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Schmitt Sizzles On 1:55.04 In Austin
Jun 2, 2012 - Craig Lord
At the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invitational in Austin, we got a glimpse behind the scenes at the US Olympic trials in Omaha at the end of the month battle when Allison Schmitt laid down a 1:55.04 victory over 1:57.91 for Missy Franklin.
That raised Schmitt, coached by Bob Bowman at North Baltimore, to second best in the world so far this year behind a 1:54.87 for Camille Muffat at French trials in March and just ahead of Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), on 1:55.23 at the London Olympic test event in the same month.
Schmitt's best this season had been 1:55.83, from January, an early warning of more to come. She won the Austin race from the blocks.
The splits compared:
US trials start in Omaha June 25.
Franklin, the 17-year-old coached by Todd Schmitz at Colorado Stars, was back in for more later in the session, winning the 200m backstroke in 2:08.74, the world champion turning in 1:03.02 half-way. Schmitz and Franklin were featured in a fine article in the Wall Street Journal online of late.
Schmitt, 21, too returned to the fray, taking second in the freestyle dash behind Megan Romano, Athens Bulldogs, 25.23 to 25.40, Amanda Weir third in 25.50.
After the 200m, Schmitt told AP: “I feel like I have been on schedule this year, but there’s no way I expected to swim this fast at this meet. I felt good coming in here, and I just gave it all I had. After this race, I know there’s a little more in the tank.”
The women's 400m medley went to Cammile Adams in 4:38.27, while Michael Phelps clocked 4:15.88 to keep Baltimore teammate Chase Kalisz, 18, at bay on 4:16.86 in the 400m medley., third going to Bradley Ally, swimming unattached but off to Club Wolverine to be coach by Mike Bottom, on 4:18.80.
The session came to a close with a 22.11 victory for George Bovell, Trinidad and Club Wolverine, in the freestyle dash, with Jimmy Feigen, Longhorn Aquatics, on 22.21, and Chris Brady, Baltimore, on 22.78.
