Swim of the Day: Matt Grevers, 52.08, 100 back – With so many incredible swims on the third day of the meet, it was hard to pick just one as a “swim of the day.” But that honor has to go to Grevers with the second-fastest time of all-time. This was one of the few races that we’ve seen at this meet that seemed to be decided from the start. He was out fast, he came home fast, and now with this pressure off (and I think there was a lot on him) he will be outstanding the rest of this meet. With the Phelps scratch, I think that Grevers could even get into the top two in the 100 free.
Coaching Decision of the Day: Paul Yetter, T2 Aquatics – The T2 program hasn’t been outstanding at this meet. Erica Erndl has been pretty good, but Katie Hoff and Liz Pelton (in her first race) haven’t been as good as expected. But when he scratched Pelton as the 4th seed in the 100 back, people didn’t understand. But she’s the number-two seed in the women’s 200 IM going into finals, and in this case 2>4. Ariana Kukors and Elizabeth Beisel will be lurking and lunging, and both of them are way better than Pelton on the breaststroke leg, but it looks like Yetter made exactly the right decision.
Gutsy Performance of the Day: Lauren Perdue, 1:58.28, 200 free – Lauren Perdue hadn’t been a best time in the 200 free since she the summer after her senior year in high school. Apparently, it took back surgery and three months of rehab for her to get back to that level. There is going to be at least 2 unexpected swimmers on this women’s 800 free relay (between Perdue, Chelsea Chenault, Alyssa Anderson, and Shannon Vreeland). With how tough Perdue has been it would be tough to pick against her, but training could catch up to her in the evening.
Erin McElfresh from Moravia, NY – we are do proud of your accomplishments in the pool! We love you! Linda and Kalevi
I keep reading how it was “Yetter’s decision,” not “Pelton’s decision.” Is this true? If so, it’s time for Pelton to get out of Dodge (or Tampa, as the case may be). At that level the swimmer should be the one making that decision. I know Pelton is not exactly old, but she’s plenty experienced and should be making her own career decisions.
Regardless of whose decision it was, seems pretty questionable to me. She had already qualified for the final of the 100 back, and is a sub-minute backstroker. You work so hard for so long just to be in a position to try to make the team… I don’t know, I don’t think I ever take that away,… Read more »
At any level its imperative that the swimmer trusts the coach, if not you cant be successful. I’m sure she has complete faith in Paul’s training and will do anything he suggests.
Its the same thing with Lochte or Phelps.. If their coach suggested they scratch something, theyd do it in a heartbeat.
It would be a great thing to see Lauren Perdue make the Top 6 tonite.
I wouldn’t go as far as calling Yetter a “genius” for that decision. You never know if someone slips or chokes in the final. We don’t know what Pelton was capable of in the 100 back at this meet, so in hindsight, the 59.4 for 2nd was perhaps within reach. Either way, she’ll have more than enough to do holding back Leverenz, Kukors and Beisel.
Good pick guys for the race of the night ! That 52.08 is just unbeleivably strong and fast ! I saw personnally Grevers coming in Omaha with a surprise ..intuitively speaking . There it is . Camille Lacourt and the japanese know now who is the Gold medal contender ! Happy for Grevers so much ! He has been so consistent as all the meets this year he attended . Great for Thoman too . Hope Matt can also deliver amazing fast 100 free ( also for Us relay , it’s needed – a 47.95/48.00) would be great in semi or final ! Great battle on 100 for sure .
I am so happy for Grevers! I will also note that very few of the usual suspects who post to this site actually had him winning, let alone winning with such speed. water under the bridge . . . Go USA!!!!!!!
Liz Pelton has not made the team yet.
Yetter will be proven right if Pelton comes first or second in the 200 IM tomorrow.