Chase Kalisz Completes Medley Sweep With 200 IM Triumph at Atlanta Classic

Chase Kalisz Completes Medley Sweep With 200 IM Triumph at Atlanta Classic

As is typically the case with tuneup meets close to major competitions, some answers to lingering questions are being provided this weekend. Take Chase Kalisz as an example. At the Atlanta Classic, the Team USA veteran has shown he is rounding into form with the United States Olympic Trials just a month away.

Two days after winning the 400 individual medley, Kalisz added a victory in the 200 medley on Sunday night, holding off Andrew Seliskar in the process. Taking the lead on the breaststroke leg, a longtime trademark of Kalisz, the 27-year-old notched a time of 1:57.52 to win by a half-second over Seliskar (1:58.06). Trenton Julian (1:59.43) and Kieran Smith (1:59.81) also broke the two-minute barrier.

Although Kalisz was slightly off the 1:56-high mark produced by Michael Andrew at the TYR Pro Series in Indianapolis on Saturday night, his outing in Atlanta confirms he is moving in the right direction ahead of the Tokyo-selection meet. Kalisz was the world champion in both medley events in 2017 and claimed the bronze medal in the 200 I.M. at the 2019 World Championships. If nothing else, his Atlanta efforts, which included a 4:13 in the 400 I.M. and a 1:56 in the 200 butterfly, bode well for faster times ahead.

With top seed Melanie Margalis scratching the final after a prelim showing of 2:12.52, the door was opened for Meghan Small. A Tennessee product, Small finished first in comfortable fashion, thanks to a time of 2:13.91. She was followed in second place by Alexis Yager, who touched the wall in 2:15.29.

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