2018 Swimming (post-NCAAs) - Commies, Pro Series, US Nationals, Pan Pacs, SC Worlds

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Updates from Santa Clara PSS:
Nick Norman, who swam a pair of PBs in this event at the recent Speedo Grand Challenge had his 2nd best swim ever for 4th in 15:22.98, and Johannes Calloni was 5th in 15:30.35. Clark Smith, swimming his first mile of the year, took 6th in 15:32.05.

2019 commit Calvin David was 16:05.19 for 11th, and Chenoa was 16:59.19 for 6th in the women's event.

In the 400 IM, Sarah took 3rd with a 4:44.79, a big drop from her prelims time. Chenoa and Dannie placed 13th and 15th in the B final with 4:57.11 and 4:58.72, respectively. In the C final, 2019 commit Chloe Clark won with a 4:55.84, and Natalie placed 4th in that same final with 5:05.93. Courtney originally led the C final with a 5:01.86, but scratched. On the guys' side, Sean placed 4th in the A final with a 4:22.65, though he went a 4:20.79 in prelims. 2018 commit Chris Jhong as well as current Bear Ken placed 2-3 in the B final with times of 4:27.78 and 4:29.75. Mike placed 8th in that same final with a 4:33.79.

In the 100 fly, Katie dropped a 58.33 for 2nd behind Kelsi Worrell, and Farida placed 8th with a 59.54 in that same final. 2019 commit Isabel Ivey was 1:00.96 for 4th in the B final, and Sophie was 1:02.73 for 5th in the C final. Jenna and Maddie were 1:03.82 and 1:05.04 for 6th and 8th in the D final. On the guys' side, Seli placed 2nd behind Caeleb Dressel with a 52.81, with Justin and Long placing 6th and 7th with 53.29 and 54.05, respectively. Tom (53.91), Zheng (54.18), and Trenton (55.38) were 3-4-8 in the B final. Hoffer (55.03) and Jarod (56.04) placed 2nd and 7th in the D final. Jensen was a 55.76 in prelims, but scratched.

In the 200 back, Keaton placed 9th in the A final with a 2:14.13, and Courtney was 4th in the B final with a 2:18.95. Amy qualified through in 6th with a 2:12.83, but scratched. Chloe was a 2:25.58 for 39th. On the guys' side, Murph and Pebs placed 1-3 with 1:56.06 and 1:57.34, while Daniel placed 7th with a 2:01.77. Andy Song went a 2:02.88 to win the B final, and Sean went a 2:07.33 to place 8th in the same final, and finish off his tough 400 IM-200 back double. Ethan and David were 2:08.10 and 2:08.35 to place 3rd and 5th in the C final.

In the 200 breast, Josh won with a 2:10.15, with Connor Hoppe placing 9th in the B final with a 2:22.04 (he'd been 2:20.35 in prelims). Carson won the C final in 2:20.18. On the womens' side, Natalie placed 7th in the C final with a 2:42.79.

In the 200 free, Katie placed 4th in a 1:59.53, while Izzy was 8th in 2:03.33. Abbey went sub 2:00 for the first time this season in the B final, winning in 1:59.65. Jenna was 4th in the C final with 2:04.66, and Dannie was 7th in the D final with 2:08.32. Amy scratched again, but had qualified for the B final in 6th (2:02.12). Sarah also scratched after qualifying in 21st (2:03.55). Chenoa and Sophie placed 43rd and 59th in the heats, with 2:06.27 and 2:08.61, respectively. On the men's side, Seli finished off his double with a 1:48.35 to win the A final, with Zheng placing 9th with a 1:51.69. Long and Trenton were 7-8 with 1:53.76 and 1:53.77. Sean qualified to the D final with a 1:53.66, but ultimately scratched. Shane was 1:54.68 for 46th, Calvin was 1:55.30 for 54th, Jensen was 1:55.71 for 55th, and Jarod was 1:57.46 to tie for 65th.

Finally, in the mixed medley relay, Abbey anchored with a fast 23.93 for the winning Krayzelburg relay, while Pebley and Katie swam back (25.94) and free (24.52) for the 2nd place Sandeno relay. Murph was 25.71 leading off the Coughlin relay, and Tom split 24.73 for fly in that same relay, and Prenot split 28.12 on the Lezak relay.

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TYR PRO SWIM SANTA CLARA PHOTO VAULT DAY 2



Josh Prenot


Ryan Murphy


Carson Sand


Abbey Weitzeil


Ryan Murphy, Ryan Lochte

https://instagr.am/p/BjysKUShDZv
https://instagr.am/p/BjyaYR6BFAs
Leah Smith (UVA '17) and Katie McLaughlin


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In the 800, Chenoa placed 11th with 8:58.54, and Nick placed 6th in the men's event in 8:02.92. Sean placed 8th overall in 8:12.27, while Calvin was 16th in 8:25.18.

In the 100 back, Amy and Keaton were 6th and 7th in 1:01.16 and 1:01.32, with Izzy placing 2nd in the B final in 1:01.74. In the C final, Aislinn and Courtney went 2-3 with 1:04.43 and 1:04.51, with Baby Bear Chloe winning the D final in 1:04.91, and Sophie placing 4th in that same final in 1:05.85. On the mens' side, Murph and Pebs were 1-3 again in 53.26 and 54.14. Daniel placed 7th in 55.33. Andy and David were 5th and 9th in the B final with 57.64 and 58.88, and Ethan was 4th in the C final in 57.95.

Katie out-touched Kelsi Worrell in the 200 fly with a 2:10.40 to win the event. Jenna was 2:22.78 to place 4th in the C final. On the mens' side, Tom placed 3rd in 1:58.26, with the second fastest last 50. Zheng and Trenton were 7-8 with 1:59.82 and 1:59.95.

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Yes, although Missy is now training with UGA, we will always welcome her as a Bear.

In the 200 free, Missy swam a 1:58.91 to win the B final by over 2 seconds. Her time would've placed her 5th in the A final. On the same evening, she swam to 6th in the A final of the 200 back with a 2:13.14, while Alex Sumner placed 7th in the B final in 2:19.84. Bryce placed 4th in the A final of the 200 back with a 2:00.12. Finally, in the 100 fly, Cassidy placed 8th with a 1:01.71 after going 1:00.54 in prelims.

https://instagr.am/p/BjxeFTMF6Lw
1st pic, L-R: Alex Sumner (2018 Cal), Erica Sullivan (2018 USC), Cassidy Bayer (2018 Cal), Grace Ariola (2018 Texas), Zoe Bartel (2018 LSJU)

https://instagr.am/p/Bju_xIxgrLr
L-R: Kieran Smith (2018 Gators), Michael Andrew, Gunnar Bentz (UGA), Daniel Krueger (2018 Texas), Bryce Mefford (2017 Cal)
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https://instagr.am/p/Bj8IVSCB7sH

Love that so many of our ladies are Warriors fans!!!! #dubnation #eastbaypride
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Some updates from Barcelona...

https://instagr.am/p/Bj-XJ5ZlEC2
https://instagr.am/p/BkBZxlwl1Q4
https://instagr.am/p/BkA8U0jBFvN
https://instagr.am/p/Bj5ed9LD8si
https://instagr.am/p/BkBVTuOjVwl
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  • FRAN CRIPPEN SMOC - NIGHT 2 Finals


KATIE MCLAUGHLIN LOWERS 100 FREE BEST TIME AT FRAN CRIPPEN SMOC




"The first full day of the 2018 Fran Crippen Memorial Swim Meet of Champions is in the books, with a ton of fast swims across the board.

In the women's 100 freestyle, Cal's Katie McLaughlin established a new personal best to pick up the win in a time of 54.45, lowering her 54.79 from the Santa Clara Pro Series. China's Junxuan Yang (54.57) and Al Yanhan (55.38) were 2nd and 3rd."


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That's a very impressive personal record by Katie racing whilst untapered, building on her new found sprint free speed from 2018 NCAAs!

That time currently places McL in the Top 5 amongst all American elites in this event for the 2018 season! And dare I express this bold thought lol, now puts her solidly in the conversation for a potential spot on the 4x100m free relay for Pan Pacs...
  • 53.84 - Simone Manuel
  • 53.95 - Lia Neal
  • 54.06 - Mallory Comerford
  • 54.14 - Margo Geer
  • 54.45 - Katie McLaughlin
  • 54.56 - Katie Ledecky
  • 55.13 - Kelsi Dahlia
  • 55.13 - Allison Schmitt
  • 55.19 - Olivia Smoliga
  • 55.21 - Gabby Deloof
  • 55.22 - Abbey Weitzeil

Additionally, Katie had placed 5th in the 50m Back 'A' Final with a 29.50. Her 29.44 from semis contested a bit earlier in this evening's finals session was a lifetime best (PB prior to today = 32.50 from all the way back in 2010, this being an event that KM very rarely races lol).

2017 Bear Alexa Skorus-Neely, 2018 Baby Bear Elise Garcia & 2019 commit Emma Davidson are also competing in this meet.

https://instagr.am/p/BkbOTiygrcv

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  • FRAN CRIPPEN SMOC - NIGHT 3 Finals

LI BINGJIE, BLAKE PIERONI SHINE ON NIGHT 3 OF FRAN CRIPPEN SMOC

"Another swimmer who had a great night was Katie McLaughlin of Cal, who won the 100 freestyle last night in a lifetime best. Tonight in the 50 free she did so twice, first dropping her 25.41 (set this year in Santa Clara) down to 25.40 in the semis, and then took two more tenths off to win the final in 25.19. She's now 8th among Americans this year, and runner-up Anika Apostalon (25.45) swam her fastest of the season."


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Katie also toughed it out in the 400m IM 'A' final, valiantly finishing 6th with a 4:51.39 in between her 50m Free semis & final. Wasn't too far off her 4:50.46 PB achieved back in May 2016, and would have done quite well if it wasn't for her breast being almost a second slower than the next-slowest breast leg lol.




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Couple of alumna Bears lighting up the 2018 Mediterranean Games with multiple medals...


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2018 MEDITERRANEAN GAMES DAY 1: QUADARELLA LEADS ITALIAN CHARGE


Jessica Vall and Marina Garca with their medals. Cedida


"Jessica Val of Spain earned gold for her nation in the women's 200m breast, winning in 2:25.22 ahead of teammate Marina Garcia. Garcia touched in 2:25.39 for silver, while Turkey's reigning world junior record holder in this event, Vicktoria Gunes earned bronze in 2:26.92.

Elena Di Liddo was another Italian winner on the night, proving too fast for the women's 100m fly field. Clocking 57.59, Di Liddo represented the only swimmer to delve into sub-58 second territory, with a fiery opening split of 27.22. That was enough to keep the necessary distance ahead of Egypt's Farida Osman, who touched in 58.51 for silver."


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2018 MEDITERRANEAN GAMES DAY 2: PALTRINIERI CRANKS OUT 14:46


Farida Osman Press Photo


"Egypt's Farida Osman fired off a new meet record in the women's 50m fly, clocking 25.48 to represent the only swimmer under the 26-second threshold. She won this same event at the 2013 edition of these Games.

https://instagr.am/p/BkZ0ZaLhueL
Another Spaniard earned gold tonight in the form of Jessica Val. The breaststroking ace upgraded her silver medal from 2013 to a 100m breaststroke gold tonight, finishing in a new meet record time of 1:07.19. Italy's Arianna Castiglioni opened with the fastest first 50, splitting 32.09 to Val's 32.33, but couldn't hold on and settled for bronze in 1:07.85. Splitting the two was Spain's Maria Garcia, who captured silver in 1:07.58."


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  • Day 3 UPDATE (not yet reported by SS or SW) =>

- Farida snagged her 2nd gold medal @ Tarragona, winning the 50m Free in a games record of 24.83 (PB = 24.62 from Budapest 2017):
Only finalist to break 25 sec.

https://instagr.am/p/BkfC3uZHw2H


- Marina finished in the 4th spot with a 31.69 in the 50m Breast final, a solid accomplishment considering that Garcia's more of a distance-oriented breaststroker.

https://instagr.am/p/Bkdb7jwh01m

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Couple of results for our Dutch Bear Robin Neumann @ 2018 Dutch Open National Championships in Amersfoort, Netherlands over the weekend:


Neumann had also led off & anchored a trio of relays for her club, De Dolfijn, helping her teammates to claim the runner-up spot in all 3 relays.


UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

Now that both the Swim Cup The Hague and the Eindhoven Swim Cup have completed in Netherlands, the initial squad selected for the European Championships has been announced by the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB).

  • Robin Neumann: 4x200 freestyle

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Hmmm, was wondering if Robin may attempt to qualify for that 2nd 200m Free individual spot that's still open?

"during the 2nd qualifying period, the swimmers will be vying for only those spots not already taken up by athletes having achieved qualifying times already. Suggested meets for the 2nd qualifying period include the Mare Nostrum circuit in Canet, Barcelona and Monaco, which all take place in June, as well as the Sette Colli Trophy in the same month."

SJOSTROM, LE CLOS AND PEATY HIGHLIGHT SETTE COLLI PSYCH SHEETS

June 29-30 / July 1, 2018
Rome, Italy



Robin's entered in the 50m, 100m, 200m & 400m Free @ Sette Colli 2018.


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  • UPDATE =>

https://instagr.am/p/BkdME0YBTR1

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ULTRA SWIM SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: KATHLEEN BAKER, TEAM ELITE



bearz012
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HOW DOES RYAN MURPHY TAPER? GMM PRESENTED BY SWIMOUTLET.COM

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US Nationals are just around the corner, and lots of Cal Bears will be participating, and have a great chance of making the Pan Pacs team, the Worlds team, WUG team, Pan Am team, or just the national team. Our baby bears (2022/2023 recruits) have a great shot at making the Junior Pan Pacs in Fiji this summer, as well as the Junior National team.

2018 US National Championships

THE OFFICIAL 2018 SWIMSWAM U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW INDEX
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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: DRESSEL DOMINANT IN MEN'S SPLASH-N-DASH

Depending on team size, the Americans will likely take the top-3 from most Olympic events to Tokyo, if not 4. That opens the door a little for those battling behind Dressel, but they'll still need to be on their 'A' game.

The seemingly obvious pick to slot in at #2 is Cal's Nathan Adrian. The American Record holder prior to Dressel taking it down, he was the 2015 World Championship silver medalist, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, and was the second U.S. entrant at last summer's World Championships. However, with an increased focus on the back half of his 100 in 2017, his 50 speed fell off and he failed to final in Budapest. With pressure brewing from some of the other's below him, the 29-year-old is far from a shoe-in for a top-2 spot, but shouldn't have a problem sliding into 3rd or 4th at worst. He's already been sub-22 this year, something he failed to do without rest last season.

A few other names to watch out for include Tennessee product Kyle Decoursey, who posted a lifetime best 22.41 this year, Cal's Michael Jensen who's been 22.48, and Minnesota's Bowen Becker, who's coming off a red hot NCAA campaign.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Caeleb Dressel | 21.15 | 22.15
2 | Michael Andrew | 21.73 | 21.73
3 | Nathan Adrian | 21.37 | 21.97
4 | Ryan Held | 22.16 | 22.48
5 | Michael Chadwick | 21.96 | 22.37
6 | Zach Apple | 22.00 | 22.83
7 | Cullen Jones | 21.40 | 22.78
8 | Justin Ress | 22.36 | 22.36

Dark horse: Indiana freestyler Blake Pieroni is known best for his ability in the 200, but has seen steady speed improvements in his 50 recently and could surprise and make the A-final. He cracked 19 seconds for the first time during the college season, and has already been within a tenth off his personal best (22.70) this year in long course.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: YOUTH TO THREATEN SMOLIGA & BAKER IN 50BK

Olivia Smoliga and Kathleen Baker have been at the forefront of American backstroke sprinting since Rio, and the two have both been 27.4's in their lifetime 27.43 for Smoliga, the American record holder, and 27.48 for Baker, the 5th place finisher in this event at the 2017 World Championships. The recently retired Hannah Stevens narrowly defeated Baker last year in this event at Nationals, 27.63 to 27.69, but based on lifetime bests and their recent forms, and considering Stevens is out, it's going to be Smoliga and Baker primarily vying for a title.

USA Swimming constantly has young swimmers cropping up to take place of seasoned stars, and that couldn't be more true in women's backstroke, as we've seen profound teenage excellence from Missy Franklin, Elizabeth Beisel, Elizabeth Pelton, Rachel Bootsma, and so many more. As is true in the 100 and 200 back, too, the 50 back has the potential for a teenager to surprise the field. And there are quite a few kids looking very dangerous right now.

Cal teammates Keaton Blovad and Amy Bilquist should be in the mix here, as Blovad's been 28.42 and Bilquist 28.71 this year.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Olivia Smoliga | 27.43 | 27.43
2 | Regan Smith | 27.85 | 27.85
3 | Kathleen Baker | 27.48 | 28.56
4 | Ali Deloof | 27.82 | 28.17
5 | Elise Haan | 28.22 | 28.22
6 | Isabelle Stadden | 28.17 | 28.17
7 | Amy Bilquist | 28.25 | 28.71
8 | Katharine Berkoff | 28.38 | 28.38

Dark horse: Grace Ariola. The Illinois native and future Texas Longhorn edged Regan Smith last summer at World Juniors for a bronze medal in the 50 back with a time of 28.11. Ariola is a tough racer, and she has everything it takes to make a top 8 final in this event.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: AFTER MANUEL, SPOTS WIDE OPEN IN W 50 FR

Last year it was Abbey Weitzeil, the 2016 Olympic Trials winner, who eked out a spot on the World
Championship team with a runner-up finish to Manuel in 24.74 after not even making the A-final of the 100 free. She would end up 15th in Budapest, and while that came at the end of a difficult year where she was transitioning to college life, she wasn't any faster this past college season than she was in her freshman year. She's certainly in the mix, having been faster in-season (25.08) this year than last (25.25), but has yet to find her 2016 form when she broke 25 seconds 14 times.

Along with Manuel and Geer, there are two other Americans under 25 seconds this season: Madison Kennedy and Mallory Comerford.

The 30-year-old Kennedy has been on the cusp of breaking onto a major international team for many years, but has always fallen just short. She was 5th at the 2012 Olympic Trials, 3rd in 2016, and was also two one-hundredths shy of making the Pan Pacs four years ago. Already faster this year (24.88) than she was at World Trials last year (24.95), she'll be a major factor once again.

Two other names to keep an eye on: Erika Brown and Katie McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, traditionally a 100/200 butterflier who dabbled in the same distances in freestyle, has taken up the 50 much more this year, and has stated she really enjoys the sprints. It's worked so far, having been her fastest ever at 25.19, and like Brown, sub-25 seems to be only a matter of time.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Simone Manuel | 23.97 | 24.59
2 | Margo Geer | 24.72 | 24.72
3 | Abbey Weitzeil | 24.28 | 25.08
4 | Mallory Comerford | 24.88 | 24.94
5 | Olivia Smoliga | 24.70 | 25.14
6 | Lia Neal | 24.77 | 25.04
7 | Erika Brown | 25.21 | 25.21
8 | Gretchen Walsh | 25.46 | 25.46

Dark horse: 17-year-old Anya Goeders swam a startling 24.85 to win the 2016 Junior Pan Pac title, and wasn't far off with a 25.14 showing in 2017. She's only the 66th fastest American this year at 26.43, but certainly has the potential to battle for a top finish with a return to form.

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2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAHLIA CAN CHALLENGE OWN 50 FLY AR

In the absence of Vollmer, from whom the latest word is that she "most likely" won't swim Nationals while working her way back from the birth of her second child, there's not a proven challenger for Worrell in this race and the spot on the 2019 World Championship team.

Though they're both more of 100/200 butterfliers, Sarah Gibson and Katie McLaughlin are both ranked in America's top 10 this year, with Gibson at 26.70 and McLaughlin at 26.75. McLaughlin, in particular, has been on fire this spring and her sprints have never looked better. If anyone is going to sneak up to challenge for a top three or four spot, it's probably her or Mallory Comerford.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Kelsi Dahlia | 25.48 | 25.74
2 | Hellen Moffitt | 26.19 | 26.39
3 | Erika Brown | 26.64 | 26.64
4 | Amanda Kendall | 26.07 | 26.07
5 | Katie McLaughlin | 26.75 | 26.75
6 | Kendyl Stewart | 25.93 | 26.45
7 | Alyssa Marsh | 26.46 | 26.99
8 | Ann Ochitwa | 26.49 | 26.64

Dark Horse: Maddie Murphy. The rising Cal junior has been 26.60, and she's seen progression in her first two seasons with the Golden Bears.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: WORLD CHAMPIONS LEAD PACK IN MEN'S 200 IM

Four of the five fastest times this season after Kalisz and Lochte belong to a cluster of former NCAA stars who also bring some solid international experience. The fastest lifetime and season bests in the bunch belong to Josh Prenot, who just missed making Worlds last summer in this event.

Rising Cal senior Andrew Seliskar had a strong meet earlier this month at the Santa Clara PSS. While he's made the A-final at NCAAs in the yards version of this event each of the past three years, his lifetime time best in long course is still a 1:59.84 from way back in 2013, before his junior year of high school. Still, he looks to be in great form this season, and is a great bet to make one of the various international teams that will be selected on the basis of this meet.

Among current or recently-graduated high schoolers, Carson Foster recorded a personal best at the Austin PSS and sees this event as his best one, Kieran Smith looks to be a future IM star, and you've got to wonder what Reece Whitley could pop if he decided to swim this. He made huge progress during his senior high school season in 'not breaststroke.'

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Chase Kalisz | 1:55.56 | 1:57.50
2 | Ryan Lochte | 1:54.00 | 1:58.90
3 | Josh Prenot | 1:57.14 | 1:59.47
4 | Abrahm Devine | 1:56.79 | N/A
5 | Gunnar Bentz | 1:58.31 | 2:00.69
6 | Andrew Seliskar | 1:59.84 | 2:01.89
7 | Will Licon | 1:58.43 | 2:00.11
8 | Jay Litherland | 1:58.46 | 2:00.56

Dark Horse Dresselhorse: What's that? You've made it this far and you're surprised/annoyed we haven't even mentioned a certain swimmer who obliterated the American Record in the yards version of this event at a meet for which he wasn't even fully tapered? Snap out of it. The 200 IM is shortly before the 50 free. And even if he does decide to swim it, he's not going to set the world record. That'd be as crazy, as, say, someone swimming a 17.6 50 free, 50.0 100 breast, and a 42.8 100 fly.
Can't happen...right?

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: RESS LEADS 50 BACK FIELD OF WILDCARDS

While the spotlight might be focused on swimmers like Ress and Andrew over the 50 meter distance, it's impossible to count out the backstroke greats in Grevers (3rd at 2017 U.S. Nationals) and Murphy (2nd at 2017 U.S. Nationals) who have both proved time and time again that they show up when and where it matters most. Grevers is the 2012 Olympic Champion in the 100 back and Murphy is the 2016 Olympic Champ (and WR holder) in the same event.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Justin Ress | 24.41 | 24.47
2 | Michael Andrew | 24.63 | 24.70
3 | Matt Grevers | 24.54 | 24.81
4 | Ryan Murphy | 24.64 | 25.45
5 | Ryan Held | 24.95 | 25.23
6 | Jacob Pebley | 25.30 | 25.46
7 | John Shebat | 24.88 | N/A
8 | Daniel Carr | 25.27 | 25.73
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Abbey Weitzeil is Mastering her Confidence for Another Olympic Run



By Mike Watkins//Contributor | Friday, July 6, 2018

Following the 2016 Olympics - despite leaving Rio with gold and silver medals - Abbey Weitzeil returned home discouraged and disheartened.

Her confidence had taken a hit when - after delaying the start of her freshman year and season at the University of California-Berkeley to focus on making the Olympic team - she failed to medal in either of her individual Olympic events despite winning both at Olympic Trials.

It took her a full NCAA season and last summer's Phillips 66 Nationals and World Championships to restore her confidence almost to pre-Trials levels.

And with this year's Phillips 66 Nationals and spots on international teams over the next two summers in the balance - her confidence rejuvenation couldn't be happening at a better time.

"After the past couple of years, I'm still learning to gain my confidence back," Weitzeil said. "It's taken me a while, but I'm feeling better about my swimming and everything associated with it."

One area where Weitzeil said she struggled the most was adapting to college life and swimming once she joined her recruiting class and teammates in the fall of 2016.

Because she had basically isolated herself for most of the previous year to focus on training and preparing for Olympic Trials, when she arrived in Berkeley, she found it difficult to balance athletics, classes and college life.

She also had to be patient and give herself time to get used to a change in coaching styles and cycles and a different approach to practice and training.

For her, it was a trust issue - not in Coach Teri McKeever but just in accepting a different way of doing things.

Once she did, she found her footing again, but it took her a full season to make that adjustment.

"Everything hit me coming into school, and I was exposed to freshmen activities and other social events and it got a little crazy for me because I wanted to enjoy everything," she said. "I missed out on so many fun things that year I was training, that I wanted to take part in everything I could.

"When you do that, something else takes a backseat, and that made adjusting to collegiate swimming tough for me."

By the beginning of her second NCAA season - and after making the 2017 World Championship team in the 50 freestyle despite missing the team in her signature 100 free - Weitzeil said she was feeling back in her swimming and life groove.

Since the end of her sophomore season in March - where she finished third in the 100 free and fourth in the 50 free at NCAAs, improving from eighth and fifth the previous season - Weitzeil has been putting up some fast times in practice and meets and said she's feeling more in control and focused with Phillips 66 Nationals just a couple of weeks away.

"I have a much better mindset now, and I've been enjoying going to practice and trying different things to get faster," she said. "I've been holding and hitting my paces better than I was before, and everything feels like it's coming together for me, especially since Santa Clara.

"It's been a rough couple of years, but I feel like things are definitely on the right track, and I'm excited to swim in Irvine - where I love swimming because it's not far from my hometown and my family and friends can come and cheer me on. Plus, I love swimming outside, so I'm really looking forward to competing and enjoying the experience and seeing what comes out of the progress that I've been making."

Once Phillips 66 Nationals starts in less than three weeks, Weitzeil said she has a point of reference from last year's meet that she can use as inspiration and confidence whatever happens this year in Irvine.

A year removed from being the 100 free Olympic Trials champion, she failed to make the final of the event at Phillips 66 Nationals and didn't think she was going to make the team despite still having the 50 free at the end of the meet.

But things came together for Weitzeil in the last event when she finished second and earned a spot on the World team - erasing a lot of the doubt she had early in the meet.

She said that not only "saved" the meet for her, but it also started the boost to her confidence that she's continued to see increase ever since.

"I just remember thinking to myself that everyone I was with on the Olympic team was going to Worlds but I wasn't," Weitzeil said. "But I pulled through on that last day and made the team. I think I put extra pressure on myself - having won both events at Trials - to duplicate that at Nationals. I got past that to make the team.

"I did the same at NCAAs my freshman season, but I've learned to leave that pressure off of myself, and without that burden, my confidence has increased. Now, I just go for it."

And having started swimming late in her life (compared to most swimmers), Weitzeil said she didn't grow up dreaming of being an Olympian. That possibility didn't creep into her thoughts until a couple of years before 2016 Trials.

But the reality of competing on the world's biggest sports stage - which she called surreal - left a lasting impression on Weitzeil that she definitely wants to duplicate in Tokyo in two years.

"The Olympics really were an amazing experience - from the event itself to just getting to know my teammates really well and creating some great memories," Weitzeil said. "It was also great to have my family there - mom, dad, my two sisters and one of their boyfriends.

"Even before I made the team, my parents started change jars on their dressers and table and counters at home - dropping change and loose bills in whenever they could to save up for the trip to Rio. With Tokyo still two years away, I'm hoping they have a reason to use those jars again over the next couple of years."


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bearz012
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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: LOCHTE THE X-FACTOR IN MEN'S 400 IM

Another wild card here is Josh Prenot, who has been a contender in this event at the last two Trials meets but ultimately opted out of competing. In Omaha, he swam the prelims but scratched out of the final, and was rewarded with a victory and Olympic spot in the 200 breast. Last summer in Indianapolis, it didn't work out so well, as he didn't swim the event and ended up missing qualification for the World Championships.

Here, if he makes the 200 breast on day 2, he'll probably sit this event out, but if he finishes outside the top-2 or 3 there then I think he gives it a go. He's been 4:18.58 this year, much slower than his 4:14.7 in-season last year, but certainly has the potential to be better than his best time of 4:13.15 from three years ago.

OTHERS IN THE MIX TO FINAL
Sean Grieshop: Still trying to regain his 2016 form when he broke the Junior World Record at the Olympic Trials in 4:14.00, but even with a 3.5 second add last summer finished 5th in Indianapolis, and is only going to get better with experience, not to mention he's now had a full season under his belt with Dave Durden.

Mike Thomas: Hadn't seriously gone after the 400 IM in years, but swam it throughout the college season this past year and ended up going 3:37.75 from the B-final at NCAAs, the 3rd fastest time among anyone. He dropped over ten seconds off his LC best time at the Speedo Grand Challenge down to 4:21.15, and with a taper could easily find himself in the thick of things in Irvine.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Chase Kalisz | 4:05.90 | 4:08.92
2 | Ryan Lochte | 4:05.18 | 4:15.80
3 | Abrahm DeVine | 4:14.98 | 4:24.89
4 | Jay Litherland | 4:09.31 | 4:17.09
5 | Gunnar Bentz | 4:11.66 | 4:21.34
6 | Charlie Swanson | 4:15.99 | 4:19.38
7 | Sean Grieshop | 4:14.00 | 4:20.79
8 | Kieran Smith | 4:17.63 | 4:20.11

Dark Horse: Another Cal product, Trenton Julian didn't swim this event at NCAAs in his freshman year, but has knocked his LC best down by nearly four seconds since then with an in-season 4:22.17 at the end of May. If he has a big performance on day 1 in the 200 fly (his best event), he could carry the momentum over to this event and make some noise.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: CROWD BEHIND DAHLIA IN WOMEN'S 100 FLY

Years ago, Katie McLaughlin was a popular pick to be the next great American medal threat in the 200 fly. But a 2016 neck injury derailed her Rio Olympic hopes, and since then she's developed more as a sprinter. Her speed has come around enough that she was 58.33 earlier this summer the best in-season swim of her career and better than any swim other than her 2015 57.8, pre-injury.

Cassidy Bayer is another former age group 200 fly standout who's stagnated a little but might be a bigger threat in the 100 moving forward. She was 4th at Olympic Trials in 2016.

There will be a couple of key absences. Olympian and American record-holder Dana Vollmer has made clear she wants to contend for the 2020 Olympic team, but says she probably won't be ready for Nationals after having her second child just about a year ago.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Kelsi Dahlia | 56.37 | 57.29
2 | Mallory Comerford | 57.97 | 58.51
3 | Sarah Gibson | 57.96 | 58.47
4 | Amanda Kendall | 57.87 | 58.29
5 | Katie McLaughlin | 57.87 | 58.33
6 | Erika Brown | 59.15 | 59.15
7 | Hellen Moffitt | 58.24 | 58.39
8 | Regan Smith | 58.64 | 58.64

Dark Horse: Katie Drabot is a hyper-versatile swimmer who had a breakthrough in the short course 200 fly this past NCAA season. Drabot has to make some tough lineup calls, particularly between the 200 fly and 100 free on day 1. If Drabot chooses to go after the 100 free (for its extra qualifying opportunities on relays), swimming the 100 fly might be a nice compromise to see if her fly continues to surge without giving up a free event. Drabot has already been a lifetime-best 59.3 this season, dropping seven tenths of a second without even tapering yet.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: MURPHY, PEBLEY REIGN IN MEN'S 200 BACK

For many years Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lochte reigned atop the U.S. and the entire world in the men's 200 back. Peirsol won Olympic gold in '04, Lochte won in '08, and after Peirsol retired, Tyler Clary joined Lochte in representing the U.S. internationally, winning an Olympic gold himself in 2012.

Lochte began to stray away from the event in 2014, and Ryan Murphy took over as the second U.S. entrant at the 2015 World Championships alongside Clary. But Murphy's training partner from Cal, Jacob Pebley, was chomping at the bit to join his fellow Golden Bear atop the country's rankings heading into the Olympic year.

After winning the 2015 National title in San Antonio, Pebley noted that Clary had gone a few one-hundredths faster (1:56.26) at the World Championships than he had gone earlier in the summer at the World University Games (1:56.29), and that being faster than Clary was his goal. "I didn't quite get that, so I guess it's just back to work".

Fast forward to the Olympic Trials in Omaha 11 months later, and Murphy and Pebley completed the Cal takeover in the event, finishing 1-2 and qualifying for the Games as Murphy cracked 1:54 and Pebley 1:55 for the first time.

Murphy would win the 2016 Olympic title a month later in Rio, and Pebley joined him on the podium last summer as they won silver and bronze at the World Championships.
The two of them are virtual locks to make the Pan Pac and Worlds teams in this event. However, the men behind them do have a lot to race for, with the top-3 and potentially 4 swimmers qualifying for Pan Pacs in Olympic events.

The 8th swimmer who has been under 2:00 this season is Bryce Mefford, who is coming off an impressive freshman year at Cal.

Mefford got a best time in the event for the first time in two years last summer at World Trials, winning the B-final in 1:58.63, and followed that with a pair of A-final appearances at his first NCAAs. He's now been 1:59.18 in-season, his second fastest swim ever, and is on the rise big time.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Ryan Murphy | 1:53.62 | 1:55.46
2 | Jacob Pebley | 1:54.77 | 1:55.85
3 | Austin Katz | 1:56.70 | 1:59.40
4 | Carson Foster | 1:57.87 | 1:59.05
5 | Joey Reilman | 1:58.87 | 1:58.87
6 | Bryce Mefford | 1:58.63 | 1:59.18
7 | Clark Beach | 1:58.58 | 1:58.58
8 | Abrahm DeVine | 1:58.65 | 2:03.03
UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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1 Bear (Ali) + 2 Baby Bears (Elise & Emma) contributed to the winning relays @ the 2018 LA Invite this evening.


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LA INVITE DAY 1: HOSSZU REUNITING WITH USC COACH DAVE SALO UNTIL EUROS


Elise Garcia (2018)

SoCal Aquatics' women's team of Elise Garcia (26.62 leadoff), Mandy Brenner (26.81), Emma Davidson (27.05), and Samantha Shelton (26.38) won the women's 200 free relay in 1:46.86.


Emma Davidson (2019)

(My note: Ali had also thrown down a 27.46 leadoff to help her team to #8 on this relay)



Alicia Harrison (2017)

In the women's 200 medley relay, Buenaventura's team of Tea Laughlin (29.56), Ali Harrison (32.83), Teagan Monroe, (28.25) and Solie Laughlin (27.30) won in 1:57.94.

(My note: Buenaventura Swim Club bettered their seed time by over 5 seconds, finishing almost 2 sec ahead of the runner-up team from Highlands Ranch Aquatics)


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:


Couple of alumna Bears lighting up the 2018 Mediterranean Games with multiple medals...

"Jessica Val of Spain earned gold for her nation in the women's 200m breast, winning in 2:25.22 ahead of teammate Marina Garcia. Garcia touched in 2:25.39 for silver, while Turkey's reigning world junior record holder in this event, Vicktoria Gunes earned bronze in 2:26.92.

Marina da el golpe con un tiempazo en la final de 200 braza; Hugo no falla



(Note: My Spanish is non-existent, so had to call upon Google Translate for a spot of help here )

"The Women's 200 Breaststroke has been dubbed as one of the great tests of Spanish swimming at the European Championships to be held in Glasgow.

After many months of duels between Jessica Vall and Marina Garca, resolved in favour of the former in all major competitions, Marina has this Saturday delivered a massive blow with a masterly time of 2:23.36 - incontestable victory, Spanish Championships record to snatch that 2:23.71 mark from Jessica, and best Spanish swim of the year to climb to #3 in the European rankings, just behind Yuliya Efimova (2:20.72) and Molly Renshaw (2:23.28). In fact, it is Marina's second best ever, just behind the 2:22.88 she had laid down at the Barcelona World Cup in 2013.

Although in the past months Marina had given Vall stiff competition, whom she had not managed to beat, this Saturday she did in the last test for both before Euros. Jessica finished second with another good record of 2:25.70, but she paid dearly from the start of the swimmer from Sabadell, who maintained her quick pace throughout the race.

200 breaststroke:
1. Marina Garcia (Sabadell) 2:23.36
2. Jessica Vall (Sant Andreu) 2:25.70
3. Alba Vazquez (Colombino) 2:29.30
"
OBear073akaSMFan
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Really happy for Marina. Long course seems to be more fitting for her.
bearz012
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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: MICHAEL (ANDREW) WILSON ON FIRE IN 50 BR

A couple collegians (or recent grads) are going to be in the mix as well. Connor Hoppe, who just finished up at Cal, was 27.28 at Nationals last year.

Teenagers Reece Whitley and Max McHugh should have eyes kept on them. Whitley, who is better at the 100 and 200, was 27.71 at World Jr Champs last year.

Cal post-grad Chuck Katis, notably, dropped a 27.96 at the Mesa PSS, so you can't count him out either.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Andrew Wilson | 27.18 | 27.43
2 | Michael Andrew | 27.12 | 27.12
3 | Kevin Cordes | 26.76 | 27.70
4 | Nic Fink | 27.31 | 27.44
5 | Ian Finnerty | 27.54 | 27.60
6 | Cody Miller | 27.24 | 28.35
7 | Connor Hoppe | 27.28 | 27.28
8 | Reece Whitley | 27.71 | 27.71

Dark Horse: It doesn't seem likely, with the 100 fly right before it, but Caeleb Dressel could throw down a 26-something and nobody would be surprised. His 27.89 PR is from this year, and considering the 47-low/21-low freestyler goes 49-mids and 22-lows in season, he may well be able to lop off a second-plus in this event, one he's newer to in LCM.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: WOMEN'S 100 FREE FIELD LOADED WITH TALENT

The three other Americans who have been under 55 this season are Katie McLaughlin, Veronica Burchill and Gabby Deloof.

McLaughlin has seen vast improvements in her sprints this year, swimming the five fastest times of her career, but has the same scheduling conflict of Dahlia and Jack Conger on day 1 with the 200 fly and 100 free back-to-back. It's a tricky decision for her, sitting as the 5th fastest American in the 200 fly and 6th in the 100 free. Based on the strength of the field here, I think we'll ultimately see her in the 200 fly.

This field is so stacked we haven't even touched on Abbey Weitzeil, the 4th fastest American in history. Her best swim in the last two years is the 54.99 she went to place 10th last summer, and just hasn't been able to put together a great LC 100 since 2016. However, we did see some 46-second yards swim during the college season which was an improvement from her freshman year.

Gretchen Walsh, Isabel Ivey, Claire Rasmus, Amanda Kendall and Anika Apostalon are a few other names to keep in mind heading into the competition.

TOP 12 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Simone Manuel | 52.27 | 53.84
2 | Mallory Comerford | 52.59 | 54.09
3 | Lia Neal | 53.59 | 53.95
4 | Margo Geer | 53.74 | 53.74
5 | Allison Schmitt | 53.87 | 54.34
6 | Katie Ledecky | 53.75 | 54.56
7 | Olivia Smoliga | 54.21 | 55.19
8 | Kelsi Dahlia | 53.87 | 55.13
9 | Veronica Burchill | 54.80 | 54.80
10 | Erika Brown | 54.52 | 54.52
11 | Abbey Weitzeil | 53.28 | 55.22
12 | Gabby Deloof | 54.98 | 54.98

Dark Horse: Cal's Amy Bilquist is one to watch out for in this event after she chose it over the 200 back at the 2018 NCAA Championships. She ended up making the championship final with a lifetime best 47.45, and is overdue for a long course best with it currently standing at 54.85 from 2014.

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: PRENOT'S SIGHTS SET ON 200 BREAST REDEMPTION

After narrowly failing to qualify for the 2017 World Championships team, Olympic silver medalist Josh Prenot looks to return to the top of the U.S. 200 breast field. Prenot, the American Record holder, was less than a tenth shy of making the team as he placed 3rd in this event behind Kevin Cordes and Nic Fink at 2017 nationals. So far this season, Prenot is the 5th fastest man in the nation, sitting one spot ahead of Fink. Cordes, who posted his lifetime best 2:07.41 at last summer's nationals and is the 2nd fastest American ever, is 15th currently, but it's not unusual for him to be significantly slower in season. Like Cordes, Fink went his lifetime best 2:08.56 last summer to qualify for Worlds, so both kept strong momentum coming out of the Olympic year. Prenot, however, will be fighting back after some disappointment that could motivate him to push himself back to the front of the pack this time around. Cordes may not make it easy, though, as he was a second ahead of the field at last summer's nationals and closed within 3 tenths of Prenot's American Record.

Junior standouts Daniel Roy and Reece Whitley will also be pushing each other again after going 1-2 respectively in the 200 breast at the 2017 World Junior Championships. Roy cracked 2:10 this year with a lifetime best 2:09.73 to win the Indianpolis Pro Swim, breaking the 17-18 NAG Record in the process. Whitley's best is about a second back in 2:10.82. He also set a 200 breast NAG Record this season, taking down the yards mark as he went a 1:51.43 to place 2nd at Winter Nationals.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | PERSONAL BEST
1 | Kevin Cordes | 2:07.41 | 2:13.12
2 | Josh Prenot | 2:07.17 | 2:10.15
3 | Nic Fink | 2:08.56 | 2:11.33
4 | Will Licon | 2:08.14 | 2:09.47
5 | Chase Kalisz | 2:09.90 | 2:09.90
6 | Andrew Wilson | 2:08.37 | 2:08.52
7 | Daniel Roy | 2:09.73 | 2:09.73
8 | Reece Whitley | 2:10.82 | 2:13.51

Dark Horse: Andrew Seliskar - This year, Seliskar shifted his focus from the 200 fly to 200 breast, and was the NCAA runner-up by just a few tenths. Should he decide to swim this race long course, he could be due for a big time drop. His best time is a 2:12.82 from 2015, and he's now had a few years of training at Cal with the likes of American Record holder Prenot to improve his breaststroke.

UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:


https://instagr.am/p/Bk8uhJKh4QP

bearz012 said:


2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: WOMEN'S 100 FREE FIELD LOADED WITH TALENT


Interesting comments posted on the above SwimSwam article (see below) - if there's any accuracy to those reported times, then def. some really promising in-season swims by our Bears that augur well for US Nationals next week, esp if that ad hoc dual v. the trees were done in practice suits, considering that most of the team probably wouldn't have started their tapers until yesterday...


SUPERFAN:
"My kid was at a swim camp a couple weekends ago where cal had a dual meet against Stanford. Abby Weitzel won the 100 free with a 54.1 Lia Neal was a 54.6. Don't count either of them out.

Yes my daughter wrote down a lot of the times. Mclaughlin 58 mid 100 fly, Ledecky 1:55 200 free, Bilquist 1:00 100 back, Mclaughlin 25.1 50 free


TAMMY TOUCHPAD ERROR:
"I heard Murph was a 52 low, Prenot 2:08 breast. Seli 49.3 100 free"


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Taper time!

https://instagr.am/p/BlYvxO1hCHt

https://instagr.am/p/BlgLydvjOdH

https://instagr.am/p/BlYoAqIBzV1

https://instagr.am/p/BlZCrRahePk

https://instagr.am/p/BlYmv84lu_s


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:


tedbear said:

Sarah with the Silver in the 200 IM!!!!!!!

https://instagr.am/p/BhUIOsHgQvz
What a massive performance from Sarah - powered up to another level in her 200m IM final @ the 2018 Comm Games for a silver medal, behind SMOC's gold!!

Darcel's 2:11.14 smashes her former 2:12.32 PB from 2017 Canadian Championships. Ranks her 3rd in CAN all-time, behind only Sidney Pickrem (2:09.17), and Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson (2:10.97) who had placed 3rd in this race.

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Five Storylines to Follow for the 2018 Canadian Trials



Canadian Swimming Trials begin this Wednesday, July 18, at the Kinsmen Sports Center in Edmonton, Alberta. This meet serves as a qualifier for the Canadian Pan Pacific Championship team as well as the Para Pan Pacific Championships.

5. The Women's IM Showdown

Canada's depth in the IM is excellent, and despite the lack of 2017 World Championship team member Mary Sophie-Harvey, it will be a battle to make the team.

In the 200 IM, the field is led by Sydney Pickrem. However, at the 2017 Budapest World Championships, Pickrem did not finish her 200 IM final after qualifying in third. Her best time of 2:09.17 stands from that semi-final, and she will be looking to improve on that in Edmonton.

Pickrem is followed by Commonwealth silver and bronze medalists Sarah Darcel and Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson. With only two spots guaranteed, it will be a battle to make the team.

The story is the same in the 400 IM, where Pickrem leads with a 4:32.88, followed by Hodgson and Darcel.

Psych Sheets

Livestream for Canadian viewers at www.cbc.ca/sports


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https://instagr.am/p/BlS-uu2lcle

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  • UPDATE =>

2018 CANADIAN SWIMMING TRIALS: DAY 1 FINALS LIVE RECAP


WOMEN'S 400 IM FINAL
  • FINA 'A' Standard: 4:43.06
  • Emily Overholt, UBCSC, 4:42.77
  • Sarah Darcel, ISC, 4:44.21
  • Tessa Cieplucha, OAK, 4:49.76

It was expected to be a four-woman race in the 400 IM, but all of a sudden it was a head-to-head battle between Emily Overholt and Sarah Darcel.

Overholt, the Canadian record holder and 2015 World Championship bronze medalist, has had a long road back after sitting out with injury for the 2016-17 season. She had her fastest swim since the Rio Games this morning in 4:49.19, and lowered that significantly tonight, running down Darcel on the freestyle for the win in 4:42.77.

Darcel was a second and a half back in 4:44.21, missing the FINA 'A' standard by just over a second and thus will have to look towards the 200 IM or 200 fly to qualify for the Pan Pacs.



MEN'S 200 FREE FINAL

This morning's top qualifier Jeremy Bagshaw was just off his 1:48.96 prelim swim for 4th in 1:49.13, as all four qualify for the Pan Pac team.


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bearz012
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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: A GAME OF THRONES IN WOMEN'S 200 BACK

For all of you Game of Thrones enthusiasts out there, there is a famous Daenerys Targaryen quote that accurately sums up the women's 200 backstroke competition in the United States over the last several years:
"they're all just spokes on a wheel. This one's on top and that one's on top and on and on it spinsWe're not going to stop the wheel. I'm going to break the wheel."

Translation: there is a lot of domestic competition in the women's 200 back. Since mainstay performers like Missy Franklin and Elizabeth Beisel eased their stranglehold off of the top 2 American spots in this event, there hasn't been a whole lot of consistency, year-after-year, at the top.

The question now is: can anybody challenge Kathleen Baker (the current queen, if you will) to break that wheel? Fortunately for the U.S., there are a slew of sub-2:10 backstrokers who, on any given day, are more than capable of challenging for the throne.

Baker is the obvious choice to win in Irvine. After all, she is the defending U.S. National Champion (2:06.38) and bronze medalist from last summer's World Championships in Budapest (2:06.48). With Franklin still working to get back to top form and Maya DiRado retiring after stunning the world for Olympic gold in 2016, Baker has been the fastest and most consistent American backstroker across any distance. The 21 year-old has already been 2:07.02 this summer (Mare Nostrum, Monaco) her fastest in-season time by a long shot and over a full second faster than the next fastest American.

The next group is a trio of ladies in the 2:09 range with Bridgette Alexander, Ali Galyer, and Alex Sumner. Alexander, a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, qualified for last summer's World University Games team by way of a 4th place finish at U.S. Nationals. She has consistently been floating around the 2:10 range for the last 3 years so she, like Bratton, could be poised for her breakout meet in Irvine.

Rounding out the field is Alex Sumner. The 17 year-old Cal commit made her name on the national stage last summer with a 5th place finish at U.S. Nationals and followed it up by finishing runner-up to Smith in the 200 back at the World Junior Championships with a 2:09.04 (lifetime best). She hasn't been faster than 2:12 yet this season, but will be hard to ignore in the coming weeks.

TOP 8 PICKS:
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
1 | Kathleen Baker | 2:06.38 | 2:07.02
2 | Regan Smith | 2:07.19 | 2:08.64
3 | Asia Seidt | 2:08.91 | 2:08.91
4 | Lisa Bratton | 2:08.20 | 2:09.86
5 | Isabelle Stadden | 2:08.37 | 2:08.37
6 | Bridgette Alexander | 2:09.81 | 2:11.52
7 | Ali Galyer | 2:09.93 | 2:09.93
8 | Alex Sumner | 2:09.04 | 2:12.13

WILDCARD: MISSY FRANKLIN

It's hard to call the current World Record holder (2:04.06) and 2012 Olympic Champion a wildcard, but this is where we are right now. After a disappointing Rio Olympics failing to qualify for the final and a double shoulder surgery in 2017, Franklin is finally on the comeback trail. She has only competed in this race 3 times since Rio all at last month's Mare Nostrum Tour where she went 2:13, 2:13, and 2:15. Can she put it together in Irvine? Time will tell. The plot twist here is that she may not even swim it. The 200 free is on the same day at Nationals and that arguably gives Franklin a better chance at qualifying for Pan Pacs.
UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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(filling in for bearz012 )

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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEWS: MURDERER'S ROW REMAINS IN MEN'S 100 BACK

The men's 100 back has arguably been the most competitive event domestically for the United States over the past decade.

The race has been one of triumph and heartbreak for Americans in recent years, and even with the retirements of Peirsol, Plummer and 2012 silver medalist Nick Thoman, the event has not lost any of its edge. Now, Ryan Murphy and Grevers are joined by elite company in Justin Ress and Jacob Pebley.



At the Santa Clara Pro Swim in June, Murphy spoke about how he accomplished all of his childhood dreams in 2016. He always wanted to go to the Olympics, win a gold medal and break a world record. After accomplishing all three, he didn't immediately know what his goals were moving forward. "I was swimming for a couple months not really knowing what my goals are, and it's hard to swim, and give 100%, when you don't know what your goals are".

By the time he figured out his goals and "locked in", it was almost time for World Trials and then shortly thereafter the World Championships.

There, after winning both events at the Olympics the year prior, he fell to bronze in the 100 and silver in the 200 back in Budapest. "I definitely don't want to get beat again. I don't like that feeling, and that's pushed me a lot this year".

"Not getting beat" certainly will be more important at Pan Pacs than at Nationals, but Murphy certainly wants to get back on top in the country after Grevers beat him at World Trials and Worlds, and thus got the finals spots on the men's and mixed 400 medley relays. 2016 is the only time Murphy has been faster than the 53.24 he's been this year in-season, so I think a big swim is coming at Nationals, 52-mid or better.



Pebley, however, has already been 52, something people forget about. In that crazy Olympic Trials race two years ago, the now 24-year-old took 4th in 52.95, flying under the radar while Murphy, Plummer and Grevers grabbed the headlines. His speed was a bit off last summer in Indy, but he's already been within two tenths of his 2017 best this season (53.93), and will likely challenge Ress in the battle for 3rd (though with a top-2 spot all but locked up in the 200 back, he could realistically save a bit of his taper for Pan Pacs).


OTHERS IN THE MIX TO A-FINAL

2018 NCAA FINALISTS
  • Daniel Carr seamlessly took over for Murphy in leading off Cal's medley relays at NCAAs, and had individual success as well by making a pair of consolation finals. He was 8th at last summer's World Trials, hitting 54.8 twice, and his 55.33 this year signals a drop is coming.

OTHERS


TOP-8 PICKS
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME-BEST | SEASON-BEST
1 | Ryan Murphy | 51.85 | 53.24
2 | Justin Ress | 53.27 | 53.30
3 | Matt Grevers | 52.08 | 53.73
4 | Jacob Pebley | 52.95 | 53.93
5 | John Shebat | 54.20 | 55.41
6 | Austin Katz | 55.41 | 55.61
7 | Daniel Carr | 54.80 | 55.33
8 | Coleman Stewart | 55.38 | 55.38

Darkhorse: 16-year-old Carson Foster really exploded at the end of last year in the 200 back, and looks poised to dip below his 100 best of 55.61 at Nationals.


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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: CONGER EDGES TOWARD 50-POINT IN 100 FLY

Last summer it was really a four horse race at Trials between Dressel, Tim Phillips, Jack Conger and Tom Shields for the two World Championship spots. This year, those three behind Dressel are in contention once again, but the only one who looks like he'll have a shot at challenging for the win is Conger.

Phillips and Shields are relative veterans in this field, both 27, and are a bit of a question mark heading into Nationals.

After missing the World Championship team and then undergoing surgery at the end of last year, Shields has taken a new approach to training.

In an interview in May at the Indy Pro Swim, he spoke about doing things his way, an increased focus on the 200, and that every year he has it in the back of his mind that this could be his last (since graduating from Cal). He's had a couple of 52-highs and a lot of 53s this year, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as he also mentioned he was trying to figure out how to consistently be faster at the big meets than in-season, but just two years after swimming the Olympic final, is now far from a sure thing to make the Pan Pac team. This could be a make or break meet for him.


OTHERS IN THE MIX TO A-FINAL

NCAA STUDS SHEBAT, SELISKAR AND SAUNDERSON
  • Andrew Seliskar has had a dynamite long course season thus far after an impressive NCAA showing, including tying his best time of 52.81 in this event in Santa Clara. While the 100 fly falls on the same day as the 400 IM, the event in which he finished 3rd at NCAAs, it doesn't look like he's pursuing it this year with no LC swims under his belt. He's more suited for the 200, but has a shot at cracking the top-8.
  • Recently graduated NCAA swimmers with a shot to get into the mix include Justin Lynch and Matthew Josa of Cal

TOP-8 PICKS
PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME-BEST | SEASON-BEST
1 | Caeleb Dressel | 49.86 | 52.20
2 | Jack Conger | 51.00 | 51.00
3 | Michael Andrew | 51.86 | 51.86
4 | Tom Shields | 51.03 | 52.69
5 | Tim Phillips | 51.28 | 52.88
6 | Tripp Cooper | 52.13 | 52.36
7 | Giles Smith | 51.92 | 52.55
8 | Justin Lynch | 52.20 | 53.10

Darkhorse: 19-year-old Ariel Spektor of the Bolles School Sharks dropped his PB by over a second in April down to 52.94, and is an outside threat to challenge the big names.


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swimmer19
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Posted the day before...

U.S. NATIONALS PSYCH SHEETS RELEASED

At a glance, we have our usual pros, qualified members of the current team, and a stockpile of 2018/19 commits swimming.

2018 commits: Reece Whitley (all breaststroke/2IM), Elise Garcia (50/100 free and fly), Alex Sumner (100/200 back, 2/4IM, 100 fly), Ema Rajic (100 fly, 50/100 breast, 2IM), Chris Jhong (200/400 free, 2/4IM) // (missing Cass (?), Kyle, Galen, Daniel)
2019 commits: Isabel Ivey (100/200 free, 100 fly, 100 back, 2IM), Rachel Klinker (50/100/200 fly, 200 free), Ashlyn Fiorilli (100/200 fly, 800/1500 free, 4IM) // (missing our guys, Chloe amongst others)

Several of our 2019 uncommitted/2020 recruits will also be in attendance (i.e. Regan Smith, KB3, Alex Walsh, Isabelle Stadden, Gianluca Urlando to name a few).

SwimSwam writeup (first half): The psych sheets for the 2018 U.S. National Championships have been released. You can check them out here. The competition will run from July 25-29 in Irvine, California, and act as the qualifier for the Pan Pacific Championships in August. The selection criteria for the meet is very crucial to understand, as once a swimmer qualifies for Pan Pacs in one event, they're free to swim whatever they like in Tokyo. This could lead to swimmers scratching out of events later in the program once they've already made the team. Selection for the Junior Pan Pacs, 2019 World University Games, Pan Am Games and World Championships will also be used at this meet. You can read about all that here.

All of our commits should be eligible to contend for Junior Pan Pac Team spots, while our pros/current swimmers will be fighting for Pan Pacs, WUGS, Worlds, and Pan Am slots.
swimmer19
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swimmer19 said:

2018 commits: Reece Whitley, Elise Garcia, Alex Sumner, Ema Rajic, Chris Jhong (missing Cass (?), Kyle, Galen, Daniel)
Guess I'm answering my own question with this one:

NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER CASSIDY BAYER ABSENT FROM NATIONALS PSYCH SHEETS



U.S. National Team member Cassidy Bayer is a notable omission from the psych sheets for the upcoming U.S. National Championships that begin next week in Irvine, California.

A member of Nation's Capital Swim Club, Bayer was just 16 when she placed 3rd at the 2016 Olympic Trials in the 200 butterfly, and was also 4th in the 100 fly. Shortly after the Trials she tore her meniscus, resulting in her sitting out of high school swimming for her junior year in 2016-17. Bayer has now graduated high school, and will begin College at Cal in the fall.
While the 2017 World Trials didn't go as planned after her injury, failing to make an A-final, she had a nice comeback meet at the end of the summer at the U.S. Open, swimming the country's 9th fastest 100 fly and 7th fastest 200 for the year.
This year she's competed as recently as June on the Mare Nostrum Tour with the U.S. Junior National Team, and is ranked 7th in the country with a 200 fly time of 2:10.62. Hali Flickinger and Katie McLaughlin are the only two swimmers entered in the event this year who have been faster than Bayer's best time of 2:07.97.
swimmer19
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2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: FOUR-WAY BATTLE BREWING IN WOMEN'S 100 BK

Just like the men's event, the women's 100 back is an incredibly competitive one domestically for the United States. They've always been competitive on the world stage. Natalie Coughlin won a pair of Olympic and World titles spanning from 2001 to 2008. Then it was Missy Franklin, who won back-to-back gold medals at the 2012 Olympics and 2013 World Championships.
But now, they've got four of the best in the world Kathleen Baker, Olivia Smoliga, Regan Smith and Ali Deloof and U.S. Nationals will be the first of a two-stage battle for a spot at the 2019 World Championships.

THE CONTENDERS
That's ultimately what it comes down to. We'll have to see how the numbers shake out at Nationals, but if the top-4 finishers do end up making it to Pan Pacs, those four are the most likely to be going. No one else in the field has been under a minute in the past two years, and Baker, Smoliga and Smith have all gone 58. Getting through to Pan Pacs will be everyone's top priority at the meet, obviously, but throwing down a time here that could stand up at the end of the summer and get them on the Worlds team will definitely be a motivator.

KATHLEEN BAKER
Baker's rise in this event came fast and furious. She got some experience under her belt at the 2014 Pan Pacs, made the final at the 2015 World Championships, and then in 2016: Boom. She swam the four fastest times of her life (at the time) in Rio, winning Olympic silver in the event and adding a gold medal on the 400 medley relay. She then carried that success over into the 2017 World Championships, where she again won silver and established her current best time of 58.54.
This year she's been her fastest ever in-season 58.77 ranking her 3rd in the world, and has to be considered the favorite in Irvine. She'll challenge Kylie Masse's world-leading time of 58.54.

OTHER TEENAGERS
  • 18-year-olds Grace Ariola and Alex Sumner haven't cracked 1:02 this year, but were both 1:00 last year.

  • NCAA PLAYERS
  • Others in the mix: Bridgette Alexander, Amy Bilquist, Tevyn Waddell, Keaton Blovad.

  • TOP 8:
    PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME-BEST | SEASON-BEST
    1 | Kathleen Baker | 58.54 | 58.77
    2 | Olivia Smoliga | 58.77 | 59.14
    3 | Regan Smith | 58.95 | 59.38
    4 | Ali Deloof | 59.43 | 59.79
    5 | Isabelle Stadden | 1:00.06 | 1:00.06
    6 | Asia Seidt | 1:00.57 | 1:00.57
    7 | Phoebe Bacon | 1:00.09 | 1:00.09
    8 | Elise Haan | 1:00.02 | 1:01.30

    Darkhorse: Tennessee's Erika Brown is expected to do some damage in the sprint freestyle and butterfly events in Irvine, but she's also entered in the 50 and 100 backstroke. Coming into the year her fastest LC time was 1:04.71 from 2013, but has been as fast as 1:00.96 this year and swam a 52.27 yards time in December.
    swimmer19
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    2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: MEN'S 100 BREAST MAY REQUIRE 59 TO FINAL

    Only two other swimmers in the field have broken a minute before: Nic Fink and Josh Prenot.

    While Fink may be better in the 200 now, Prenot certainly is. He broke the American Record and won Olympic silver in that event two years ago, and also swam well in the 100 by placing 3rd at Trials in a best time of 59.60, but had a down year in 2017. The now 24-year-old failed to make the World Championship team altogether and only managed a 7th place finish in this event at World Trials (1:00.55 in prelims, 1:00.79 in the final). He's already been better than that this year, swimming his fastest ever in-season in March in 1:00.23, and should be back under a minute in Irvine.

    OTHERS WHO COULD MAKE SOME NOISE

    Behind the established men who have been under a minute, there are several others in the hunt to get under that barrier and chase down the favorites.

    • Reece Whitley: Similar to Andrew and Prenot, Whitley didn't have a great showing at the 2017 World Trials, only taking 11th in 1:01.6, but had a big bounce back at the World Juniors in August. He had his three fastest swims ever there, winning silver in the final in 1:00.08, and was his fastest ever in-season earlier this month at the Columbus PSS (1:00.78). He saw a significant drop during the yards season (going from 51.84 to 51.16), and is well on his way to getting under a minute here.
    • Others to keep an eye on: Cal post-grad Wyatt Hodges, NCAA finalists Connor Hoppe, Alex Evdokimov, Carsten Vissering and Conner McHugh, and last year's 5th place finisher at World Trials Jacob Montague. Former NCAA champion Chuck Katis has also made a return to competition this year, and has been solid in-season with multiple swims in the 1:02-range.

    TOP 8:
    PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME-BEST | SEASON-BEST
    1 | Kevin Cordes | 58.64 | 1:00.61
    2 | Andrew Wilson | 59.19 | 59.19
    3 | Cody Miller | 58.87 | 1:00.99
    4 | Michael Andrew | 59.79 | 59.79
    5 | Ian Finnerty | 1:00.09 | 1:01.39
    6 | Nic Fink | 59.40 | 1:00.61
    7 | Josh Prenot | 59.60 | 1:00.23
    8 | Reece Whitley | 1:00.08 | 1:00.78

    Darkhorse: Caeleb Dressel. While it seems likely that this is an event Dressel will end up scratching, there really isn't any reason for him not to swim it. It's safe to assume he'll have a Pan Pac spot locked up by day 4, and with no other events on his plate on the day, why not? After what he did in yards, everyone's curious what he could do with a bit of rest in long course.
    UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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    Matthew Josa Continues to Grow in Life and Swimming

    UrsusArctosCalifornicus
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    Cal's Sarah Darcel named to Canada's Short-Course World Championship team

    Swimming Canada has named six swimmers to its team for the World Swimming Championships (25m) taking place in December in Hanzhou, China.

    World Swimming Championships (25m) Team

    Last Name | First Name | Club | Coach of Record
    Darcel | Sarah | ISC | McKeever, Teri
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    Mexican swimmer Song wins gold with record in Barranquilla

    Andy Xianyang Song An dominated in the 200 meters back


    With a time of 1:59.95 minutes, Andy Song broke the record of 2:00.40 set in 2010 by the Colombian Omar Pinzon.


    https://instagr.am/p/BlraxdlA94u

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    • UPDATE => now reported by SwimSwam:

    2018 CAC GAMES DAY 4: SONG BECOMES MEXICO'S 1ST SUB-2:00 BACKSTROKER



    Teammate Andy Song crushed a new Mexican national record in the men's 200m backstroke, winning the race in 1:59.95, also a new Games Record. In doing so, Song now represents the first Mexican male ever to cross the 2-minute threshold in the event. Prior to this competition, the Cal Bear's personal best sat at the 2:01.68 he put up back in 2017.


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    swimmer19
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    swimmer19
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    2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: WILL REGAN SMITH CHALLENGE IN W 200 FLY?

    Just a few years ago, the now junior at Cal Katie McLaughlin was widely considered the United States' next star in the 200 fly. As a 17 year-old, she finished 3rd in the 200 fly at the 2014 Pan Pac Championships (2:07.08). A year later, she finished 6th in the same event at the World Championships in Kazan (2:06.95). Things started going south for her in 2016 when she finished in a disappointing 6th place at Olympic Trials, well off her best in 2:10.87. Since then, she has yet to be faster than 2:10.00. However, McLaughlin has been consistent this summer going 2:10, 2:11, 2:11, and 2:12. Getting back down to her lifetime best will be a battle, but it's not out of the question.

    There are also a couple of would-be contenders not entered in the race at all. 2016 Olympian Kelsi Dahlia (Worrell) has a lifetime best of 2:08.61, but she has understandably opted for the 100 free which is on the same day. Cassidy Bayer, who finished 3rd in this event as a 16 year-old at the 2016 Olympic Trials and has a lifetime best of 2:07.97, is also absent from the psych sheet.

    TOP 8:

    PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
    1 | Hali Flickinger | 2:06.67 | 2:07.88
    2 | Katie Drabot | 2:08.38 | 2:08.38
    3 | Regan Smith | 2:10.47 | 2:10.47
    4 | Dakota Luther | 2:08.71 | 2:12.56
    5 | Sarah Gibson | 2:08.75 | 2:12.09
    6 | Katie McLaughlin | 2:06.95 | 2:10.40
    7 | Ruby Martin | 2:09.96 | 2:11.86
    8 | Olivia Carter | 2:09.02 | 2:11.97
    swimmer19
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    2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: THE USUAL SUSPECTS IN THE MEN'S 50 FLY

    Ryan Held, Justin Lynch, and Andrew Liang all just wrapped up their final NCAA seasons, and all men made the A-final here last year. Held has been the fastest so far this season, 23.90 to Lynch's 24.47 (Liang hasn't swam it yet), but they should all be in the mix for A-final spots this year as well. Chatham Dobbs didn't swim this event at last year's Nationals, but he had consistently fast medley relay splits during the NCAA season. On top of that, he's been 23.73 this in season, a time that would've easily made the A-final and then tied him for 6th here last summer.

    We haven't seen either Matthew Josa or Tom Shields swim this event during the season, but they can't be counted out. Shields was 7th in prelims last year before scratching the finals. Josa just missed out making the A-final, but his 23.73 won the B-final. He sports a lifetime best of 23.52 from back in 2014, so he could be poised to drop some time this summer.

    TOP 8:
    PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME BEST | SEASON BEST
    1 | Caeleb Dressel | 22.76 | 23.59
    2 | Michael Andrew | 23.16 | 23.16
    3 | Tripp Cooper | 24.19 | 24.31
    4 | Ryan Held | 23.68 | 23.90
    5 | Giles Smith | 23.30 | 23.82
    6 | Justin Lynch | 23.77 | 24.47
    7 | Chatham Dobbs | 23.73 | 23.73
    8 | Matthew Josa | 23.52 | N/A

    Darkhorse: Tate Jackson is seeded way down at 41st, but he had a breakout college season, and if he nails his long course taper, he could do very well here.
    swimmer19
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    2018 U.S. NATIONALS PREVIEW: ADRIAN'S TRIALS STREAK AT RISK IN 100 FR



    Since placing 4th at the 2008 Olympic Trials in Omaha at the age of 19, Nathan Adrian has gone undefeated at U.S. selection meets in the 100 freestyle.

    The 29-year-old Cal post-grad has won nine consecutive Trials events, dating back to the 2009 World Championship Trials in Indianapolis. Over the course of these nine years he's only finished the season as the fastest American on five occasions, but his knack for getting his hand on the wall on U.S. soil is uncanny. That's nothing against his ability to compete when the lights shine brightest at international competitions, as he's had plenty of success in winning two Olympic, two World Championship and two Pan Pacific medals individually in this event alone (including an Olympic gold in 2012, and gold at the 2010 Pan Pacs). Will he manage to keep this domestic streak alive?

    Last summer at World Trials, Adrian used his new back-half strategy to mow down the field and out-touch Caeleb Dressel by .01, 47.96 to 47.97, keeping his Trials streak alive by the thinnest of margins. Heading into the meet last year, he was the fastest American during the season at 48.18. This year, while he does the lead the nation once again, his season-best is four tenths slower at 48.58.
    Rather than a dip in form, I believe Adrian has the long game as more of a focus this year. The last two summers he's only seen marginal improvements from his in-season times to his performances at the Olympics and World Championships (still managing to medal at both), but this year he looks to have sacrificed a bit of that mid-season speed with the end goal being Pan Pacs (and ultimately 2020). Last month, he saw his Pro Swim Series streak in the event fall at the hands of Dressel, and there's a good chance we'll see his Trials streak go by the wayside as well.

    While those line up as the most probable eight finalists, there are several others in the mix to steal one of their spots.

    TOP 8 (or 12):
    PLACE | SWIMMER | LIFETIME-BEST | SEASON-BEST
    1 | Caeleb Dressel | 47.17 | 48.96
    2 | Nathan Adrian | 47.52 | 48.58
    3 | Townley Haas | 48.20 | 49.71
    4 | Zach Apple | 48.14 | 49.41
    5 | Blake Pieroni | 48.23 | 49.04
    6 | Ryan Held | 48.26 | 49.35
    7 | Justin Ress | 49.14 | 49.14
    8 | Michael Chadwick | 48.48 | 49.01
    9 | Ryan Murphy | 48.88 | 49.55
    10 | Conor Dwyer | 48.94 | 49.38
    11 | Robert Howard | 49.04 | 49.33
    12 | Tate Jackson | 48.99 | 49.64

    Darkhorse: Jacob Molacek was a stalwart at NCAAs with multiple 41-low splits on the NC State relays, and finished 5th individually with a lifetime best 41.55. If he can make a similar drop in LC, sub-49 isn't out of the question.
    swimmer19
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    Press conferences underway, here are the recordings from Nathan's and Ryan's media outings (will continue to add as they are uploaded onto SwimSwam):

    2018 U.S. NATIONALS: NATHAN ADRIAN PRESS CONFERENCE (VIDEO)

    Nathan Adrian, the image of consistency in USA Swimming, is gunning to make yet another international team. He's already excited about how the venue in Irvine is looking, stating that it feels like a big meet like it did in 2010 when the US was hosting Pan Pacs. Nathan had a lot to say about the current doping climate as well, claiming the US as truly holding it's athletes accountable to the rules they have set into place, as opposed to other nations who seem to protect their athletes as opposed to govern them.





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    2018 U.S. NATIONALS: RYAN MURPHY PRESS CONFERENCE (VIDEO)

    Ryan Murphy gave the media some past, present, and future. He spoke on how he felt after 2017 worlds, and how he didn't really feel back into his groove and motivated to train at 100% until January of this year. He also spoke on the fact that he and 2 of his former Bolles teammates and fellow Olympic gold medalists Caeleb Dressel and Joseph Schooling are now his teammates on team Speedo. Ryan got into details about what exactly it was at Bolles that laid such a solid foundation for the 3, starting from a very young age.



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    Rumours of an impending new topic dedicated to 2018 US Nationals & Pan Pacs by popular request...


    Meanwhile:

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    Five Swimmers Who Could Break Through at USA Swimming Nationals


    Andrew Seliskar


    There was a lot of hype around Andrew Seliskar after his Junior National meet in 2013. But Seliskar hasn't quite lived up to the hype since he was Swimming World's high school swimmer of the year in 2015. He has yet to win an individual NCAA title at Cal, although he has placed as high as second in 2017 in the 400 IM, and again in 2018 in the 200 breast.

    Seliskar has showed he is capable of a big summer, expanding to the 200 free and 100 fly where he could play spoiler. Seliskar is also capable of good swims in both IM's where he could get a spot on the team behind reigning World Champion Chase Kalisz


    Reece Whitley (2018 Baby Bear)



    Everything that was said above about Daniel Roy, you could say here about Reece Whitley. Whitley is going to be a freshman this fall at Cal, as Swimming World's High School Swimmer of the Year for 2017 will be just across the bay from his good rival and friend, Daniel Roy. But Whitley elected not to make the early move to Cal this summer to focus on one last summer with his club coach.

    Again, the men's breaststroke events are so deep in the United States that Whitley might have to wait until the World University Games in 2019 to make his mark.

    However Whitley broke the National High School record in the 100 breast this year, which would have placed him tied for second at the NCAA's this past season. Whitley is also becoming a very marketable star, already claiming Sports Illustrated's Sports Kid of the Year in 2015, and being named to the Young Futurists list of 2018.


    Alex Walsh (2020 recruit)



    Alex Walsh might be the most underrated swimmer in the United States right now. She is only going to be a junior in high school this upcoming fall and she is one of the most talented high school swimmers in the country. Walsh has yet to swim in a Pro Swim Series meet, so a lot of people might have forgotten about her.

    At the East Winter Juniors in December, Walsh put up times in the 200 IM and both breaststrokes that would have gotten top eight at the NCAA's in March. And she was only a sophomore! Granted that was short course, but Walsh could surprise some people in the final if she can swim up to her potential in long course.

    Last summer, Walsh was fourth in the 200 IM on the last day of the meet at Nationals. She was able to grab a spot on the Junior Worlds team where she finished fourth in Indianapolis in the 200 IM. Could Walsh snag a spot to Japan this summer or will she see her breakout meet at the 2019 Pan American Games?


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    William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center




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