US nationals - Day 2 Preview - 200m free and 100m back

Wednesday, July 8 is a big day at U.S. nationals, with the prelims and finals for both the 200 free and the 100 back. Here's a list of events in the order they will be swum:

8. 100 back (women)
9. 200 free (men)
10. 100 back (men)
11. 200 free (women)
12. 200 fly (men)
13. 4x100 free relay (women)

Ryan is entered in the 200 free and the 100 back. These events are consecutive and thus I doubt he will swim the finals for both. I think he will follow the same plan he followed at the 2008 Olympic trials and swim the prelims of both, but the finals of the 100 back only. He may skip the prelims of the 200 free altogether.

Ryan has already qualified for the world team. This means the coaches can put him on the 4 x 200 free relay even if he doesn't swim the 200 free at trials. Given that Ryan has been a solid member of this WR holding relay for more than 4 years already, I don't think he has to prove himself by swimming the 200 free at trials. Nevertheless, he may want to prove he's still in the top 4 in this event by swimming it in prelims.

I think Ryan will put all of his effort tomorrow in the 100 back. Even though it's a far more competitive individual event and it's riskier in terms of qualifying, a 1st or 2nd place showing in the 100 back would erase the disappointment of finishing 3rd at the Olympic trials and ensure Ryan a spot on the 4x100 medley relay.

Here are the top 8 seeds in the 200 free:

1 Phelps, Michael - 1:42.96
2 Vanderkaay, Peter - 1:45.14
3 Lochte, Ryan 24 - 1:45.61
4 *Meichtry, Dominik - 1:45.80 (not US citizen/can't make US team)
5 *Basson, Jean - 1:45.85 (not US citizen/can't make US team)
6 Berens, Richard - 1:46.14
7 Walters, David - 1:46.57
8 Beal, Daniel - 1:46.89

For tomorrow's prelims, Ryan in heat 6, lane 4, PVK is in heat 7 and Michael Phelps is in heat 8.

Here are the top 9 seeds in the 100 back (had to include Peter Marshall):

1 Peirsol, Aaron- 52.54
2 Bal, Randall - 52.59
3 Thoman, Nicholas- 52.91
4 Grevers, Matthew - 52.99
5 Lochte, Ryan - 53.37
6 Hesen, Benedict - 53.68
7 Cromwell, David - 53.81
8 Plummer, David - 53.83
9 Marshall, Peter - 54.19

Ryan is in heat 6, lane 5 (with Randall Bal). Peirsol & Grevers in heat 7, Thoman, Hesen, Marshall heat 5.

The 100 back is going to be crazy.