Tom Shields and Michael Weiss, both just out of collegiate eligibility and into their professional careers, have been added to the United States’ roster for the 2013 Duel in the Pool.
The made-for-TV event, to be held on December 20th and 21st in Glasgow, Scotland, will be a Short Course Meters event between an American all-star roster and a European all-star roster.
As two, they will hope to replace the one that is Ryan Lochte, who is out until next summer after suffering a knee injury.
The move might not, in net, hurt the Americans all that much. They got one more warm body, and picked up two very good swimmers – including Shields, who is one of the best short course butterfliers in the world, and the American Record holder. He faces a french team that includes names like Velimir Stjepanovic and Konrad Czerniak as their butterfliers: both swimmers that Shields knows he can beat in short course, especially after the experience he’s gained on this year’s World Cup circuit (if he can beat Chad Le Clos in a 100 fly, he has little to fear on this roster).
Weiss is an IM’er, and probably in better shape for the 400 IM than Lochte is right now anyway.
Ultimately, this might hurt the Americans in overall star power, but in terms of nuts-and-bolts, it’s not totally debilitating, especially given that there’s no 400 free relay.
The full, updated rosters are below.
EUROPEAN ALLSTARS
| Roberto Pavoni (GBR) | Sophie Allen (GBR) |
| Craig McNally (GBR) | Jazmin Carlin (GBR) |
| Robbie Renwick (GBR) | Hannah Miley (GBR) |
| Michael Jamieson (GBR) | Lauren Quigley (GBR) |
| James Guy (GBR) | Francesca Halsall (GBR) |
| Andrew Willis (GBR) | Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) |
| Chris Walker-Hebborn (GBR) | Daryna Zevina (UKR) |
| Florent Manaudou (FRA) | Lotte Friis (DEN) |
| Frederick Bousquet (FRA) | Melanie Costa (ESP) |
| Fabien Gilot (FRA) | Jeanette Ottesen-Gray (DEN) |
| Jeremy Stravius (FRA) | Camille Muffat (FRA) |
| Yannick Agnel (FRA) | Charlotte Bonnet (FRA) |
| Pal Joensen (FAR) | Femke Heemskerk (NED) |
| Yannick Lebherz (GER) | Mireia Belmonte Garcia (ESP) |
| Bence Biczo (HUN) | Michelle Coleman (SWE) |
| Konrad Czerniak (POL) | Fiona Doyle (IRL) |
| Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) | Simona Baumrtova (CZE) |
| Damir Dugonjic (SLO) | |
| Velimir Stjepanovic (SRB) | |
| Marco Koch (GER) |
USA TEAM
| Conor Dwyer | Katie Ledecky |
| Tom Shields | Shannon Vreeland |
| Kevin Cordes | Cammille Adams |
| Tom Luchsinger | Simone Manuel |
| Chase Kalisz | Jessica Hardy |
| Anthony Ervin | Caitlin Leverenz |
| Jimmy Feigen | Micah Lawrence |
| Michael McBroom | Claire Donahue |
| Matt McLean | Chloe Sutton |
| Eugene Godsoe | Megan Romano |
| Nic Fink | Kathleen Baker* |
| Shane Ryan | Sarah Henry |
| Cullen Jones | Meghan Hawthorne |
| Tyler Clary | Breeja Larson |
| Michael Klueh | Olivia Smoliga |
| Cody Miller | Gillian Ryan |
| Michael Weiss | Kendyl Stewart |
I actually think there is a European missing from the list. Petra Chocova (Breaststroke) is competing I think.
Gutted to not have Lochte but I had wondered why Shields wasn’t going to be there in the first place. Going to get to see 1st hand some amazing underwater work!
If only some of the other big names could have bothered the meet would have been electrifying. Hosszu, Adrian, Morozov to name just a few.
Can’t wait though!!
Your rosters are not updated.
Too bad to not see Lochte in Glasgow. He’s so good in short course. And now in terms of star power, the American team will suffer without 3 of its 4 biggest names. Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian and Missy Franklin. Fortunately, Katie Ledecky will be there to make the show.