Over the next few days we will be previewing the races that will take place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.Women's 200 Meter Freestyle
What to watch for: The 200 meter distance is on the low end of a middle distance event and on the high end of a sprint. It's more like a really really long drag race. It demands being a bit of a hybrid to excel--you have to have the speed of the sprinters, but with the endurance to hang on in the final 50 meters.
What it takes: Katie Hoff is the first seed in yet another event. However, she will be chased by Olympic veterans Natalie Coughlin and Dana Vollmer. As well as Kate Ziegler. In other words, if any of these women wants to make it to Beijing in this particular event, she's going to have to find the fastest woman in the pool and chase her down. It could be any of these four.
Unlikely underdogs: Keep an eye on Dana Vollmer, a Gold Medalist in 2004 as part of the 800 meter freestyle relay in 2004. Even though she's seeded fifth, she has a chance to sneak up on either Coughlin or Hoff.
My prediction: Katie Hoff has another shot at an Olympic gold and Natalie Coughlin will join her.
