By John Lohn
OMAHA, Nebraska, July 1. REMEMBER the days when a swim under two minutes was good for an Olympic berth in the 200 freestyle? The way it is now, a performance in the high 1:58-range won't even get an athlete into the championship final. The sport has elevated to another level and making an Olympic Team is more difficult than ever.
Katie Hoff, seeking her third individual-event berth of the competition, qualified first for the final of the 200 free, covering the distance in 1:57.10. The American-record holder in 1:56.08, Hoff has already secured a trip to Beijing in the 400 individual medley and 400 freestyle. She could qualify for as many as six individual disciplines.
Allison Schmitt, quickly etching herself as one of the top youngsters in the American arsenal, won the first semifinal in 1:57.92 to secure the second seed for the championship heat. Schmitt has had a superb tuneup season for the Olympic Trials and was third in the 400 free on Monday night. Her individual nod for Beijing might be just around the corner.
Julia Smit, who has been low-1:57 this year, qualified in the third spot in 1:58.48 and was followed in fourth and fifth by Caroline Burckle (1:58.50) and Kim Vandenberg (1:58.55), a 200 butterfly specialist who has spanned to the 200 free. The remainder of the 200 free semifinal will include Dana Vollmer (1:58.58), Kara Lynn Joyce (1:58.66) and Christine Marshall (1:58.66).
Video Footage Removed Due to NBC Restrictions
Go to Swimming World's 2008 Olympics Landing Page for the most comprehensive coverage of the meet on the Internet.
