U.S. World Championship Trials Predictions

Column by John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, July 2. THE United States will begin selection of its squad for the World Championships next week in Indianapolis. Of course, one of the main storylines will be the continued suit saga that plagues the sport. We'll soon find out which suits the American swimmers gravitate toward, including those under contract with specific companies.

For now, here is one man's predictions as to which athletes will qualify to represent the USA at the World Champs in Rome. Keep in mind that some athletes entered on the psych sheet will opt to scratch the event. But, we'll try to do our best to make these event-by-event calls. Here we go, and enjoy.

50 Freestyle (Men)
1. Cullen Jones
2. Garrett Weber-Gale
**Gut says Jimmy Feigen is going to make a real run.

50 Freestyle (Women)
1. Dara Torres
2. Kara Lynn Joyce
**Lara Jackson will battle Joyce for the second spot.

100 Freestyle (Men)
1. Michael Phelps
2. Nathan Adrian
3. Garrett Weber-Gale
4. Matt Grevers
5. Ryan Lochte
6. Jimmy Feigen
**The times produced will provide an idea of whether the U.S. will give the French a battle in Rome.

100 Freestyle (Women)
1. Dara Torres (If she swims it)
2. Dana Vollmer
3. Julia Smit
4. Kara Lynn Joyce
5. Lacey Nymeyer
6. Amanda Weir
**If Torres goes, and she said it's up in the air, look out for a 52-point showing.

200 Freestyle (Men)
1. Michael Phelps
2. Ryan Lochte
3. Peter Vanderkaay
4. Ricky Berens
5. Dave Walters
6. Davis Tarwater
**The battle for the second slot should be a dandy

200 Freestyle (Women)
1. Katie Hoff
2. Dana Vollmer
3. Allison Schmitt
4. Dagny Knutson
5. Julia Smit
6. Mary DeScenza
**This thing is wide open

400 Freestyle (Men)
1. Peter Vanderkaay
2. Ryan Lochte (If he swims it;
**If Lochte goes here, it'll be interesting to see how low he can go.

400 Freestyle (Women)
1. Katie Hoff
2. Allison Schmitt
**What will Kate Ziegler bring to the table?

800 Freestyle (Women)
1. Katie Hoff
2. Kate Ziegler
**Can they erase the Beijing struggles that surfaced in this event?

1500 Freestyle (Men)
1. Peter Vanderkaay
2. Michael Klueh
**Without Vendt, No. 2 spot is open.

100 Backstroke (Men)
1. Aaron Peirsol
2. Matt Grevers
**There isn't a tougher race to call on the men's side.

100 Backstroke (Women)
1. Hayley McGregory
2. Margaret Hoelzer
**With Coughlin out, these two seem well above the rest.

200 Backstroke (Men)
1. Ryan Lochte
2. Aaron Peirsol
**This could go either way, as has been the case in the past.

200 Backstroke (Women)
1. Margaret Hoelzer
2. Elizabeth Beisel
**Repeat of Trials in Omaha.

100 Breaststroke (Men)
1. Mark Gangloff
2. Eric Shanteau
**No Hansen means the need for a 59 from one of these guys.

100 Breaststroke (Women)
1. Rebecca Soni
2. Megan Jendrick
**Solid tandem for sure.

200 Breaststroke (Men)
1. Eric Shanteau
2. Scott Spann
**It's hard to know what Spann will do. Hopefully an Omaha-esque effort.

200 Breaststroke (Women)
1. Rebecca Soni
2. Caitlin Leverenz
**Leverenz looking to break onto big-time stage.

100 Butterfly (Men)
1. Michael Phelps
2. Matt Grevers
**Behind Phelps, Grevers looks like best bet. Maybe a 49 from Mr. Olympia.

100 Butterfly (Women)
1. Christine Magnuson
2. Dana Vollmer
**Vollmer could win this thing.

200 Butterfly (Men)
1. Michael Phelps
2. Davis Tarwater
**A familiar finish.

200 Butterfly (Women)
1. Mary DeScenza
2. Kathleen Hersey
**Another relatively open event.

200 Individual Medley (Men)
1. Ryan Lochte
2. Eric Shanteau
**Shanteau takes advantage of Phelps passing on event.

200 Individual Medley (Women)
1. Dagny Knutson
2. Ariana Kukors
**American record likely.

400 Individual Medley (Men)
1. Ryan Lochte
2. Tyler Clary
**Clary is a future star.

400 Individual Medley (Women)
1. Dagny Knutson
2. Elizabeth Beisel
**Young guns lead the way.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x