Race Video: Watch Ryan Lochte Nip Michael Phelps in Sizzling 200 IM

Photo by Griffin Scott

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

IRVINE, California, August 11.

The top two 200 IMers in history unleashed a pair of incredible IMs this evening in what was a powerhouse finale. SwimMAC’s Ryan Lochte went out hard and held off a hard-charging Michael Phelps, in what is a race strategy we’ve all seen a billion times before. Lochte charged his way to the win in 1:56.50, while Phelps took second in 1:56.55. Those are the top two times in the world behind only Kosuke Hagino’s 1:55.38 from the Japanese Nationals. The two will look to put up even faster times in Australia.

SwimMAC’s Tyler Clary had a strong third-place finish with a 1:57.94 to move to a ninth-ranked tie with Chad le Clos, while NBAC’s Conor Dwyer placed fourth in 1:58.03. Dwyer was faster this morning with a 1:57.41.

NBAC’s Chase Kalisz (1:58.85), California’s Josh Prenot (1:59.09), Club Wolverine’s Kyle Whitaker (1:59.44) and SwimMAC’s Ty Stewart (2:01.25) also made the podium as part of the finale.

Dynamo’s Gunnar Bentz blasted the B final with a sizzling time of 1:59.19. That swim vaulted him to 18th in the world rankings. Stanford’s Max Williamson placed second with a time of 2:00.12, while NCAP’s Andrew Seliskar touched third in 2:00.22.

Dynamo’s Jay Litherland touched out North Texas’ Jonathan Roberts by the slimmest of margins, 2:01.95 to 2:01.96, for the C final win. Nitro’s Sean Grieshop picked up third in an equally close finish against BlueFish’s Connor Green, 2:02.60 to 2:02.61.

A final

B final

C final

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