2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

After an eventful first few days of competition it’s finally time to see Michael Phelps return to Olympic trials action. Phelps will be featured in the 200m butterfly final and will give us a first look into what a likely partially tapered 2016 Phelps looks like.

He’s claimed to put in work like he did before Beijing, which means that if what he’s been telling the media is true, he should look smooth as a hot knife cutting through butter today.

Although the Phelps gravy train is claiming the focus of the morning, the women’s 200m freestyle is going to be a fun event to watch. Katie Ledecky threw down a monster first 200 in her 400m freestyle yesterday, demonstrating that she has speed heading into today.

Toss in Maya DiRado, who already made the team in the 400m IM, into the 200m IM heats, and things this morning are going to get toasty.

WOMEN’S 200m FREESTYLE

2016 Top seed: Katie Ledecky (1:54.43)

World record: 1:52.98 – Frederica Pellegrini (Italy)

American record: 1:53.61 – Allison Schmitt

U.S Open record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt

U.S Nationals record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt

JR World record: 1:56.12 – Shen Duo (China)

2012 Winning Time: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt

Katie Ledecky continued her freestyle domination here at the 2016 U.S Olympic Trials with a very fast, but easily controlled 200m freestyle that took the top seed overall heading into tonight’s semifinals.

Ledecky was a 1:55.60 at the touch in the final heat to beat Leah Smith. For the second time this meet, Smith closed on Ledecky. She finished almost a second behind her in 1:56.47, but began to creep up on her hip during the last 50 after Ledecky rocketed to a body-length and change lead at the 100.

Melanie Margalis won heat 10, taking down Missy Franklin and Simone Manuel en route to the third fastest time of the morning. Margalis was a 1:57.61, Franklin was a 1:58.61 for seventh overall, Manuel was a 1:59.27 for 10th overall.

Seed fourth is Olympic champion Allison Schmitt who won the first of the circle seeded heats with a smooth 1:57.77.

TOP 16

For official results click here.

MEN’S 200m BUTTERFLY

2016 Top seed: Michael Phelps (1:52.94)

World record: 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps

American record: 1:51.51 – Michael Phelps

U.S Open record: 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps

U.S Nationals record: 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps

JR World record: 1:55.92 – Andrew Seliskar 1:52.20 – Michael Phelps

2012 Winning Time: 1:53.65 – Michael Phelps

In his first swim of these trials, Michael Phelps was smooth as can be in order to take the top seed heading into tonight’s semifinals. After 100-meters, Phelps had already given himself a body-length lead over the rest of the field. Out in 54.49, he came back in a 1:02.19 in order to drop a 1:56.68.

Phelps shut things down after the first 100, and on the last 25 it appeared as though he was tightening up slightly. Altogether, his race looked easy and controlled, a great sign heading into semifinals.

This is the first time in the history of Phelps career that he’s ever taken the top seed after prelims at the Olympic Trials. Previously, his best prelims placing had been second.

Pace Clark of Georgia was the second fastest qualifier behind Phelps in 1:56.90. His Texas rival Jack Conger grabbed third overall with a 1:57.33 performance over Chase Kalisz‘s 1:57.34.

TOP 16

For official results click here.

WOMEN’S 200m IM

2016 Top seed: Maya DiRado (2:08.99)

World record: 2:06.12 – Katinka Hosszu

American record: 2:06.15 – Ariana Kukors

U.S Open record: 2:08.66 – Katinka Hosszu

U.S Nationals record: 2:09.34 – Julia Smit

JR World record: 2:11.03 – Viktoria Gunes

2012 Winning Time: 2:10.22 – Caitlin Leverenz

Maya DiRado, who already made her way onto the Olympic team with a win in the 400m IM, took the top seed in the women’s 200m IM with a smooth 2:11.66.

Cal’s Caitlin Leverenz was right on that mark as well, sporting 2:11.89 at the touch to put her right up at the top with DiRado. Melanie Margalis will give Leverenz a run for her money in semifinals, and finals if they qualify. She was a 2:12.36 this morning.

Ella Eastin is in the mix as well after a 2:12.87 performance.

Both Elizabeth Beisel and Sarah Henry, who finaled in the 400m IM earlier in the meet, were no-shows this morning which opens up the field significantly.

TOP 16

For official results click here.