Psych Sheets Released for U.S. Nationals; Several Pan Pacs Members Entered (See Full Entries)
In less than a week, many of the top American swimmers will gather in Irvine, California for the United States National Championships. Some individuals will use the meet at the William Woollett Aquatic Center as preparation for the Pan Pacific Championships, slated for August 12-15. For those who will not race at Pan Pacs, Nationals will serve as the focal point of the summer.
The University of Virginia duo of Anna Moesch and Isabelle Stadden will be among the headliners, with Moesch having set the American record in the 100-meter freestyle at the AP Race London International. As for Stadden, she has been on a backstroke tear, including 57 and 2:04 marks in the 100 and 200 distances. Moesch and Stadden will not be at Pan Pacs, so Nationals serves as their opportunity to showcase their talent.
An intriguing storyline will be the performances of Ilya Kharun, the Arizona State University star who is in the process of switching his international representation from Canada to the United States. A two-time Olympic medalist, Kharun will contest all three butterfly events, with his future presence in those events significantly influencing the dynamic of the fly events for Team USA.
Distance freestyle sensation Luka Mijatovic will also be in action, the University of Texas commit expected to put up impressive times in the 200 through 800 freestyles.
Among those headed for Pan Pacs who are entered at Nationals are sprint star Jack Alexy and rising teenager Rylee Erisman.