Just an update, Big 12 championchips were this weekend. Crocker went a 19.18 in the 50 and (yawn) a 44.72 in the 100 fly. IF he tapered he would have been the first man to swim a 50 in less than 19. Probably would have gone a 43 in the 100 fly. I was disappointed because he can only swim 4 relays and terefore elected to lay off the 800 free relay. He will be swimming the 100 free tomorrow.
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Pretty good guess but I don't think Phelps will swim the 200 in Athens. I think he'll swim it at Olympic Trials and then scratch down before Athens. That way, he's on the relay (technically he just needs to finish in the top six since he will qualify in other events). Based on the way he swam the 200 at Nationals, (pulling back too much on the second 50 and failure to descend on the 3rd 50) he's no match for Thorpe and perhaps Hoogie in Athens. UNLESS....he swims the 200 at a Spring meet and demonstrates to his coach and himself that he can find the right tempo. He's still a long way from 1:44 low...though he might be the best 200 swimmer in the US (unless of course Crocker realizes his youthful potential).
Phelps should be able to recover enough to win the 200 IM. He's so far ahead of the field, this is the one event where he's Spitz-like.
So... I see 200/400 IM, 200 FL, 200 BA, 4 individual golds, plus 2 relay golds (400 free, 400 medley) for Phelps and 2 silvers (800 free relay and 100 fly. 6 golds and 2 silvers.
Crocker's not far behind and if he has the meet of his life could nearly match Phelps if he can snatch gold in the 50/100 free to add to his 100 fly, and 2 relays gold.
Pretty good guess but I don't think Phelps will swim the 200 in Athens. I think he'll swim it at Olympic Trials and then scratch down before Athens. That way, he's on the relay (technically he just needs to finish in the top six since he will qualify in other events). Based on the way he swam the 200 at Nationals, (pulling back too much on the second 50 and failure to descend on the 3rd 50) he's no match for Thorpe and perhaps Hoogie in Athens. UNLESS....he swims the 200 at a Spring meet and demonstrates to his coach and himself that he can find the right tempo. He's still a long way from 1:44 low...though he might be the best 200 swimmer in the US (unless of course Crocker realizes his youthful potential).
Phelps should be able to recover enough to win the 200 IM. He's so far ahead of the field, this is the one event where he's Spitz-like.
So... I see 200/400 IM, 200 FL, 200 BA, 4 individual golds, plus 2 relay golds (400 free, 400 medley) for Phelps and 2 silvers (800 free relay and 100 fly. 6 golds and 2 silvers.
Crocker's not far behind and if he has the meet of his life could nearly match Phelps if he can snatch gold in the 50/100 free to add to his 100 fly, and 2 relays gold.
