Nationals Psych Sheets Released: Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin Enter IM Events

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, June 19. USA Swimming has just released psych sheets for the 2013 Phillips 66 National Championships & World Championship Trials.

Big news: Ryan Lochte is entered in the 400 IM. There was much speculation going into the meet on whether or not Lochte would enter in the notoriously grueling event. The guessing game was fueled even further when Lochte won the 400 IM at the Arena Grand Prix Santa Clara. However, just because Lochte entered in the 400 IM does not guarantee that he will race it, as he's been known to enter numerous events and then scratch a few at the last minute. Lochte is also entered in the 200 freestyle, as well as the 200 backstroke behind Tyler Clary (Matt Grevers has chosen to not swim the 200 back this season), 50 and 100 butterfly and 200 IM.

Missy Franklin is entered in six events. She's seeded first the 100 freestyle, second in the 200 freestyle behind Allison Schmitt, top in the trifecta of backstroke races (50, 100, 200) and the 200 IM. The only real surprise from Franklin in this event list is the 200 IM. We saw her race the event at the Arena Grand Prix Santa Clara, finishing second behind Caitlin Leverenz (who is seeded first in the event at a 2:08.95). This sparked rumors that Franklin might race the event at Nationals, despite it not being one of her top events. Franklin is seeded sixth in the event.

It's been a great year for distance swimming, and Nationals will hold true to that standard. If there is one event that we can cross our fingers on seeing a world record fall, it will be the women's 800 freestyle. Katie Ledecky came within tenths of Rebecca Adlington's 8:14.10 world record at the 2008 Olympics with an 8:14.63. Although she hasn't been near that time since, she posted the fastest time in the world this year at the Arena Grand Prix Mesa in April, and with a little bit of taper, swimming fans can expect something big out of the high school swimmer. On the men's side, the mile has a renewed level of excitement stemming from the rivalry between Andrew Gemmell and Connor Jaeger, who will push each other the whole race.

A handful of competitors have already qualified for the World University Games but may use this meet as an opportunity to get bumped up to the World Championship team. Kevin Cordes and Mike Alexandrov are both gunning for the team in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes, Chelsea Chenault in the 200 freestyle, Laura Sogar in the 200 breaststroke and Michael McBroom in the 1500 freestyle.

Click here for the full psych sheet via USA Swimming

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