MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – 2014 US NATIONALS
You knew Michael Phelps would be out towards the back of the pack, and he was (7th at the wall), as expected. His back half is so strong, and he was able to run down five of the six swimmers in front of him. It came down to the touch, and Tom Shields was there, getting his hand on the wall first for his second win of the meet. He touched at 51.29, only .01 seconds in front of Michael Phelps, at 51.30. Tim Phillips finished in third with his time of 51.54. Matt Ellis dropped .04 to finish fourth with his time of 51.73. Ryan Lochte finished at 52.21 to finish fifth, followed by Giles Smith in sixth at 52.51. Rounding out the top 8 in the men’s 100 butterfly is Matthew Josa and Santo Condorelli at 52.57 and 52.88. Seth Stubblefield won a great race between the B-finalist with his time of 52.40. Jack Conger finished second at 52.55, followed by Tripp Cooper at 52.62. Alex Valente won the C-final of the men’s 100 butterfly with his time of 52.81. That time is .72 seconds faster than he was this morning.