4 Biggest Olympic Trials Upsets Since 2008, Women’s Edition

Photo Courtesy: acintosh)

By Diana Pimer, Swimming World Staff Writer

I still remember when Brendan Hansen was out-touched in the 200 breaststroke in 2012; they panned to Natalie Coughlin in the ready room. The look of utter shock on her face represented what all of America was thinking: how does the favorite get beat?

Media hype, seed times, some swimmers are just expected to win. But with the right attitude, training and the perfect moment, history can be made, swimmers can be beaten and you may find yourself with a new “favorite.”

4. 2008 – Dara Torres makes fifth Olympic Team

Upset, or one of the greatest swimming moments of all time? I’d say Dara Torres’ 50 free at the 2008 Olympic Trials was a little bit of both. Even though Torres was seeded first going into the event, it just seemed so far-fetched for the 41-year old to make another Olympic team. Four Olympics, three world records, two comebacks, and one child later, Torres created one of the most memorable swimming moments in history.

Most of her competitors were 21 or 22 years old, that’s a whole college swimmer of an age difference. And in a race where every little detail counts, you never know what can happen. Those young college swimmers were itching to make their first Olympic teams. Beating out big names like Jessica Hardy, Lara Jackson and Kara Lynn Joyce, Torres took the 50 free in American-record fashion. She was dominant from start to finish, and confirmed her place as one of America’s best female sprinters.

3. 2008- Soni becomes America’s breaststroke sweetheart

Breaststroke races, men and women have had some interesting history these last two Olympic Trials. In 2008, the USA was swarming with female breaststrokers: Hardy, Kirk, Jendrick, and of course, the one and only Amanda Beard.

Ever since 1996, beating Beard in the 200 breaststroke wasn’t really a thing. She was just unbeatable, until Rebecca Soni came along. So how do you beat the American record holder and previous Olympic gold medalist? In 2008, Soni went out fast and held on for the victory. Even though Beard got second, it was at that moment that Soni became America’s new breaststroke sweetheart.

2. 2012 – Larson pulls a Soni

Then again, history does repeat itself. Four years later and half the distance, a young and hopeful Breeja Larson burst onto the breaststroke scene. Not only did Larson have to get through Soni, she had to get by world record holder Jessica Hardy. The pair of 25-year-old USC Trojans were everybody’s top picks to make the team in the 100 breast in 2012.

Swimming more of a Hardy-style race, Larson went out fast and tried to hang on. Soni closed at the end but by .07, Larson won and gained her Olympic berth. This race shocked me more than Soni’s 200 breast four years earlier. Breaststroke is all about timing- the breath, the stroke, the kick. Once you get your timing, it’s simple to keep it. Once you lose it, it’s a challenge to get back. Luckily for Larson, this time around was her time.

1. 2012 – Bootsma gets the golden girl

Dara Torres, Amanda Beard, you can’t discuss USA Swimming’s greats without mentioning Natalie Coughlin. She truly was (and still is) the country’s golden girl. In 2012, Missy Franklin was the clear favorite in the 100 back. But how could Coughlin NOT be a favorite in any race she swims?

Rachel Bootsma achieved the unthinkable, touching out Coughlin by about half a second. A great short course swimmer, the 18-year-old Bootsma proved herself as a serious competitor in Olympic-sized swimming. Ever since this race, Bootsma has continued to succeed in a variety of events.

2016 Olympic Trials Upset Watch

Allison Schmitt

Photo Courtesy: Kara Sekenski

It may seem odd, thinking Schmitt could make an upset. But she has flown under the radar since her outstanding performance in 2012. In an event like the 200 free, there’s Ledecky and Franklin. Talk about favorites. But Schmitt keeps improving in every meet over the last year. She was only .2 behind Franklin in Santa Clara. She will be able to focus on training over the next year. It is not impossible to see this middle distance star prosper once again.

Katie Meili

Photo Courtesy: Azaria Basile

Meili has the fastest American time in the 100 breast so far this year, but can she carry her momentum through next summer? Claiming a spot on the Olympic team would mean getting through Hardy, Lawrence AND Larson. If anyone is going to make an upset in the 100 breast, it will be Meili. Will Olympic trial breaststroke races continue to be historically exciting?

Maya Dirado

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

200 back, 200 fly, 200 IM, 400 IM, Maya Dirado can claim victory in any of these races. Claiming a spot in one of the IMs would be a huge upset since Beisel and Leverenz have held the title of IM queens over last 8 years. If Dirado can pull off one of these races, she will go down in history for sure.

Sierra Schmidt

Photo Courtesy: Kristin Karkoska

You always have to watch out for that teenager with a teddy bear. Where have we seen that before? It is pretty safe to say that Ledecky will be victorius in the distance races. But that second spot is up for grabs. Don’t count out Sierra Schmidt to beat out some of the older distance stars and claim her spot on the team. She swims happy, and a happy swimmer is a successful swimmer.

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