Ryan Lochte Rises to 8th in World in 200 IM Prelims; Phelps Grabs Second Seed

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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After scratching his 200 backstroke to focus on this 200 IM, the World Record holder Ryan Lochte touched in 1:58.05, now the eighth best in the world this year. Before this morning, Lochte had been as fast as 1:58.43 this season.

Michael Phelps entered with the fourth best time in the world this year of 1:57.90. This morning he clocked a 1:58.95 for the second seed.

The University of Georgia’s Gunnar Bentz touched in 1:59.46 for the third spot. Cal’s Andrew Seliskar was the first swimmer of the morning under two minutes with a fourth seeded 1:59.89. Austin Surhoff (2:00.26) placed fifth this morning.

In his second swim of the morning, Jay Litherland (2:00.35) grabbed the sixth spot. Club Wolverine’s Kyle Whitaker (2:00.36) was seventh.

Short course American record holder David Nolan finished in 2:00.50 for the eighth spot in semifinals. Michael Andrew moved up to ninth in the 17-18 National Age Group rankings with a 2:00.79.

NC State’s Christian McCurdy had the top time of 2:01.19 entering the circle seeded heats. That swim will earn him a semifinal berth.

Max Williamson (2:01.46), Abraham Devine (2:01.51), Nick Thorne (2:01.61), Adam Hinshaw (2:01.72), Brandon Fiala (2:01.91), Michael Weiss (2:01.96) complete tonight’s semifinals.

Third seed Will Licon and Chase Kalisz did not swim the event as the two swimmers have other swims to focus on.

Photo Courtesy: Omega Timing

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