Three Things From UltraSwim Day Three Prelims

Full recap from day three prelims saturday morning at the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim featured the 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, and 200 backstroke. Katie Meili, Justin Ress, Ryan Held, Ryosuke Irie, Melanie Margalis, and Leah Smith were th

Jun 3, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Three Things From UltraSwim Day Three Prelims

2017 Charlotte UltraSwim

Charlotte, North Carolina
June 1-4, 2017
Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
LIVE RESULTS -- Available via Meet Mobile (iPhone/Android)

How To Watch

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STREAMING: Available only on FloSwimming.

Ah, yes. Saturday morning. You slept in and now you're sitting on the couch with a mug full of coffee, wondering what is going on in the swimming world. Don't worry, we have you covered. So without further ado, we offer three highlights from Saturday morning's prelims session at the 2017 Charlotte UltraSwim.

1.) Melanie Margalis vs. Leah Smith -- 200m Freestyle

Margalis and Smith, two Olympic gold medalists in the 4x200 freestyle relay from the 2016 Olympics in Rio, went head to head in a solid prelims swim Saturday morning. Margalis got the best of this bout, taking the top seed in 1:58.00 and Smith touched second in 1:58.95. That is a fantastic swim for Margalis, who snuck onto the Olympic Team with a 6th place finish at Trials in 1:57.65. These two ladies are certainly favorites to make the team in this event, at least from a relay standpoint, at Nationals in a few short weeks.

2.) Katie Meili Cruises Through 200m Breaststroke

Surprise, surprise: Katie Meili took the top seed in the 200 breast with a seemingly easy 2:31.58. Meili has been on fire in this event in 2017, dropping a swift 2:23.18 back in May at the arena Pro Swim Series at Atlanta -- the 5th fastest time in the world this year and faster than what it took the make the U.S. Olympic Team last summer. She certainly has to be a favorite to make the World Championship team this summer.

3.) Tim Phillips Rocks 100 Fly, Ryan Held & Justin Ress On Heels

Tim Phillips continues to stay toward the top of the 100m butterfly on the U.S. scene. While he has never made an Olympic Team, he has been on the cusp multiple times and continues to press forward. Phillips snagged the top seed with a 53.93 -- a strong morning swim, but well off his personal best of 51.28. Look for him to dip into the 52 second barrier tonight, which is what it took to win this same event at the arena Pro Swim Series in Santa Clara Friday night. Don't sleep on Ryan Held or Justin Ress, though. Neither of these guys are butterfly specialists, but have the speed to hang with Phillips.
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