US Swimmers to Watch at Short Course World Championships
US Swimmers to Watch at Short Course World Championships
The Short Course World Championships are going to be fast. Check out these US Swimmers competing.
By Adam Mania
After the Short Course World Championships rosters were released for the United States this past week, some folks worried that there weren't enough big names on the teams. While the U.S. may lack the star-studded lineups that dominated the Olympic Games in Rio, USA Swimming has done a great job of giving athletes an opportunity to make a statement on the international stage and emerge from the woodwork to the podium.
Many of the national teams' Olympians passed on the opportunity to join Team USA to take a post-Rio vacation and understandably so. The only underlying issue with these rosters is that USA Swimming primarily used long-course times as a method of qualification.
But you have to give kudos to USA Swimming for giving some of these swimmers an opportunity. There are five Olympians on the men's side and six Olympians on the women's side. The rest have some international experience or are rookies.
As a former national team rookie, I learned a lot from the more experienced swimmers. I too was a part of a national team that could be described as "thin" in star power. But many of the first-timers on that team went on to make the Olympics the next year. This is going to be a great opportunity for this U.S. team to race somewhat close to home and for its newcomers to make a name for themselves with the guidance of the wily veterans.
Kelsi Worrell (50, 100, 200 FL): After being such a dominant short-course force, Worrell will definitely have Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom in her crosshairs.
Madison Kennedy (50, 100 FR): Even after missing the Olympic team in the 50 freestyle by just a hair, Kennedy has still had an amazing year. Look out for her on the podium.
Leah Smith (200, 400, 800 FR): Smith had an incredible summer and a great NCAAs her senior year at Virginia. She is proven in both short course and long course, so watch for her to make an impact in the 400 and 800 free.
Lily King (50, 100, 200 BR; 100 IM): King's meteoric rise in the last 18 months is nothing short of extraordinary. Her short-course times are just as impressive as breaking the American/NCAA record in the 100/200 breast at last year's NCAAs for Indiana.
Tom Shields (50, 100, 200 FL): An underwater phenom, Shields is entered in all of the fly events. Look for him to take down South Africa's Chad le Clos -- no "Phelps face" necessary. Cal transfer Matt Josa may make a big impact in the 50 and 100 fly as well.
Cody Miller (50, 100 BR): Post-Olympic euphoria stays around for a while. Miller's positive frame of mind should be firing on all pistons for some speedy swims up against South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh, Brazil's Felipe Lima, and Russia's Vladimir Morozov (if he decides to race it).
Josh Prenot (200 BR; 200, 400 IM): He has been doing a fair amount of World Cup racing this season, so look out for Prenot to storm onto the podium as well.
After the Short Course World Championships rosters were released for the United States this past week, some folks worried that there weren't enough big names on the teams. While the U.S. may lack the star-studded lineups that dominated the Olympic Games in Rio, USA Swimming has done a great job of giving athletes an opportunity to make a statement on the international stage and emerge from the woodwork to the podium.
Many of the national teams' Olympians passed on the opportunity to join Team USA to take a post-Rio vacation and understandably so. The only underlying issue with these rosters is that USA Swimming primarily used long-course times as a method of qualification.
But you have to give kudos to USA Swimming for giving some of these swimmers an opportunity. There are five Olympians on the men's side and six Olympians on the women's side. The rest have some international experience or are rookies.
As a former national team rookie, I learned a lot from the more experienced swimmers. I too was a part of a national team that could be described as "thin" in star power. But many of the first-timers on that team went on to make the Olympics the next year. This is going to be a great opportunity for this U.S. team to race somewhat close to home and for its newcomers to make a name for themselves with the guidance of the wily veterans.
WOMEN TO WATCH
Kelsi Worrell (50, 100, 200 FL): After being such a dominant short-course force, Worrell will definitely have Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom in her crosshairs.
Madison Kennedy (50, 100 FR): Even after missing the Olympic team in the 50 freestyle by just a hair, Kennedy has still had an amazing year. Look out for her on the podium.
Leah Smith (200, 400, 800 FR): Smith had an incredible summer and a great NCAAs her senior year at Virginia. She is proven in both short course and long course, so watch for her to make an impact in the 400 and 800 free.
Lily King (50, 100, 200 BR; 100 IM): King's meteoric rise in the last 18 months is nothing short of extraordinary. Her short-course times are just as impressive as breaking the American/NCAA record in the 100/200 breast at last year's NCAAs for Indiana.
MEN TO WATCH
Tom Shields (50, 100, 200 FL): An underwater phenom, Shields is entered in all of the fly events. Look for him to take down South Africa's Chad le Clos -- no "Phelps face" necessary. Cal transfer Matt Josa may make a big impact in the 50 and 100 fly as well.
Cody Miller (50, 100 BR): Post-Olympic euphoria stays around for a while. Miller's positive frame of mind should be firing on all pistons for some speedy swims up against South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh, Brazil's Felipe Lima, and Russia's Vladimir Morozov (if he decides to race it).
Josh Prenot (200 BR; 200, 400 IM): He has been doing a fair amount of World Cup racing this season, so look out for Prenot to storm onto the podium as well.
