Allison Schmitt to Join Cali Condors, Comerford Opts Out; ISL Publishes Final US Team Rosters

allison-schmitt
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

Three-time Olympian Allison Schmitt of the United States will officially join the Cali Condors roster for Budapest this season, as she will make her ISL debut in replacing Mallory Comerford.

The International Swimming League published its final rosters for the core four American teams: LA Current, Cali Condors, DC Trident, New York Breakers, that will head to Budapest next month to compete in a condensed five week schedule with the six other league teams.

Schmitt is looking forward for the opportunity to race as she heads into an Olympic year.

“I am super excited to race and have that opportunity,” Schmitt told Swimming World. “In the states now, we don’t really have that opportunity — and who knows when we are going to have it face-to-face. I am excited to race the best in the world. The Condors roster is super fun with a big SEC family. I am thankful Jason (Lezak) called me up for a spot.”

Comerford decided to opt out of the ISL season this year.

“I have decided it is best for me not to participate in the ISL this year,” Comerford told Swimming World. “Definitely going to miss being around my teammates but I thought it was best for my mental and physical health to stay home. Seven weeks is a long time away for me, and I am confident I can get better here in Louisville with the coaching staff and group that is with me. I know a lot of people will success with the setup there, but I wasn’t fully convinced it was the best option for me.”

Among the new additions on the official rosters, which can be seen in their entirety here, the Cali Condors also added Tom Peribonio, who trains with captain Caeleb Dressel in Gainesville, and Bowe Becker, who was not on the original roster but will be returning to the Condors after spending last season as their number two sprinter. The Condors were heavily affected by Swimming Australia’s decision to pull its swimmers out of participating in the five-week schedule in Budapest with concerns over traveling during this global pandemic. They also picked up Lia Neal and Haley Anderson.

ajna-kesely-

Ajna Kesely. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The New York Breakers made the most moves with new additions from Worlds bronze medalist Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand, who won the country’s first Worlds medal on the men’s side since before he was born in the 400 IM, and from 2017 World junior champ Ajna Kesely of Hungary, who is one of the top distance swimmers in the world. The Breakers also picked up 2019 Worlds finalist Molly Renshaw of Great Britain, Alicja TchorzMichal Poprawa and Jakub Skierka of Poland, and Jacob Whittle and Chloe Golding of Great Britain.

The DC Trident’s roster remains the same while the LA Current added Apostolos Christou of Greece, Helena Gasson of New Zealand, and Claire Rasmus of the United States.

The trio released details of the 2020 season which will launch in Budapest, Hungary, on 16 October with confirmation the league will feature 10 teams – two more than in the inaugural campaign – with the Toronto Titans and Tokyo Frog Kings joining the fray, the latter adopting the nickname of their general manager and four-time Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima.

International Swimming League rule changes include a twist to the skins – a series of back-to-back races which operate on a knockout basis, with the two remaining swimmers racing each other in a head-to-head final.

LA Current:

  • General Manager: Lenny Krayzelburg
  • Head Coach: David Marsh
  • Team Manager: Benjamin Lee
  • Assistant Coach: Jackson Roach
  • Assistant Coach: Kim Brackin
  • Assistant Coach: Shahob Mehr
  • Physical Therapist: Brian Campbell
  • Physical Therapist: Hilla Reuveny

Cali Condors:

  • General Manager: Jason Lezak
  • Head Coach: Jonty Skinner
  • Team Manager: Tim Hochradel
  • Assistant Coach: Allison Beebe
  • Assistant Coach: Sean Schimmel
  • Assistant Coach: Brian Shrader
  • Physical Therapist: Wade Alberts
  • Physical Therapist: Kai-Lun Hsiao

DC Trident:

  • General Manager: Kaitlin Sandeno
  • Head Coach: Cyndi Gallagher
  • Team Manager: Brean Deters
  • Assistant Coach: Robert Platt
  • Assistant Coach: Susan Teeter
  • Physical Therapist: Amy Murry
  • Physical Therapist: Gale Iaboard

New York Breakers:

  • General Manager: Tina Andrew
  • Head Coach: Martin Truijens
  • Team Manager: Maaike Wellmann
  • Assistant Coach: Peter Andrew
  • Assistant Coach: Don Wagner
  • Assistant Coach: Mads Hansen
  • Physical Therapist: Julie Hjelm Jacobsen
  • Physical Therapist: Melanie Wiktoria Praesius

— Swimming World’s Dan D’Addona contributed to this story

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Sarolta Lukácsné Pócsföldi

Well, but the pics shows Ajna Kesely from Hungary ??

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