Atlanta SwimSquad Lineups Announced, Sandeno Picks Grothe Over Smith

• 2018 TYR PRO SWIM SERIES – ATLANTA

  • March 1-4, 2018
  • McAuley Aquatic Center
  • Atlanta, GA
  • LCM
  • Psych Sheet
  • SwimSquad Projections
  • Thursday prelims heat sheet
  • Live results

USA Swimming has announced the starting lineups for each of the four SwimSquads competing in Atlanta:

#Atlanta lineups are in! Get ready for more #USASwimSquads rivalries 😏🔥 pic.twitter.com/opjsHRWgGK

— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) March 1, 2018

There aren’t too many major changes from our projections. LezakSquad did not start Mallory Comerford, which could be an indication she’s scratched the meet, or a vote of confidence in flex-man Clark Smith. Comerford should be primed to swim very fast while in taper mode from ACCs and NCAAs, but has to deal with world record-holder Sarah Sjostrom in her sprint free races.

Sandeno elected not to start Leah Smith, opting instead for Zane Grothe in the free spot, Sarah Gibson in fly and fellow flyer Jack Conger in her flex role. Lezak chose Kevin Cordes over Cody Miller in the breaststroke spot. Coughlin showed faith in Tom Shields after an awful Austin outing and started him at fly, shuffling around her versatile trio a bit from where we had them, but she’ll still start Melanie Margalis, Madisyn Cox and Hali Flickinger.

Clubhouse leader Krayzelburg did not start Will Licon, instead going with Nic Fink at breaststroke and doubling up on freestylers with Amanda Kendall in free and Ashley Twichell in his flex spot.

As a quick refresher, four retired Olympians drafted the entire U.S. National swim team (as well as a couple of 2016 Olympians) into four SwimSquads, and each captain gets to select 6 swimmers to start for each of the Pro Swim Series stops. Athletes earn points for their teams with a winning squad crowned at the end of the season. The captain of the winning team gets $10,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. The athletes can earn sponsor prizes (though NCAA athletes are restricted in prize acceptance under NCAA amateurism rules).

We covered the captains and rosters as they were announced. You can read more here, or check them out below:

CURRENT POINTS:

• See full Austin breakdown here

FULL ROSTERS

SCORING FORMAT

• Prior to each meet, the captain will select 6 swimmers from their overall roster to score.
• Each of the six athletes is designated for one specific category, and can score in up to two events from that category. The categories are:
  • Free (50 through 1500)
  • Back (50 through 200)
  • Breast (50 through 200)
  • Fly (50 through 200)
  • IM (200 and 400, not the mystery order 200 IM)
  • Flex (any two races)
• An athlete must make the top 8 to score points:
  • 1st: 10
  • 2nd: 8
  • 3rd: 7
  • 4th: 5
  • 5th: 4
  • 6th: 3
  • 7th: 2
  • 8th: 1