That's an encouraging forecast for Price. Whether she makes the 100 free squad as a top four swimmer or one of the two alternates, Price would share in any medal the U.S. wins. In long course competition, Price is ranked No. 28 in the world in the 100 free and No. 7 nationally. In the 50 free, one of her two specialties at UCLA, she is ranked 60th in the world and 20th nationally. Gallagher and Gaines say Price's lower status in the 50 does not mean she's out of the running for one of the event's two Olympic berths.
Women get better as they get older.
That should be in bold print. They get stronger and they get smarter. Gaines said anything can happen in the 50 free at the trials. It's an event with little margin for error and long shots have been known to make the grade at the trials. But Price clearly prefers the 100 free.