2017 U.S. NATIONALS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS
- Tuesday, June 27th-Saturday, July 1st
- 50-Meter Course
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Meet Info
- Prelims timelines
- Broadcast schedule
- Event-by-event previews
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Live Stream (U.S. viewers)
- Live Stream (International viewers)
- Saturday Prelims/Distance Heat Sheet
Katie Ledecky will not be swimming the 1500 free today, but she retains her slot in the event at Worlds. Like in the 50 stroke events, the selection procedure for the women’s 1500 free allows for a swimmer who doesn’t compete in the event at Nationals to swim the event at worlds.
The United States’s first slot in the women’s 1500 will go to the top finisher tonight. The second slot in the event will be “chosen from already-qualified athletes based on world ranks.” Check and check for Ledecky.
Ledecky’s scratch could potentially give a new swimmer who hasn’t yet qualified for the team a guaranteed spot on the Worlds roster. However, likely, the slot will be filled by the University of Virginia veteran Leah Smith, who (very surprisingly) has not swam a 1500 since 2014. Smith has already qualified for the team in the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, 400 IM, and 4×200 free relay (!!). She will not be swimming with finals, according to the heat sheet, due to her yards seed time. Her heat is scheduled to start at 4:30 pm.
Other scratches for the 1500 free this afternoon and tonight include Michigan distance standout G Ryan and 16-year-old Erica Sullivan (both of whom we picked to make the top 8). York YMCA’s Courtney Harnish is also a scratch.
Anyone know if Katie is training with Gemmell this summer at NCAP or did she stay with Stanford?
Why do you think so? I saw Greg Meehan on the stands and he looked like he cared of what Katie did in the pool. I can assume that Gemmell was asked for consultation because he has a great record of tapering Katie’s training process to make her peaking at right moment. What happened with Katie at NCAA finals gave me some doubts that Greg Meehan understands of what kind of unique swimmer he has under his coaching and how to make this swimmer even greater.
It was a comment made in one of the interviews from Meehan that made me think she wasn’t training there this summer.
In last interview Bruce Gemmell was directly asked if he has anything to do with Ledecky’s preparation for the WC. He answered:”No”. But then he explained that he indeed has been talking a lot to Katie recently, but it was all about weather, school, family, and other insignificant things. During this short interview he tried multiple times underline that his communication with Katie isn’t of professional nature. Because the word ‘no’ was said so many times I began to suspect that ‘yes’ he is involved. These two like to keep secrets. Sometimes three years long.
You couldn’t pay me to swim a 1500 at Worlds after I unexpectedly made top three in the world in the 4 IM. Leah…you should drop that 1500. ?
Good move by Katie L. She’s likely trusting her instincts and her coach’s advice. She’ll also likely impress us with a stellar effort at World’s. Her competitive schedule in Budapest will be the most challenging of her career. This is an intelligent decision. Best wishes for a some great performances in Europe!
Smart decision.
too many similar events in swimming…if she wants to race all the events, then she must compete to earn a spot. BS…
By scratching, Ledecky gives swimmers who have not already made the team a chance to qualify for a spot without defeating the WR holder.
unless leah smith scratches too.. i don’t see that likely..
Does anyone know what’s up with G Ryan?? She had bad swims all week & has now scratched this event. Wondering if she is sick??
Many other swimmers had a bad meet. Especially many of the best teenagers. I wonder how many times this week I have asked what happened to x or y?
“what happened to x or y?”
I am not a fan of this selection process