Despite versatility giving rise to many potential creative constructions of the women’s 400 medley relay, the Americans have decided to play it safe and will stick with the runners-up in each individual race from the Olympic Trials in the morning heat. That means Rachel Bootsma, Breeja Larson, Claire Donahue, and Jessica Hardy will swim the early heats and jockey for position, before a likely whole-sale change in finals.
This relay is arguably still the best in the world, as all but Bootsma made the Olympic finals in their respective events, and certainly should have no trouble getting a number-one or number-two seed out of prelims.
There’s still some question about who the Americans will go with in the final. Missy Franklin was both the American champion in the 100 back, and is the United States’ best 100 freestyler through two rounds of the individual event. The best estimate is that Franklin will swim backstroke, with either Allison Schmitt or Hardy again to anchor the medley.
I don’t think they’ll have Hardy swim the anchor leg twice…I might be wrong but I’m pretty sure Alison’s win in the 200 Free and the fact that her 4×100 free relay split was faster than Jessica’s automatically gives her the final spot.
Schmitt could finish with the same number of medals as Missy (5) total…I just don’t know if she’ll receive the same notoriety since NBC wanted Missy as their media darling.
Overall, Alison had a PHENOMENAL meet and Team USA is very lucky to have so many top female swimmers to complement our World Record Holders – Soni and Vollmer.
Schmitt (3rd fastest at trials and having a good meet) should be asked to swim prelim anchor for relay so Hardy doesn’t have 4 swims in one day! Jeez!
Hardy could only have 3 swims max: 4×100 medly prelims and final, and 50 final.
Medley Relay finals are on a separate day entirely from prelims. So Hardy would have to swim the 50 free final just before the medley relay anchor, which is why they will inevitably choose Schmitt. (Plus Schmitt is amazing).
Thanks, I wasn’t aware that prelims for the relay were on a different day than finals! And I suppose I’m being optimistic anyway; Hardy needs to make it into the final before it’s an issue. I DO think that Hardy’s 100 free times this week have been faster than Schmitt’s, so she should get the call to anchor the relay. Just my opinion. That’s another reason why I’d like Schmitt to swim in prelims, so gets a 5th medal, which I think she’s earned by her awesome performance in London!
Coughlin v. Hardy in the 100IM would be epic.
Coughlin should go do the World Cup series. I would love to see that. She would destroy 50 back and fly and 100 IM.
Unfortunately, Natalie’s meet is done. I hope her career isn’t because I’d like to see one last swim. Based on the girls results, the role of captain that she was given, has played out well. McKeever should be thrilled with the amount of hardware that the ladies are taking home.
Well, let Bootsma have a chance at a medal before she goes to Berkley. N Couglin has 12 medals would have like to see her again but Bootsma needs the experience.
They should have Coughlin on the prelims!!!!
i want Coughlin to swim.