Michael Phelps, alongside some big names like training partner Allison Schmitt and Tucson Ford’s Matt Grevers, put on a show during some Olympic exhibition swims during the breaks at the Arizona State vs. Arizona dual meet.
With the stands completely packed, including some parking garage-only seating, Phelps drew some major applause during his first swim when he posted a 1:34.04 with a 45.49 at the 100 in the 200-yard free to beat training partner David Nolan (1:34.42) to the wall. That’s Phelps’ ninth-fastest time ever in the event.
Grevers unleashed a 45.95 in the 100-yard back with a 22.08 at the 50-yard mark as he was just getting warmed up. Grevers literally walked into the Mona Plummer Aquatics Center 30 minutes before the meet started since he wound up coming up from Tucson, Ariz., following a previous commitment falling through.
Phelps and Grevers then had an epic battle in the 100-yard IM. Grevers got the best of his fellow superstar Phelps, 47.06 to 47.47. Nolan finished third in 47.65.
In other action, Schmitt clocked in at 1:44.18 with a 49.26 at the 100. She’s been much faster with speed as fast as a 1:40.62 just last March for her personal best. She’s also had a lot more taper meets in yards compared to Phelps since she went to the University of Georgia. Schmitt pulled that time off with three men in her heat, two doing IMs and one doing a fly.
Brad Tandy then posted a 19.42 against Margo Geer, who clocked a 22.10 alongside him in a mixed 50-yard free exhibition.
In the second exhibition break, Geer threw down a 47.92 in the 100-yard free with Schmitt posting a 48.39. Tandy returned with a 19.40 in his second 50-yard free of the day.
The biggest name in attendance not competing was Chase Kalisz. Kalisz, who took a redshirt from the University of Georgia to focus on training for the Olympics as part of the Phelps training group, was unable to take part as he is still under NCAA eligibility rules. He’s still looking forward to returning to finish his college degree at Georgia after the 2016 Rio Olympics this summer.
grre
Go Matty!
Matt was. Awesome!! So proud of him!!
47.0 ….. Holy crap!!
Phelps didn’t even go to ASU 😛
And grevers didn’t even go to U of A
Ray, one name in the article brought back memories. Kelsey swam against Margo Geer many many moons ago.
That would have been the most exciting 100 IM to watch in my entire life. So cool.
Stephen Winerip