No American will get down to 47.50? But will they even have to?
Here's the way I look at it. Phelps clocked a 48.41 personal best at the Ohio Grand Prix. His times in other events there were well off his bests. That bodes well for his 100 this summer. As we all know he's an incredible back half swimmer. It is likely that both Australia and France will lead off with Sullivan and Bernard. Otherwise they risk getting too far behind before the anchor. Sullivan led off for the Australians at Worlds. So it is likely that Phelps will be swimming against them. I don't think those swimmers will be able to hold onto a massive margin against a closer like Phelps. I certainly see Phelps as a sub 48 capable swimmer. All Michael needs to do is keep the U.S. in the race so that the remaining three swimmers can chip away. Which swimmers will those be? Let's look at the top 3 candidates. We have Lezak who went his best in season time ever at the Meet of Champions (48.75), Grevers, and Weber Gale both on 48.5 already this year. Also look our for SC Worlds Champ Nathan Adrian. If the U.S. can get three of these guys between 48.0 and 48.5 at trials they're very much in the game.
No American will get down to 47.50? But will they even have to?
Here's the way I look at it. Phelps clocked a 48.41 personal best at the Ohio Grand Prix. His times in other events there were well off his bests. That bodes well for his 100 this summer. As we all know he's an incredible back half swimmer. It is likely that both Australia and France will lead off with Sullivan and Bernard. Otherwise they risk getting too far behind before the anchor. Sullivan led off for the Australians at Worlds. So it is likely that Phelps will be swimming against them. I don't think those swimmers will be able to hold onto a massive margin against a closer like Phelps. I certainly see Phelps as a sub 48 capable swimmer. All Michael needs to do is keep the U.S. in the race so that the remaining three swimmers can chip away. Which swimmers will those be? Let's look at the top 3 candidates. We have Lezak who went his best in season time ever at the Meet of Champions (48.75), Grevers, and Weber Gale both on 48.5 already this year. Also look our for SC Worlds Champ Nathan Adrian. If the U.S. can get three of these guys between 48.0 and 48.5 at trials they're very much in the game.
