2018 Eric Namesnik Memorial Open Psych Sheets Released

2018 Eric Namesnik Memorial Open

  • June 1st-3rd, 2018
  • Canham Natatorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 50m (LCM)
  • Psych Sheets

The 2018 Eric Namesnik Memorial Open, a meet that was formerly part of the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series, will take place this weekend on the University of Michigan campus. Besides its role as a high-level local club meet, the event serves as a memory of former University of Michigan Eric Namesnik. Namesnik, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 400 IM, was a volunteer assistant for nearby Eastern Michigan University, a club coach for the hosts Wolverine Aquatics, and spent 7 years as an assistant coach at Michigan before he died in a car crash in 2006 when he was just 35-years old.

Besides a large contingent of club swimmers from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan who descend on this centralized meet every year, the majority of the University of Michigan varsity team will participate. That includes Felix Auboeck, who was the runner-up last year in both the 500 free and 1650 free at the NCAA Championships. The 2016 Austrian Olympian will swim the 50, 100, 200, 400, and 1500 meter freestyles.

His distance training partner PJ Ransford is one of only 9 men who will take on the 800 free.

Also attending the meet is Siobhan Haughey, a Hong Kong national who was 2nd at NCAAs last year in the women’s 200 free.

Among the more unexpected names is that of Wu Qingfeng, a 15-year old from China who is swimming unattached. She was as fast as 24.89 in the 50 free at last year’s Chinese National Games, when she was still 14. This weekend in Ann Arbor, she’ll swim as the #2 seed in the 200 free (2:00.72), the top seed in the 50 free (24.62), and the top seed in the 100 free (54.59).

USA Swimming National Team members Ali DeLoofSierra SchmidtMiranda TuckerPJ RansfordVanessa Krause, and Charlie Swanson will all also be in attendance at the meet.

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Joedub
6 years ago

Does CW have any standout age groupers?

MSWIM
Reply to  Joedub
6 years ago

Yes

Joedub
Reply to  MSWIM
6 years ago

Who, if I may ask? I’m not very familiar with the club and only the national teamers are mentioned above.

B1G Daddy
6 years ago

Patrick Callan vs Felix Auboeck in 200/400. A preview of every Michigan practice for the next few years. Auboeck is my favorite foreign swimmer after making a huge jump in 2017. Callan could explode training with him.

Gaucho
6 years ago

Snik was a good friend. His untimely passing left a mark on many 90s swimmers. He was also active in USA Swimming at many levels. So great to have a meet named after him. We miss you, Snik.

AZS
6 years ago

Such a fun meet to take part in while honoring Namesnik.

Huh
6 years ago

“Snik” was coaching Wolverine Aquatics, a now defunct team that was part of the merger that created the current Club Wolverine. Club Wolverine as it currently stands was not yet finalized when the tragic accident, following a winter morning swim practice, occurred. Prior to this, he was an integral part of Jon Urbancheck’s UofM staff. RIP Eric.

Meeeee
6 years ago

Eric was the longtime assistant coach at Michigan under Jon Urbanchek. And he was set to lead the merger of three Ann Arbor based age group clubs before his tragic death.

Huh
Reply to  Meeeee
6 years ago

Yes

Superfan
6 years ago

Eric won two silvers. Both in 4im. 1992 and 1996

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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