Phelps-Clary Set for 400 IM Duel in Indy

Men’s 400 IM

This is the race that was absorbing most of the headlines at this meet (before Nathan Adrian’s “episode” yesterday), and the right matchup is lined-up mid pool: Tyler Clary in 4:19.02 is the top seed and Michael Phelps in 4:21.31 is the number-two seed.

Expect both swimmers to be faster in the final, though how much faster is up for debate – though based on Phelps’ morning splits (clearly focused on just building each 100, more so than a swimmer going all-out would be) he has a lot faster to go.

The Gator Swim Club’s Conor Dwyer was 3rd in 4:22.68. If he dips under 4:20 in finals, that says the Gators at least “backed off” their training the last couple days, if not a true rest. Tyler Harris was 4th in 4:23.69.

Women’s 400 IM

USC’s Katinka Hosszu, the defending NCAA Champion, was the only swimmer in the field who really attacked this prelim en route to a 4:38.36. In a flash of deja vu, she and Cal’s Caitlin Leverenz will repeat their battle from two weeks ago, as Leverenz was the 2nd seed in 4:47.00 (based on the swims we saw from her on Thursday, she’s going to be 4:42 or better). Stina Gardell, Hosszu’s training partner, is the 3rd seed in 4:48.42 – she’s much better in long course, so she could be in the battle in finals too.

Women’s 200 Free

This should be an outstanding 200 free final, with Katie Hoff taking the top seed in 1:59.00. She should go for a season-best time in the final – though she’ll have Missy Franklin (1:59.54) and Dana Vollmer (1:59.66), the latter of whom won two events on Thursday. Allison Schmitt was the only other swimmer under two minutes with a 1:59.94.

Chelsea Chenault (2:00.45), and Morgan Scroggy (2:00.56) also made the A-Final. Lia Neal in 8th was a 2:00.75 – the best time she’s been outside of last year’s Junior Nationals.

Into the B-Final was Gillian Ryan (2:02.59), Ariana Kukors (2:02.31), and Liv Jensen (2:02.72).

Men’s 200 Free

The top seed in the 200 free goes to Jean Basson, a South African who trains at Tucson Ford, in 1:49.24, followed by Joao de Lucca, a Brazilian/Louisville Cardinal swimmer in 1:49.88. Lurking behind them are Charlie Houchin (1:49.96), followed by the Gator boys Ryan Lochte (1:50.17) and Conor Dwyer (1:50.23).

From what we saw yesterday, Lochte is going to be a lot faster in finals (remember that he didn’t swim the 400 IM in this meet). Dwyer, on the other hand, will have a much quicker turnaround on his races, so if he repeats anything under 1:51, it will be a good “training” performance for him.

Matt Patton (1:50.62) and Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or (1:51.42) are 6th and 7th; and Davis Tarwater out of SwimMAC rounds out the A-Final in 1:51.46.

Other notable finishes: Brett Fraser (1:53.10), Scot Robison (1:53.16), Rex Tullius (1:53.55), and Shaune Fraser (1:53.59). Three of those names are also training in Gainesville; it’s really peculiar how vastly different the training schedules seem to be of different members of the Gator Swim Club.

Women’s 200 Back

The top two of this race should run away from the field, as teenagers Liz Pelton (2:10.31) and Missy Franklin (2:11.28) took the top two seeds, and are among three true contenders for the Olympic spot in this race (along with Elizabeth Beisel).

In 3rd was yet another teenager Kylie Stewart in 2:13.02, followed by a Vietnamese National Record from Vien Nguyen in 2:15.15 in 4th.

Kathleen Hersey was 5th in this race in 2:15.17, as she continued her “throw every race at the wall and see what sticks” approach to this meet; followed by a pair of Swedes in Therese Svendsen (2:15.71) and Henriette Stekvist (2:16.33). Former NCAA Champion Maggie Meyer (2:16.40) rounded out the top 8.

Men’s 200 Back

Tyler Clary is usually very fast in this 200 back in-season (especially this time of year), and so his relatively-slow 1:59.61 was a bit surprising, but it was still good enough to give him the top seed headed into finals. Next to him will be Jacob Pebley (1:59.83). He’s been hovering right around these 1:59 mids-to-highs at his last couple of long course meets, so this says he’s probably got a good taper coming. At the very least, his consistency gives him a good shot at making the Olympic Trials final.

Germany’s Yannick Lebherz was 3rd in 2:00.16, followed by Ryan Lochte in 2:00.33 (tied with Brazilian Pedro Oliveira). Nick Thoman was 6th in 2:00.54, followed by Eugene Godsoe (stretching himself a bit for this race) in 2:01.00 and Ryan Murphy in 2:01.01.

This 200 back is Rex Tullius’ best event, and probably the one he’s most hinged his Olympic Team hopes on, but his 2:02.29 from prelims put him only into the B-Final.

Women’s 50 Free

Though the names in the A-Final of this 50 free are big, the times didn’t match the spotlight as the American women still lag behind the rest of the world in the shortest sprints. Christine Magnuson has to be the most excited about her morning swim, where she posted a 25.16 for the top seed and in the third-best time in her career. After she swam only a 1:00 in what was her best event, the 100 fly, this much-stronger 50 free time says what we’ve been speculating for the last few meets – she’s going all-out for the 50 free at Trials.

The ageless one Dara Torres took 2nd in 25.36, which is in the neighborhood of what she’s been going this year. Recent Florida expiree Sarah Bateman is the 3rd seed in 25.44, followed by defending USA Swimming National Champion Lara Jackson (25.51) and Liv Jensen (25.57).

Madison Kennedy (25.61), Amanda Weir (25.64), and Jessica Hardy (25.65).

Kara Lynn Joyce (25.71), Jane Trepp (25.79), and Dana Vollmer (25.82) top the B-Final field.

Men’s 50 Free

The top seed in the 50 free goes to George Bovell, who looked as good as we’ve seen him in a while in 22.15 to be way out in front of the field. Anthony Ervin recovered nicely from a disappointing 100 on Thursday evening to take the second seed in 22.56, followed by Josh Schneider(22.62) and Nathan Adrian (22.69).

No reports of suit issues for Adrian this morning, but from what we saw in his 100 he oughta be at least around a 22.2 in the finals (if not better).

Cullen Jones also made the A-Final in 22.77, while Nick Brunelli slid to the B in 22.86.

Full “Live” Meet Results available here. The live results don’t usually update until the conclusion of the later B-Flights, so let us know if you’re looking for any specific results.