IRVINE, CA -- In the USA the swimming stage does not get any bigger than the ConocoPhillips US National Championships. The biggest names in USA Swimming will be on hand in Irvine August 3-7 to further establish their reputations and to show how much they have progressed. The youngsters on hand will be looking to make a claim on a national team spot and/or post an Olympic Trials qualifying time.
The Ephs’s top two female swimmers, junior Logan Todhunter (Ithaca, NY) and sophomore Caroline Wilson (West Hartford, CT) will be lining up with the nation’s best swimmers this week in Irvine. The best of the best in the USA will be competing in these championships.
Todhunter and Wilson will be shooting to establish times this week that will qualify them for the Olympic Trials. The first checkpoint for the Eph duo is to make the top 24 in each event and qualify for the night swims. While both Todhunter and Wilson have succeeded on the national stage already competing for the Ephs, this will be a major test for their focus and concentration due to the overall quality of the competitors.
The Ephs are not expected to receive high seeds because their qualifying times are in yards and the events on the international scene are contested in meters.
Logan Todhunter is coming off a winter season that saw her win three events and set two records at the 2010 NCAA Division III Championships. Todhunter’s performance earned her the title of Swimmer of the Meet. Todhunter won the 200 IM (2:02.57), and set records in the 100 fly (52.94) and the 200 fly (1:57.46). In Irvine, Todhunter will compete in both the 100 fly (Tuesday) and the 200 fly (Friday).
Caroline Wilson (West Hartford, CT) also won three individual events and set a record in both freestyle events she won at the 2010 NCAA Championships, winning the 500 free (4:45.47), 400 IM (4:17.85) and the 1,650 free (16:25.21). Wilson will compete in three events this week -- 400 free (Tuesday), the 400 IM on (Thursday) and the 800 free on Friday.
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| Logan Todhunter '12 | Caroline Wilson '13 |
Both Ephs have been working hard since their return from spring break (on their own while at school) and with their club teams at home since school has ended. “I am proud of the way Logan and Caroline motivated and trained on their own this spring,” says Eph head coach Steve Kuster. “They've been serious about wanting to see how they stack up against the best in the country since they made the cut times for this meet last year at NCAAs.”
“It will be quite an experience for them both being at a meet with medalists from past Olympics and the future stars of United States swimming. I expect they will be a little nervous, but I know they are both exceptional competitors and racers and if they approach their races like they always do I believe they can have some great swims.”
This from swimnetwork.com on the importance of this year’s ConocoPhillips National Championships, which they state: “are important on three levels. First, it is the most prestigious long-course swim meet of the year. It is the midpoint between Olympics; athletes will use this meet as a gauge for the next two years leading up to the 2012 Olympic Trials. Second, it is the selection meet for the Pan Pacific Championships. “Making a team” is a goal mantra of nearly every elite swimmer competing in this swimming meet. The Pan Pacific Championships will also take place in Irvine, California this year – making the meet a huge draw for United States swimmers to compete in front of their home fans. Third, it factors into the selection for the 2011 World Championships which will be held next July in China.”
You can follow the 2010 ConocoPhillips US National Championships on www.swimnetwork.com.
Universalsports.com will carry the ConocoPhillips US National Championships online each evening at 9:00 p.m. EST. Also check your local listings to see when your NBC channel.
