WUGs Gold Medalist Kaersten Meitz Out of U.S. Nationals with Appendicitis

2019 PHILLIPS 66 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

• July 31 – August 4, 2019
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Purdue University post-grad Kaersten Meitz, now representing Boilermaker Aquatics, is withdrawing from the 2019 Phillips 66 National Championships after coming down with appendicitis, Swimming World Magazine’s Andy Ross reported Thursday.

Meitz was the top seed in the 400 free heading into Nationals. She was also entered in the 200 and 800 free, seeded sixth in both. She took gold by nearly five seconds in the 400 free at the World University Games in early July, going a lifetime best of 4:05.80 (almost a two-second drop from her prior best time). That time ranks her as the No. 3 American woman this season behind Katie Ledecky (3:59.28) and Leah Smith (4:01.29).

In her stead, open water specialist Haley Anderson will be the top seed in 4:07.21, followed by Michigan swimmer Sierra Schmidt in 4:08.12. Olympian Allison Schmitt will be the No. 3 seed in 4:08.46.

Meitz is also ranked No. 7 in the nation in the 800 this season.