2009 ROMA 2009 :13th FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Yeah, but Smit didn't even break 2:00 at Trials. Nymeyer earned her way on with her prelims split. It was the right call. It's hindsight in my opinion so can't fault the decision too much. Especially since it wasn't an obvious call there. Nymeyer is an experienced relay swimmer. However I'm not of the belief that people earn spots on relays. Coaches should always go with who they believe will make up the fastest quartet. Smit's time at trials was misleading since that was a case of conserving and miscalculating. I don't think Grevers should lead off the 100 back because Aaron misjudges his heat earlier. Is there any chance those crazy Russians will upset the US tomorrow in the 800 Free relay ? The top 2 guys are certainly right there -- they had a blistering 400 Free relay and the Russians often come through with great relay swims (as do the Americans ...) ? Even if the U.S. wins it will not be a blowout like it has been the last several years. Lochte will be backing up from the 200 back final but he's done that before. He'll get much more time to swim off the lactic than Phelps though since the 200 back final is toward the beginning of the session. Michael won't be able to conserve too much over a shorter race like the 100 fly to finish in the top 8 given how fast this meet has been. Much will depend on how things go in the prelims. Walters is feeling much better and did more than a half sec pb in the 100. Two 47s after a 48.1 at trials. If he can at least do what he did a trials I think the US wins. PVK should be a little bit quicker. He dropped a couple seconds from trials in the 400. Berens will be a wild card too. If he puts in a great morning prelim (like in Santa Clara or better) the coaches will have some decisons to make. This Isotov kid could be the story by London rather than Biedermann or Phelps.

Yeah, but Smit didn't even break 2:00 at Trials. Nymeyer earned her way on with her prelims split. It was the right call. It's hindsight in my opinion so can't fault the decision too much. Especially since it wasn't an obvious call there. Nymeyer is an experienced relay swimmer. However I'm not of the belief that people earn spots on relays. Coaches should always go with who they believe will make up the fastest quartet. Smit's time at trials was misleading since that was a case of conserving and miscalculating. I don't think Grevers should lead off the 100 back because Aaron misjudges his heat earlier. Is there any chance those crazy Russians will upset the US tomorrow in the 800 Free relay ? The top 2 guys are certainly right there -- they had a blistering 400 Free relay and the Russians often come through with great relay swims (as do the Americans ...) ? Even if the U.S. wins it will not be a blowout like it has been the last several years. Lochte will be backing up from the 200 back final but he's done that before. He'll get much more time to swim off the lactic than Phelps though since the 200 back final is toward the beginning of the session. Michael won't be able to conserve too much over a shorter race like the 100 fly to finish in the top 8 given how fast this meet has been. Much will depend on how things go in the prelims. Walters is feeling much better and did more than a half sec pb in the 100. Two 47s after a 48.1 at trials. If he can at least do what he did a trials I think the US wins. PVK should be a little bit quicker. He dropped a couple seconds from trials in the 400. Berens will be a wild card too. If he puts in a great morning prelim (like in Santa Clara or better) the coaches will have some decisons to make. This Isotov kid could be the story by London rather than Biedermann or Phelps.