NFL
By: Zachary Draves
Day six of the Olympic Swimming Trials was full of emotions.
Annie Lazor pulled off an incredible win in the Women’s 200 Breaststroke final with Lilly King coming in at second and they both shared a heartfelt embrace at the end that defines that very best of sport.
(Courtesy: Youtube)
They are training partners and they have established a strong kinship after Annie’s father passed away a few months ago.
Lilly had made a promise to Annie’s mother that she would do whatever it took to get her to Tokyo and tonight that promise was fulfilled in grand fashion.
The Men’s 200 Individual Medley final was a battle of the old guard versus the newcomers as 36-year-old Olympic veteran Ryan Lochte attempted to make it to Tokyo in his last try.
(Courtesy: SwimSwam)
Throughout this week, he has worked to recapture his reputation that was lost after the scandal-ridden Rio games and a subsequent battle with drugs and alcohol that led him to what he called a “very dark place”.
A central theme that has been prevalent during this week in Omaha has been around mental wellness as various swimmers from Allison Schmitt to Simone Manuel to Ryan himself have spoken very candidly about their personal struggles and they couldn’t have come at a better time when the discussion around mental health in sports is more open than ever with high profile athletes such as Naomi Osaka and others discussing the importance of prioritizing their mental well being.
Ryan has shown evident signs of maturity during his time in Omaha and has taken the role of mentor to the youngsters seriously and for that and more I tip my hat to him.
(Courtesy: New York Times)
Furthermore, at the post-race press conference in which he ultimately didn’t make the team, you could tell that he gave this last chance his all and he showed the sincere and raw emotion and vulnerability that made you walk out of that with a sense of confidence that Ryan is back on track.
(Courtesy: Orange County Register)
He was overcome with emotion about what it means to hear that the new generation of swimmers including Michael Andrew and Ryan Murphy have spoken highly of his influence.
“It means alot probably more than winning a gold medal” he said.
Ultimately it was crowd favorite Michael Andrew that pulled through to clinch the spot for this event in Tokyo and afterward he spoke about Ryan passing the torch to him and his contemporaries and given that this will be his first-ever Olympics he spoke about how this week turned into everything he expected to be.
(Courtesy: Olympics)
“Everything and more” he said.
“Coming into trials, my dad and coach, we had great plans and we knew what we wanted to accomplish.”
“I felt that everything has been going smoothly and I am super soaked about going to Tokyo.”
(Courtesy: The Union Journal)
In the Men’s 100 Meter Butterfly semifinal, Caleeb Dressel, who has already broken one of Michael Phelp’s records, continues to show that he is Phelps-esque and a true force to be reckoned with.
(Courtesy: SwimSwam)
The results of Day Six are as follows:
- Women’s 200 Breaststroke Final
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- Annie Lazor triumphs in an emotional victory at 2:21.07
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- Men’s 200 Backstroke Final
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- Ryan Murphy surprised nobody at 1:54.20
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- Women’s 200 Backstroke Semifinals Heat 1
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- Phoebe Bacon comes in at 2:07.46
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- Women’s 200 Backstroke Semifinals Heat 2
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- Regan Smith continues to assert her dominance at 2:07.23
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- Men’s 200 Individual Medley Final
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- Michael Andrew maintains his fan-favorite status at 53.06
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- Women’s 100 Freestyle Final
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- Abbey Weitzeil comes in at 53.53
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- Men’s 100 Butterfly Semifinals Heat 1
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- Danny Kovac comes in at 51.61
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- Men’s 100 Butterfly Semifinals Heat 2
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- Caleeb Dressel sets US open record at 49.76
