Carthage vs Wheaton vs UChicago

Pelka was absolutely dynamite at this meet 9:45, 1:59 in the 2 fly, and 4:45 in the 500. Higgins was 21.6 in the 50, pretty close to a pr if I remember correctly.

What event will Higgins swim at conf on the first day 50 free, 500 free, or the IM? [/i]

well I would bet that both Pelka and Schrank will be rested a bit. Higgins is probably better at the 500 then the 50, but he also did go 1:55 in the IM in december. Will Linn win the 50? he is the fav, but you can’t count out Davis either.

@Swim Dad wrote:

Pelka and Higgins won’t taper for Conference so it a real crap shoot for their teams.

I don’t know if I believe this – they don’t have any relays fast enough right now to qualify for Houston. If those two don’t taper they won’t get a relay in. They have to taper.

Those two have to taper. Wheaton was way too close last year in getting relays and individuals in and I think, or at least hope, they learned from that.

@Deep Water wrote:

Those two have to taper. Wheaton was way too close last year in getting relays and individuals in and I think, or at least hope, they learned from that.

I don’t think they were too close last year at all, they set themselves up perfectly, and not by chance, but by looking at the numbers… barring multiple freak swims, all the guys were in. It was possible that they would lose a relay (a guy really – Robert Morris), but its best to play (really) good odds, to maximize NCAAs.

This year though, its a whole different story. If I know coach well enough, I’m betting that Higgins will be partially rested, and shaved or wearing a fastskin. He tapered well last year for NCAAs after being undertapered at Conference, so coach will try to simulate the same thing. It is probably up to Higgins as well – if he says he wants to be fully tapered at conference to give the best chance for the team to get relays in, coach will let him, at least based on history.

Yeah I think Jon has always rested his guys at least a little, maybe with the exception of Dobelbower last year. Higgins is going to have to be on for their relays to have a shot, but he has been swimming great all year. We would have to think that he will be on at the conf meet also.

It will be interested to see what happens with Pelka and Schrank (spelling). They are both in right now, or at least I would think Pelka’s 16:04 would get selelcted. But the team title is up for grabs, so I think both of those guys get some rest. It should be a fun to watch.

i just wanted to add that i will be VERY suprised if higgins doesnt swim the 500. remember two years ago how fast he went in finals at conference? though he might prefer the 50 to save some gusto for relays, he is wheatons best shot at beating those carthage distance swimmers in the 500 i think Cramer has the talent, but we will see how he is swimming. As far as the 50 goes (my favorite) i think it is Linn’s event to lose. with how well he has been swimming untapered, i think if he finally steps it up at conference and goes the 21.1 he is capable of, it is his. and just remember how fast wheaton swims as a team in their own pool…. especially at conference meets.

The only reason I would say we might not see Higgins in the 500 is the fact that he has only really swam it twice this year. He tackled that event a few more times 2 years ago, before he went crazy at conf that year. Does he have the ability to go 4:36? No question about it. What is the open record in the 500 in our conf? 4:35 from O’dell I am assuming.

Yeah I think Linn is the fav in the 50 and his 21.3 from December was pretty good. 21.1 could be a possibility. He does swim great in season, and it would be great to see him have his big break through this year.