Race Video: Tom Shields Bests Michael Phelps By Slimmest of Margins in 100 Fly

Editorial coverage for U.S. Senior Nationals proudly sponsored by Master Spas!

IRVINE, California, August 9.

Reminiscent of Michael Phelps’ seventh gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he clipped Mike Cavic by .01 in the 100-meter fly, California’s Tom Shields edged Phelps tonight by the same margin in front of a hometown crowd. Shields, who already won the 200 fly on the first night, beat Phelps 51.29 to 51.30 tonight. That tied Shields with Chad le Clos for second in the world behind Phelps’ prelim time of 51.17.

Phelps, who turned seventh at the 50, was long on the wall and unable to use his patented backhalf to track down Shields. Either way, the finish is good enough to send Phelps to Australia as part of the Pan Pacs roster.

SwimMAC’s Tim Phillips placed third in 51.54 to move to fifth in the world, while Nitro’s Matt Ellis clocked a fourth-place 51.73. That time edged his seventh-ranked 51.77 from this morning, but wasn’t enough to leapfrog Joseph Schooling’s 51.69 for sixth.

SwimMAC’s Ryan Lochte checked in with a fifth-place 52.21, while Phoenix Swim Club’s Giles Smith took sixth in 52.51. SwimMAC’s Matt Josa (52.57) and Santo Condorelli (52.88) also swam in the finale.

California’s Seth Stubblefield surfaced from a close B final with a 52.40 for the win. Machine’s Jack Conger wound up second in 52.55 with The Woodlands’ Tripp Cooper placing third in 52.62.

Buenaventura’s Alex Valente blazed his way to a 52.81 to win the C final, his first time under 53 seconds. Terrapins’ Justin Lynch, the 15-16 national age group record holder with a 52.75 from last year, cruised to second in 53.21. 15-year-old pro Michael Andrew took third in 53.59.

A final

Awards

B final

C final

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