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2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Wave II: Day 6 Prelims Preview

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Three of USA Swimming’s brightest stars – all reigning world record-holders and World champions – will lead this morning’s heats. That means every single event swum this morning will feature both the world record-holder and the 2019 World champion in that event.

It starts with the 800 free, where Katie Ledecky is looking for a clean 4-for-4 sweep in her events this week. Ledecky is already qualified to the Olympic team in the 200, 400, and 1500 frees. She’s the world record-holder in this 800, and has won the past two Olympic golds and past four World Championships golds in the event.

Behind her, 1500 free runner-up Erica Sullivan looks like a strong contender to add another Olympic event. In her circle-seeded heat, she’ll take on Leah Smiththe six-time World Champs medalist who just missed the Olympic team in the 200 free (by two spots) and 400 free (by one spot). Also in that heat: Olympic open water entrant Haley Andersonwho has a pair of top-5 finishes in the 400 and 1500 frees this week, and 400 free runner-up and new Olympian Paige Madden.

Ledecky’s heat features likely 4×200 free relay Olympic qualifier Bella Simsthe 16-year-old who stormed into the 200 free final. Sims is another outstanding open water swimmer, and she and 1500 free fourth-placer Ally McHugh.

In the 100 fly, Caeleb Dressel looks to build on his 100 free win (and U.S. Open record) from last night. The world record-holder leads the final heat along with NCAA backstroke star Shaine Casas and 4×200 free relay Olympic qualifier Andrew SeliskarIn the other heats, it’s veterans looking to bounce back: Maxime Rooney leads heat 8 after missing the 100 free final; Jack Conger and Tom Shields lead heat 7 as they try to make repeat Olympic appearances for Team USA. With 100 breast winner and 200 IM leader Michael Andrew scratching out, the second 100 fly spot is suddenly much more wide open than it looked 24 hours ago.

The session concludes with the 200 back, where world record-holder Regan Smith is looking for her third Olympic event. Smith, 19, leads the final heat, swimming right next to her likely Olympic 100 back partner Rhyan WhiteBut this event is thick with talent. 18-year-old Phoebe Bacon heads the first circle-seeded heat next to veteran 200 back specialist Lisa BrattonAfter that, 2016 Olympian Kathleen Baker gets her final shot to make the Olympic team through a foot injury, while 18-year-old Isabelle Stadden aims for her first Olympic Games after a strong 100 back.

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ACC
3 years ago

Every event tonight besides the women’s 100 Freestyle will feature a world record holder.

King in the 2 breast, Murphy in the 2 back (not their events) then Smith in the 2 Back, Lochte in the 2 IM and Dressel in the 1 Fly.

Talk about an intense finals session.

Last edited 3 years ago by ACC
Swimmer5
Reply to  ACC
3 years ago

Absolutely loaded slate tonight

Last edited 3 years ago by Swimmer5
ACC
Reply to  Swimmer5
3 years ago

I said that in my comment lol

Swmrgrl
3 years ago

Finals are at 8pm CT today

NOT Steve Nolan
3 years ago

Les go Jack Saunderson! He gonna do the prelim magic like at Nationals, I can feel it!

Joel Lin
3 years ago

Tonite is the final Jeah on US soil. I’m not saying he’s a hero but there will be a walk out through darkness into light, there will be lasers, a bangin rocknrolla song up loud, the swag & the drip as we enter the lunatic fringe where animal spirits rule. The greater good will be preserved. That’s America.

Kitajima Fan
Reply to  Joel Lin
3 years ago

I don’t understand this but I think I like it

Rob Lowman
3 years ago

Why did MA scratch 100 fly?

Swim Fan
Reply to  Rob Lowman
3 years ago

Focusing on 200 IM final I’m guessing

Rob Lowman
Reply to  Swim Fan
3 years ago

The semifinal of 100 fly is after the 200 IM. plus he swim the 100 back 3 times which kills the legs more than 100 fly. And he had a much better chance of making team on 100 fly than 100 back…

anonymous
Reply to  Rob Lowman
3 years ago

He can do what he wants.

NOT Steve Nolan
Reply to  Rob Lowman
3 years ago

He’s gotta save for that 2 IM WR!

Beach bum jason
Reply to  NOT Steve Nolan
3 years ago

I think I’m done with this site. It’s sad that a lot of people on here are always out with the old and in with the new and don’t care about veterans or seeing records stand the test of time. Seems like a lot of swim swam fans have no loyalty to swimmers they’ve watched for awhile. It would be sad to be in a relationship with people with this mentality. “Oh it’s time to break up. I need some need blood and new talent”

Brien
Reply to  Beach bum jason
3 years ago

Not sure everyone is like this, but I know for me I just like to see fast swimming. Do folks have preferences as fans? Sure. But at the end of the day its about the fast swimming.

Train
Reply to  Beach bum jason
3 years ago

What an awful take. “I’m mad the sport is getting faster! >:(“

Dragon
Reply to  Beach bum jason
3 years ago

Wow! What an idiotic comment. Do you wish that records from 1924 still stood? Seeing records stand the test of time? The point is that they are meant to be broken. Exactly what year should the records stand from? Are you saying it’s not great that Phelps won 23 golds and that’s more than Spitz? Are you saying that it’s terrible that Phelps only has one record left? Tell us, which era should we cling on to?

Little Mermaid
Reply to  Rob Lowman
3 years ago

He saving all energy for last leg of 200IM he needs to set a new time! Rest Baby! Yea!!!!

Beach bum jason
Reply to  Little Mermaid
3 years ago

I just wrote a message above this post to “Nolan” but seems like the same thing applies to you.

Mustangswimdad
Reply to  Beach bum jason
3 years ago

Beach Bum, Michael Andrew has been a professional swimmer for over 7 years. He has been very accommodating to fans. Swim fans want records to be broken. Honestly if you can’t enjoy his swims or Swimswam, you are probably not a swim fan.

swimmer
Reply to  Rob Lowman
3 years ago

Timing doesn’t work out with the 200IM

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson swam for nearly twenty years. Then, Jared Anderson stopped swimming and started writing about swimming. He's not sick of swimming yet. Swimming might be sick of him, though. Jared was a YMCA and high school swimmer in northern Minnesota, and spent his college years swimming breaststroke and occasionally pretending …

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