American Summer Nationals

[selkie]

Preliminary psych sheet is up here:


http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/63b71543-f18f-4f15-92cc-f34560b9f57c/Psych%20Sheet.pdf

Looks like a strong UK group coming over for some good competition, and a lot of the bigger American names swimming even if they aren't up for selection at the meet. And there are some huge entry lists- 100+ for a lot of events, though at least the womens' 1500M is 'only' at 73 right now.

[selkie]

Hannah Miley qualifies 6th in the 400IM in what I'd guess was an eased up 4:46. It should be a highly competitive final.

Gemma Spofforth was 9th qualifier in the 200 back in 2:14.24 Not sure how rested she is for the meet.

[Linny]

Are you there Selkie?

What can you tell us about Rebecca Soni?

And why isn't Elizabeth Biesel swimming in her finals?

[selkie]

I'm about 800 miles south of Indianapolis right now.

Rebecca Soni was regarded as a very promising up and comer in early 2006, then had some health issues (including a rapid heart beat problem that required minor surgery, if any heart surgery can be called minor) and a university coaching change. She ended up having a poor 2006 summer national meet, going 2:31 for 200M breast after posting an earlier 2:26, and missing out on the national teams selections spots.

Recovered from surgery, and rounding back into form, she was a USS swimming discretionary pick for the Duel in the Pool meet, and showed she was worth the plane ticket to Australia with an impressive 2:24 there.

I suspect that Beisel just wanted to get a good time for the 400 IM, and with that mission accomplished, she scratched out in order to not be tired for the 200 back finals.

[Linny]

I'm about 800 miles south of Indianapolis right now.

Rebecca Soni was regarded as a very promising up and comer in early 2006, then had some health issues (including a rapid heart beat problem that required minor surgery, if any heart surgery can be called minor) and a university coaching change. She ended up having a poor 2006 summer national meet, going 2:31 for 200M breast after posting an earlier 2:26, and missing out on the national teams selections spots.

Recovered from surgery, and rounding back into form, she was a USS swimming discretionary pick for the Duel in the Pool meet, and showed she was worth the plane ticket to Australia with an impressive 2:24 there.

I suspect that Beisel just wanted to get a good time for the 400 IM, and with that mission accomplished, she scratched out in order to not be tired for the 200 back finals.Thanks, yes I remember Soni's name from 2005 qand then just about disappeared in 2006. I don't remember reading about her heart problems.

Re Beisel, that makes sense. I looked earlier and thought that she had scratched from both but I see I was mistaken.

Thanks Selkie.

[Woodward]

Here's a good article on Soni and her comeback (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6504502)

I think Beard is behind the 8-ball right now. I don't see it happening.

[NotVeryFast]

For people who haven't noticed, there is live coverage on the web, really not bad quality:
http://usaswimming.sportnet.com/

[Woodward]

Very anticlimactic men's events tonight. Michael seemed to use the 400 as a warm up for the fly and then Crocker flinched on the blocks which took the air out of the balloon for the "re-match."

[selkie]

Though at least round two of Kate v. Katie was once more highly entertaining.

[Gina]

Well I can't believe noone has mentioned this sooner. I can understand the US posters as it's night time but come on the rest of you. Michael Phelps going 53.01 in the 100 back. Just missing a backstroke WR for the second time. There is a good video on youtube of his 200 back attept and the crowd was going wild. This one was even closer and I'm hoping the video goes on youtube soon. Who knows what events he will choose for Beijing as he has so many options!

[selkie]

Rumor mill is saying he make take a second crack at the 100 back record by leading off the Club Wolverine medley relay tonight.

Also to watch tonight: speculation Katie Hoff is going for the 200 IM world record, a huge slugfest in the men's 50 free, and curicosity to see how fast Dara Torres can go in the 50.

[2.tso]

i think dara will take the american record that she already owns

[ringer]

Here's the Craig Lord take on an amazing performance....

http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=5488