Ledecky heading to Rio, wins 400 free at US Olympic trials

Lochte, the 2012 London Olympic champion who is more familiar with taking on his rival Phelps in the stamina event, will instead have to contend with the 22-year-old Kalisz, who is bidding for a place on his first Olympic team.

Michael Phelps led all the way in winning his preliminary heat of the 200-meter butterfly in his debut swim.

She finished second in the 100 butterfly behind Olympic rookie Kelsi Worrell, one of several young swimmers already signaling a changing of the guard in the first two days of the meet.

The 11-time Olympic medalist suffered the injury in the heats for the 400 individual medley on Sunday but has vowed to fight on.

“I wasn’t expecting to see a “1” next to my name because I couldn’t see Dana at all the whole time”, Worrell said. “That was the most annoying part: having to wait this long”. Smith became the second-fastest American in history and second-fastest in the world this year by nearly three seconds.

Kalisz blew past Lochte and Litherland followed to steal Lochte’s spot in the 400 I.M.

After the 2012 Olympics, Phelps retired, but he returned to competitive swimming in ’14 with the goal of competing in his fifth Olympics. The avid golfer noted world No. 1 Jason Day has decided not to compete in Rio de Janeiro, where golf is making its return to the games.

“I had no idea how it would go when I started”, Vollmer said. “I hope I can get a good nap here between prelims and finals and be back tonight for a good swim”. Ledecky is a one time Olympian as she competed in the 2012 Olympics at the age of 15.

“I’ve definitely gained a lot of speed the last couple of months”.

Ledecky, back in the pool 12 hours after posting the third fastest swim all-time in the 400 free, clocked the top effort in the 200 free heats of 1:55.60. “I’m probably more pumped about her race than mine”.

Missy Franklin tied for seventh with Hali Flickinger in 1:58.61.

There’s still a chance for Lochte to make the Olympic team. Phelps earned silver in the event four years ago in London.

The U.S. Swimming Trials is underway in Omaha, Nebraska, and runs through July 3. I feel like I’m in a different reality right now. “And now it’s just about trusting myself and letting it happen”.

Reigning Olympic champion Matt Grevers was the third-quickest qualifier for the final in 52.64, which makes him fourth-fastest in 2016.

Meanwhile, Brooke Zeiger, daughter of former University of ME swimmer and Bucksport native Whitney Leeman Zeiger, narrowly missed the finals in the 400-meter individual medley finishing in 4:42.4, fractions behind 4:42.0, the final qualifying time for the championship field.