In 2014, then-Georgia junior Ty Stewart’s highest placing at the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas was an 8th-place finish in the 400 IM. He paired that with a 10th-place award in the 200 back and a 19th-place finish in the 200 IM.
It raised a few eyebrows, then, when Stewart dropped the 400 IM in favor of the 100 fly – having never swum an individual event shorter than 200 yards at the NCAA Championships.
On the pre-selection entry lists that were released on Monday, Stewart was entered in the 200 IM (1:42.63 – 5th seed), the 100 fly (46.77 – 50th seed), and the 200 fly (1:42.11 – 10th seed).
While both the 400 IM and 100 fly are extremely competitive this season, both probably are as fast as they’ve ever been, Stewart’s ranking in the 100 fly indicates that the Georgia coaches are expecting a big speed-drop for him in Iowa City.
Stewart’s Historical NCAA Championship Entries
Freshman year:
- Day 1 – 200 IM (18th), 400 medley relay (11th)
- Day 2 – 400 IM (DQ)
- Day 3 – 200 back (12th)
Sophomore year:
- Day 1 – 200 IM (19th)
- Day 2 – 400 IM (8th)
- Day 3 – 200 back (10th)
That’s because Ty can swim anything and that’s what his coaches believe and all of his fans back home believe. Good luck Ty!!!! We know you will do great at any event.
Makes sense from a team standpoint. With three guys who could final in the 400 IM, the Dawgs need something in the 100Fly. Good Decision!
8th place points are the same in the 400 IM as in the 100 fly. It doesn’t matter how many teammates one has in each of the events.
Yea, this logic rarely applies outside of someone like Conger. You go with where you have the most points expected, there’s no sense “spreading it out”.
Also, Georgia probably has a decent chance of getting 3 guys into the A final, not counting Ty. Chase, Gunnar, and Jay Litherland are all top 10 already. Probably trying to spread the points and they must believe Ty will be able to score well.
Odd choice. Could be that they’ve decided to focus on the shorter events a bit more, relays included, and decided the 400 IM twice would fatigue him too much for the other events. Not necessarily expecting to score as much in the 100 fly, just an outside shot at B final points and make up the difference by swimming better in other races.
That is because Tynan will be a beast at whatever event he swims! Everyone back home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi will be cheering you on.