Swim of the Day – Brendan Hansen, 100 breaststroke, 59.68 – Just a few years ago, the Americans were panicking about where they would find the next big breaststroker after Hansen retired. But it turns out, we’re still looking at the same one for the third-straight games. He swam great, and then he got out of the pool and said he felt great, he was enjoying it, and that he just wanted to show what he can do in one year.
Stat of the Day – Women’s 100 backstroke – In the women’s 100 backstroke, 5 out of the 8 swimmers in the final were in high school at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. That includes two of the top three seeds (Missy Franklin and Olivia Smoliga) who have a whole season left before they head off to college. We’ve got some readers who were doing pretty special things in high school there’s no doubt; but for the other 99% of you, imagine what you were doing in high school. Probably shopping at target for new bed sheets in your dorm, or swimming summer league meets, or chewing your nails to stubs for fear of giving a speech in front of your communications class. These girls are racing in front of over 10,000 fans.
Best Front-Half – Allison Schmitt, 1:58.34 first 200 meters, 400 free – There were some outstanding front-half swims on day 2 of the meet; Dana Vollmer in the 100 fly, Rachel Bootsma in the 100 back, Christine Magnuson in the 100 fly, Kevin Cordes in the 100 breast. But Schmitt in the 400 free got 10,000+ fans on their feet earlier in a 400 free than I think I’ve ever seen in a meet. Even if she couldn’t hold on, that’s still quite a feat.
