NFL
By: Zachary Draves
The first night of Wave II of the Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska kicks off with a bang.
Before a raucous crowd at the Chi Health Center, the best of the best splashed their way to make their Olympic dreams come true in Tokyo this summer.
After an 18 month period filled with anxiety and uncertainty surrounding COVID, this moment came as much needed relief and displayed the very best of sports from the competitors to the spectators which included a shoutout to all the health care workers in attendance.
(Courtesy: Georgia Bulldogs)
There was a feeling of the beginning of a new era with the absence of one Michael Phelps from competition but not from the VIP section and within arm’s length of yours truly.
But there is a healthy mixture of veteran and youngin wowing the fans with 36-year-old Ryan Lochte returning in addition to icons Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel.
Everything that you can expect to witness this summer was on full display with the following results:
Men’s 400 Individual Medley Final
A race that came down to the wire with Chase Kalisz clinching the Olympic spot.
Women’s 100 Meter Butterfly Semifinal Heat 1
Torri Huske set a new American record at 55.78
Women’s 100 Meter Butterfly Semifinal Heat 2
Kelsi Dahila wins at 56.91
Men’s 400 Meter Freestyle Final
Kieran Smith wins within reach of record time at 3.44.86 in a dominating performance.
Women’s 400 Individual Medley Final
A four-way finish culminated in Emma Weyant clinching a shot at Olympic glory.
Men’s 100 Breastroke Heat 1
Andrew Wilson takes the win at 59.08
Men’s 100 Breastroke Heat 2
Michael Andrew sets new American record at 58.14
Following each final, the new Olympian was crowned with an impromptu medal ceremony that included a brief performance by Japanese drummers as well as a bold declaration that they are now a Tokyo Olympian.
(Courtesy: AP News)
Kieran Smith spoke afterward about what keeps him focused now and going into the games.
(Courtesy: Swimming World)
“Going in, I was really nervous” he said.
“I had to tell myself that I belong here and going into Tokyo, I have to think the same.”
That and more is expected to come as the trials go on but so far an epic first night.
The schedule for Monday, June 14 is as follows:
100m Butterfly-Women Final
200m Freestyle-Men Semifinals
100m Breastroke-Men Final
400m Freestyle-Women Final
100m Backstroke-Men Semifinals
100m Backstroke-Women Semifinals
