I'm introducing my own Swimmer of the Month awards. Similar to the Swimming World Swimmer of the Year awards, I will recognize the top swimmers from the Pacific Rim, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, and also the U.S. if the top swimmer from the Americas is not from the U.S. I will try to name all awards each month, though that could be difficult in down months like January and September.
Pacific Rim Women's: Emily Seebohm, Australia
Seebohm swam a 59.25 in the 100 back, the top time ever in textile, and also posted the top time in the world this year in the 50 back and 200 IM.
Pacific Rim Men's: Park Tae Hwan, Korea
Park posted times of 49.45, 1:46.98, and 3:45.03 in the 100, 200, and 400 free, the fastest times in the world in the latter two events.
African Women's: Wendy Trott, South Africa
Trott tore it up at the SEC championships, posting the top times in the NCAA in the 500 and 1,650.
African Men's Gideon Louw, South Africa
Louw defeated strong fields at SEC's to claim the 50 and 100 free with a stellar time of 19.18 in the 50.
European Women's: Elizabeth Simmonds, Great Britain
Simmonds recorded one of the fastest times ever in textile suits in the 200 back (2:06.90) and dominated the backstrokes at the Great Britain vs. Germany Duel in the Pool.
European Men's: Liam Tancock, Great Britain
Tancock recorded the world's fastest times in the 50 (24.92) and 100 back (53.86) this month, and delieved a 48.6 split on the 400 free relay at the Duel in the Pool to secure the win for Britain.
American Women's Julia Smit, United States
Smit obliterated her own American records in the 200 (1:52.31) and 400 IM (3:58.23) without the techsuits she wore to set the records last year; she also recorded the nation's top time in the 200 back (1:50.76).
American Men's Eric Shanteau, United States
Shanteau recorded the only time under 2:00 in the 200 IM in Missouri (1:59.75), then came back an hour later to set the world's top time in the 200 breast (2:11.17), with an awesome last 50 to out-touch Japan's Kosuke Kitajima.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
NCAA's 2010
The NCAA Championship season is fast approaching, and I wanted to say a few things about the teams before the swimming world is engulfed in conference championships, starting with SECs in just two weeks. John Lohn covered a lot of the big stories headed into these last few months of the NCAA season, so I'm gonna take it straight on: the top teams for both women and men and how the final scoring will pan out in due time. This first part of my NCAA blog will cover just the women's NCAAs, which takes place March 18-20 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
My top 3:
Georgia: After finishing a close second to California last season, Georgia returns most of its stat power and depth from its tremendous performance in College Station last year. At the moment, Georgia swimmers are favored (or co-favored) in four out of five freestyle events in the forms of Anne-Marie Botek (50), Allison Schmitt (200 and 500), and Wendy Trott (1,650). Behind the starpower lies incredible depth, with the versatile Morgan Scroggy and mid-distance freestyler Chelsea Nauta, among others, looking to rack up some key points in the Bulldogs' quest to reclaim the top spot.
Stanford: Fourth last year, the Cardinal is led by a pair of senior Olympians who look to end their NCAA careers on top. First, there is Julia Smit, the defending NCAA Champion in both IMs and second in the 100 free in College Station, who recently set short course meters world records in both IMs at the Duel in the Pool. Next is Elaine Breeden, a two-time NCAA champ in the 200 fly, who could sweep both butterflies in 2010. Like Georgia, Stanford also has some superb depth, with US World Championship team member Kate Dwelley, as well as Sam Woodward (fly/free) and Kelsey Ditto (free).
Texas: Texas has for several years had one of the top recruiting classes in the country, and that is starting to pay off with some serious depth. They have one superstar, Kathleen Hersey, a US Olympian who was top three in all three of her events last year. Hersey is one of the favorites for the 200 fly this year, and should score key points in her other events, which may include the 100 fly, 200 IM, and/or 400 IM. The depth fills in behind Hersey; breaststrokers Spindrift Beck and Laura Sogar, freestyler Karlee Bispo, and versatile swimmers Katie Riefenstahl and Leah Gingrich will attempt to lead the Longhorns to a national title
Challenging for the Top Five:
Arizona: Arizona has lost much of the depth from its NCAA title in 2008 and its third-place finish last year, although the team may have enough firepower to finish top five. US World Championship team member Alyssa Anderson will be a force in the mid-distance freestyles, as will Annie Chandler in the breaststrokes and seniors Justine Schluntz and Ana Agy.
Auburn: Auburn doesn't have much any superstars in the line-up but it has a bunch of strong swimmers, such as Melissa Marik, Caitlin Geary, Maggie Bird, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, and Ava Ohlgren, who make an outside shot at top five.
California: Cal has lost the major key to its NCAA title last year, who was Dana Vollmer. They are still a very powerful team, led by Sara Isokovic, the Olympic silver medalist in the 200 free; multi-time US National team member in IMs and breaststrokes Caitlin Leverenz; and defending 100 fly champion Amanda Sims. They also have great sprinting depth, with Liv Jensen and Hannah Wilson, and they should finish in the top five once again.
Florida: Florida has strong swimmers that could rack up some major points at NCAAs. Senior Gemma Spofforth looks to make it four-in-a-row in the 200 back and claim her third title in the 100 back, the event in which she is world champion. Finshing second to her in the 200 back last year was teammate Teresa Crippen, who will look to repeat that in 2010. Another British Olympian, Jemma Lowe, will be a factor in both fly races, and Stephanie Napier is a strong sprint freestyler.
Southern California: The Trojans have had a strong season thus far and have a strong chance to move up from their ninth-place finish in College Station last year, even with the departure of world record-holder Rebecca Soni. Their top swimmer is sophomore Katinka Hosszu, the world champion in the 400 IM and bronze medalist from Rome in two more events, who will be a big player in the IM and butterfly races. They also have U.S. World Championship team member Haley Anderson, who should finish in the top three in the 1,650; backstroker Presley Bard, an Olympic trials finalist; and butterflyers Lyndsay DePaul and Tanya Krisman.
Texas A&M: Another strong Lone Star team is Texas A&M. The Aggies have three seniors who could make some noise at NCAAs, two of whom are coming off redshirt years. Alia Atkinson finished second to Rebecca Soni in the 200 breast last year, and she will be one of the favorites in that event in 2010. Julia Wilkinson will be a strong player in the 200 IM, either the 200 free or 100 back, and the 100 free, where she will be one of the title-favorites. Kristen Heiss could push for big points in both backstroke events, particularly the 200.
A week after the women's college season wraps up, the men take to the pool in Columbus, Ohio, March 25-27, on the campus of Ohio State. This year, the NCAA has more fast, experienced swimmers than ever before, from various countries around the world. College swimming is so deep right now that I could be completely wrong in my analysis, but here goes anyway!
My Top Three:
Arizona: In 2008, Arizona took their first-ever NCAA title in men's swimming, but they trailed in 2009, ending up the sixth best team in the country. Now, Arizona swimming is back at the best it has been and once again a legitimate contender for the top spot. They have IMer Jack Brown, fourth and third at Nationals this summer in the 200 and 400 IM, respectively, who is back to his top form and should place top three in both medleys in Columbus; Brown could also make noise in the 200 breast. Next is Clark Burckle, a senior transfer from Florida, also a top-level breaststroke and IM swimmer. Cory Chitwood, second in the 200 back in 2008, returns from a redshirt year as the current top-ranked swimmer in the nation in that event, and he could also make some noise in the 100. Breaststroker Marcus Titus finished third in the 100 breast at Nationals this summer. South African Jean Basson, the defending NCAA champion in the 500 free, will be a big player in the 200, 400, and 1,650 free. Arizona has some solid swimmers to fill out their 400 and 800 free relays, such as Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or and Joel Greenshields.
California: The Golden Bears finished fourth last year, but they are certainly capable of moving up several spots, especially with the continued improvement of their star: Nathan Adrian. Adrian is the big favorite to defend his titles in the 50 and 100 free, and he also has the potential to score big points in either the 200 free or 100 fly. Cal has another defending NCAA champ, Damir Dugonjic, who became the only man under 51 in the 100 breast with his victory last year. The Bears also have a solid contingent of 200 breaststrokers, led by Sean Mahoney, who took second in the event last year and has a strong chance to move up a spot in 2010. Freshman Tom Shields has already proven that he will be a force in the 200 free and 100/200 butterfly, as has South African Graeme Moore in the sprint free and fly races. Guy Barnea will be a key player as the backstroker in the medley relays, which Cal has strong chances to win.
Texas: Long considered the favorite to win their tenth NCAA crown in 2010, the Longhorns might have the perfect combination of depth and superstars to get the job done. They have two of the best collegiate swimmers in the country in David Walters and Ricky Berens, both Olympians and World Championship team members. Walters, the 2008 NCAA Champion in the 200 free, could take back that title, place in very close to the top in the 100 free, and make the 50 free final. Berens, a very versatile swimmer, will swim the 200 IM, either the 200 free or 100 fly, and most likely the 200 fly. Berens has the capability to and needs to place in the top three or four in all of his events. (In 2009, Texas' final undoing was Berens' failure to make top 16 in the 200 fly.) Sophomore Jimmy Feigen took second in both the 50 and 100 last year and could retain or better those placings. US National 1,500 champion Jackson Wilcox returns, and he will be a major force in the distance races. Backstrokers Hill Taylor and Cole Craigin, and breaststroker Scott Spann could rack up key points, while swimmers such as Ben Van Roekel, Peter Jameson, Scott Jostes, and Dax Hill will make Texas tough to beat in all of the relays.
Challenging for Top Five:
Auburn: The Tigers have lost some of the firepower that led them to the top last year (mainly Matt Targett), but they have Tyler McGill, the favorite to win the 100 fly, and a deep group of sprinters led by Briton Adam Brown. They also have loaded corps in breaststroke (Stuart Ferguson, Adam Klein, Michael Silva) and backstroke (Max Murphy, Kohlton Norys, Jared White, Pascal Wollach) that should put them top five at least.
Florida: Foreign swimmers lead Florida's push for a top five placing in Columbus. The Fraser brothers, Shaune and Brett (Cayman Islands), both scored at NCAA's last year, with Shaune taking titles in the 200 free and 200 fly. Marco Loughran (Great Britain) and Omar Pinzon (Colombia) are both excellent backstrokers, and Pinzon could be a factor in IMs as well. Finally, South African Sebastian Rousseau could be a factor in the 200 free and 200 fly.
Michigan: The Wolverines are led by World Championship team members Tyler Clary and Dan Madwed in 2010. Clary, the defending champion in the 200 back and 400 IM, will look to defend those titles and also challenge in the 200 IM, while Madwed should score in the butterflies and mid-distance freestyles. As is tradition for Michigan, a strong group of distance swimmers could put some points on the board, while Chris Brady will be a factor in the sprint freestyle and butterfly, as will Alon Mandel in backstroke and longer butterfly races.
Stanford: Formally one of the favorites for the National title, Stanford's chances for the top were effectively dashed when Austin Staab announced he was leaving the school and team at the beginning of January. Still, a top five finish would not be at all surprising, with star swimmers Chad LaTourette (distance) and Eugene Godsoe (backstroke) leading the way. Both have chances at individual titles in their respective events. The Cardinal has huge depth as well, with swimmers such as Alex Coville, David Mosko, Bobby Bollier, Curtis Lovelace, and Trevor Scheid.
Originally posted in two parts at SwimmingWorld.TV. All parts were written before any conference meets took place.
My top 3:
Georgia: After finishing a close second to California last season, Georgia returns most of its stat power and depth from its tremendous performance in College Station last year. At the moment, Georgia swimmers are favored (or co-favored) in four out of five freestyle events in the forms of Anne-Marie Botek (50), Allison Schmitt (200 and 500), and Wendy Trott (1,650). Behind the starpower lies incredible depth, with the versatile Morgan Scroggy and mid-distance freestyler Chelsea Nauta, among others, looking to rack up some key points in the Bulldogs' quest to reclaim the top spot.
Stanford: Fourth last year, the Cardinal is led by a pair of senior Olympians who look to end their NCAA careers on top. First, there is Julia Smit, the defending NCAA Champion in both IMs and second in the 100 free in College Station, who recently set short course meters world records in both IMs at the Duel in the Pool. Next is Elaine Breeden, a two-time NCAA champ in the 200 fly, who could sweep both butterflies in 2010. Like Georgia, Stanford also has some superb depth, with US World Championship team member Kate Dwelley, as well as Sam Woodward (fly/free) and Kelsey Ditto (free).
Texas: Texas has for several years had one of the top recruiting classes in the country, and that is starting to pay off with some serious depth. They have one superstar, Kathleen Hersey, a US Olympian who was top three in all three of her events last year. Hersey is one of the favorites for the 200 fly this year, and should score key points in her other events, which may include the 100 fly, 200 IM, and/or 400 IM. The depth fills in behind Hersey; breaststrokers Spindrift Beck and Laura Sogar, freestyler Karlee Bispo, and versatile swimmers Katie Riefenstahl and Leah Gingrich will attempt to lead the Longhorns to a national title
Challenging for the Top Five:
Arizona: Arizona has lost much of the depth from its NCAA title in 2008 and its third-place finish last year, although the team may have enough firepower to finish top five. US World Championship team member Alyssa Anderson will be a force in the mid-distance freestyles, as will Annie Chandler in the breaststrokes and seniors Justine Schluntz and Ana Agy.
Auburn: Auburn doesn't have much any superstars in the line-up but it has a bunch of strong swimmers, such as Melissa Marik, Caitlin Geary, Maggie Bird, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, and Ava Ohlgren, who make an outside shot at top five.
California: Cal has lost the major key to its NCAA title last year, who was Dana Vollmer. They are still a very powerful team, led by Sara Isokovic, the Olympic silver medalist in the 200 free; multi-time US National team member in IMs and breaststrokes Caitlin Leverenz; and defending 100 fly champion Amanda Sims. They also have great sprinting depth, with Liv Jensen and Hannah Wilson, and they should finish in the top five once again.
Florida: Florida has strong swimmers that could rack up some major points at NCAAs. Senior Gemma Spofforth looks to make it four-in-a-row in the 200 back and claim her third title in the 100 back, the event in which she is world champion. Finshing second to her in the 200 back last year was teammate Teresa Crippen, who will look to repeat that in 2010. Another British Olympian, Jemma Lowe, will be a factor in both fly races, and Stephanie Napier is a strong sprint freestyler.
Southern California: The Trojans have had a strong season thus far and have a strong chance to move up from their ninth-place finish in College Station last year, even with the departure of world record-holder Rebecca Soni. Their top swimmer is sophomore Katinka Hosszu, the world champion in the 400 IM and bronze medalist from Rome in two more events, who will be a big player in the IM and butterfly races. They also have U.S. World Championship team member Haley Anderson, who should finish in the top three in the 1,650; backstroker Presley Bard, an Olympic trials finalist; and butterflyers Lyndsay DePaul and Tanya Krisman.
Texas A&M: Another strong Lone Star team is Texas A&M. The Aggies have three seniors who could make some noise at NCAAs, two of whom are coming off redshirt years. Alia Atkinson finished second to Rebecca Soni in the 200 breast last year, and she will be one of the favorites in that event in 2010. Julia Wilkinson will be a strong player in the 200 IM, either the 200 free or 100 back, and the 100 free, where she will be one of the title-favorites. Kristen Heiss could push for big points in both backstroke events, particularly the 200.
****
A week after the women's college season wraps up, the men take to the pool in Columbus, Ohio, March 25-27, on the campus of Ohio State. This year, the NCAA has more fast, experienced swimmers than ever before, from various countries around the world. College swimming is so deep right now that I could be completely wrong in my analysis, but here goes anyway!
My Top Three:
Arizona: In 2008, Arizona took their first-ever NCAA title in men's swimming, but they trailed in 2009, ending up the sixth best team in the country. Now, Arizona swimming is back at the best it has been and once again a legitimate contender for the top spot. They have IMer Jack Brown, fourth and third at Nationals this summer in the 200 and 400 IM, respectively, who is back to his top form and should place top three in both medleys in Columbus; Brown could also make noise in the 200 breast. Next is Clark Burckle, a senior transfer from Florida, also a top-level breaststroke and IM swimmer. Cory Chitwood, second in the 200 back in 2008, returns from a redshirt year as the current top-ranked swimmer in the nation in that event, and he could also make some noise in the 100. Breaststroker Marcus Titus finished third in the 100 breast at Nationals this summer. South African Jean Basson, the defending NCAA champion in the 500 free, will be a big player in the 200, 400, and 1,650 free. Arizona has some solid swimmers to fill out their 400 and 800 free relays, such as Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or and Joel Greenshields.
California: The Golden Bears finished fourth last year, but they are certainly capable of moving up several spots, especially with the continued improvement of their star: Nathan Adrian. Adrian is the big favorite to defend his titles in the 50 and 100 free, and he also has the potential to score big points in either the 200 free or 100 fly. Cal has another defending NCAA champ, Damir Dugonjic, who became the only man under 51 in the 100 breast with his victory last year. The Bears also have a solid contingent of 200 breaststrokers, led by Sean Mahoney, who took second in the event last year and has a strong chance to move up a spot in 2010. Freshman Tom Shields has already proven that he will be a force in the 200 free and 100/200 butterfly, as has South African Graeme Moore in the sprint free and fly races. Guy Barnea will be a key player as the backstroker in the medley relays, which Cal has strong chances to win.
Texas: Long considered the favorite to win their tenth NCAA crown in 2010, the Longhorns might have the perfect combination of depth and superstars to get the job done. They have two of the best collegiate swimmers in the country in David Walters and Ricky Berens, both Olympians and World Championship team members. Walters, the 2008 NCAA Champion in the 200 free, could take back that title, place in very close to the top in the 100 free, and make the 50 free final. Berens, a very versatile swimmer, will swim the 200 IM, either the 200 free or 100 fly, and most likely the 200 fly. Berens has the capability to and needs to place in the top three or four in all of his events. (In 2009, Texas' final undoing was Berens' failure to make top 16 in the 200 fly.) Sophomore Jimmy Feigen took second in both the 50 and 100 last year and could retain or better those placings. US National 1,500 champion Jackson Wilcox returns, and he will be a major force in the distance races. Backstrokers Hill Taylor and Cole Craigin, and breaststroker Scott Spann could rack up key points, while swimmers such as Ben Van Roekel, Peter Jameson, Scott Jostes, and Dax Hill will make Texas tough to beat in all of the relays.
Challenging for Top Five:
Auburn: The Tigers have lost some of the firepower that led them to the top last year (mainly Matt Targett), but they have Tyler McGill, the favorite to win the 100 fly, and a deep group of sprinters led by Briton Adam Brown. They also have loaded corps in breaststroke (Stuart Ferguson, Adam Klein, Michael Silva) and backstroke (Max Murphy, Kohlton Norys, Jared White, Pascal Wollach) that should put them top five at least.
Florida: Foreign swimmers lead Florida's push for a top five placing in Columbus. The Fraser brothers, Shaune and Brett (Cayman Islands), both scored at NCAA's last year, with Shaune taking titles in the 200 free and 200 fly. Marco Loughran (Great Britain) and Omar Pinzon (Colombia) are both excellent backstrokers, and Pinzon could be a factor in IMs as well. Finally, South African Sebastian Rousseau could be a factor in the 200 free and 200 fly.
Michigan: The Wolverines are led by World Championship team members Tyler Clary and Dan Madwed in 2010. Clary, the defending champion in the 200 back and 400 IM, will look to defend those titles and also challenge in the 200 IM, while Madwed should score in the butterflies and mid-distance freestyles. As is tradition for Michigan, a strong group of distance swimmers could put some points on the board, while Chris Brady will be a factor in the sprint freestyle and butterfly, as will Alon Mandel in backstroke and longer butterfly races.
Stanford: Formally one of the favorites for the National title, Stanford's chances for the top were effectively dashed when Austin Staab announced he was leaving the school and team at the beginning of January. Still, a top five finish would not be at all surprising, with star swimmers Chad LaTourette (distance) and Eugene Godsoe (backstroke) leading the way. Both have chances at individual titles in their respective events. The Cardinal has huge depth as well, with swimmers such as Alex Coville, David Mosko, Bobby Bollier, Curtis Lovelace, and Trevor Scheid.
Originally posted in two parts at SwimmingWorld.TV. All parts were written before any conference meets took place.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Second Chance Predictions
The fourth Missouri Grand Prix has begun, but the announcement that North Baltimore would not be able to get to Missouri has greatly reduced the meet's popularity and anticipation. Thus, swimmers such as Michael Phelps, Liz Pelton, Felicia Lee, and Todd Patrick no longer need to be accounted for with predictions. So, with these recent new developments, my new predictions:
Friday, February 12:
Women's 200 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Whitney Myers, FAST
Men's 200 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 100 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Matt Lowe, Longhorn
Women's 100 Fly
1 - Denisa Smolenova, Southern Methodist
2 - Angela San Juan Cisneros, Unattached
3 - Justine Clark, Southern Methodist
Men's 100 Fly
1 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
2 - Vytautas Janusaitis, Lithuania
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 IM
1 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 400 IM
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Saturday, February 13:
Women's 200 IM
1 - Whitney Myers, FAST
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 200 IM
1 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
2 - Thiago Pereira, Trojan
3 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
Women's 50 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Arlene Semeco, Coral Springs
Men's 50 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Bennett Clark, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Neil Versfeld, Athens Bulldogs
Women's 100 Back
1 - Whitney Myers, FAST
2 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
3 - Petra Klosova, Unattached
Men's 100 Back
1 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
2 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
3 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
Women's 400 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Melanie Klaren, Unattached
3 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
Men's 400 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
Sunday, February 14:
Women's 800 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Savannah King, UBC Dolphins
3 - Tristen Baxter, Clover
Men's 1,500 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Women's 200 Back
1 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
3 - Lauren Lavigna, UMIZ
Men's 200 Back
1 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
2 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Women's 100 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 100 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 200 Fly
1 - Tanya Hunks, UCB Dolphins
2 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
3 - Denisa Smolenova, Southern Methodist
Men's 200 Fly
1 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
2 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
3 - Luiz Azarias, BSS
Monday, February 15:
Women's 1,500 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Taylor O'Brien, PAAC
3 - Courtney Beidler, THY
Men's 800 Free
1 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
2 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Friday, February 12:
Women's 200 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Whitney Myers, FAST
Men's 200 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 100 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Matt Lowe, Longhorn
Women's 100 Fly
1 - Denisa Smolenova, Southern Methodist
2 - Angela San Juan Cisneros, Unattached
3 - Justine Clark, Southern Methodist
Men's 100 Fly
1 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
2 - Vytautas Janusaitis, Lithuania
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 IM
1 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 400 IM
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Saturday, February 13:
Women's 200 IM
1 - Whitney Myers, FAST
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 200 IM
1 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
2 - Thiago Pereira, Trojan
3 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
Women's 50 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Arlene Semeco, Coral Springs
Men's 50 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Bennett Clark, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Neil Versfeld, Athens Bulldogs
Women's 100 Back
1 - Whitney Myers, FAST
2 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
3 - Petra Klosova, Unattached
Men's 100 Back
1 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
2 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
3 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
Women's 400 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Melanie Klaren, Unattached
3 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
Men's 400 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
Sunday, February 14:
Women's 800 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Savannah King, UBC Dolphins
3 - Tristen Baxter, Clover
Men's 1,500 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Women's 200 Back
1 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
3 - Lauren Lavigna, UMIZ
Men's 200 Back
1 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
2 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Women's 100 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 100 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 200 Fly
1 - Tanya Hunks, UCB Dolphins
2 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
3 - Denisa Smolenova, Southern Methodist
Men's 200 Fly
1 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
2 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
3 - Luiz Azarias, BSS
Monday, February 15:
Women's 1,500 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Taylor O'Brien, PAAC
3 - Courtney Beidler, THY
Men's 800 Free
1 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
2 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Screw the Super Bowl, Bring on the Missouri Grand Prix!
I'm not the biggest fan of football. I never have been. I think swimming's just a better sport, and that includes for spectators. (Unfortunately, most of America disagrees with me.) Anyway, I've already shown my controversial predictions for Missouri, so I will go over some of the big storylines headed into the meet.
*Lochte vs. Phelps
Lochte makes his post-Rome return to competition in Missouri, and he will race none other than Michael Phelps, his biggest rival, in four races. His short course season undone by an ankle injury, Lochte has an big time uphill battle to catch Phelps in either the 200 free or 100 fly, while the 100 back will be one of the most anticipated races of the meet. Lochte will watch Phelps tackle his first long course 200 IM since Beijing, since then, Lochte has lowered Phelps' world record in the event. Expect one of the greatest duels in swimming when these two meet once again in the event in Irvine this summer for Nationals.
*The University of Southern California International Center for Swimming Excellence
Dave Salo has built up a huge group of international stars to go along with his college team at USC. Salo coaches swimmers from five foreign countries in addition to Americans. Among those competing in Missouri: Markus Rogan of Austria, a double Olympic silver medalist in backstroke taking on some of the best American (and thus, world) backstrokers of 2010; Thiago Pereira of Brazil, fourth in both IMs in Rome, who, in addition to Michael Phelps, gets a re-match in the 200 IM with Eric Shanteau, the man who outtouched him for bronze in Rome by two tenths of a second; Ous Mellouli of Tunisia, who, in addition to his traditional distance races which he should dominate, will take on Phelps and Lochte in the 200 free, and return to the IMs, at one point his focus events; and Kosuke Kitajima of Japan, the greatest breaststroker in history, and coming off missing the Worlds in 2009, Kitajima will battle American Eric Shanteau, one of the big beneficiaries from Kitajima's absence in Rome.
*The Future of Women's Swimming
Liz Pelton. She went 1:51.48 in her 200 yard back in Long Beach, and she has been swimming lights-out since Indianapolis last summer. Swimming in her first long course meet since Rome, expect Pelton to pace the world in her best events and jump to AT LEAST the top three in the world rankings in both backstrokes and the 200 IM. We could see 1:01 (100 back), 2:10 (200 back), and 2:12-high (200 IM), times the world has yet to see in textile 2010. Some swimmers may have trouble getting back down to their best times this year, but Pelton won't. This summer was just a glimpse into what Elizabeth Pelton is capable of.
*The Greatest, the Bridesmaid, the Newcomer, and the Veteran
The men's 100 back is always one of the best races in a meet in America, and in Missouri it will be even better with some foreign talent in the field. First, you've got the 2007 World Champs Silver Medalist in Ryan Lochte. Next is the man who now holds the 100 back short course meters world record, Nick Thoman. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist, Markus Rogan, is once again training in the U.S., and he will be a player here. Oh, and some Phelps guy. Sounds like a race. All of these guys swim pretty similar races and are back-half swimmers, so it will be a close one for sure. I've stated who I think will touch first, but it's really anyone's guess.
*"I Wanna Be a Sprinter"
So Michael Phelps wants to be a sprinter, huh? He wants to be dominant in the 100 free like he is in so many other events. In 2009, he went for the 100 free at the two Grand Prix meets he swam in and got defeat handed to him by the likes of Fred Bousquet and Brent Hayden, both getting pretty excited with their defeats of Phelps. In Missouri, Phelps goes head-to-head with Hayden once again. While it will be a good marker for Phelps in his quest for speed, it will give the swimming world a chance to see how Hayden is progressing in his attempts to return to the top of the sprinting world. He finished fourth in the 100 in Rome this past summer as the fastest competitor wearing a LZR (or similar) suit.
*Lochte vs. Phelps
Lochte makes his post-Rome return to competition in Missouri, and he will race none other than Michael Phelps, his biggest rival, in four races. His short course season undone by an ankle injury, Lochte has an big time uphill battle to catch Phelps in either the 200 free or 100 fly, while the 100 back will be one of the most anticipated races of the meet. Lochte will watch Phelps tackle his first long course 200 IM since Beijing, since then, Lochte has lowered Phelps' world record in the event. Expect one of the greatest duels in swimming when these two meet once again in the event in Irvine this summer for Nationals.
*The University of Southern California International Center for Swimming Excellence
Dave Salo has built up a huge group of international stars to go along with his college team at USC. Salo coaches swimmers from five foreign countries in addition to Americans. Among those competing in Missouri: Markus Rogan of Austria, a double Olympic silver medalist in backstroke taking on some of the best American (and thus, world) backstrokers of 2010; Thiago Pereira of Brazil, fourth in both IMs in Rome, who, in addition to Michael Phelps, gets a re-match in the 200 IM with Eric Shanteau, the man who outtouched him for bronze in Rome by two tenths of a second; Ous Mellouli of Tunisia, who, in addition to his traditional distance races which he should dominate, will take on Phelps and Lochte in the 200 free, and return to the IMs, at one point his focus events; and Kosuke Kitajima of Japan, the greatest breaststroker in history, and coming off missing the Worlds in 2009, Kitajima will battle American Eric Shanteau, one of the big beneficiaries from Kitajima's absence in Rome.
*The Future of Women's Swimming
Liz Pelton. She went 1:51.48 in her 200 yard back in Long Beach, and she has been swimming lights-out since Indianapolis last summer. Swimming in her first long course meet since Rome, expect Pelton to pace the world in her best events and jump to AT LEAST the top three in the world rankings in both backstrokes and the 200 IM. We could see 1:01 (100 back), 2:10 (200 back), and 2:12-high (200 IM), times the world has yet to see in textile 2010. Some swimmers may have trouble getting back down to their best times this year, but Pelton won't. This summer was just a glimpse into what Elizabeth Pelton is capable of.
*The Greatest, the Bridesmaid, the Newcomer, and the Veteran
The men's 100 back is always one of the best races in a meet in America, and in Missouri it will be even better with some foreign talent in the field. First, you've got the 2007 World Champs Silver Medalist in Ryan Lochte. Next is the man who now holds the 100 back short course meters world record, Nick Thoman. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist, Markus Rogan, is once again training in the U.S., and he will be a player here. Oh, and some Phelps guy. Sounds like a race. All of these guys swim pretty similar races and are back-half swimmers, so it will be a close one for sure. I've stated who I think will touch first, but it's really anyone's guess.
*"I Wanna Be a Sprinter"
So Michael Phelps wants to be a sprinter, huh? He wants to be dominant in the 100 free like he is in so many other events. In 2009, he went for the 100 free at the two Grand Prix meets he swam in and got defeat handed to him by the likes of Fred Bousquet and Brent Hayden, both getting pretty excited with their defeats of Phelps. In Missouri, Phelps goes head-to-head with Hayden once again. While it will be a good marker for Phelps in his quest for speed, it will give the swimming world a chance to see how Hayden is progressing in his attempts to return to the top of the sprinting world. He finished fourth in the 100 in Rome this past summer as the fastest competitor wearing a LZR (or similar) suit.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2010 Missouri Grand Prix
The first long course Grand Prix of 2010 is fast approaching, the Missouri Grand Prix. Only in its fourth year, the meet has featured three world records in the past and two American records. (Most of them were set the week the Speedo LZR was introduced.) Another hugely talented roster is traveling to Columbia in one weeks time, which includes five Olympic Gold Medalists! In fact, of the 13 men's individual Olympic events, the Beijing gold medalist in NINE of them is swimming in Missouri! Look for all of the swimmers in Missouri to make a huge impact on the fairly weak world rankings. The meet begins Friday, February 12 and runs through Monday, Feb. 15
The psych sheet for the meet is available here.
The meet is still a week away, but here are my predictions:
Friday, February 12:
Women's 200 Free
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 200 Free
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 100 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Matt Lowe, Longhorn
Women's 100 Fly
1 - Felicia Lee, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
Men's 100 Fly
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Vitas Janusaitis, Lithuania
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 IM
1 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 400 IM
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Saturday, February 13:
Women's 200 IM
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
Men's 200 IM
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Thiago Pereira, Trojan
Women's 50 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Arlene Semeco, Coral Springs
Men's 50 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Bennett Clark, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Neil Versfeld, Athens Bulldogs
Women's 100 Back
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
Men's 100 Back
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Melanie Klaren, Unattached
3 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
Men's 400 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
Sunday, February 14:
Women's 800 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Savannah King, UBC Dolphins
3 - Camryne Morris, North Baltimore
Men's 1,500 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Women's 200 Back
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
Men's 200 Back
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
3 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
Women's 100 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 100 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
3 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Fly
1 - Felicia Lee, North Baltimore
2 - Tanya Hunks, UCB Dolphins
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 200 Fly
1 - Todd Patrick, North Baltimore
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
Monday, February 15:
Women's 1,500 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Taylor O'Brien, PAAC
3 - Courtney Beidler, THY
Men's 800 Free
1 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
2 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
*Note that these predictions could change when the psych sheet is updated.
The psych sheet for the meet is available here.
The meet is still a week away, but here are my predictions:
Friday, February 12:
Women's 200 Free
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 200 Free
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 100 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Matt Lowe, Longhorn
Women's 100 Fly
1 - Felicia Lee, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
Men's 100 Fly
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Vitas Janusaitis, Lithuania
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 IM
1 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 400 IM
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Rexford Tullius, Gator Swim Club
Saturday, February 13:
Women's 200 IM
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
Men's 200 IM
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Thiago Pereira, Trojan
Women's 50 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Arlene Semeco, Coral Springs
Men's 50 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
3 - Bennett Clark, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Breast
1 - Annamay Pierse, UCB Dolphins
2 - Keri Hehn, Trojan
3 - Haylee Johnson, UCB Dolphins
Men's 100 Breast
1 - Kosuke Kitajima, Coca-Cola
2 - Eric Shanteau, Longhorn
3 - Neil Versfeld, Athens Bulldogs
Women's 100 Back
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Whitney Myers, FAST
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
Men's 100 Back
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
3 - Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
Women's 400 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Melanie Klaren, Unattached
3 - Tanya Hunks, UBC Dolphins
Men's 400 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
Sunday, February 14:
Women's 800 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Savannah King, UBC Dolphins
3 - Camryne Morris, North Baltimore
Men's 1,500 Free
1 - Ous Mellouli, Trojan
2 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
Women's 200 Back
1 - Elizabeth Pelton, North Baltimore
2 - Stephanie Proud, Gator Swim Club
3 - Aubrey Peacock, BSS
Men's 200 Back
1 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
2 - Markus Rogan, Trojan
3 - Nick Thoman, SwimMAC Carolina
Women's 100 Free
1 - Amanda Weir, Swim Atlanta
2 - Erika Erndl, Swim Florida
3 - Heather McLean, Canada
Men's 100 Free
1 - Brent Hayden, UBC Dolphins
2 - Michael Phelps, North Baltimore
3 - Will Copeland, California Aquatics
Women's 200 Fly
1 - Felicia Lee, North Baltimore
2 - Tanya Hunks, UCB Dolphins
3 - Shannon Vreeland, Kansas City Blazers
Men's 200 Fly
1 - Todd Patrick, North Baltimore
2 - Brian Johns, UBC Dolphins
3 - Masayuki Kishida, Tucson Ford
Monday, February 15:
Women's 1,500 Free
1 - Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
2 - Taylor O'Brien, PAAC
3 - Courtney Beidler, THY
Men's 800 Free
1 - Ricardo Monasterio, DANA
2 - Deni Cullom, Mission Viejo
3 - Jan Daniec, Mission Viejo
*Note that these predictions could change when the psych sheet is updated.
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