Third at the Olympics gets you a medal. 

Third at Trials gets you heartache

Last night at trials I didn't sit in the stadium, because I wanted to get a different perspective. I stood where the athletes go to assemble before finals.  They call it the ready room and that's where I watched how they all prepared before the race of their lives. Its like being at the horse track, watching how the horses parade in the paddock. The tension was very tight for some, some tried to fake it and a few exuberated confidence. Funny thing, it was the same for the coaches too. It made me think, what would I be like in that situation? I hope to find out one day, so I better prepare for it now.

Last nights finals had some really great swims. UGA looks really good and are placing swimmers on the team every night. I expect UGA Head Coach Jack Bauerle to be named to the coaching staff. Most of my predictions came true. A little off in some. I sure hope Missy makes the team tonight in the 200 Fr. I expect she will, but not as a #1 or #2 finish.

Today the RAYS are off, no swims. So I'm going to relax and enjoy Omaha and the head to the zoo. Hope they let me out when I'm done.

Tonight at finals they will decide the Women's 200 Fr (Ledecky, Schmidt or Smith). Men's 200 Fly (Phelps, UGA's Pace Clark or Tom Shields) and the Women's 200 IM (UGA's Margalis and Dirado)

Day Two Finals (just call me Carnac)

My predictions from last night were pretty good, if I say so myself. The only one I messed up was that Natalie Coughlin was 8th. Good for her.

Women's Final 100 Fly - Dana Vollmer & Kelsi Worrell

Men's semi finals 200 Fr - Local favorite to make Top 8 - Gunner Bentz Dynamo/UGA

Women's semi finals 100 BR - Local favorite to make Top 8 - Melanie Margalis UGA

Men's Final 100 BR - Cody Miller & Kevin Cordes (surprise upset could be Josh Prenot)

Women's Final 400 Fr - SURPRISE - Katie Ledecky & Leah Smith (possible World Record)

Men's semi finals 100 Bk - Local favorite Michael Taylor Dynamo

Women's semi finals 100 Bk - Missy Franklin will be not be in the top 3 "tonight" and Natalie Coughlin not in top 8

The best swim of the night by far was Leah Smith's second place finish in the Women's 400 Fr. She went 4:00's which is by her best time, but the way she finished, by out splitting Miss Ledecky on the last 100. I actually coached Leah at a National Junior Team Camp and was very impressed with her work ethic and inner drive. Can't wait to see what she can do in RIO. Ryan Murphy looked like he deliberately slowed up the last 20 meters of the race. His 1st 50 was under WR pace, which I believe he will break tonight. Missy Franklin, just doesn't look right, I sure hope she can make the team. The girl must be under such tremendous pressure and I'm pulling for her to do it, but I don't think the 100 Bk will be the event.

RAYS Day Three Swims

This morning we had two swims. Jimmy 200 Fly was a respectable 2:01 and Melissa, "don't stop me now", equaled her best time and won her heat, for the 3rd time in the 200 IM.

Tonight's Predictions

Women's 200 Fr semi finals - Vreeland-Schmitt-Smith-Franklin-Ledecky-Margalis-Flickinger-Runge

Men's 200 Fr Finals - Top 6 make Olympic Team - Pulling for Gunnar Bentz here to do it. I believe he two to make finish 1st & 2nd will be Townley Haas and Clark Smith. Lochte will be top 6.

Women's 100 Bk Final - Smoliga (UGA) & Baker (Franklin 4-5th)

Men's 100 Bk Final - Murphy (New World Record) 2nd Pebley or the old man Greavers. Pulling for Dynamo's Michael Taylor

Women's 100 BR Final - Lily King & Jessica Hardy

Men's 200 Fly semi finals - Uhh Michael Phelps will lead the way. Look for UGA Pace Clark to make top 8 as well.

Women's 200 IM semi finals - Dirado & Margalis 1-2 for finals seeding tomorrow

First Night of Finals was full of Fireworks

What a great way to start the 2016 Olympic trials with the crowd singing the National Anthem, because the microphone went out on the singer. Even I knew the lyrics. 

Well fireworks were set off and the place rocked. First race Men's 400 IM. It came down to the last 50 and Dynamo's/UGA Jay Litherland,  out touched Ryan Lochte to punch his ticket to RIO. Jay split a 28.5 to Ryan's 30.3. Chase Kalisz won, who also swam for UGA a year ago.

Women's 100 Fly is really a two swimmer race, as both Dana Vollmer and Kelsi Worrell look to go one two at finals, based on their semi final performances. 

The men's 400 Fr was an awesome tactical race. The first 200, the boys from Texas went after it pretty solid, but the guy from Michigan, Connor Jaeger out split everyone on the last 100 to be first in an excellent 3:43.7. The other Conor with one "n" was second. I believe Connor two "n's" will not only win the 1500, but will break the American Record later in the week. He looks that good.

The women's 400 IM was a solid race between the two favorites and it turned out like I predicted, with Maya and Beisel getting 1-2. I talked to Coach Chuck, Elizabeth's coach, after the race and apparently she has been sick and they are just glade she gets a chance to swim FASTER at the games.

Finally the Men's 100 BR and our first American Record from Kevin Cordes, 58.94.

Day two RAYS Swims

Alec swam the 200 Fr today and just couldn't get going. I really feel for him, as this was his last swim ever. Although I think he might come back one more time. Hey Phelps did.
Well Melissa keeps getting better and better every race she does. She dropped another second in the 100 Bk this morning, going a 1:02. Northwestern has done and outstanding job with her. Its great to see her smile after each race. I believe she could give a great talk on the "process" of getting better throughout your swimming career. In 2012 when I bought Melissa here, she was scared and not prepared. 4 years later, night & day. So proud of this young lady.

Finals night two predictions

Women's Final 100 Fly - Dana Vollmer & Kelsi Worrell

Men's semi finals 200 Fr - Local favorite to make Top 8 - Gunner Bentz Dynamo/UGA

Women's semi finals 100 BR - Local favorite to make Top 8 - Melanie Margalis UGA

Men's Final 100 BR - Cody Miller & Kevin Cordes (surprise upset could be Josh Prenot)

Women's Final 400 Fr - SURPRISE - Katie Ledecky & Leah Smith (possible World Record)

Men's semi finals 100 Bk - Local favorite Michael Taylor Dynamo

Women's semi finals 100 Bk - Missy Franklin will be not be in the top 3 "tonight" and Natalie Coughlin not in top 8

First Morning of 2016 Trials

Our first day started good and went to FANTASTIC!

We had two swims this morning Alec Cohen in the 400 Fr started the first 200 to slooooo (2:00.), but rocked the second 200 in under 2 mins. Alec finished 4th in his heat out of 10, but did not execute the way he planned. He will bounce back tomorrow in his 200, if I know Alec.

Now Melissa Postoll in her 400 IM, smoked her heat and dropped 4 seconds to go under 4:50 in the event. You can tell by her smile how she felt. Congrats Melissa, great job. #RAYSNation.

The heats this morning were very competitive, especially in the Men's 100 BR, with 4-5 swimmers under the 1min. The women's 100 Fly looks like a two swimmer race, with Kelsi Worrell of Louisville, KY and the reigning Olympic Champion and American Record holder Dana Volmer, who is a 28 year old mother.

Tonight we will decide 6 swimmers that will make the Olympic team and be forever known as an Olympian. My predictions are: Men's 400 IM Chase Kalisz & Ryan Lochte, but I'm pulling for Georgia's Jay Litherland & Gunner Bentz.  Men's 400 Fr Zane Grothe & Connor Jaeger. Women's 400 IM Elizabeth Beisel & Maya  Dirado, but I'm pulling for Sarah Henry.

Anticipation for Trials 2016

Today I entered our 5 athletes into the Olympic Trials. It always gives me a sense of pride at what our swim team can do. It's one of the pinnacles a swimmer can reach and one that has a tremendous process to follow.

Less than 1% of all registered USA Swimming Athletes ever make it to this spectacle. The meet takes place every 4 years and we are one of the top 25 teams that continually get athletes to that pinnacle.

During the week of the competition, I'll write my experiences. I'll also try and FB live some video. I hope I can excite our athletes to get to this meet in 2020.

Ian