Editorial content for the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa is sponsored by Arena. For full Swimming World coverage, check out our coverage page.
In his first official swim back since a six-month suspension for a DUI charge in October, the legendary Michael Phelps paced preliminary qualifying in the men’s 100-meter fly at the Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa.
Phelps, who had his first swims in front of a crowd last month while throwing down some epic exhibition times in short course yards at the American Short Course Championships, put up the top time this morning in the long course event with a 52.92.
Phelps has a bit more time to drop tonight to crack the top 10 in the world currently anchored by David Morgan with a 52.03 from the Australian Championships.
SwimMAC’s Tim Phillips qualified second in 53.02, while SwimMAC’s Ryan Lochte set up a tough double with a third-seeded 53.17.
California’s Tom Shields snared the fourth seed in 53.28, while NCAA Division II wonder Matt Josa posted a fifth-seeded 53.32.
Phoenix’s Giles Smith (53.70) and Alex Coci (53.82) took sixth and seventh with Grand Canyon’s Marcus Schlesinger posting an eighth-seeded 53.86 to round out the top eight.
Actually, kinda hit the turn this time around. Better then last year. Finish, eh..
Looks like he’s in great shape though, smooth.
Yay Michael!
He is such a natural butterflier.