Each day during the pre-scheduled days of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, Swimming World will take its readers back four years to the 2016 Trials in Omaha to recap each event, and will offer some insight into what the events will look like in 2021.
Maya DiRado was already on the team for the 400 IM so the pressure was off her for the 200. Although it was going to be tougher to get out of the final in the top two, DiRado’s seemingly relaxed attitude was keeping her calm under all the pressure. With a spot already solidified in the 400, she could let loose in the 200.
She had been the top seed coming into the meet while Melanie Margalis was seeded second and Caitlin Leverenz was third. Those two had been the prime two contenders for the second spot as Margalis was seventh at the World Championships the previous year and had a lot of momentum. Leverenz was the reigning Olympic bronze medalist from London and was showing glimpses of her 2012 form in the lead-up to Trials.
The big question for Margalis was the 200 freestyle final earlier in the night. She made the team with a relay spot, but how would it affect her to the 200 IM final later in the session? Would it hinder her preparation? Would making the team prove too much of a distraction? How locked in was she?
Stanford freshman Ella Eastin had come into the meet as the fourth seed after breaking the American record at NCAAs in short course yards three months prior. Eastin had been picked by Swimming World’s David Rieder to get the second spot behind DiRado. What did she have in long course after a tremendous short course meet? Was this her time to shine or was she not ready yet?
Then there was Madisyn Cox, who was seeded fifth and was flying under the radar as a contender. She was fourth at NCAAs that year but was the silver medalist at the 2015 World University Games. She was swimming well but she was going to need the race of her life to make the team.
The Race
DiRado and Margalis were the only two to break 2:11 in the semifinals as Cox, Leverenz and Eastin advanced to the final as well.
Eastin had jumped on the front half and was in the lead after butterfly while Leverenz was in second. DiRado was sitting in fifth and Margalis was back in eighth.
Eastin and DiRado were sailing in the lead on backstroke, using their strong front halfs to their advantage and trying to distance themselves from the breaststrokers Cox, Leverenz and Margalis. Those three moved on the third length and with 50 meters to go, there were five swimmers with a chance at making the team. DiRado was just ahead of Leverenz in the lead, with Cox, Eastin and Margalis in tow.
On the freestyle leg, DiRado was pulling ahead and Leverenz was holding on for dear life. Margalis was surging while Cox and Eastin were fading. With 10 meters to go, Margalis, who had just secured a spot on the 4×200 free relay, was chasing down Leverenz who was shooting to defend her bronze medal from London.
DiRado won the race with a 2:09.54 – the only swimmer under 2:10. Margalis just touched out Leverenz for second with a 2:10.11 to Leverenz’ 2:10.16.
- Maya DiRado, 2:09.54
- Melanie Margalis, 2:10.11
- Caitlin Leverenz, 2:10.16
- Madisyn Cox, 2:11.24
- Ella Eastin, 2:11.49
- Bethany Galat, 2:12.82
- Meghan Small, 2:13.31
- Emily Cameron, 2:14.16
On to Rio:
Maya DiRado won the bronze medal in Brazil behind Katinka Hosszu and Siobhan O’Connor, marking her second medal of the meet. It was the third straight bronze in the 200 IM for the American women, as Margalis finished just behind in fourth. DiRado retired after Rio while Margalis has carried the mantle of best IM’er in the U.S. She was fourth at the last two World Championships in this event and was ranked second in the world this season.
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
2016 Trials Throwbacks:
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4: