Ledecky, Murphy, Worrell and Others Make Strategic Race Decisions for Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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With the psych sheets out for U.S. Nationals, it’s now clear at least what events athletes won’t be swimming in. Katie Ledecky, for instance, is the fastest American in the world this year in the women’s 400 IM, but she did not enter that event at Nationals.

Ledecky had insisted to Swimming World during the season that her focus would remain on the freestyle events, and she will indeed concentrate on the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 free. However, with the winner of the 800 free given first choice to swim the 1500 free at Worlds, Ledecky may choose to pass on the 1500 on the meet’s final day.

Ryan Murphy, recently signed to an endorsement deal with Speedo, is entered in the 100 free in addition to his usual 50, 100 and 200 back. He indicated earlier this month that the 100 free was in his plans for Nationals, so expect to see him gunning for a spot on the 400 free relay on day one.

Jack Conger will also compete in the 100 free, but he could have a tough go in that one as it comes right after his signature event, the 200 fly.

Facing the same 200 fly-100 free double, 100 fly Olympian Kelsi Worrell opted out of the 200 fly to focus on earning a 400 free relay spot for the World Championships.

Chase Kalisz is the top seed in the men’s 200 and 400 IM and the second seed in the 200 fly, but Kalisz did not enter the men’s 200 breast, despite ranking third in that event among Americans this season.

Several U.S. Olympians from 2012 have not announced their official retirement but have not competed this season, including Allison Schmitt and Cammile Adams. Accordingly, neither are on the official entry list for Nationals, but Jimmy Feigen is.

Feigen has not competed since competing as a member of the U.S. 400 free relay team in prelims in Rio or since he was involved in a well-publicized gas station incident in Rio. He was suspended four months for his role in that situation, but that suspension ended December 31.

Three swimmers are scheduled to compete in the women’s 200 free on day two and then turn around to swim the 200 breast or 200 back. Madisyn Cox and Melanie Margalis each entered both the 200 free and 200 breast, while Hali Flickinger is set to go in the 200 free or 200 back.

Still, plenty of swimmers over-enter and could change their minds about their event lineups as they go through the meet, including this trio.

Finally, the meet is mostly limited to American athletes, but three international swimmers did enter after receiving special permission from USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch: Norway’s Runar Borgen, Italy’s Mitch D’Arrigo and Canada’s Bryce Kananowicz.

It’s unclear what specifically would happen should one or more of these swimmers finish in position for an evening swim, but it’s expected that anyone ineligible to represent the U.S. internationally would be restricted from A-finals.

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