MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – 2014 US Nationals
Tom Shields wins 100 butterfly at 2014 US Nationals (courtesy of Tim Binning, theswimpictures)
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.
Michael Phelps can overcome the stress that he cannot to stand loosing !!! It’s a colossal job that he has to invest in re-buiding success !! This is in itself a very big reason for Michael to swim faster beyond his limit !!! All depends on this iron determination to re-build this new control deal.
The 100 free is on the same day as the 4×200 at Pan Pacs. It’s looking less and less likely that Phelps ends up on the relay. Lochte’s questionable, as well.
still hoping the coache(s) will put Phelps on the 4×100 free relay. it will be more fun to have MP included in this relay. 😀
In the interview Bowman did this afternoon he said people have to understand that the two “go-to” guys in these relays may no longer be “go-to” and that the younger generation will have to step up to meet the challenge. I think Phelps and Lochte want those relays to be whatever is best for Team USA and if they thought they were it, I really think they would have swum those races. Maybe they get on there somehow, but especially for the 800m I wouldn’t count on it.
Phelps! 100 fly race on NBC now 🙂
If he focuses on the 100 of each stroke and the 200 IM, sky is the limit. Same goes for Lochte. My 2 cents.
First off, Shields had one heck of a swim, and is swimming GREAT, happy for him.
Second, I agree with Mel, Phelps will be sub 50.5. Yes, age is a big factor, but mostly in the 200s (As we are seeing with Lochte falling apart his last 50 in the 200 back). With less grueling events for Phelps (100 free instead of 2 fly, 100 back instead of 200 free) it leaves him time to recover and gives him an opportunity to be fresh for his 100 fly.
Just got real!
Things I took away from this interview:
He REALLY hates to lose
He is pissed off and thus he is even more dangerous
He is going to Worlds in 2015 and to Rio in 2016
This was never just about him “having fun”
He has not lost his competitive edge
His focus is keen
He is going to be on the 4x100m relay…..somehow
Great coverage here with the post race interviews of Bob and Michael. Thank you SwimSwam! I will say this having watched both the heat and final yesterday, in the final I was waiting to see that “surge” Michael uses in the last 25-30 meters- his shift into “5th gear”. Instead he seemed to pace with Shields right into the wall. His stroke was SO easy, my daughter couldn’t get over it. With so few races under his belt in this comeback, and his prelim time faster than the winning final time (coupled with Michael’s intensity and Bob’s exacting standards), I do believe he can hammer a 50.5.
Chris, I noticed that too, but I think what the observer perceives as Phelps shifting into 5th gear was mostly an optical illusion caused by the fact that his competitors were decelerating rapidly. Although Phelps might have had less endurance, due to not training for the 200 fly anymore, I would suggest that what you and I noticed at the end of the race was really the fact that Shields was NOT decelerating because his endurance is great!