McBroom and Clark Smith I noticed.
So…then it looks like Lochte will be out of the 200 back at trials/Olympics? That does open things up a tad bit for the US Trials. Murpy, obviously, looks in form these days. Curious about Clary, one of the ultimate fighters on the scene. But, without Lochte, things can get really interesting…. Maybe not as interesting as the men’s 100 back, but interesting nonetheless.
Weather should be really good too!