Conor Dwyer Churns Out 3:46.09 Performance For 400 Free Win at Santa Clara

Despite being an Olympic and World Championships medalist, Conor Dwyer has primarily lived in the shadows of his more well-known Team USA mates, notably Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. But as the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro approach, Dwyer is doing everything possible to take his profile to a higher level.

On the back of a 1:45-mid clocking in the 200 freestyle from the opening night of action, Dwyer left Night Two of the USA Swimming Pro Series stop in Santa Clara with an extremely credible mark of 3:46.09 in the 400 freestyle. That time moved Dwyer to eighth in the world and set the stage for the veteran to race a pair of individual events in Rio.

Dwyer raced his eight laps mainly against the clock after China’s Sun Yang* scratched the final following a 3:43.55 mark in the preliminaries. That time moved the reigning Olympic champion to No. 2 in the world rankings, behind only the 3:41.65 of Mack Horton. On Friday night, Sun clocked the fastest time in the world in the 200 free, a 1:44.82.

Following a sterling collegiate career at the University of Florida, Dwyer has been one of the United States’ most consistent performers, flourishing not only in the middle-distance freestyles, but also in the 200 individual medley. With his Santa Clara showings as support, Dwyer seems on track to be one of the stars of the Olympic Trials in Omaha, and then a medal contender in Rio.

Now training with Trojan Swim Club after stints with Gator and North Baltimore, Dwyer covered the first 100 in 54.53 and hit the 200-meter point in 1:51.55. He was timed in 2:48.74 at the 300. Canadian Ryan Cochrane was the runnerup in 3:50.31.

Aussie Ladies Looking Dangerous With Rio In Sight

It was another strong night for the Australian women, who are clearly …

continue reading in source www.swimvortex.com