(Video Interviews) 200 Freestylers Speak After Fast Prelims

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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After a fast preliminary round of the men’s 200 free in which six men broke 1:48 and it took a 1:48.63 to make it back to semifinals, several of the qualifiers spoke to Swimming World to break down their races.

Jack Conger qualified second in 1:47.25, and he spoke about how he raced against top qualifier Conor Dwyer in their heat and how it felt to have the first race of Trials out of the way.

Townley Haas secured the fourth seed for the semifinals, and he spoke about racing against Ryan Lochte in their heat and what he hopes to achieve from round-to-round in the event.

Lochte was the fifth qualifier, and it was his first time on-camera since his disappointing third-place finish in the 400 IM Sunday night. He discussed bouncing back and how much pain he is in still due to his groin injury.

Tyler Clary had a bounce-back morning, qualifying eighth for the semifinals in 1:48.11. It was Clary’s best time, and it came just a day after his subpar performance in the 400 IM prelims. After barely qualifying for that final, the two-time World Championship medalist in the event scratched to rest up for his 200s. Clary discussed how his health contributed to that decision and also explained how much he relished watching his sister Lindsey swim in the final of the women’s 400 IM.

Maxime Rooney discussed a nearly-disastrous prelim swim in which he had the fastest 150 split in the field (1:18.85) but fell to 14th in 1:48.57 after a sluggish 29.72 final split. The defending National champion in the 200 free then spoke about what he will change as he moves forward to this evening’s semifinals.

Connor Jaeger snuck into the semifinals in 15th place, bouncing back from Sunday night’s victory in the 400 free to book himself a swim for the evening session. Afterwards, Jaeger discussed the very quick turnaround and explained why he was surprised to even make the first semifinal of his career.

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