U.S. Olympic Trials: Katie Ledecky Cruises to Top Seed in 200 Freestyle Semifinals; Bella Sims Misses Out

Katie Ledecky -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Olympic Trials: Katie Ledecky Cruises to Top Seed in 200 Freestyle Semifinals; Bella Sims Misses Out

Fresh off qualifying for her fourth Olympic team Saturday evening with a win in the 400 freestyle, Katie Ledecky returned to the competition pool at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday afternoon for first-round action in the 200 free. To no one’s surprise, Ledecky pulled away to comfortably top her heat and the overall results, but the landscape of the event has changed significantly, at least with regards to selection for the U.S. women’s 800 free relay.

Ledecky clocked 1:56.18, eclipsing the times posted by Paige Madden (1:57.04) and Claire Weinstein (1:57.22) one heat earlier. Anna Peplowski (1:57.37), Erin Gemmell (1:57.48) and Aurora Roghair (1:57.84) were the other swimmers to get under the 1:58 barrier in the morning.

But the surprise came with the absence of Bella Sims from the list of semifinalists. Sims has been part of the American squad in the event for the last three years, qualifying as a relay alternate for the 2021 Olympics before joining the finals relay at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and performing admirably. She was also an individual World Champs finalist in the 200 and 400 free last year.

But her results in Indianapolis thus far have been disappointing: Sims finished a stunning 19th in the 400 free, and in this 200 free, she placed 17th, her time of 1:59.68 two hundredths away from semifinal qualification. Her chances of qualifying as a relay swimmer once again appear to be gone unless a swimmer decides to scratch the semifinal round.

Katie Grimes, who scratched out of the 400 free final to focus on upcoming races, finished seventh in 1:58.28. It remains to be seen if Grimes will remain in the 200 free or focus her attention on Monday’s 400 IM, her best event. After a surprise advancement to the 400 free final, Madi Mintenko qualified eighth in 1:58.40, while Alex Shackell finished ninth in 1:58.52. Shackell, whose brother Aaron won the 400 free Saturday, scratched the 100 fly final despite posting a time of 56.78 in the semifinal round, preferring to focus on the 200 fly and her chances at reaching Paris in a freestyle relay.

Katie Crom swam a huge best time to finish 10th (1:58.55), and she was followed by Chloe Stepanek (1:59.17), Gabby DeLoof (1:59.32) and then a three-way tie for 13th, with Abby Carlson, Micayla Cronk and Simone Manuel all going 1:59.55. Manuel will try to qualify for her third Olympic team, although her chances will be better in the 100 free later this week. Camille Spink placed 16th in 1:59.66 for the last spot in the semis.

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Doug Morris

7 days ago

I’m disappointed for Bella Sims. I was looking forward to what she would bring to the Olympics.