While Michael Phelps is arguably the most well-rounded swimmer of all time, one thing he is not, is a breaststroker. You can classify Phelps as butterflier, an IM’er, or a freestyler, but he’s not a breaststroker. It’s nothing personal against Phelps – in fact, neither are Ryan Lochte, Natalie Coughlin, or Missy Franklin, for that matter.
Missy walked into the 2008 Olympic trials at age 13 finishing 37th in the 100m free as her best event there. This year walking into the trials she will have a world record behind her and on the plane from London some gold medals around her neck.
INDIANAPOLIS (USA Swimming) – Olympian and U.S. National Teamer Nathan Adrian won his second event and set his second meet record of the week Friday at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, edging George Bovell by the slimmest of margins in the men’s 50m freestyle, 21.88 to 21.89.
INDIANAPOLIS (USA Swimming) – A number of countries have already held their Olympic Trials and swimmers have posted some blazing fast times heading into the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
You want a guide that tells you which races to watch this weekend? How about all of them? Because you should watch all of them.
This year’s 2012 Indianapolis Grand Prix makes my head hurt. Glancing through this weekend’s psych sheet is as if there was an entire NCAA March Madness bracket, and all 68 teams are labeled “Kentucky.” Every event features a superstar. Nearly every superstar is here: Phelps, Lochte, Torres, Franklin, Lezak, Vollmer, Hardy, Beard… On Twitter, kids were tweeting this psyche sheet with comments like, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” In this case, “Psych Sheet” literally means “psyched.”
Apparently Missy loves The Sound of Music! And pasta, but that’s a given.
One of the most intriguing match-ups this upcoming Olympic Trials will be the women’s 100 backstroke. Two-time defending Olympic champion Natalie Coughlin will attempt to qualify once again. Superstar-in-the-making Missy Franklin will compete for a spot. T2 Aquatics’ Elizabeth Pelton will make some noise. But one swimmer slightly overshadowed – but who could potentially produce one of the biggest upsets of the Trials – is a young swimmer from Minnesota named Rachel Bootsma.
AUSTIN, Texas (USA Swimming) – Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.) and Allison Schmitt (Canton, Mich.) each won their third gold medal Sunday on the final night of competition at the Austin Grand Prix. It was also Phelps’ fourth medal of the meet, winning a bronze medal in the 100m back.
Missy Franklin after the second night of Austin
