U.S. Olympic Trials: Bobby Bollier Tops 200 Fly Semis; Michael Phelps Cruises to Third

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OMAHA, Nebraska, June 27. STANFORD's Bobby Bollier has put a pair of strong 200 fly performances together after semis, but will have to slay the Michael Phelps dragon in finals at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Bollier, who lead prelims with a 1:56.69, posted the top semifinal time with a 1:56.06 to keep the pressure on Phelps heading into finals. Bollier, who finished sixth in the 100 fly and seventh in the 200 fly in 2008, is looking for his first Olympic berth. His top international experience has been a silver medal in the 200 fly at the World University Games.

SwimMAC's Davis Tarwater placed second in 1:56.10, and definitely has some extra motivation in the event considering that he was the hard-luck third-place finisher in 2008 with a 1:54.46. Phelps eased his way into third in semis with a 1:56.42 after taking third in his heat. He is the two-time defending champion in this event, and will be vying for another superlative in the finale as he works to become the first person to ever threepeat in two separate events at Trials. He joined five other people earlier in the night as he won the 200 free three consecutive Trials from 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Tyler Clary, still trying to find a way on the team after a tough finish in the men's 400 IM, qualified fourth in 1:56.56. Mark Dylla (1:57.78), Michael Flach (1:58.04), Dan Madwed (1:58.26) and Dakota Hodgson (1:58.45) comprised the rest of the finale.

The Finalists:
Bobby Bollier — 1:56.06
Davis Tarwater — 1:56.10
Michael Phelps — 1:56.42
Tyler Clary — 1:56.56
Mark Dylla — 1:57.78
Michael Flach — 1:58.04
Dan Madwed — 1:58.26
Dakota Hodgson — 1:58.45

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