There were some questions about whether or not Michael Phelps would actually swim the 200 breast at U.S. Nationals. Earlier in the meet, he put on earth-shattering performances in the 100 fly, 200 fly, and 200 I.M. to set himself on top of the 2015 world rankings. The 200 breast, however, is not a race we usually see Phelps contest, especially not at end of season meets.
He was definitely present in the prelims this morning, posting a new best time to move from 20th to 6th and qualify for the championship final. Phelps’ 2:12.68 was a massive improvement from his previous best of 2:15.06 from 2007 U.S. Nationals. It was much faster than his most recent swim in the event before today, a 2:18.79 from 2011.
Phelps’ Splits:
2:12.68- 30.17/33.62/34.47/34.42
Phelps actually led the race through the first 100 meters. His 1:03.79 halfway split put him ahead of Craig Benson. Benson, however, came home harder. He split a 1:07.73 to Phelps’ 1:08.89. That gave him a final time of 2:12.14, as the two men finished 1-2 in that heat.
Throughout his career, Phelps has won U.S. Nationals in fly, back, and free. If he chooses to swim the event tonight, he could become the 2nd swimmer in history to have won American national championships across all 4 strokes, and the first man to do so. Tracy Caulkins is the only swimmer to date to accomplish that feat.
Because we really don’t have anything to compare this swim to, it’s hard to say whether or not Phelps could make as big a time drop from prelims to finals as he did in his other events. If he wanted to add the all stroke national titles to his already insane resume, he would have to make that kind of drop.
If Phelps decided to go for it, he would be up against Andrew Wilson. Wilson dropped nearly 6 seconds this morning to put up a 2:09.84. That made him the 4th fastest American of 2015 and moved him to 19th in the world this year. Also in contention is Will Licon, who swam a personal best 2:10.10 this morning.
You are so right. Today is the greatest moment for this sport and to be a fan of it. It is fun to remember back to all those earlier generations and credit the greats who can before. I can remember all of this, but not where I left my car keys today. My wife thinks I’m and idiot, my kids think I am scattered but not an idiot. I forgot, what were we talking about again?
Doc is right — it was very rare for a woman to stay in the sport after college during that era. It makes even more impressive that Jill Sterkel was a 1984 and a 1988 Olympian. Her first Olympiad was Montreal 1976.
One of Sterkel’s 1984 4×100 free relay gold medal teammates was a high schooler named Dara Torres swimming in her first of five Olympiads.
As long as we’re dating ourselves (and for all the youngster’s benefit), before Title IX in 1972, women rarely swam past high school in the U.S. I’m glad to see so many talented women taking advantage of swimming in college and beyond. It’s great to see women like Katie Meili come into swimming prominence for the first time in their 20’s after college. That never would have happened a generation ago.
One more and I stop: Tracy Caulkins not only won national championships in 4 strokes, she also broke American records in all 4 strokes. That record is pretty safe for a long time.
Incedible feat ! fantastic versalitlity and willingness ! thanks for the swimming info !
i say go for it Michael…..god speed
so how many National titles did MP own now? 55 😀 😀
Thanks Bobo — I bring all the benefits of being old to the table. Tracy J. was incredible. I believe when she swam college it was AIWA championships at Florida and not NCAA if memory serves. I believe she is also the only college swimmer male or female to win a college national championship in all 4 strokes. The one think she came close to but didn’t quite get was under a minute SCY in all 4 strokes. He best 100 breast SCY was 1:01 something. Even today it would be a very short list of women who have broken a minute SCY in all 4 strokes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjeLbJYJnlg
I’ve found a video about 1978 world championships with her and I’ve also seen for the first time Sippy Woodhead swim. She had a crazy fast stroke rate for a 200 free swimmer! 😯
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3j13TRVY0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTF_mkw8dWU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2kLVS6cNI
And the 1.58.53 we see from Sippy Woodhead in that video was the new world record at that time and is still 37 years later the US 13/14 NAG record!
AMAZING TIME FOR A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN 1978. BUT STILL TODAY TOO.
I’m old, too, and it’s important to remember that virtually all women in those days stopped swimming after college. If she had competed as a pro (if there was such a thing in the U.S. then), she would have racked up incredible feats. She retired at 21 with “just” 48 national championships.
She’s also one of those talents who didn’t quite time her greatest overall accomplishments on an Olympic year, and had the misfortune of missing the 1980 Olympics because of the boycott.
Not too many swimmers win the Sullivan Award. She did.
Bobo, thanks for the video memories. She was special.
My pleasure.
It allows me to improve my swimming knowledges and to note that the late 70s and early 80s was an amazing period for US girls. Amazing talents. Unfortunately they have missed the 1980 olympic games. And unfortunately they had to swim against doped girls from East Germany.
But these young ladies have shown that with natural talent and hard work, you can do amazing things.
Michael Andrew has the profile to be the next. Not easy but why not?
Still 1.5s to drop in the 100 breast
2 seconds in the 100 back
2 seconds in the 100 free
And 1.5s in the 100 fly.
I’ve grown to love MA —- he’s an incredible competitor, will race anytime, anyplace, and enjoys it.
But… I think the big difference in the comparison of MA vs MP at that age and whether MA has a shot at what you suggest is that MP looked like a boy at 15-16. MA, not so much. So at least the physical profile doesn’t fit. I agree that the times in each of the strokes fit.
All that said, every time I (or anyone else, for that matter) put a ceiling on what MA will accomplish in a given season, he breaks through it. Seems like only yesterday many were wondering if he was doing any meaningful training in South… Read more »
No way it happens but “he could become the 2nd swimmer in history….”
You didn’t mention who was the first.
You let us find the answer? 🙂
Well. I was not born at that time but I would say Tracy Caulkins. Right or not? Probably the greatest all-around female swimmer in history if I’ve well learned my swimming lessons.
Or maybe you talked about a man. But if that’s the case I have no name in mind.
It say was Andrew Wilson
Incredible that to now only swimmer to win national championships in all 4 strokes is Tracy Caulkins.
You have answered my question while I wrote my comment below. Thanks for confirming. I’ve well learned my swimming lessons.