US Olympic Trials

Brian Crawford <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

While many other sports have fantasy leagues, swimming
does not. The US Olympic trials should be a great
meet...............was interested to see anyone's picks.
Some events will be no brainers, and some will be highly
competitive. It'll be tough for Misty Hyman, Brooke
Bennett, and Megan Quann, all current gold medalists to
make the team. anyway, post your picks!

-brian

Yes, Ms. Brooke did not have a good swim at Nationals. And
Lenny also appears to be in trouble. He's hoping for 6 good
swims, three at trials and three at the Olympics. That's all
his shoulder can stand. Sounds like a desperate last stand.

Natalie Coughlin has pulled out of the 200m back. Going to
concentrate on 100m freestyle instead. That means the
finals at the Olympics may host 5 women who have the
fastest times ever.

Nobody knows what Phelps is going to do. But I figure his
Coach, Bob Bowen, is a super competitive guy. If they can
snag those 7 golds, that's One Million bucks, and probably a
few hundred thousand dollar bonus to him.

He has a legitimate shot at 5 individual golds, in the
following order of best hopes:

200 IM 200 Fly 400 IM 100 Fly 200 Back

I think Phelps has been working so hard at the 100m
freestyle to increase speed, but also to make sure he has a
spot on both the 4x400 freestyle and 4x400 IM relays. If I'm
not mistaken, the US has real good shot at gold in those.
The Aussies will win gold in 4x800 relay.

The 50m men's final will be a barn-burner. It's tough not to
root for Gary Hall Jr. Has Jason Lezak ever been an
Olympian? I thought not because I know he didn't finish
first or second in the 50 or 100 four years ago. But
somebody said he was on the relay team. Tough not to root
for him either.

I love Tom Wilkens after reading "Gold in the Water", but
don't see how he can beat Phelps and Vendt in the 400 IM, so
I assume his Olympic days are over. He's a heck of a breast-
stroker as well - does he have a shot there?

Vendt gives hope and courage to all us little guys. (5'10"😉
Even though he keeps getting more tattoos and he's an 'SC
dude (boo) you gotta love him. 400IM again and I assume he's
a lock in the 1500 now that plyometrics has broken the
elbows of our best distance swimmer.

That's the end of my rant.

Eric

Quoted message said:

Yes, Ms. Brooke did not have a good swim at Nationals. And
Lenny also appears to be in trouble. He's hoping for 6
good swims, three at trials and three at the Olympics.
That's all his shoulder can stand. Sounds like a desperate
last stand.

I do pick Brooke to make the 800--only........I do not pick
Lenny to make the team. You gotta pick Peirsol in both
backs, then I think Randall Bal will make the 100, and
Phelps the 200.

Quoted message said:

Natalie Coughlin has pulled out of the 200m back. Going to
concentrate on 100m freestyle instead. That means the
finals at the Olympics may host 5 women who have the
fastest times ever.

I think it's silly she w/ drew from the 200 Back--it's
not as competitive as the 100 Free. Her best chance for
gold is 100 Back, then 200 Back, then 200 Free, and 100
Free. I don't think she'll make the team in the 100 Fly
for some reason........having those spots go to Jenny T.
and Mary DeSenza

Quoted message said:

Nobody knows what Phelps is going to do. But I figure his
Coach, Bob Bowen, is a super competitive guy. If they can
snag those 7 golds, that's One Million bucks, and probably
a few hundred thousand dollar bonus to him.

I agree with you on those 5 events for Phelps--completely. I
think he'll swim maybe prelims only of 100 and 200 Free, to
secure relay spots. BUt the question is arethey going for
most golds, or most medals? Surely he's be on the 800 Free
Relay, but we know that gold will go to Aussies......so will
he even do it? I definately pick him to win the 100 Fly over
Crocker---too many are looking at Crocker now and he was
better as the underdog.

Quoted message said:

He has a legitimate shot at 5 individual golds, in the
following order of best hopes:

200 IM 200 Fly 400 IM 100 Fly 200 Back

Quoted message said:

The 50m men's final will be a barn-burner. It's tough not
to root for Gary Hall Jr. Has Jason Lezak ever been an
Olympian? I thought not because I know he didn't finish
first or second in the 50 or 100 four years ago. But
somebody said he was on the relay team. Tough not to root
for him either.

Isn't Lezak the one that Thorpe swam by on the final leg
in Sydney (400 F.R)...........Lezak and Hall should take
those two spots

Quoted message said:

I love Tom Wilkens after reading "Gold in the Water", but
don't see how he can beat Phelps and Vendt in the 400 IM,
so I assume his Olympic days are over. He's a heck of a breast-
stroker as well - does he have a shot there?

I agree with Wilkens not making the team either and Vendt in
the 400 IM and 1500.

OTHERS: 100 BREAST: Beard and Quann 200 BREAST: Beard and
Tara Kirk 200 BACK: Hoelzer and Jamie Reid
50: Jenny and Kara Lynn Joyce
51: Natalie and Amanda Weir---can't make up my mind here
200 FLY: DeScenza and Dana Krik IM's : Hoff and Sandeno

men:
52: Keller and Justin Mortimer 100 breast: Moses and Hansen
200 breast: Hansen and Denniston 200 FLY: Phelps and
Malchow 200 IM: Phelps and Clements