As the United States Olympic Trials reached their midway point on Wednesday, ARENA athletes had the opportunity to both celebrate, and exhale with a sigh of relief. Simply, it was a drama-filled day, the outcomes all positive for Tom Shields and Cammile Adams.
When Shields arrived in Omaha, he was followed by lofty expectations for the 100 butterfly, but little was said about the former Cal star’s chances in the 200 butterfly. Shields wanted to prove he was capable of excelling in both events, and he got the job done at the CenturyLink Center. While Michael Phelps qualified for his fifth Olympics with a victory in 1:54.84, Shields also earned a trip to Rio behind a time of 1:55.81.
Shields sat in second place through all four laps of the 200 fly and was able to hold off a late challenge by Jack Conger, who was closing the gap at the finish and touched in 1:56.45. For Shields, the 200 fly has always been a grind, his pure speed not lending itself as a natural fit for the event. But his determination could not be underestimated.
“I was just trying to finish,” Shields said. “I’m still trying to figure out how to swim it. (Phelps) swims the race kind of like me, except he’s better on the back half. I’m kind of speechless. I’m excited….
