Rising Star Rylee Erisman Gets Chance to Measure Development Against Sport’s Elite
The next leg of the USA Swimming Pro Series is just days away, a talent-rich field ready to race in the Chicago suburbs. The latest duel between Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh in the 800-meter freestyle is a leading storyline for the meet in Westmont, Illinois. The presence of four-time Olympic champion Leon Marchand undoubtedly adds oomph to the competition. For several stars, the event will serve as preparation for the fast-approaching China Open.
Eyes at the FMC Natatorium will also be on Rylee Erisman.
One of the most-promising youngsters in the United States, Erisman is scheduled to contest a quartet of freestyle event at the Pro Series, ranging from the 50-meter distance through the 400. The greatest attention will be on the 16-year-old’s efforts from the 50 through the 200, where she figures to be a longtime factor for Team USA in international competition. In Westmont, Erisman is the top seed in the 100 freestyle (52.79), sits fifth in the 50 free (24.62) and is seeded sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:56.76).
Where does Erisman stand from a fitness level at this point in the season? That information will be unveiled when the Pro Series opens on Wednesday. Regardless of her current training load, the competition will serve as the latest opportunity for the Cal recruit to race against some of the biggest names in the sport. She’ll face the likes of Simone Manuel and Gretchen Walsh in the sprint-freestyle events and will tangle with McIntosh and Ledecky in the longer distances.
Late last year, when Erisman committed to swim collegiately for Cal, she also announced she was graduating high school early and would join the Golden Bears for the 2026-27 season. More, Erisman is qualified to compete at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships, the year’s focal point for American swimmers. Obviously, exciting days await for the youngster, who has the skill set to emerge as a future go-to performer for USA Swimming.
This week’s Pro Series stop serves mutliple purposes for the athletes in attendance. It offers motivation for younger swimmers, who get the chance to share the deck with the sport’s elite. It provides early-season racing opportunities. It can be a performance checkpoint.
For Erisman (Laker Aquatics), who has gotten a taste for international racing during her fledlging career at the World Junior Championships and the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, competing against Olympic champions can only be seen as beneficial. And that chance will present itself in the coming days.
It’s a winning proposition – for Erisman’s development, and fans eager to catch a glimpse of a future star.