Schmitt: “You Can See the Pride and Joy That They Have”

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Allison Schmitt, Paige Madden, and Katie McLaughlin sat down with the press after finishing 2nd-4th in the final of the women’s 200 free last night. Schmitt talked about her passion for mental health, but also what it means to be veteran on the team. This is Schmitt’s 4th Olympic team, and she first made the team as an 18 year-old.

Madden expressed how excited she was to watch UVA teammates Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass go 1-2 in the 200 IM, and McLaughlin talked about great it was to see family and friends right after qualifying for the team.

 

WOMEN’S 200 FREE FINAL

  1. Katie Ledecky (NCAP), 1:55.11
  2. Allison Schmitt (SUN), 1:56.79
  3. Paige Madden (UVA), 1:56.80
  4. Katie McLaughlin (CAL), 1:57.16
  5. Bella Sims (SAND), 1:57.53
  6. Brooke Forde (LAK), 1:57.86

Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt broke away from the field on the second 50 of the women’s 200 free final, and then on the back-half it was all Ledecky, splitting 29.18/29.85 en route to winning her second event of the meet in a time of 1:55.11.

Ledecky owns a season-best of 1:54.40, set at the Mission Viejo Pro Swim in April.

The 31-year-old Schmitt turned second at the 150 and then held on for her life coming down the stretch, with a hard-charging Paige Madden hot on her heels.

At the wall it was Schmitt getting the touch, 1:56.79 to 1:56.80, to qualify for her fourth Olympic team in an individual event, no less. Since the beginning of 2019, Schmitt has only been faster than that once: a 1:56.01 at the Knoxville PSS in January 2020.

Madden, who already qualified individually in the 400 free, takes third to seal a relay spot, as does fourth-place finisher Katie McLaughlin, making her first Olympic team in 1:57.16.

16-year-old Sandpipers of Nevada swimmer Bella Sims also looks to have punched her ticket to Tokyo by placing fifth in 1:57.53, taking almost a half-second off her personal best of 1:58.00 set in the semis. Sims moves up one spot into third all-time in the 15-16 age group.

Brooke Forde rounds out the Olympic qualifiers in 1:57.86, .04 slower than her PB from last night.

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Xman
3 years ago

I’m confused is she sponsored by TYR or the Phelps brand?

Sunny Cal
3 years ago

What has happened to Leah Smith this year?? Guess she will just make team in the 800 free this time.

Smith-King-Huske-Manuel
Reply to  Sunny Cal
3 years ago

It’s not even a given for Leah Smith in the women’s 800 meter freestyle after failing to qualify in the women’s 400 meter freestyle.

Eddie
3 years ago

Way to go Katie McLaughlin for her first Olympic Team! She’ll easily split a 1:55 on that relay

cynthia curran
Reply to  Eddie
3 years ago

Yes, and McLaughlin is 24 years old not a kid. You can make it in your mid 20’s.

Eddie
Reply to  cynthia curran
3 years ago

she had a hard 2016 after an injury, that’s all, just proud of her persistence

Ervin
Reply to  Eddie
3 years ago

Very true, she had a good 2015….did very well on the 4×200 at worlds that year. The injury cost her 2016. Glad she made it

Jason
Reply to  cynthia curran
3 years ago

**23

SMO
3 years ago

Great to see Schmitt do so well – her story of overcoming mental illness and no doubt will inspire many.

Swimfan
3 years ago

Bella Sims went out Fast with Ledecky thee first 100, shes dropping time fast.. Does she have another 2 second Drop in her on the Relay? could be exactly was the US women need

Rafael
Reply to  Swimfan
3 years ago

Everybody there (Including Ledecky) would need to drop almost 2 seconds on the relay to match the aussies..

USA:

  1. Katie Ledecky (NCAP), 1:55.11
  2. Allison Schmitt (SUN), 1:56.79
  3. Paige Madden (UVA), 1:56.80
  4. Katie McLaughlin (CAL), 1:57.16

Add up to: 7:45:86

Australia
Ariarne Titmus 1:53:09
Emma Mckeon: 1:54:74
Madi Wilson 1:55:68
Leah Neale 1:56:08
Add up to: 7:39:59

6+ seconds difference

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