Chase Kalisz just keeps picking up momentum for– if his swimming this spring is any indication– what should be an incredible summer for the 23-year-old.
After nearly eclipsing a personal best in the 200 fly at the beginning of tonight’s finals session at the Atlanta stop of the Pro Swim Series, Kalisz returned for the 200 IM. After out-splitting the entire field on the backstroke leg, including prolific Japanese backstroker Ryosuke Irie, Kalisz turned at the 100 mark and displayed a beautiful (and fast) breaststroke leg. That was it for him, as he sailed home on freestyle to turn in a time of 1:57.21 to take the win by almost four full seconds.
It was a best time by five tenths. His previous best was from a month ago, at the Mesa stop of the PSS. Keep in mind that Kalisz’s lifetime best before that Mesa swim was a 1:58.52 from the 2013 U.S. Summer Nationals, which is still the best summer performance he’s ever given.
Most importantly, though, in terms of the bigger picture: Kalisz’s time makes him the 4th-best American to ever have swum this event (and 3rd textile).
U.S. Top Performers – 200 IM
- Ryan Lochte – 1:54.00 (Shanghai 2011)
- Michael Phelps – 1:54.16 (Shanghai 2011)
- Eric Shanteau – 1:55.36 (Rome 2009)
- Chase Kalisz – 1:57.21 (Atlanta 2017)
- Tyler Clary – 1:57.25 (Indianapolis 2009)
The storied IM battles between Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps are cemented in the past, and with Phelps retired and Lochte not in the picture this summer, Kalisz’s rapid improvement boom couldn’t come at a better time. It’s feasible that Kalisz should be able to take two seconds or more off of his May performance during heavy training, so what’s to say he won’t move up to third in American history after this summer?
The disparity between the top three in American history and the rest of the best is pretty wild– nearly two seconds separate 3rd (Shanteau) and 4th (Kalisz), while Lochte and Phelps are well ahead of Shanteau’s position.
Whether or not Kalisz is able to crack the top three this summer is not of concern right now, though; rather, America has to be excited about the advances he has been making in his events this spring. It’ll be the first summer without two of America’s swimming icons battling in the 200 IM, but Kalisz is proving that Team USA will not be going to battle in Budapest empty-handed.
Chase is separating himself from the rest of the American IM’ers.
He’s figured out how to pace the 400 IM to his best advantage. His 200 IM is rapidly improving.
It’s great that he’s stepped into the void left by Phelps and Lochte to contend for the IM gold medals.
Karl- I do t think irie ever had the 200 back world record. The suit he was wearing was never approved so he never technically got the record
You’re right! Fixed it.
Somewhat related thought: Kalisz would dominate a 100 meter pool format.
100m course, now that would be interesting to watch…
A lot of talk about Chase Kalisz’ performance in the water this spring. I’d like to salute his after-race, on-deck performance. Chase has become a POISED, ARTICULATE individual who can provide good insights into his athletic accomplishments. He’s picking up many, many fans!
Hear hear!
His versatility is really getting along now. Not a primarily a 400IM guy anymore…2 IM, 2 fly, 2 breast (which he won’t swim in a selection meet) & quite possibly a player for a 4×200 free relay spot. His free looks much better this year… more of a kick in his stroke, as Rowdy Gaines noted.
He’s going to have a big schedule at Worlds this summer.
I hate to break it to y’all,but Kalisz is a distance athlete and likely swims near best times in season. While I think he can be better this summer it would not surprise me if he didn’t go any faster than 1:57.2. Sadly,1:55 or better probably not gonna happen. All this aside tho 1:57 low 1:56 high will likely score a bronze this summer,so Kalisz is already is great position to medal!
He hasn’t shaved the 2IM for a couple years. But looking at the 4IM: Last spring he was 4:15 4IM in Orlando, 4:11.5 just 3 weeks out from Trials. Then 4:09 at Trials; 4:06 in Rio. So the fact that he’s going 4:09 in Atlanta now — that means something.
Chase kalitz outsplit ryosuke irie on backstroke but irie is not a medley swimmer at all. Attempting other strokes definitely slowed down his backstroke. I,m surprised he even swims the IM at all. I would like to see what his butterfly and breaststroke looks like. Even thinking of Watching irie swim those two strokes is very weird in my mind,s eye.
Chase won a great silver in Rio but he wants more. His mentor MP must be proud of him. Hopefully he can peak at the right time next summer to win a medal in the 200 IM and especially the gold in the 400 IM.