U.S. Olympic Trials, Day Two: Kieran Smith Tops Semifinals of 200 Freestyle; Swimoff for Last Spot in Final

U.S. Olympic Trials, Day Two Finals: Kieran Smith Tops Semifinals of 200 Freestyle; Swimoff for Last Spot in Final

The construction of relay squads is always an intriguing storyline at the United States Olympic Trials. Typically, a few lynchpin performers are joined by rising stars or on-the-cusp hopefuls to complete the relay pool for Games competition. Immediately after it is built, a simple question is asked: Does this relay possess gold-medal potential?

The United States moved a step closer toward solidifying its men’s 800-meter freestyle relay on Sunday night, with Kieran Smith securing the top seed for the final of the 200 freestyle behind a time of 1:45.39. He was followed by Luke Hobson, who touched the wall in 1:45.58, and Drew Kibler (1:45.82). While three men led the way in the battle for individual Olympic bids in the 200 free, the top-six finishers in the eight-man final can secure berths to Paris.

Coming off a second-place finish in the 400 freestyle, which will send him to Paris for a second Olympics, Smith looked superb in the first of two semifinals. The Team USA veteran surged on the field during the latter half of the race, on the strength of 27.12 and 27.10 splits. Ultimately, Smith’s effort was enough to earn the top seed for the final.

Out of the University of Texas, the second-seeded Hobson has firmly established himself as one of Team USA’s most reliable 200 freestylers. He was fifth at the 2023 edition of the World Championships, earned bronze at this year’s World Champs and has sub-1:45 pedigree. And through two rounds of Trials, Hobson has looked sharp, evidence that he’s carrying confidence in Indy. Meanwhile, Kibler enhanced his game during the evening and gave Hobson a push while becoming the third American to go sub-1:46 in the semifinals.

Jake Mitchell (1:46.43), Blake Pieroni (1:46.52), Brooks Curry (1:46.60) and Chris Guiliano (1:46.83) finished fourth through seventh to lock up positions in the final. As for the eighth spot, it will come down to a swimoff between Aaron Shackell and Daniel Diehl. Both men touched in 1:47.00.

A little more than a month shy of the start of the Games in the French capital, Great Britain is considered the favorite for the Olympic title. The Brits captured gold at the Tokyo Games and feature a unit that will be fueled by the talent of Duncan Scott, Matt Richards, Tom Dean and James Guy. Whether the United States – or another nation – can match that firepower is uncertain.

Still, the United States is moving in a positive direction, with more clarity to come after Monday night’s final.

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