USA Swimming Long Course Nationals: Under The Flags for Day Four Prelims

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Column by Erik Boal

PALO ALTO, California, August 5. DAVID Nolan delivered one of the most impressive efforts ever by a prep swimmer in March when he lowered his own national high school record in the 200-yard individual medley to 1:41.39 seconds at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAA Championships at Bucknell University. That performance earned him Swimming World's Male High School Swimmer of the Year accolades.

As for his quest for a 200-meter individual medley title at the USA Swimming Long Course Nationals, the Hershey High graduate wasn't as convincing in the morning prelims.

With the decision of Daytona Beach Swim Club's Ryan Lochte to skip the final three days of competition at Stanford University, Nolan, a future member of the Cardinal roster, boasted the fastest entry time in the event.

But the Hershey Aquatic Club standout took second in his own heat to Texas' Austin Surhoff (2:01.79) and qualified eighth overall in the prelims in 2:01.91, well off the fastest mark of 1:59.34 produced by Lake Forest's Conor Dwyer.

"I'm fully rested for this, but I probably could have done a lot more to prepare than I did," Nolan said. "I wanted to come here and see the times I could swim, and I should probably be a little faster, but so far, it's not happening. I've struggled with my prelim swims the past few days, but (the 200 IM) actually didn't feel that bad."

Several coaches and swimmers on deck were overheard inquiring about how Nolan could produce a 1:41.39 in a short-course pool, but struggle to a 2:01.91 in a long-course race. Some even murmured that his national-record swim was a "fluke."

Nolan knew there would be high expectations for him to excel this week following such a stellar senior season, one that also included leading off Hershey's national high school record in the 200 freestyle relay (1:21.01) with a split of 19.58.

"I definitely felt a little bit of pressure, but I go out there and do all the swims for myself and nobody else," Nolan said. "When I swim long course, I notice that I tire a lot quicker, so I need to pick up my endurance level and learn to pace myself better. I know I'm going to have to rework all of my strokes when I get to Stanford to prepare myself for next year. I'm probably going to be training more 400 IM and mid-distance freestyle to build my endurance and hope it all pulls together by (Olympic Trials)."

Nolan is scheduled to swim the 200 backstroke Saturday, then said he's going to take two weeks off before preparing for training camp Sept. 8 at Stanford.

"After a little break, I'm going to be training my butt off for nine months straight," he said.

Feigen ready to show top form
Longhorn Aquatics' Jimmy Feigen said he would love nothing more than a rematch in the 100 freestyle final with Cal Aquatics' Nathan Adrian after being edged by 19-hundredths in Thursday's 50 freestyle final.

But with Adrian deciding to skip the final two days of competition, 100 free American-record holder Dave Walters taking 13th in the prelims and Jason Lezak, who boasts the U.S. Open record, qualifying 22nd, Feigen knows the window of opportunity is wide open in pursuit of his first national title.

"It took me a while to simmer down (after the 50), everything was kind of a rush last night," Feigen said. "The entire field had a rough morning and it wasn't as fast as everyone expected. But I think with some good rest, I'll be ready to go tonight."

It could be an all-Longhorn battle for the title with former Texas standouts Garrett Weber-Gale and Ricky Berens also in contention for the championship.

"I'm disappointed not to have Adrian there because then there's always the ‘what-if' factor, but just to have the opportunity to be a potential national champion is an honor and I'm going to work my butt off to do it."

Seeking second-chance success
One American medal hopeful that didn't materialize at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai was Longhorn Aquatics' Kathleen Hersey in the 200 butterfly.

But she took an important step toward redemption Friday by posting the top qualifying time of 2:09.07 in the prelims. Hersey, who tied for ninth at World Championships and didn't advance to the final, is seeking her fourth 200 butterfly national title in five years.

"I'm sore, but I'm managing right now," said Hersey, who boasts the No. 10 time in the world this year at 2:06.89. "I feel like I'm getting there."

Mission Viejo Nadadores distance standout Chloe Sutton, the defending national champion in the 800 freestyle, didn't have the same response following a fourth-place finish in Shanghai, qualifying 13th in Friday's prelims and not advancing to the championship heat.

Minnesota Aquatics' Ashley Steenvorden, who defeated Sutton in Tuesday's 400 freestyle final, posted the fastest prelim time of 8:32.66 in her attempt to capture a second national title Saturday.

The swim-off that wasn't
Club Wolverines' Kyle Whitaker and NASA Wildcat Aquatics' Sean Mathews tied for 10th place in the 200 IM prelims at 2:02.38 and competed in a swim-off for the final spot in the championship heat.

After the swimmers traded leads on each stroke, Mathews pulled away with 25 meters remaining and prevailed by a 2:02.61 to 2:02.91 margin, believing he had secured a berth in the evening final.

But a few minutes after the conclusion of the swim-off, Mathews was disqualified for not breaking the plane of the water in the required distance following a turn, awarding the victory and lane 10 in the final to Whitaker.

Despite the disqualification, Mathews will still be allowed to swim in the evening consolation final.

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