U.S. International Team Trials: Chase Kalisz Turns to His Weapon to Win 200 IM Ahead of Carson Foster
For years, we have become accustomed to Chase Kalisz flourishing in the individual medley events, his extraordinary breaststroke prowess frequently the deciding factor in his races. Well, that major weapon once again proved to be the difference, as the 28-year-old veteran won the 200-meter individual medley on Saturday night at the USA Swimming International Team Trials.
Surging to the front of the field on the breaststroke leg, Kalisz stayed strong down the finishing length of freestyle and touched the wall in 1:56.21 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. That performance was enough to fend off Carson Foster, who registered a time of 1:56.65 for second place. Earlier in the week, Kalisz and Foster finished in the opposite order in the 400 medley, meaning both men will see double duty at this summer’s World Championships in Budapest.
At the midway point, Foster paced the opposition at 54.07, with Kalisz sitting in third at 54.87. But the next 50 meters shifted the dynamic of the race, thanks to Kalisz popping a breaststroke split of 32.77, the fastest in the field by nearly a second. Foster, meanwhile, splipped back to second place after splitting 34.24. Over the last 50 meters, Kalisz and Foster did what was necessary, maintaining their positions to qualify for Worlds. Third place went to Sam Stewart in 1:57.70.
Dating to 2017, this summer will mark…
