At the conclusion of the Georgia Tech Invitational this weekend, a long course time trial was held. Given that it is an Olympic year, there was a focus on swimmers qualifying for the upcoming US Olympic Trials in Omaha. Foreign swimmers training in college also used the meet as an opportunity to race in long course with an eye on Rio.
In all, thirteen swims came under the Omaha standard, although just four of those were by American swimmers. Alabama’s Mia Nonnenberg got the session off to a good start when she swam the 400 IM in 4:52.75, well under the time but also well short of her personal best (4:43.88).
Alabama’s Luke Kaliszak was the next swimmer under, touching the wall in the 100 backstroke (56.44). Kaliszak also has a personal best way faster, a 54.23 from this past Summer Nationals. Georgia alum Maddie Locus, also well back from her 2014 best of 24.81, went under in the 50 freestyle (25.79).
Alabama’s Alex Gray was one swimmer who achieved a fresh OT time, winning the 200 freestyle in 1:51.76.
Alabama/England’s Emma Saunders was away ahead in the 100 backstroke (1:02.77). Saunders personal best is 1:02.08 from this past summer. Arkansas/England’s Chloe Hannam took the longer backstroke in 2:13.36, close to her fastest time of 2:12.83. Both swimmers have an outside shot of qualifying for Britain’s Rio squad.
The men’s 100 fly featured two international athletes: South Africa/Alabama’s Brett Walsh and Georgia Tech/Switzerland’s Nico van Duijn. Walsh won in a time of 53.57, just a hair ahead of van Duijn at 53.67. For Walsh it was a personal best, beating his time from the 2014 South African Aquatic Championship. Van Duijn is still trying to find his way back to his national record setting form from the 2013 World University Games (52.52). Both have a good chance to represent their countries in Rio.
Georgia Tech’s Moises Loschi, who hails from Italy, swam both the 100 (1:02.95) and 200 (2:17.54). Loschi still has a ways to go to be competitive with the best in his home country. Besting him in the 200 breaststroke was Icelandic record holder (2:10.72) Anton McKee, who recorded a 2:16.16. McKee currently trains at Alabama.
Kristian Gkolomeev crushed all comers in the 50 freestyle in 22.52. Gkolomeev’s national record stands at 21.87 and he is a strong bet to make the Greek Olympic team.
Awesome swimming. Great article – by a great coach. Keep it coming, Chris.