The psych sheet for the 2015 U.S. Nationals was released today, and one of the biggest surprises was the event schedule for Michael Phelps. Many have speculated that Phelps would post times at the U.S. Nationals in the freestyle races that would rank among the world’s best for 2015. That seemed like a definite possibility. But it’s not.
Michael Phelps won’t be swimming the 100 and 200 freestyles at the meet. It looks as if Phelps made the decision to swim one event a day. The 200 free is scheduled on the same day as the 200 fly, and the 100 free is back to back for the men with the 200 I.M.
He will, however, swim the 200 breaststroke. This is an event we don’t see him compete in often, especially at end of the season taper meets. Interestingly, Phelps is entered as the 20th seed with a 2:15.46. The USA Swimming database only shows one result for Phelps in the 200 breast over the last 5 years: a 2:18.79 from 2011. That’s still under the cut time, but it’s pretty far out of the range of the qualifying period.
Nonetheless, we’ll get to see some national level breaststroke action from Phelps next week, something we haven’t seen in awhile. His best time is a 2:15.06 from Nationals in 2007. This will be the last event of the meet for him. The beginning of his schedule is somewhat predictable.
Phelps will kick off the meet on Friday with the 200 fly. This could be the most challenging event for him, with a stacked field talent entered in front of him. The fastest of those is Andrew Seliskar, who comes into the meet at 1:55.92 from the Arena Pro Swim Austin in January. We haven’t seen Phelps swim this event tapered since his retirement following the London Olympics. He has raced it twice already this year, and showed great progress – after a painful-looking 2:00 at the Arena Pro Swim – Charlotte meet, he looked much more comfortable in Santa Clara, where he swam a 1:57.62. With a long history of success in this event, Phelps could very well come out on top.
The 100 fly will take place on Saturday. Phelps is entered as the top seed in 51.17. So far this year, his fastest is a 52.38 from Arena Pro Swim Mesa. He’ll be battling with Texas’ Jack Conger, the 2nd seed at 51.64. That time for Conger is the fastest done by an American in 2015, set at the Arena Pro Swim Austin.
On Sunday, Phelps will race in the 200 I.M. His entry time in the 200 I.M. (1:56.04) gives him a 3 second advantage over the rest of the field. Barring scratches within the top 10, Michael Andrew will get a chance to swim alongside Phelps in the circle seeded heats of the prelims. Also among the American talent seeded behind him, Will Licon could step up to challenge Phelps. Licon is seeded 12th at 2:01.44, but made huge strides this past yards season to come very close to a few American records, including the 200 yard I.M. The owner of that record, David Nolan, will also be swimming this event. His entry time is relatively underwhelming. He sits 51st with a 2:04.41. Look for him to move up after having a big year in 2015 so far.
Michael Phelps’ 2015 Summer Nationals Schedule
| Day | Event | Entry Time | Best of 2015 |
| Friday | 200 Fly | 1:57.62 | 1:57.62 |
| Saturday | 100 Fly | 51.17 | 52.38 |
| Sunday | 200 I.M. | 1:56.04 | 1:59.39 |
| Monday | 200 Breast | 2:15.46 | N/A |
Maybe he’ll lead off NBAC’s 400 and 800 Fr Relays to throw down a time?
NBAC isn’t entered in any relays. Can you deck enter relays at this meet?
Also, how does one get entered (in the 2 BR) without a legit qual time on the USA database?
IDK, I found that and the fact the Michael Andrew entered his 100 breast with a 101.00 when I thought his time was a 101 high odd……
He may well be planning to just time trial a 100 and 200 free. I assume they will have time trials either between prelims and finals or after finals; He has no events on Day 1, and could easily time trial another event on the 200 breast day.
Or maybe he plans to go to masters nations and swim some events – 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 200 back, 400 IM at masters nationals 2 weeks after nationals would make a great complement. He is 30.
That won’t be happening. Masters nationals is Aug 6-9 in Cleveland, same weekend as nationals.
The 200 Breast is huge. Phelps’ breast in his 2IM has looked horrible. Remember he had the fastest breast splits in both IMs in Beijing. It shows Phelps understands he needs to fix this if he wants to be competitive in the 2IM in Rio. I think Phelps is only interested in trying for an Olympic 4-peat and he has 2 chances. Now that’s another crazy legacy that might motivate Phelps.
Kalisz and Lochte have blown past Phelps on the breast leg of the 2IM and I’m sure the Japanese guys would too.
I still think Phelps misses the Olympic team in the 1Fly, but might make the 2IM if he fixes his breast and fitness.
Well, he has Conger and Seliskar for the 100 and 200 fly respectively. And he doesn’t stand much of a chance in the 200 breast.
So its only the 200 im in which he won’t have competition.
It looks like that on paper, but there are a few who have potential to close in on him. I still think he will win. But not by 3 seconds.
Anyway, MP will not swim against someone else next week. He will swim against himself.
I would not count suit times. And yes he can put very good 100 free times. Then 3 questions. Can his 100 time medal? Can he put 3 consecutive strong 100 free? How would it fit on his schedule? And a 30 year old Phelps won’t have the endurance of the 2007 Phelps.
I think you can make exceptions for someone like phelps in regards to suit times. He swam so many events that his 100 free times with the suit are probably representative of his textile potential if he focused on it.
I think some people underestimate phelps freestyle in the 100 he did swim a the third fastest freestyle in Bejing and he’s always swam it fast
I think he’s a great 100m Freestyler, but too slow on that first 50 and has to deal with the waves from the front runners. Relays are a different beast because he doesn’t typically have to deal with the turbulence from being behind.
To me this shows that Phelps is committing himself to improving his breaststroke with the goal of winning the Rio 200 IM gold. Go Michael!