Wednesday, June 16, 2021
View From the Trials Stands - June 15
While no records fell during Tuesday night’s session of Wave II of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, the excitement in the arena and the strokes in the pool didn’t disappoint.
Here are some observations and thoughts from the third day of Olympic Trials in Omaha.
Grevers Says Goodbye?
After two Olympic teams, several gold medals and numerous World Championship teams, Matt Grevers finished sixth in the 100 backstroke – and possibly said goodbye.
Walking out to a roaring crowd, Grevers said he got a little teary-eyed as he was engulfed by the love and appreciation he felt.
While he hasn’t made any official announcements, the 36-year-old is working in real estate in Arizona, is a father of two and may be ready to hang up his goggles – competitively, that is.
“This sport has been so good to me, and tonight shows that people appreciate me,” he said. “I want to thank the fans. They mean a lot."
Swimming Truly is a Family
In addition to watching former Olympians Kaitlin Sandeno and Brendan Hansen engage and rev up the crowd during the course of the meet, it’s also been great to see many swimmers return to present medals, do commentary or media or even just be here to support the sport.
Seen from the stands so far this week has been Michael Phelps (of course), Aaron Peirsol, Elizabeth Beisel, Annie (Chandler) Grevers, Katie Hoff, Megan (Quann) Jendrick, Whitney Hedgpeth and a host of other swimmers.
With five more days to go, I’m sure we’ll see many, many more. They absolutely prove that swimming is a family!
Ledecky the Fortune Teller?
Prior to Torri Huske’s American-record swim in the 100 butterfly final on Monday night, Katie Ledecky did her best prognosticator impression to predict her time to the second – 55:66.
Ledecky was just getting out of the warm-down pool and someone asked her what they thought her final time would be, and she said “56….60…6.”
Even with her newfound clairvoyance, Ledecky said she is going to stick with swimming as her profession.
Armstrong Headed to Tokyo
While 2016 Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy didn’t disappoint in the final of the men’s 100 backstroke Tuesday, there was (somewhat) of a surprise runner-up.
In a field that boasted Grevers, Shaine Casas and Bryce Mefford, it was Hunter Armstrong who was seventh at the turn but came on strong over the final 10 meters to hit the wall and earn a spot on the 2021 Olympic team.
The 20-year-old representing Ohio State University finished with a time of 52.67, just .45 behind Murphy’s winning time.
Suffice to say, he was a little bit excited when he saw the “2” beside his name on the jumbotron above the pool.
Famous Alaskan
The members of Alaska’s Seward Tsunami Swim Club had to be ecstatic Tuesday night as they watched their teammate, Lydia Jacoby, become the first Olympic swimmer from the state.
Jacoby, 17, was the youngest in the field and surged over the final 25 meters of the 100 breaststroke to finish second to world-record-holder Lilly King in 1:05.28. King won in 1:04.79.
“To be the first Alaskan means so much,” Jacoby said. “I’m so honored to be able to represent my state and now get to represent my country (in Tokyo).”
Schmitty Doesn’t Quit
Allison Schmitt’s swimming path has had its fair share of obstacles over the past nine years.
But Schmitt, the 2012 Olympic champion, came through Tuesday night to qualify fourth for Wednesday night’s final of the 200 freestyle.
Ledecky finished with the top time in the semifinals, going 1:55.83, but Schmitt wasn’t far off in 1:57.53. The top-4 earn a spot on the 800 freestyle relay in Tokyo.
Schmitt said she’s been receiving regular messages of encouragement from former training partner and Olympic teammate Michael Phelps, and that has continued to boost her confidence prior to and during Trials.
“He’s like family to me; Michael will always be my brother,” Schmitt said.
Like Mother, Like Son (hopefully)
Trenton Julian swam to a third-place finish in Tuesday’s semifinals of the 200 butterfly – and hopes to follow in his mom’s footsteps Wednesday night and become an Olympian.
Julian’s mom, Kristine Quance, was a 1996 Olympian and won gold as a member of the 400 medley relay in Atlanta. She specialized in the breaststroke. He’s also the son of former National Team competitor Jeff Julian.
While he has some big goggles to fill, his time of 1:55.35 was only .14 behind semifinal winners Luca Urlando and Zach Harting, who tied in 1:55.21.
Here are some observations and thoughts from the third day of Olympic Trials in Omaha.
Grevers Says Goodbye?
After two Olympic teams, several gold medals and numerous World Championship teams, Matt Grevers finished sixth in the 100 backstroke – and possibly said goodbye.
Walking out to a roaring crowd, Grevers said he got a little teary-eyed as he was engulfed by the love and appreciation he felt.
While he hasn’t made any official announcements, the 36-year-old is working in real estate in Arizona, is a father of two and may be ready to hang up his goggles – competitively, that is.
“This sport has been so good to me, and tonight shows that people appreciate me,” he said. “I want to thank the fans. They mean a lot."
Swimming Truly is a Family
In addition to watching former Olympians Kaitlin Sandeno and Brendan Hansen engage and rev up the crowd during the course of the meet, it’s also been great to see many swimmers return to present medals, do commentary or media or even just be here to support the sport.
Seen from the stands so far this week has been Michael Phelps (of course), Aaron Peirsol, Elizabeth Beisel, Annie (Chandler) Grevers, Katie Hoff, Megan (Quann) Jendrick, Whitney Hedgpeth and a host of other swimmers.
With five more days to go, I’m sure we’ll see many, many more. They absolutely prove that swimming is a family!
Ledecky the Fortune Teller?
Prior to Torri Huske’s American-record swim in the 100 butterfly final on Monday night, Katie Ledecky did her best prognosticator impression to predict her time to the second – 55:66.
Ledecky was just getting out of the warm-down pool and someone asked her what they thought her final time would be, and she said “56….60…6.”
Even with her newfound clairvoyance, Ledecky said she is going to stick with swimming as her profession.
Armstrong Headed to Tokyo
While 2016 Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy didn’t disappoint in the final of the men’s 100 backstroke Tuesday, there was (somewhat) of a surprise runner-up.
In a field that boasted Grevers, Shaine Casas and Bryce Mefford, it was Hunter Armstrong who was seventh at the turn but came on strong over the final 10 meters to hit the wall and earn a spot on the 2021 Olympic team.
The 20-year-old representing Ohio State University finished with a time of 52.67, just .45 behind Murphy’s winning time.
Suffice to say, he was a little bit excited when he saw the “2” beside his name on the jumbotron above the pool.
Famous Alaskan
The members of Alaska’s Seward Tsunami Swim Club had to be ecstatic Tuesday night as they watched their teammate, Lydia Jacoby, become the first Olympic swimmer from the state.
Jacoby, 17, was the youngest in the field and surged over the final 25 meters of the 100 breaststroke to finish second to world-record-holder Lilly King in 1:05.28. King won in 1:04.79.
“To be the first Alaskan means so much,” Jacoby said. “I’m so honored to be able to represent my state and now get to represent my country (in Tokyo).”
Schmitty Doesn’t Quit
Allison Schmitt’s swimming path has had its fair share of obstacles over the past nine years.
But Schmitt, the 2012 Olympic champion, came through Tuesday night to qualify fourth for Wednesday night’s final of the 200 freestyle.
Ledecky finished with the top time in the semifinals, going 1:55.83, but Schmitt wasn’t far off in 1:57.53. The top-4 earn a spot on the 800 freestyle relay in Tokyo.
Schmitt said she’s been receiving regular messages of encouragement from former training partner and Olympic teammate Michael Phelps, and that has continued to boost her confidence prior to and during Trials.
“He’s like family to me; Michael will always be my brother,” Schmitt said.
Like Mother, Like Son (hopefully)
Trenton Julian swam to a third-place finish in Tuesday’s semifinals of the 200 butterfly – and hopes to follow in his mom’s footsteps Wednesday night and become an Olympian.
Julian’s mom, Kristine Quance, was a 1996 Olympian and won gold as a member of the 400 medley relay in Atlanta. She specialized in the breaststroke. He’s also the son of former National Team competitor Jeff Julian.
While he has some big goggles to fill, his time of 1:55.35 was only .14 behind semifinal winners Luca Urlando and Zach Harting, who tied in 1:55.21.