Psych Sheets drop for 2015 U.S. Nationals, with Worrell, Meili back for round 2

USA Swimming has released its psych sheets for the 2015 Senior National Championships, with many of the nation’s Pan Ams and World University Games stars included.

Though the U.S. World Championships team won’t be making any appearances (the World Championships overlap with U.S. Nationals from Kazan, Russia), a number of the biggest names from the summer’s other major international teams will be back for a second go-around at a championship meet.

Pan American Games breakout stars Kelsi Worrell (Louisville) and Katie Meili (SwimMAC) will be some of the more intriguing swimmers to watch. Both had huge swims at Pan Ams that will perhaps stack up among the best swims by American athletes at any meet all summer. They’ll both be able to swim more expanded lineups as well, with Worrell adding the 100 back, 200 fly and 50 free to her 100 fly, and Meili taking on the 200 IM and 50 free along with the 100 breast.

Pan Ams 200 free champ Allison Schmitt will also be competing in San Antonio, as will 17-year-old Pan Ams 800 free champ Sierra Schmidt and 200/400 IM winner Caitlin Leverenz.

On the men’s side, 100 back winner Nick Thoman and 50 free champ Josh Schneider are entered, as is 100 fly gold medalist Giles Smith, who has actually been faster back in the States in the past few weeks than the 52.0 that won him the Pan Am title.

That men’s 100 fly might be one of the meet’s high points, with perhaps a better field of flyers than even the American contingent at Worlds. The legendary Michael Phelps will be entered, as well as current national leader Jack Conger.

A note on Phelps – he’ll swim the 100 fly and 200 IM, as expected, plus the 200 fly, which has looked a bit long for post-comeback Phelps, but is still an event he ruled internationally for much of his career. Interestingly enough, he’ll also swim the 200 breaststroke – perhaps a training event to help round out arguably the weakest stroke of his 200 IM?

Some of the top World University Games team members are gold medalists Jacob Pebley, Josh Prenot, Lindsey Vrooman, Lisa Bratton and Sarah Henry.

Then, too, there’s a contingent of swimmers who have popped major times this summer while being left off national teams based on last summer’s results. That list includes 48.8 100 freestyler Michael Chadwick and 1:00.0 100 backstroker Hannah Stevens, both Mizzou Tigers.

And, of course, there are a number of junior swimmers taking a pass on Junior Nationals (or swimming both meets back-to-back), including Cal commit Andrew Seliskar, young pro Michael Andrew and 15-year-old Reece Whitley.

For those still in mourning that Andrew and Whitley won’t swim head-to-head in a breaststroke race at Juniors, one interesting tidbit: barring any changes to the current psych sheet, Andrew and Whitley are slated to swim in the same heat of the 100 breast on day 1 of Senior Nationals.

View the full psych sheets here.

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Dee
8 years ago

Phelps’ comeback is very exciting – But I find numerous others more interesting. Namely Jack Conger, Clark Smith, David Nolan, Michael Andrew & Reece Whitley in the pool together (hopefully), Amy Bilquist… 61.1 down to 66th in the 100 fly? Ridiculous depth.

John
Reply to  Dee
8 years ago

So are these national championships being used to pick next year’s Olympic team? 🙂

Displaced Wolverine
Reply to  John
8 years ago

Interestingly enough, the team may even be better, considering the current teams state at worlds right now. Although it’d be sad to not see the likes of Ledecky, Murphy, Lochte, Adrian, and Franklin (kinda).

TexasBackstroker
8 years ago

Stevens, Smoliga, and Smiddy will also be fighting for that national team spot in the 100 back.

TexasBackstroker
8 years ago

Is no one excited for Dana Vollmer swimming?

bobo gigi
Reply to  TexasBackstroker
8 years ago

Exciting women’s 100 fly in perspective.
Worrell is on fire. Can she hold her pan ams taper?
I expect a 58 from Bayer.
A big time drop from the young Eva Merrell around 59 low.
And yes, you’re right, cool to see Dana back at a big meet. She will be under the minute but how much under the minute?

Phil jackson
8 years ago

I guess Will Licon is not swimming. How unfortunate

weirdo
Reply to  Phil jackson
8 years ago

Will Licon is entered!

Phil Jackson
Reply to  Jared Anderson
8 years ago

It was a joke considering he was not mentioned at all. Next time I will Specify when its a joke.

Rick Mears
Reply to  Phil Jackson
8 years ago

Maybe he’ll put up some notable swims this week to get him in the conversation.

Rick Mears
Reply to  Phil jackson
8 years ago

You should focus on the Knicks and not worry about these minor details 🙂

law dawg
8 years ago

Is Gunnar Bentz not swimming at nationals? Surely he is considering he only swam one event at Pan ams.

bobo gigi
Reply to  law dawg
8 years ago

You’re right! I don’t see his name! 😡
His long course season is already over? 😯
He has only swum a 200 IM at pan ams!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted to see him swim a big 400 IM next week! 😥
Perhaps he’s already back in training for olympic trials…. 🙄

Danjohnrob
8 years ago

I’m looking forward to seeing Phelps race Seliskar in the 200 fly and Conger in the 100 fly. Also, I hope Nolan is able to make a huge time drop in his 200 IM.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Danjohnrob
8 years ago

We are waiting for that big time drop since 2010. Hopefully….

Crannman
8 years ago

Phelps in neither the 100 or 200 free , but signed up for the 200 Breast . Never thought I would see that day !

lovethemile
8 years ago

Do you mean Hannah Stevens instead of Hannah Moore?

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson swam for nearly twenty years. Then, Jared Anderson stopped swimming and started writing about swimming. He's not sick of swimming yet. Swimming might be sick of him, though. Jared was a YMCA and high school swimmer in northern Minnesota, and spent his college years swimming breaststroke and occasionally pretending …

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