Day 1 FINALS

Surprise, surprise... After day 1 at the US Olympic Trials both Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps are on the American Olympic team.  I know, I'm stunned as well.


Men's 400IM:  It Sucks To Be Tyler Clary
For four years it was thought that Phelps had retired from the 400IM and I imagine that the most disappointed person in the world to see that Phelps was indeed going to swim the 400IM would have been Clary.  Clary is awesome, if I ever meet him I'll buy him a beer, 4:09.92 is a fantastic 400IM but alas it's not good enough to get ahead of Lochte (4:07.06) and Phelps (4:07.89).

Speaking of the aforementioned Lochte and Phelps...  Lochte's breaststroke was the difference making stroke in the race.  Lochte's 1:10.33 to Phelps 1:11.32 was the all the breathing room Lochte needed to secure the win and a confidence building topping of Phelps.

Safe money is that both men will be faster in a month.

Men's 400FR:  Not So Great
Congratulations to Peter Vanderkaay with a workman-like victory of the 400FR and the breakthrough performance of Conor Dwyer to finish second and get onto his first Olympic team.  Dwyer raced a beautiful 400, 56.81 on the final 100 was fast enough to surge past Charlie Houchin and Dwyer's speed came on early enough to hold off a tremendous final 50m surge from Michael Klueh, who's 27.86 was the only sub 28 split from anyone in the field (with the exception of the opening 50s).

The downside of the race is that 3:47 in the grand scheme of International swimming is not all that fast and likely won't make the Olympic Final so these boys have a long way to go.

Women's 400IM:  Confirmation That Gregg Troy Is Really, Really Good
Six Olympians were selected on Monday night.  Four of them swim for University of Florida iconic coach Gregg Troy.  Lochte, Vanderkaay, Dwyer, and lastly Elizabeth Beisel.

Beisel won the women's 400IM before the race even started.  She looks like she is in incredible shape.  Incredible.  She's jacked and lean and just looks like she's dripping in speed.  Sign me up, I'm all in on Beisel in whatever she swims at these Trials and then again in London.  I thought Caitlin Leverenz was ready to ride out a brilliant NCAA season and she will go to London but she was no match for Beisel tonight.

Here's to hoping that Dana Vollmer and Brendan Hansen can hold over their great swimming to Finals tonight in the 100FL and 100BR respectively.