Gold Medal Mel Stewart
MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly.
As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …
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I think Ricky can go 1:44, sure, probably high. But I think Phelps and Lochte will both be 1:43 high to 1:44 low to take the top 2 spots in the 200 free. In the 100 free Ricky has a legitimate shot at the second spot. After Adrian, there are definitely a group of four or five guys that can grab that second spot, and Ricky is as capable as any. Whoever gets that second spot will have to be sub :48 to do it. Regardless Ricky is going to almost certainly be on the 4×200 and probably 4×100 relays so at least he’s going to have 2 shots at getting a medal in Beijing.
Gold Medal Mel, I completely agree with you. I believe Ricky can be 1:44 low. I mean hes been 1:47.5 mid season. thats very promising for a 1:44.
Bluefish, there is an ocean between 1:47.5 and 1:44low.
Ricky’s 100 Free seems to be one of the sleeper possibilities at these trials and it will be fun to watch. Looks like Longhorn swimming will be well represented in the sprints!!! So just what’s the altitude in Austin these days – 86 feet above MSL?
I like Ricky Berens and he is a great swimmer, however I dont believe that he will beat phelps or lochte at trials. Both are undergoing incredibly strenuous work out regiments in preparation for London and it will show at trials. I wish Ricky luck but I have a strong feeling that the only 200 free he will be doing will be in a relay.
i predict a breakout swim for berens, in and around the 1:45.0 lvl…..but the question is whether or not it will be enough. Only time will tell if tapers are hit well
who ever has more in the tank at the third turn will get it. Berens needs 2 be ahead, but no to the point where he burns his bridges. This is going 2 be the trials best event in my opinion. Much more competitive, for the 6 spots, compared 2 the backstrokes, historically usa’s best.
Berens is a terrific swimmer, no doubt and he has great underwaters bbut it has to be more than dolphin kicks. I see a lot of the Europeans swimming fast that don’t have those 11 kicks of the wall: Agnel, Muffet, Biederman .They are faster than some swimmers that have better underwaters so maybe its not so simple.
Goood predictions JEAH !!!!