5 Matchups To Watch At Arena Pro Series At Mesa

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien

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A field of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls will descend on the next stop of the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Arizona next weekend. Here are 5 matchups to watch for next weekend.

1. Women’s 200 Freestyle

The very first event of the meet could be one of the most exciting. Katie Ledecky is top seed with a world leading 1:54.43. She’ll be joined by Katinka Hosszu who has swum the world’s tenth fastest time this year. Missy Franklin is the third seed, just ahead of the American and US Open record holder in the event, Allison Schmitt. Fifteen year old Taylor Ruck finished fifth in this event at Canadian Olympic Trials tonight with a 1:58.67. Melanie Margalis, Hali Flickinger, and Cierra Runge round out the top eight seeds.

While it could be tough to match Ledecky’s ever improving shorter distance speed, Franklin nearly hung with her through the 100 meter mark in Orlando. Regardless, the depth in this event is especially impressive and should create a good race all around.

2. Women’s 100 Butterfly

Top seed Kelis Worrell demolished her own 100 butterfly records in yards at NCAAs, and is now refocused towards long course. She proved last summer that she can hold her short course speed in the big pool with a PanAms win. Dana Vollmer was the 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the event and is now a “Momma on a Mission,” back in the pool and chasing another Olympic berth, entering this meet as the second seed. Claire Donahue, a 2012 Olympian in this event will also be in the hunt.

3. Men’s 200 Butterfly

Michael Phelps is the world record holder in the event, but has some younger talent seeded behind him. Jack Conger just broke his own American Record in the yards edition of this event on his way to a second place finish at NCAAs. He was followed by Andrew Seliskar who finished third in that meet. Though long course remained a significant focus during the college season this year, the two will fully turn their attention to the big pool in next weekend’s racing. Tyler Clary was second to Phelps in this event at Trials in 2012. Phelps’ training partner Chase Kalisz will also be in pursuit.

4. Men’s 50 Freestyle

Nathan Adrian claimed this event at the Orlando stop and the American Record holder looks to continue his winning ways in Mesa. 2000 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Ervin is still impressing, as the 34 year old enters this weekend seeded second. Cullen Jones has his hopes set on a third Olympic appearance at the end of the summer and will have a preview of that Trials race this weekend. While Michael Chadwick finished fourth in this event at last month’s NCAAs, the 20 year old had significant success in long course last summer.

5. Women’s 100 Freestyle

The top four entrants in this event are all strong contenders for the United States’ 400 freestyle relay at the end of the summer. After blasting the American record in the 50 yard freestyle, and posting the third fastest ever time in the short course yards 100 last month, we’ll see how Abby Weitzel transfers that speed into long course. She’ll face off with top seed Simone Manuel. Ledecky will have great competition as she continues to get more sprint racing experience, with her eye likely on a relay spot at Trials. Franklin will also be in the thick of things.

Catch these and other races beginning Thursday.

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