Ryan swam in two events today, and the results from the morning prelims are as follows:
50y Free
1st - Lochte, Ryan S 24 DAYTONA BEACH SWIMMING - 20.19
100y Back
1st - Lochte, Ryan S 24 DAYTONA BEACH SWIMMING - 47.65
Tonight Tyler Clary swims in the finals of the 200y back at the Big 10 champs. His time in today's prelims was 1:42.45, which is almost 5 seconds off of Ryan's NCAA record and put him in the 2nd seed. I don't think he'll break another NCAA record tonight, but I do think he'll win.
It's disappointing that there are not many news articles about Tyler breaking Ryan's NCAA record in the 400IM. And no interviews, at least that I could find. Maybe there will be something on the Big 10 channel in the future. Tyler's record is huge and should be reported, but swimming just doesn't get the media coverage it deserves. Maybe he'll get some recognition if he breaks Michael Phelps' American record at the NCAA champs.
Tyler is quickly becoming my 2nd favorite swimmer. I can't wait to see how much he can push Ryan next summer. Tyler is bad ass, as shown in this video from floswimming.com:
http://www.floswimming.org/videos/swimming_race/play/122041-m-college-200-scy-back-final-ha-d2
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tyler Clary Breaks Ryan's NCAA Record in the 400IM and Florida Spring Championships - 2/27 Finals
Tyler Clary broke Ryan Lochte's NCAA record in the 400IM at the Big 10 championships on Friday with a time of 3:38.03. I honestly doubted the record would be broken BUT as I posted yesterday, I thought if any of Ryan's NCAA records was broken, this would be the one.
Congratulations to Clary. 3:38.03 is so fast and he is amazing. We'll have to see what happens at the NCAA championships, but it certainly looks like Clary has the potential to beat Ryan's personal best time in this event as well as Michael Phelps' American record. If Clary continues to improve, there's a good change he will represent the U.S. in the 400IM in Rome this summer. Hopefully he and Ryan will both qualify and give Laszlo Cseh a great race.
In Friday's finals at the Florida Spring Championships, Ryan placed first in the finals of the 200y Free with a time of 1:35.67 and first in the 400y IM with a time of 3:42.85.
Ryan's 400IM time is impressive, even though it is nearly 5 seconds slower than Clary's. Clary is swimming in his conference championships and is at least partially rested. He's at a different point in training than Ryan. From what I've read in Gold Medal Mel's blog, Ryan is in the middle of his hard training and is presumably not rested at all.
It will be very interesting to watch Ryan battle Clary in the 400IM next summer. I think they'll really push each other. I'm starting to think that Clary can be to Ryan what Ryan is to Michael Phelps.
Ryan negative split the 400IM in all strokes except fly (which is like impossible to do given the dive):
Fly - (23.66 and 27.46)
Back - (28.15 and 27.85)
Breast - (32.43 and 32.00)
Free - (26.64 and 24.66)
Compare that to the splits from Clary's record-breaking 400IM:
Fly - (22.75 and 26.29)
Back - (27.09 and 26.15)
Breast - (31.67 and 32.50)
Free - (26.35 and 25.23)
Tyler was faster on every split, except the second breastroke 50 and the last freestyle 50. The fact that Ryan had so much energy left that he swam 24.66 on the final 50 makes me believe he can go a lot faster when he is rested and he and Clary race each other.
Congratulations to Clary. 3:38.03 is so fast and he is amazing. We'll have to see what happens at the NCAA championships, but it certainly looks like Clary has the potential to beat Ryan's personal best time in this event as well as Michael Phelps' American record. If Clary continues to improve, there's a good change he will represent the U.S. in the 400IM in Rome this summer. Hopefully he and Ryan will both qualify and give Laszlo Cseh a great race.
In Friday's finals at the Florida Spring Championships, Ryan placed first in the finals of the 200y Free with a time of 1:35.67 and first in the 400y IM with a time of 3:42.85.
Ryan's 400IM time is impressive, even though it is nearly 5 seconds slower than Clary's. Clary is swimming in his conference championships and is at least partially rested. He's at a different point in training than Ryan. From what I've read in Gold Medal Mel's blog, Ryan is in the middle of his hard training and is presumably not rested at all.
It will be very interesting to watch Ryan battle Clary in the 400IM next summer. I think they'll really push each other. I'm starting to think that Clary can be to Ryan what Ryan is to Michael Phelps.
Ryan negative split the 400IM in all strokes except fly (which is like impossible to do given the dive):
Fly - (23.66 and 27.46)
Back - (28.15 and 27.85)
Breast - (32.43 and 32.00)
Free - (26.64 and 24.66)
Compare that to the splits from Clary's record-breaking 400IM:
Fly - (22.75 and 26.29)
Back - (27.09 and 26.15)
Breast - (31.67 and 32.50)
Free - (26.35 and 25.23)
Tyler was faster on every split, except the second breastroke 50 and the last freestyle 50. The fact that Ryan had so much energy left that he swam 24.66 on the final 50 makes me believe he can go a lot faster when he is rested and he and Clary race each other.
Florida Spring Championshps - Friday Prelim Results
Today Ryan swam the 200y Free and 400y IM. The prelim results are as follows:
200y Free:
1st - Roland Rudolf, age 23, University of Florida - 1:37.04
2nd - Ryan Lochte, age 24, Daytona Beach Swimming - 1:38.61
400y IM:
1st - Alex Martin, age 20, University of Florida - 3:52.02
2nd - John Lehtonen, age 19, University of Florida - 3:52.09
3rd - Conor Swanson, age 17, Unattached - 3:53.71
4th - Ryan Lochte, age 24, Daytona Beach Swimming - 3:54.07.
Ryan's splits in the 400 IM were:
Fly (24.33 and 28.54)
Back (30.92 and 28.08)
Breast (34.68 and 33.51)
Free (28.43 and 25.58)
If his goal was negative splitting, he accomplished it.
I can't wait to see how he does in the finals.
200y Free:
1st - Roland Rudolf, age 23, University of Florida - 1:37.04
2nd - Ryan Lochte, age 24, Daytona Beach Swimming - 1:38.61
400y IM:
1st - Alex Martin, age 20, University of Florida - 3:52.02
2nd - John Lehtonen, age 19, University of Florida - 3:52.09
3rd - Conor Swanson, age 17, Unattached - 3:53.71
4th - Ryan Lochte, age 24, Daytona Beach Swimming - 3:54.07.
Ryan's splits in the 400 IM were:
Fly (24.33 and 28.54)
Back (30.92 and 28.08)
Breast (34.68 and 33.51)
Free (28.43 and 25.58)
If his goal was negative splitting, he accomplished it.
I can't wait to see how he does in the finals.
NCAA Update - Florida Senior Champs - PR Failure
My prediction yesterday that Tyler Clary's time in the 200IM would be faster than Bradley Ally's was way wrong. Tyler swam a 1:43.23, which was good enough for a win and a new Big 10 record, but not better than Ally's time of 1:41.96. It will be an interesting race between those two at the NCAA's.
The Florida Senior Spring Championships started in Orlando today. I will update with Ryan's results once I can figure out where to find them.
Finally, Ryan's fabulous new PR firm PMK failed him last week. Ryan attended a store opening in NYC that was sponsored by a group called "Save Venice." While at the opening, a reporter asked Ryan to talk about his personal relationship with Venice. Ryan was caught off guard, and the following report was published.
I know nothing about public relations, but it seems like the goal is to protect your client and always make him look good. If you take your famous client to an event sponsored by a cause, and you know the press will be there, it seems logical to learn something about it in advance and supply your client with a short answer to give in case anyone asks.
The publicist could have told Ryan that Venice, being largely under water, experiences frequent flooding that endangers the priceless art located there. The goal of "Save Venice" is to prevent the art from being damaged by flooding. That's all he needed to know. His answer could have been: "I've never been to Venice, but I've heard a little about what 'Save Venice' is doing to prevent art from being destroyed by flooding. I'm actually here for Fashion Week, but this sounds like a good cause so I'm happy to be here to support it."
Ugh. It was a douche move to publish the article just to make Ryan look bad, but he's famous now and I guess that's what happens to famous people. Hopefully PMK will make sure this doesn't happen again.
The Florida Senior Spring Championships started in Orlando today. I will update with Ryan's results once I can figure out where to find them.
Finally, Ryan's fabulous new PR firm PMK failed him last week. Ryan attended a store opening in NYC that was sponsored by a group called "Save Venice." While at the opening, a reporter asked Ryan to talk about his personal relationship with Venice. Ryan was caught off guard, and the following report was published.
I know nothing about public relations, but it seems like the goal is to protect your client and always make him look good. If you take your famous client to an event sponsored by a cause, and you know the press will be there, it seems logical to learn something about it in advance and supply your client with a short answer to give in case anyone asks.
The publicist could have told Ryan that Venice, being largely under water, experiences frequent flooding that endangers the priceless art located there. The goal of "Save Venice" is to prevent the art from being damaged by flooding. That's all he needed to know. His answer could have been: "I've never been to Venice, but I've heard a little about what 'Save Venice' is doing to prevent art from being destroyed by flooding. I'm actually here for Fashion Week, but this sounds like a good cause so I'm happy to be here to support it."
Ugh. It was a douche move to publish the article just to make Ryan look bad, but he's famous now and I guess that's what happens to famous people. Hopefully PMK will make sure this doesn't happen again.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
NCAA Swimming - Ryan's Records
Ryan Lochte currently holds individual NCAA records in the following events:
200 yard IM - 1:40.55 (Ryan's best time is 1:40.08, which is the American record)
400 yard IM - 3:38.15 (Ryan's best time is 3:37.88. Michael Phelps has the American record at 3:36.26)
100 yard Back - 44.60 (This is still Ryan's best time and is also the American Record)
200 yard Back - 1:37.68 (Ryan's best time is 1:36.81, which is the American record)
The NCAA conference championships have started, and nobody has broken any of Ryan's records.....yet.
200 yard IM
At the Big 10 championships today, Tyler Clary swam a 1:44.34 in the prelims of the 200 yard IM, setting a pool record. It looks like Alex Vanderkaay's Big 10 record (1:43.88) is going down in the finals. Bradley Ally of Florida swam a 1:41.96 in the SEC Championships last weekend and I predict Clary will go faster tonight. Ryan's record of 1:40.55 is probably safe.
400 yard IM
In the 400IM, Clary is the fastest in the NCAA this year with a time of 3:40.96. Ally swam 3:41.35 at the SEC championships, the second fastest time. Ryan's record of 3:38.15 appears safe.
100 yard Back
Eugene Godsoe of Stanford has the fastest time in the NCAA this year with a 45.94. He will be swimming in the Pac 10 championships this weekend, and it will be interesting to see how fast he can go. The second fastest time - 46.04 - is from Pascal Wollach of Auburn at the SEC championships. I've never heard of either of these swimmers before so I'll have to do a little research. Ryan's record of 44.60 appears safe, but you never know.
200 yard Back
Clary has the 4th best time in the NCAA this year with a 1:40.85. Rex Tullius and Omar Pinzon of Florida swam the 1st and 2nd fastest times: 1:39.88 and 1:40.15 at the SEC championships. Godsoe had the third fastest time, 1:40.61. It will be interesting to see if Clary beats those times at the Big 10 championships. Prior to the SEC championships, Clary had the best NCAA time in the nation in this event. Ryan's record of 1:37.68 probably will not be broken.
Prediction: I do not think any of Ryan's NCAA records will be broken this year. However, if I had to pick one, my prediction would be the 400IM. Clary keeps getting faster and faster and there is much room for improvement in a longer race. Clary's best time is 2.81 seconds slower than Ryan's record; however, he has not competed in this event yet in his conference championship or the NCAA championships. Therefore, his time of 3:40.96 presumably was achieved while unrested. I think he can go a lot faster when he is rested.
I doubt if Ryan cares too much if his NCAA records are broken. Unlike with world records, there's nothing Ryan can do about it because his college career ended in 2006 and he can't swim in any more NCAA events.
It's interesting, though, to view Ryan's records as a testiment to how good he was 3 years ago compared to the some of the best swimmers in the world today.
200 yard IM - 1:40.55 (Ryan's best time is 1:40.08, which is the American record)
400 yard IM - 3:38.15 (Ryan's best time is 3:37.88. Michael Phelps has the American record at 3:36.26)
100 yard Back - 44.60 (This is still Ryan's best time and is also the American Record)
200 yard Back - 1:37.68 (Ryan's best time is 1:36.81, which is the American record)
The NCAA conference championships have started, and nobody has broken any of Ryan's records.....yet.
200 yard IM
At the Big 10 championships today, Tyler Clary swam a 1:44.34 in the prelims of the 200 yard IM, setting a pool record. It looks like Alex Vanderkaay's Big 10 record (1:43.88) is going down in the finals. Bradley Ally of Florida swam a 1:41.96 in the SEC Championships last weekend and I predict Clary will go faster tonight. Ryan's record of 1:40.55 is probably safe.
400 yard IM
In the 400IM, Clary is the fastest in the NCAA this year with a time of 3:40.96. Ally swam 3:41.35 at the SEC championships, the second fastest time. Ryan's record of 3:38.15 appears safe.
100 yard Back
Eugene Godsoe of Stanford has the fastest time in the NCAA this year with a 45.94. He will be swimming in the Pac 10 championships this weekend, and it will be interesting to see how fast he can go. The second fastest time - 46.04 - is from Pascal Wollach of Auburn at the SEC championships. I've never heard of either of these swimmers before so I'll have to do a little research. Ryan's record of 44.60 appears safe, but you never know.
200 yard Back
Clary has the 4th best time in the NCAA this year with a 1:40.85. Rex Tullius and Omar Pinzon of Florida swam the 1st and 2nd fastest times: 1:39.88 and 1:40.15 at the SEC championships. Godsoe had the third fastest time, 1:40.61. It will be interesting to see if Clary beats those times at the Big 10 championships. Prior to the SEC championships, Clary had the best NCAA time in the nation in this event. Ryan's record of 1:37.68 probably will not be broken.
Prediction: I do not think any of Ryan's NCAA records will be broken this year. However, if I had to pick one, my prediction would be the 400IM. Clary keeps getting faster and faster and there is much room for improvement in a longer race. Clary's best time is 2.81 seconds slower than Ryan's record; however, he has not competed in this event yet in his conference championship or the NCAA championships. Therefore, his time of 3:40.96 presumably was achieved while unrested. I think he can go a lot faster when he is rested.
I doubt if Ryan cares too much if his NCAA records are broken. Unlike with world records, there's nothing Ryan can do about it because his college career ended in 2006 and he can't swim in any more NCAA events.
It's interesting, though, to view Ryan's records as a testiment to how good he was 3 years ago compared to the some of the best swimmers in the world today.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ryan to Compete at Florida Spring Senior Nationals this weekend - Feb. 27-Mar. 1
Ryan is entered in the following events:
200y Free (Event 8) (Friday, 2/27)
400y IM (Event 20) (Friday 2/27)
50y Free (Event 26) (Saturday 2/28)
100y Back (Event 34) (Saturday 2/28)
100y Free (Event 48) (Sunday 3/1)
200y Back (Event 60) (Sunday 3/1)
http://www.tntyswimming.com/files/SRChampsPsych1.pdf
200y Free (Event 8) (Friday, 2/27)
400y IM (Event 20) (Friday 2/27)
50y Free (Event 26) (Saturday 2/28)
100y Back (Event 34) (Saturday 2/28)
100y Free (Event 48) (Sunday 3/1)
200y Back (Event 60) (Sunday 3/1)
http://www.tntyswimming.com/files/SRChampsPsych1.pdf
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ryan to race in 2009 Florida Spring Senior Championships this weekend?
I just read on Daily Reezy, the best source of all information on Ryan Lochte, that Ryan may be competing in a meet in Orlando this coming weekend. The 2009 Florida Spring Senior Championships will take place from Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Orlando, and I'm wondering if that is the meet in question.
As soon as more information is available, I will post it. Here's the meet web address:
Friday, February 20, 2009
Ryan's Other Profession - Modeling/Fashion
Here are photos of Ryan attending Fashion Week in New York, appearing at various fashion shows. Ryan recently signed with Ford Models, a presigious modeling firm, and has expressed interest in designing his own clothing line.
I think Ryan's interest in fashion is great for his swimming. He has said if his whole life involved only swimming he would go insane. It's awesome that he's found other interests to keep his life full, particularly interests that do not involve physical risk such as riding a skateboard or a motorcycle.
Although Ryan's taste in clothing is sometimes questionable (see purple shirt above), he's certainly creative and willing to take risks. He exhibits the same traits in swimming, rarely adhering to a safe strategy and always going full out for the win.
Like any job, training for swimming, even when you are as talented as Ryan, has to be boring and tedious on some level. Everyone needs to have other interests. I'm glad Ryan has chosen to work in fashion. He looks great and it gives him an interesting outlet for his creativity.
I think Ryan's interest in fashion is great for his swimming. He has said if his whole life involved only swimming he would go insane. It's awesome that he's found other interests to keep his life full, particularly interests that do not involve physical risk such as riding a skateboard or a motorcycle.
Although Ryan's taste in clothing is sometimes questionable (see purple shirt above), he's certainly creative and willing to take risks. He exhibits the same traits in swimming, rarely adhering to a safe strategy and always going full out for the win.
Like any job, training for swimming, even when you are as talented as Ryan, has to be boring and tedious on some level. Everyone needs to have other interests. I'm glad Ryan has chosen to work in fashion. He looks great and it gives him an interesting outlet for his creativity.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ryan can win 6-7 gold medals at the Olympics
Here's an article about Ryan by David Briggs of the Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune. I love Ryan's self-confidence and drive to succeed. He has the ability and work ethic to back it up and is never cocky or arrogant.
Ryan Lochte could have gotten used to his post-Olympic routine.
In the four months after winning two gold medals in Beijing, Lochte did a little surfing, made sponsor appearances and went to Florida football games — pretty much anything but swim.
Alas, the pool finally beckoned. He began regularly training two weeks ago.
“You can kind of get sucked into that life and live it for the rest of your life,” Lochte said. “I knew I needed to get back into the pool sooner or later.”
Consider him back. Lochte, who might trail only Michael Phelps as the world’s top swimmer, emerged as the star of the weekend’s Missouri Grand Prix. The 24-year-old former Gator won the 200-meter individual medley (2 minutes, .59 seconds), 400 IM (4:19.49), 100 backstroke (55.16) and 200 back (1:57.73).
Four gold medals, and he’s only getting warmed up.
Lochte said he’s ultimately capable of winning six or seven golds at the Olympics. Like Phelps, the 6-foot-2 Lochte excels in several events. In two Olympics, he has six medals across four events.
But six or seven golds?
“It’s not crazy,” he said. “I’m capable of doing it. I have so many events that I do. I still feel like I can go a lot further in the sport of swimming. What I’ve accomplished already, it’s nowhere near where I can go.”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/feb/16/lochte-dives-back-into-competition/?sports
Ryan Lochte could have gotten used to his post-Olympic routine.
In the four months after winning two gold medals in Beijing, Lochte did a little surfing, made sponsor appearances and went to Florida football games — pretty much anything but swim.
Alas, the pool finally beckoned. He began regularly training two weeks ago.
“You can kind of get sucked into that life and live it for the rest of your life,” Lochte said. “I knew I needed to get back into the pool sooner or later.”
Consider him back. Lochte, who might trail only Michael Phelps as the world’s top swimmer, emerged as the star of the weekend’s Missouri Grand Prix. The 24-year-old former Gator won the 200-meter individual medley (2 minutes, .59 seconds), 400 IM (4:19.49), 100 backstroke (55.16) and 200 back (1:57.73).
Four gold medals, and he’s only getting warmed up.
Lochte said he’s ultimately capable of winning six or seven golds at the Olympics. Like Phelps, the 6-foot-2 Lochte excels in several events. In two Olympics, he has six medals across four events.
But six or seven golds?
“It’s not crazy,” he said. “I’m capable of doing it. I have so many events that I do. I still feel like I can go a lot further in the sport of swimming. What I’ve accomplished already, it’s nowhere near where I can go.”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/feb/16/lochte-dives-back-into-competition/?sports
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time Comparisons
To give Ryan's performance at the 2009 Missouri Grand Prix some perspective, here are some comparisons between Ryan's times in this year's and last year's events, the winning times in the 2009 NSW Open Championships held in Sydney, AUS this past weekend, and Ryan's all-time personal bests.
This comparison shows not only how fast Ryan is swimming right now, but also how good he is compared with some of the best swimmers in the world. Amazing.
100m Free
50.58 - 2009 Missouri GP
51.27 - 2008 Missouri GP
48.99 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
48.65 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
200m Free
1:51.22 - 2009 Missouri GP
1:51.15 - 2008 Missouri GP
1:48.26 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
1:45.61 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
400m Free
4:11.34 - 2009 Missouri GP
3:47.06 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
3:49.25 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
100m Back
55.16 - 2009 Missouri GP
55:44 - 2008 Missouri GP
53.43 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
53.37 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
200m Back
1:57.73 - 2009 Missouri GP
2:03.80 - 2008 Missouri GP
1:57.18 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
1:53.94 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
200m IM
2:00.59 - 2009 Missouri GP
2:03.73 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
1:55.22 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
400m IM
4:19.49 - 2009 Missouri GP
4:22.06 - 2008 Missouri GP
4:25.43 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
4:06.08 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
100m Fly
53.84 - 2009 Missouri GP
54:26 - 2008 Missouri GP
51.81 - Winning Time NSW Open (Sydney, AUS - February 2009)
52.86 - Ryan's All-Time Personal Best
Missouri Grand Prix Results
Ryan performed extremely well at the Missouri Grand Prix this past weekend. I was out of town and could not follow the results closely, not that I would have been able to given swimnetwork.com's big time fail on providing updates. Thanks to the Daily Reezy for providing some real time info about the races.
Ryan won 4 golds and 1 silver, and finished 1st in both "B" finals he swam. Not bad for someone who was in the middle of hard training and wearing an old fashioned Speedo.
Here's how Ryan did in his 8 events:
200m Free: 1:51.22 (1st in "B" final - 5th best time overall)
No video yet
100m Fly: 53.84 (2nd in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___men_s_100_meter_butterfly___a_final-16209.html
400m IM: 4:19.49 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___mens_400_im___a_final-16208.html
200m IM: 2:00.59 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___mens_200_im___a_final-16207.html
100m Back: 55.16 (1st in "A" final)
no video yet
400m Free: 4:11.34 (24th place - Prelims only)
no video
200m Back: 1:57.73 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix___men_s_200_meter_backstroke__a_final-16217.html
100m Free - 50.58 (1st in "B" final - 7th best time overall)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___men_s_100_meter_freestyle___b_final-16223.html
Ryan won 4 golds and 1 silver, and finished 1st in both "B" finals he swam. Not bad for someone who was in the middle of hard training and wearing an old fashioned Speedo.
Here's how Ryan did in his 8 events:
200m Free: 1:51.22 (1st in "B" final - 5th best time overall)
No video yet
100m Fly: 53.84 (2nd in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___men_s_100_meter_butterfly___a_final-16209.html
400m IM: 4:19.49 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___mens_400_im___a_final-16208.html
200m IM: 2:00.59 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___mens_200_im___a_final-16207.html
100m Back: 55.16 (1st in "A" final)
no video yet
400m Free: 4:11.34 (24th place - Prelims only)
no video
200m Back: 1:57.73 (1st in "A" final)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix___men_s_200_meter_backstroke__a_final-16217.html
100m Free - 50.58 (1st in "B" final - 7th best time overall)
http://www.swimnetwork.com/videos/v/20090217/2009_missouri_grand_prix_of_swimming___men_s_100_meter_freestyle___b_final-16223.html
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Is Ryan still going to Australia in February to train with Leith Brodie?
Leith Brodie on left and Ryan Lochte on right at 2008 World Short Course Championships in Manchester, England
I've been saving this photo in case there is news that Ryan is in Australia training with Leith Brodie. Ryan said in an interview at SC Nationals that he planned to travel to Australia in February.
However, now that Ryan has entered in the Missouri Grand Prix on Feb. 13-16, it is possible that the travel to Australia has been cancelled.
The Australia national championships (and trials for the 2009 world championships) will be held on March 17-22. I guess there is time for Ryan to train with Leith between the end of the Missouri Grand Prix and the start of the Australian championships, but I'm beginning to think it is doubtful.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Last Year's Missouri Grand Prix (2008)
Last year Ryan swam at the Missouri Grand Prix and had a really rough meet. He swam in 7 events and had the following results:
100m Free - finished 27th, didn't make it out of prelims
200m Free - finished 12th overall (4th in "B" final)
100m Back - finished 6th
200m Back - finished 6th
100m Breast - finished 14th overall (6th in "B" final)
100m Fly - finished 17th overall (1st in "C" final)
400m IM - finished 3rd
Ryan was training very hard at the time, and said in the interview linked below that he was swimming 90,000 to 100,000 yards a week at the time. Someone else commented at the time that Ryan swam 12,000 yards a day every day of the meet. It does not sound like he is training that hard this year so hopefully he will not be as tired and will swim fast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAbLCyGNAWs
100m Free - finished 27th, didn't make it out of prelims
200m Free - finished 12th overall (4th in "B" final)
100m Back - finished 6th
200m Back - finished 6th
100m Breast - finished 14th overall (6th in "B" final)
100m Fly - finished 17th overall (1st in "C" final)
400m IM - finished 3rd
Ryan was training very hard at the time, and said in the interview linked below that he was swimming 90,000 to 100,000 yards a week at the time. Someone else commented at the time that Ryan swam 12,000 yards a day every day of the meet. It does not sound like he is training that hard this year so hopefully he will not be as tired and will swim fast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAbLCyGNAWs
Friday, February 6, 2009
"It really is kind of harsh. It's just a picture."
Ryan's comment on Michael Phelps' 3-month suspension from USA Swimming.
Here's the official announcement:
USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, February 5. This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero. Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust.
The Code of Conduct for the National Team (I'm assuming this is the one that applies) contains the following rule:
Here's the official announcement:
USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, February 5. This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero. Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust.
The Code of Conduct for the National Team (I'm assuming this is the one that applies) contains the following rule:
6. Team members and staff will refrain from any illegal or inappropriate
behavior that would detract from a positive image of the USA National Team
or be detrimental to its performance objectives.
The terms "inappropriate behavior" and "detract from a positive image" are subjective and undefined. This rule is ambiguous and does not support a reprimand for a photo taken when MP was not involved in competition or training, at a private party, and did not consent to being photographed. Moreover, punishment is unwarranted given that MP did not try to deny he was in the photo and immediately expressed regret for letting people down. MP has been publically embarrassed, lost endorsements and been hounded relentlessly by the papparazzi. This is punishment enough. USA Swimming did not need to add insult to injury by punishing him simply for being an icon for the sport. It's difficult to believe that any other swimmer on the national team would have been treated this way.
What makes the punishment even more lame is that it's meaningless in terms of MP's swimming career. He's wealthy and will not miss the monthly stipend, there are no major swim meets other than a couple of Grand Prix events in the next 3 months, and he will still be able to swim at the U.S. Nationals and World Championships. The people who lose out are swimming fans, who were looking forward to seeing MP back in the pool and racing. Now we have to wait another 3 months.
The punishment is not only harsh, it's unwarranted.
Missouri Grand Prix - Feb. 13-16 - Long Course Meters
**thanks Daily Reezy for the photoHere are the 8 events Ryan has entered at the Missouri Grand Prix:
Friday, Feb. 13
Event 2 - 200m Free - Ryan is seeded 1st with a qualifying time of 1:45.61
Event 6 - 100m Fly - Ryan is seeded 4th with a qualifying time of 52.86 (Fred Bosquet is seeded 1st at 51.50, Masayuki Kishida is 2nd at 51.86, Matt Grevers is third at 52.10)
Event 8 - 400m IM - Ryan is seeded 1st with a qualifying time of 4:06.08
Saturday, Feb. 14
Event 12 - 200m IM - Ryan is seeded 1st with a qualifying time of 1:55.22
Event 18 - 100m Back - Ryan is seeded 3rd with a qualifying time of 53.37 (Nick Thoman is seeded 1st at 52.91 and Matt Grevers is seeded 2nd at 52.99)
Event 20 - 400m Free - Ryan is seeded 2nd with a qualifying time of 3:49.25 (Sebastien Roualt is seeded 1st at 3:48.70)
Sunday, Feb. 15
Event 26 - 200m Back - Ryan is seeded 1st with a qualifying time of 1:53.94
Event 28 - 100 Free - Ryan is seeded 7th with a qualifying time of 48.65. (Brent Hayden is seeded 1st at 47.56, GWG is 2nd at 47.78, Fred Bosquet is 3rd at 48.52, Matt Grevers is 4th at 48.53, Dominik Meichtry is 5th at 48.55 and Simon Burnett is 6th at 48.57)
http://www.csctigersharks.org/MOGrandPrix2009/MOGPpsychsheet_001.pdf
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Swimming News!
It's been a while since there's been anything new to report swimming-wise for Ryan, but finally there's something small but signficant to write about.
Someone on Daily Reezy referenced a recent interview with Mark Schubert, director of the U.S. National Team, that contained the following quote:
Ryan Lochte is the best swimmer in the world except for Phelps, Schubert said. Lochte told Schubert, "I'm going to keep swimming until I beat Michael Phelps. A lot."
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090204/SPORTS/902040358/1004/SPORTS
The article also quoted Schubert as saying Michael Phelps resumed training in November and not January as has been widely reported.
I can't wait for Ryan and Michael to race again. It's great to hear that Ryan still has such a strong desire to compete and win. Michael is supposed to return to competition at the Grand Prix event in Austin, TX in March. Hopefully they will both be there.
Someone on Daily Reezy referenced a recent interview with Mark Schubert, director of the U.S. National Team, that contained the following quote:
Ryan Lochte is the best swimmer in the world except for Phelps, Schubert said. Lochte told Schubert, "I'm going to keep swimming until I beat Michael Phelps. A lot."
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090204/SPORTS/902040358/1004/SPORTS
The article also quoted Schubert as saying Michael Phelps resumed training in November and not January as has been widely reported.
I can't wait for Ryan and Michael to race again. It's great to hear that Ryan still has such a strong desire to compete and win. Michael is supposed to return to competition at the Grand Prix event in Austin, TX in March. Hopefully they will both be there.
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