2009 National Championships (World Championship Trials)

Carlson, in a b70, and Hehn, in a Jaked, both totally skip the 1:07's... gee, wonder if the suits had anything to do with it :agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: Or that fact Carlson is only 18 could have had something to with it too...being teenagers seem to drop time pretty darn easliy...regardless of what they wear.

Or that fact Carlson is only 18 could have had something to with it too...being teenagers seem to drop time pretty darn easliy...regardless of what they wear. Not at that level and in breaststroke. It's pretty consistent that the new suits help people in breaststroke... there are several men and women at all ages that dropped 2 and 3 seconds in their respective 100's. I'd love to see what Soni and Jendrick could do in Jaked's, but judging by their LZR suits I would fathom they're both obligated to wearing Speedo.

Not at that level and in breaststroke. . So, it's ok for the likes of Phelps, Lochte, Coughlin to keep improving as they get older but not one's that are in the late teen's to early 20's to have breakout preformances as the nationals, where one would hope to have a breakout preformance. Sounds a bit lordish to me to say that an 18 year old can't make a time drop.

So, it's ok for the likes of Phelps, Lochte, Coughlin to keep improving as they get older but not one's that are in the late teen's to early 20's to have breakout preformances as the nationals, where one would hope to have a breakout preformance. Sounds a bit lordish to me to say that an 18 year old can't make a time drop. You're making it sound like this drop is attributed to youth. It's not. Hehn is nearing 30 and also skipped the 1:07. There is an Italian girl who also, after putting on a Jaked, skipped the 1:07. I'm just saying: It is the swimsuit. Not the swimmer. Hehn can't break mid-108 and then goes 1:06? That's the swimsuit. Carlson's best is a low 8 and then goes 1:06-midish. That's the swimsuit.

So what is the deal with Hayley McGregory? She followed Randy Reese to Florida. She quit that and switched to Bowman and NBAC. Now she is back with Longhorn Aquatics?

You're making it sound like this drop is attributed to youth. It's not. Hehn is nearing 30 and also skipped the 1:07. There is an Italian girl who also, after putting on a Jaked, skipped the 1:07. I'm just saying: It is the swimsuit. Not the swimmer. Hehn can't break mid-108 and then goes 1:06? That's the swimsuit. Carlson's best is a low 8 and then goes 1:06-midish. That's the swimsuit. I didn't say Hehn....I mentioned Carlson, who is 18. With an 18 yr old, I am willing to put go on the side of youth. Again, someone in their youth is more than capable of having a breakout swim, at a major meet, suit or no suit. Now, whether she ever does it again is a different story. But, I am more than willing to believe that someone in their teens is quiet capable of dropping a second plus, when they are rested and ready to go at a major meet. If you want to say it's the suit with Carlson, fine. I believe her youth has more to do with it than any damn suit.

And there goes the 100 fly record. Phelps 50.22!

Speaking only to Phelps' performance, I have to think he is not tapered. I believe his 200 free swim was roughly what he did at Trials? I seem to recall he had a pretty big drop at the Games. If this is true, his 200 fly swim was pretty impressive. I look forward to seeing a 1:51 or 1:50 later this summer. One note about the suits. There is a fast age-grouper at the pool where I swim, she is trying to make the National Junior team this summer in breatstroke. Last spring, most of the team going to Jr Nationals got LZRs, but she is so skinny that she basically couldn't wear one (nothing fit her properly) and has to wear an old-school suit. Makes it hard to have an even playing field..."availability" doesn't mean anything if none of the suits fit." Rx - Ice cream and donuts.

-2.99 Tarwater Jaked 1:49.35 1:46.36 -1.82 Houchin Jaked 1:50.38 1:48.56 -1.62 Walters Jaked 1:46.57 1:44.95 -0.41 Berens Jaked 1:46.14 1:45.73 +0.05 Lochte Speedo 1:45.61 1:45.66 +0.63 VDK Speedo 1:45.14 1:45.77 +1.27 Phelps Speedo 1:42.96 1:44.23 +2.10 Beal Speedo 1:46.89 1:48.99 In fairness that is the only race that I used to draw my conclusion. I agree with whoever said that Phelps isn't tapered. But, I mean comeon, this is pretty convincing stuff. two things will happen by World Champs: Speedo will have a new suit only available to its sponsored athletes or the suit ban will be reimposed. Oh and I like Sabir's chances of making the team on the 4x100 relay.

And if Piersol had been wearing a Jaked body suit, everyone would say that's the only reason he broke 52 in the 100 back. This is the same kind of statement that lead to an argument between the Fort and me. Positing that the suit provides real advantages, and stating that "So and so only did this time because of the suit," is NOT the same thing. It is really easy to dismiss an opposing view point if you exaggerate and inflate what the opposing view point is actually saying. So I want to at least be perfectly clear on what I think: LZR wearers are probably at a disadvantage, some LZR wearer may get left off the team because of an endorsement contract, that stinks, and Piersol is the best backstroker of all time!