Katie Ledecky to Swim 400 IM and 200 Free at Pac-12s, Out of 1650

Photo Courtesy: Matt Rubel of Rubel Photography

After breaking her own American and NCAA records in the 500 free Thursday night, Stanford’s Katie Ledecky will compete in both the 400 IM and 200 free Friday morning at the Pac-12 championships, according to the heat sheet for the session.

But this move means that Ledecky will not be competing in the 1650 free at the conference meet. Swimmers can compete in a maximum of three individual events at a conference or national championship meet, so Ledecky will have exhausted her limit after the 500 free, 400 IM and 200 free.

Ledecky broke her own American record in the 1650 at the Ohio State Invitational in November, and that time of 15:03.92 ranks more than 27 seconds ahead of anyone else in the country this season. Ledecky remains extremely likely to swim the 1650 at the NCAA championships next month in Indianapolis.

The 400 IM and 200 free will both be much tougher events for Ledecky to win than the 500, in which she finished first by more than 10 seconds. She is seeded second behind Stanford teammates in each event: behind Ella Eastin in the 400 IM and behind Simone Manuel in the 200 free.

Assuming she opts for one event per day at NCAAs, Ledecky and Stanford head coach Greg Meehan will have to decide between the 400 IM and 200 free to go along with the 500 and 1650 for NCAAs. Psych sheets for the NCAA meet are expected to be released around the middle of next week.

View the full heat sheet for Friday’s prelims, which begin at 10:30 a.m. PT, by clicking here.

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Zach Burr

7 years ago

Save the mile for Indianapolis, would love to see how low she can take it!!!

Bobbi Vasquez

7 years ago

400 IM she will do great and the 200 is a sprint for her.So proud of Katie?

Joel Rittenhouse

7 years ago

smart move

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to Joel Rittenhouse

how is this a smart move….a tough double 400im and 200 free where shes may not win either…when she was a lock for a pac 12 championship….the truth will be told…she was going to smoke simone in the 200 and now its all but impossible…

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

WOW….Katie Ledecky..the sacrificial lamb…….why….a sure win for her gone….for a chance to POSSIBLY win another…..or worse 2nd in both….I dont understand this move at all…I guess they NEED someoen else to be the HERO of the meet….like Simone,,,hey theres an idea take Simone and put her in the 1650…again Katie got screwed..just saying

Timmy

7 years ago

Reply to Michael Maloney

It’s not about Katie….it’s about the team. They have a chance of getting 1234 in the 400 IM and 123 in the 200 free. Greg obviously does not want her swimming the 1650 for whatever reason. He’s the coach.

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to Timmy

ok timmy do the math….if she wins the 400im thats 32 pts..if she takes 2nd its 28.hmmmm she would of won the 1650..for the same 32….right…..ok now follow me…take away the 400im and have her swim the 1650 for the win………wow that leaves katie FRESH for the 200 free…where shes could of won…32…or comes in 2nd with 28……its STUPID of the coach….and the reason is he doesnt want Katie crushing everything including MANUEL….she could of went for….and count them 4 AMERICAN records…….so if its for the TEAM..that means points….someone explain how its for the TEAM

Doris Ross

7 years ago

Awesome, I admire that she is coming into her own as an incredible all around swimmer and not just a distance freestyler.

Thomas Inwood

7 years ago

Good move. You actually can burn out on the mile by doing it too many times. Will be interesting to see the 400 im time.

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to Thomas Inwood

omg…shes raced the mile 1 time this year…and set an american record….ohh so give up a WIN..and a championship..to race in an im you MIGHT not win…..and weaken yourself for the 200 free which you had a legit chance of winning in record time….

Kelly Cardoza Anderson

7 years ago

Hands Down..amazing young woman!!! #katieledeckyrocks

Stephen Anderson

7 years ago

I understand trying to see if the 400 IM is a better choice than the 200. She’ll swim 500 and 1650 at NCAA’s for sure. Just a question of whether to swim 200 or 400 IM. He doesn’t need to see the mile to know she can win it.

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to Stephen Anderson

last time I checked no one was close to ELLA EASTON in the the 400im.. at ncaas so the choice..hmmm let katie take something away from easton or manual….or..LOSE to both…

7 years ago

I hate when people get on these threads and turn ugly and negative. Uncalled for. I am guessing the Stanford coach figured out they can still score points at 1650 free, and in terms of the team it does not matter which athlete gets first or second or sometimes third too if they are all from Stanford. Coach Meehan probably sat down with Katie, who is all about the team effort, and asked her what she thought. I am guessing he and Katie thought it would be a lot of fun and a big challenge to really compete hard at 400 IM and 200 Free ( when tired). Katie is a racer and from interviews etc. I think she would rather the challenge of the 400 IM right now, and the chance to do a really good time rather than just blowing out people in a conference meet by 45 seconds. It will be great for Katie to throw down and really compete head to head. Even at the Olympics she did not have to except in the 200 FR. She won’t have to race only against herself and the clock. FUN!!! Greg Meehan is a great coach…..

Michael Maloney

7 years ago

Reply to JS

losing,,fun yeah…..going to college to build a legacy…right…i wonder why they got a 4 year deal with dolphin…KL……like i said have simone swim on of her off events….there just USING her…seriously..did you think katie could of crushed the 200 tonight..ido