ARENA PRO SWIM SERIES AT MESA
- Thursday, April 14 – Saturday, April 16, 2016
- Skyline Aquatic Center
- Mesa, Arizona (same as Pacific Daylight Time, GMT -7 hours)
- Prelims 9AM / Finals 5PM (12PM/8PM Eastern Daylight Time)
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream
- Live Results
- Meet Central
Follow the full day 1 prelims live recap here.
The 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series meet at Mesa began on Thursday with the 200 freestyles, and in his first race, Michael Phelps failed to qualify for the A-Final of the 200 free. He swam a 1:50.63, which, barring scratches, will put him in the middle lane of the B-Final on Thursday evening.
The 2016 edition of this meet has a very different feel for Michael Phelps than does the last two. As he discussed in his pre-meet press conference (see full video here), this meet is the meet where he made his comeback each of the last two years. In 2014, that was a comeback from his post-London retirement. In 2015, that was his comeback from a 6-month DUI suspension.
What’s more, for those meets, he was travelling literally across the country from Baltimore to compete, changing temperature, changing humidity, and changing from indoor to outdoor swimming. This year, he’s a ‘local,’ is sleeping in his own bed at night, and is training outdoors year-round at Arizona State University.
Still, despite saying he’s in his best shape since 2007 and 2008, where he made history at the Beijing Olympics with 8 gold medals, Phelps swam just 1:50.63 in prelims of the 200 free. While he didn’t swim the 200 free in either of his last two trips to this meet, he did qualify 1st into the A-Final in the 100 fly on the opening day of both the 2014 and 2015 meets in Mesa.
Phelps is still the American and U.S. Open Record holder in the 200 LCM freestyle, but he’s only swum the event intermittently since his comeback – 6 times to be exact, and none of those 6 times were at the 2015 U.S. National Championships where he put up the world’s best time in the 100 and 200 fly.
His best swim in the race since his comeback is a 1:48.20 done at the Santa Clara Grand Prix in June of 2014, followed by a 1:48.87 done in Austin in January of this year.
That is Phelps’ only swim on day 1 of this meet. His light schedule includes just 3 events: besides this 200 free, he’ll also race the 200 fly and the 200 IM.
So MP bounced back in B final, no need to worry. Full taper will show his true speed, just like last year.
Nevertheless, he should scratch one relay in Rio. The 4×100 free is the best choice, because chances for gold are very low.
3rd fastest time in the finals and more than 2 secs faster than the heats. Definitely not out of it.
Paolo, I agree with your analysis of last summer about the cool prelims and then the final at full speed.
There will be 2 fast rounds before the finals in Rio.
What do you suggest?
He must drop one individual event from the 3 we could expect to see him swim? Which one? I would pick the 200 fly.
Will he swim the free relays?
Rafael, I agree with you.
His freestyle is a mystery right now.
And I’ve the same concern about his ability at 32 in Rio to swim so many races.
What is sure is that he’s not done but also that he will not swim 1.43. 😆
You can’t know if he’ll swim 1:42 or 1:47 nothing is determined.
People are overreacting? It will be enough a smart taper and Phelps will be on fire like last year?
1) 1) Last year, after the taper, at San Antonio Nats Phelps could swim a fairly relaxed heat and open the full gas only in the final. At Rio he will have to swim a lot faster also in the prelims and the semifinals.
2) Last year at San Antonio Phelps didn’t swim any freestyle event. At Olympics he should be part of 4×100 and 4×200 free relays.
So, also in-season Phelps performances this year should be more convincing than last year. And also Phelps and Bowman hinted that at the start of the season.
Even if Phelps will swim… Read more »
I hope you are right, but swimming 1’50″6 (with a relatively slow second 100) when you are the world record holder and say that you are in the Post shape since 2008…
Not worried about phelps, he hasn’t been the putting up insane times at small meets guy for a while, I mean like since 2004. (Excluding 2008 and 2009 because that era made things way to fast). I just hope if we get to trials and his free is indeed off Bowman doesn’t put him on the relay.
I think it’s pretty funny that people are overreacting to a poor morning swim…how often has Phelps ever swam well in the morning?
Not to mention Phelps didn’t swim particularly well in any of the in season meets before US Nationals last year; put a smart taper in there after hard training and BANG he’s on fire again!
Wait until after Rio to judge folks. He’s already made history and then some. Even if he packs it in at this point (which I doubt he will) then we’ve already been thrilled by his accomplishments and should thank him for everything he’s given the sport.
Ok. Yesterday MP was in his best shape since 2008.
Today after one prelim swim at a training meet, he’s done for swimming according to what we can read above.
That’s hilarious. 😆
Guys, you talk about the GREATEST here.
I agree his freestyle is a mystery right now.
But come on, why so many overreactions?
Contrary to many other swim fans, I’m pleased to not see him swim fast in season. It means big things when it counts.
He was in 1.49 last year in Charlotte. No concerns for my part.
You get the 2 opposites.. the people who thinks he´s done and the people who expects him to drop a 1:43 200 free and a 47 free.
The biggest question is: How is his freestyle? If it´s bad, will Bowman put him on relay?
And the 2nd question: Can he handle 3 rounds of each race and more than one race each session? Or will he focus on 100 fly, 200IM, maybe 200 fly and medley relay (if his freestyle stays bad)