University of Texas assistant coach Roric Fink has confirmed t0day that Texas post-grad Karlee Bispo has been called up to the 2013 US World Championship roster after being called by National Team Director Frank Busch on Sunday evening.
The move came after Katie Ledecky, who was 2nd in the women’s 200 free opted out of the event to focus on the 400, 800, and 1500 freestyles in Barcelona.
Bispo placed 7th in the 200 free at the World Championship Trials in Indianapolis last week in a 1:59.10, and after precedent set both on the men’s side of this meet (where a Connor Jaeger scratch pulled in Michael Klueh) and at the 2012 Olympics (where a Phelps 200 free scratch pulled in Davis Tarwater), the same rationale has been employed here with extra room on the roster.
USA Swimming has not released an official updated roster (one is expected out later today), but Georgia’s Shannon Vreeland placed 3rd in the individual 200 free at Trials. She, therefore, should be next in line to add an individual 200 free swim to her individual 100 freestyle and as many as three relays.
This is Bispo’s first big international team since the 2011 World University Games. She joins three other University of Texas alumni (the other four are all men – Ricky Berens, Jimmy Feigen, Michael McBroom, and Michael Klueh) on the roster.
At the international level, every exchange counts. And no, she’s got one international meet under her belt, that is not a veteran. Your definition of a distance swimmer is just as skewed as what you think constitutes a veteran swimmer. Take a look at her events, she may not be an open water swimmer, but when it comes to the pool, her best events are all distance. She is an amazing swimmer, but she lucked out when Schmitt decided to train a little less.
Also, I don’t know whats wrong with the site, but it wont let me respond under each post.
Really? You lost any credibility when you said Ledecky “lucked out when Schmitt decided to train a little less.” It looks like your definition of reality is what is skewed.
Karlee has now been officially confirmed by USA Swimming:
http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1418&itemid=5334&mid=7452
Really? Youre going to put a young distance swimmer at anchor? Aside from the youth aspect, distance swimmers are notorious for bad relay exchanges, add that to the enormity of the meet…just doesnt make sense. Why not have her lead off so she can get an official time? I’m sure that would be preferable considering the scratch of the event.
Reply me! You respond to my comment. And yes, really, I’d put Katie as anchor. She isn’t just a distance swimmer. And now she’s almost a veteran. She has everything to finish well this relay. You talk about relay exchanges but we aren’t in a 4X100 free relay. And in a relay it’s better to swim ahead so to put Missy, who is the fastest in the team, in first is the right thing to do.
Katie is a lot more athletic then most distance swimmers which would help her relay start.
And if we talk about the 4X200 free relay, any news about Katie Hoff and Dagny Knutson? Do we have again a chance to see these 2 girls one day in a pool?
I’d love to see Dagny come back. Katie too, but Dagny’s story of a comeback would be a great one to read/watch if successful.
Knutson retired in January due to a combination of financial challenges, bulimia and instability in her training environment. I could see her coming back if she gets some of this sorted out and gets some funding from somewhere. She’s obviously an amazing talent and seems like such a genuinely good person that due to a combination of questionable advice, circumstance and relentless personal drive wound up in an impossible situation. It’s sad but not beyond a happy ending at this point.
Not sure about Hoff. I think she’s taking some time off for school. She will very likely be back at some point.
The road back to the pool is probably too long for Dagny. I remember Katie Hoff was signed with Speedo until 2016 (unfortunately that mistake may deter them from long term contracts with someone like Franklin), so she may be financially obligated to stay near the pool. Considering she’s been mentally out of it since 2008 trials, I’d say she’s effectively moved on.
I don’t understand the rationale in taking Bispo. Ledeckey will be on the relay and there are still 2 alternates, so adding Bispo makes 3 alternates for the relay? Is the rationale that it is one more person vying for a spot on the relay (swimming in prelims) for finals? Will she even get to swim in prelims?
I’m confused
Run – my guess is that they’re trying to save Franklin, Ledecky, and Vreeland, who have a lot of races, one more swim from their crowded schedules.
Will that prelims relay (likely Mattern, Dirado, Chenault, Bispo) be able to out USA in good position for prelims?
*put USA in good position heading into finals
kinda offtopic but I was wondering whos going to be the 2nd entry for us in the w 50 back?
someone posted in the comments that Missy has scratched from the 50 back, so will Pelton take that 2nd spot (behind Bootsma) or will they add Sarah Denninghoff to the roster? (3rd in 50 & 100 back at trials)
i know coaches arent supposed to make a decision until at worlds but wouldn’t it make sense to take Sarah as a backup just in case right now, before the FINA deadline expires?
EmilyR – 50 decisions will be made by July 8th, though relays won’t necessarily be. We may find out who will swim the 50’s today when an updated roster is expected to be released, or maybe we’ll have to wait. If Missy declined it (which makes sense, because of the triple) then the rules seem to indicate Pelton gets first stab. I’d guess she’d take it, but if not then it would be fair game for anyone.
If Franklin and Pelton both declined, best guesses are:
Beisel (only two races, backstroker, though not a sprint backstroker)
Coughlin
Magnuson?
thx for the clarification Braden.
I really hope Pelton will elect to swim it if the 50 back doesn’t conflict w/her own schedule. those 2 cal gals represent our best prospects for making the finals assuming Missy will scratch.
also this is just completely wishful thinking on my part lol, but would love to see Kendyl called up for the 50 fly (2nd at trials) if both Dana (didn’t swim it) & Claire (3rd) declined this event…
How about a big congrats to Karlee on being named to World team! She’s a great gal who this means SO much to. A First Class ambassador of our sport and for USA!
Yes big congratulations to Karlee! She will be a great asset to team USA for years to come!
Jamie, this is so true, thank you for reminding us all.. You are always so classy. Bravo for Karlee!
Agreed! Karlee is a class act and deserves the success she has earned! Congratulations to Karlee!
So, what we could read on swimswam since yesterday wasn’t a rumor but a news. Smartest decision ever for Miss Ledecky. I had written the same thing for Michael last year. Miss Bispo must be happy.