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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick<\/p><\/div>\n

Josh Prenot<\/strong> came into this meet with high expectations placed upon his shoulders. As the Olympic silver medalist and American record holder, Prenot was a heavy favorite in his signature event– the 200 breast. Known for his incredible back half, spectators were unworried as Prenot turned in third place at the 150. But Prenot was unable to run down the charging Kevin Cordes<\/strong>\u00a0and Nic Fink.<\/strong>\u00a0With a strong last 50 from lane 5, Fink was able to secure his own World Championship berth with a second place finish, touching out Prenot by .09. <\/span><\/p>\n

Prenot looked to be close to securing his place in the 200 IM on the final day of World Trials, but was run down in the final 50 by Stanford’s Abrahm Devine<\/strong>.\u00a0Although undoubtably a surprising turn of events, Prenot highlights the high level of competition that exists in US men’s breaststroke and IM and will undoubtedly return hungrier than ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Tom Shields<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick<\/p><\/div>\n
A 2016 Olympian\u00a0in both the 100 fly and the 200 fly, as well as a 2015 World Championship finalist in these events, Tom Shields\u00a0<\/strong>is one of the biggest names currently representing United States butterfly. Shields had been a considerable contender in each of the butterfly disciplines, with the 100 fly arguably being his best event. Trailing in the first 50 meters, Shields displayed some of his back-half speed and showed a brief resurgence before ultimately falling to Caeleb Dressel<\/strong> and Tim Phillips<\/strong> in the final 25 meters. His fourth-place finish ultimately proved to be the most heartbreaking for Shields, as it was his final chance to make the World Championship roster. <\/span>Shields had previously scratched the A final of the 50 fly to focus on the 100.<\/span><\/p>\n
In the 200 fly, Shields swam a disappointing 1:57.75 in prelims and was edged out of the A final of the 200 by Michigan’s\u00a0Miles Smachlo.<\/strong>\u00a0Although Shields was surely rattled by the experience, he has shown that he won’t let this experience shake him. Recent social media posts show nothing but class and support for his American competitors:<\/span><\/p>\n
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Despite my personal goals, I think fresh blood is exactly what the @USASwimming<\/a> 2 fly needs right now. Big congrats to jack and @paceclark<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Tom Shields (@beefyTshields) June 27, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n