Kelsi Worrell of the Untied States has one more swim on her schedule as the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games come to a close.
Her last event will be the 4x100m medley relay, where she’ll be swimming the fly leg for the American team. This morning in prelims, Worrell swam a split of 57.63, however it’s likely that she could be faster tonight in finals.
Worrell won the 100m fly earlier in the meet, and in the prelims of the 100 fly she set a new Pan American Games record. Swimming a 57.23 in the heats, Worrell is now ranked third in the world this season.
If Worrell can repeat that performance tonight, the American relay should be in great shapes. This morning, along with Natalie Coughlin, Katie Meili, and Allison Schmitt, Worrell helped set a new Pan American Games record of 3:57.35 in the medley relay.
Repeating that performance would mean that Worrell would be able to split 56-mid, granted the 0.5-0.7 second advantage that a relay start gives. Already faster than what the team of Missy Franklin, Jessica Hardy, Kendyl Stewart, and Simone Manuel went at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships, this Pan Ams team could be the best squad the Americans will have all season.
If Katie Meili can hit a 1:05-range as well, the relay should be able to go well under the record they set this morning.
Some swimmers perform better in a less-pressured atmosphere (such as prelims). I am crossing my fingers that Kelsi and Katie can swim to their peak ability so that the fans can have something to really compare once Worlds gets here. As for Nat, you can be certain she wants to get as close to a sub-59 as possible to stamp herself as a serious contender for Rio in this event. Schmitty? Just go as fast as you can!!!!