Worrell And Adams Leave Open Field In 200 Butterfly At US Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The women’s 200 butterfly is one of several races at the upcoming Phillips 66 US National Championships that will be without the 2016 winner from US Olympic Trials. Cammile Adams is not entered in the event after representing the United States consistently in the event since the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and would-be favorite Kelsi Worrell is absent from the psych sheet as well.

That leaves the door wide open for several swimmers to potentially punch their ticket to Budapest this summer in what is shaping up to be a tight field. A favorite to qualify has to be Hali Flickinger, who was second behind Adams at Trials last summer and will be entering the meet at the #1 seed with a 2:06.67, but the second spot is up for grabs between a number of swimmers.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Cassidy Bayer, who recently gave her verbal commitment to swim at Cal-Berkeley starting in the fall of 2018, will definitely be in the mix. She was third at Olympic Trials last summer at just 16 years old, and with another year of experience under her belt will definitely be a threat to make the team.

Just behind her is Hannah Saiz, who is coming into the meet as the third seed with a 2:09.61. At 26 years old Saiz is the oldest swimmer in the field by 4 years, which may be an advantage over the relatively young field. The Kenyon College grad was 8th at last summer’s Olympic Trials and went on to win the event at the US Open last summer, giving her some valuable experience on the national stage. With Adams and Worrell both absent, this may be the summer for Saiz to make that next leap onto the World Championships Team.

Other strong contenders will be Katie McLaughlin and Ella Eastin. McLaughlin was runner-up in the 200 butterfly at NCAA’s this year and is coming back from an injury that side-lined her leading up to the 2016 Olympic Trials. McLaughlin qualified for Worlds in this event back in 2015, and actually has the second fastest lifetime best of the field. Eastin, for her part, won the 200 fly at NCAA’s this year and could be poised to make a move in the event in long course.

17-year old Ruby Martin may be the sleeper in the field. Coming in as the fourth seed in 2:09.97, Martin finished fourth with that time at last year’s Olympic Trials after a huge drop from her lifetime best of 2:12.69 coming into the meet. She has only swam the event long course once this year, taking fourth at the Atlanta Arena Pro Series meet with a 2:11.15, her third fastest time ever in the event.

The Phillips 66 US National Championships will start on Tuesday, June 27th in Indianapolis, and you can view the full psych sheet here.

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Swimming Pool Lovers

6 years ago

Dear me!

Beverly Davis Atkins

6 years ago

Gonna be exciting!!?‍♀️?‍♀️

Joan Bruck Ingram

6 years ago

Go Ruby Martin! ❤️❤️

Jojob

6 years ago

I’ll be rooting for Cassidy to make the World’s team. Her non-swimming accident and subsequent surgery set her training back, but she’s starting to look like her old self again. I’m hoping that World’s is an important step for her on the way to Japan in 2020.

Michael Stott

6 years ago

The lead picture in this article says it all. It is of a focused Iowa Flyer’s Ruby Martin. No surprise to those who have watched her the last two years. I like her to make the team.