U.S. Olympic Trials: Regan Smith in 200 Back, Men’s Splash-and-Dash on Day 6 (Prelims Heat Sheet)
There will be three preliminary events Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis: the women’s 200 backstroke, men’s 50 freestyle and men’s 200 IM.
Click here to view the full heat sheet.
Regan Smith is the top seed and big favorite in the women’s 200 backstroke, looking to reclaim the world record Kaylee McKeown took from her last year. Smith will swim next to Kennedy Noble, who broke 59 for the first time in the 100 back on the way to a better-than-expected third-place finish, while Claire Curzan and 2022 Worlds silver medalist Phoebe Bacon are in the previous heat, with 2021 Trials winner Rhyan White highlighting the first circle-seeded heat.
Should Smith advance to the semifinal round (it would be a shock if she did not), she would have a tough double in the evening session, with the 200 butterfly final followed by the 200 back semis.
Caeleb Dressel returns to the pool in the men’s splash-and-dash, racing next to Jack Alexy in the second-to-last heat. Ryan Held is the top seed and will swim alongside Matt King in the final heat while Michael Andrew races for the first time since falling to eighth in the 100 breaststroke final.
Finally, the three favorites to make the Olympic team in the men’s 200 IM will swim in lane four in their respective circle-seeded heats: Chase Kalisz looks to add a second event after finishing second in the 400 IM while Carson Foster will race for the first time since winning the longer medley to make his first Olympic team. Shaine Casas is the wildcard, the top seed and owner of the quickest best time in this field, but Casas has struggled this week, failing to make the final in the 100 back.