Get ready for an exciting day at the Austin Pro Swim Series 2026! Today, we're diving into the fourth day of prelims, and there's a lot to unpack.
First, let's talk about the big names missing from the start lists. Josh Matheny, the Indiana swimmer, has decided to sit out the 100 breast, 50 breast, and now the 200 breast. It's a surprising move, especially considering his ranking as the #2 seed in the 200 breast. But here's where it gets controversial... some might argue that this is a strategic decision, allowing him to focus on other events or perhaps conserve energy for future competitions. What do you think? Is this a smart move or a missed opportunity?
Moving on, we have a few other notable scratches in the women's 200 breast. Claire Burns and Karo Trinquesse, ranked #5 and #9 respectively, will not be competing today. This opens up the field for other swimmers to shine and potentially upset the rankings.
Now, let's talk about the swimmers who are still in the game. Shaine Casas, who previously withdrew from the 200 IM and 100 fly, is back and entered in the 100 free. Despite a rough 200 free performance yesterday, Casas is the #6 seed in the 100 free with a time of 47.92. He's also the top seed for the 50 back final, showcasing his versatility.
Regan Smith, another standout, remains the #1 seed in the 200 fly. This sets her up for an exciting double event, the 50 back/200 fly, which she has successfully raced at the last three world championships. Smith has already proven her dominance in Austin, winning the 100 back and 100 fly.
And this is the part most people miss... the full scratch report! Here's a breakdown of the swimmers who have withdrawn from each event:
Women's 100 Freestyle Scratches:
- #14 Kennedi Southern
- #18 Renee Nealon
- #19 Dara Duffy
- #21 Cora Skoog
- #23 Lilly Jayne Allison
Men's 100 Freestyle Scratches:
- #17 Jack Dahlgren
- #20 Grant Bochenski
- #37 Coyle Moore
Women's 200 Breaststroke Scratches:
- #5 Claire Burns
- #9 Karo Trinquesse
- #12 Lilly Jayne Allison
Men's 200 Breaststroke Scratches:
- #2 Josh Matheny
- #12 Daxs Schoenbeck
- #14 Adam Fusti-Molnar
Women's 200 Butterfly Scratches:
- None
Men's 200 Butterfly Scratches:
- None
So, what do you think of these scratches and the swimmers who are still in the running? Will Casas and Smith continue their dominance, or will someone else steal the spotlight? Join the conversation in the comments and let's discuss the strategies and surprises of the Austin Pro Swim Series!
