The Australian women threw down a big number in the prelims of the 400 medley relay, with a 3:55.42 to take the top seed headed into finals. In what will likely be their lone change in this relay, whose finals will be swum Saturday evening, Melanie Schlanger will take over the anchor for Brittany Elmslie, despite Elmslie anchoring with a great split of 53.44. There’s not likely to be a huge improvement there, but could be some benefit with Schlanger swimming very well – perhaps half-a-second.
The splits from their prelims relay:
1. Seebohm 58.57
2. Jones 1:05.96
3. Coutts 57.45
4. Elmslie 53.44
Here we go again! Another dog fight to end all dog fights between the Aussies and Yanks!
This is not a walkover for the Americans. I think it is up to Vollmer to give the anchor (Schmitt?) a sizeable lead.
Schlanger was 52.65 on the free relay. I’d call that a considerable improvement.
Mel is a “super-responder” in the weightroom. She’s incredible.