Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott
COLORADO SPRINGS – The United States is the first out of the gate to announce its roster of swimmers for next year’s Pan American Games, and the list features six Olympic champions set to race next summer in Toronto.
Natalie Coughlin and Cullen Jones will give Team USA a big boost of star power at Pan Ams, thanks to their impressive Olympic hardware. Coughlin won the 100 back in 2004 and 2008, while Jones was on the epic 400 free relay team that won in 2008.
Coughlin will be swimming in both the 50 and 100 freestyles in Toronto, while Jones is set to compete in the 50 free.
Almost two months after becoming an American citizen, Darian Townsend will travel to Toronto next year to swim in his first Pan American Games. Townsend was a gold medalist for South Africa in the 2004 Olympics in the 400 free relay and represented his home country in 2008 and 2012 as well. Townsend will likely be a part of relay action again, this time for Team USA, as one of the 100 freestylers to make the squad.
Matt McLean, Allison Schmitt and Nick Thoman are other U.S. Olympic gold medalists also selected to compete on the squad.
The Pan American Games team will be the second-tier of American athletes racing internationally next year. The world championships, set for July in Russia, will feature the best athletes based on times from this year’s nationals and Pan Pacific championships. The Pan American Games roster was picked from swims done only at nationals, according to USA Swimming’s selection procedures.
Overall, 36 swimmers were selected with more than 20 National Team members, 10 Olympians and six Olympic gold medalists.
Swimming World’s Jeff Commings spoke with USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch in Colorado Springs about the selection process and the rosters.
2015 Pan American Games Team:
Men (18 athletes):
Gunnar Bentz: 200 IM
Bobby Bollier: 200 fly
Brad Craig: 100/200 breast
Janardan Burns: 400/1500 free
Jimmy Feigen: 100 free
Andrew Gemmell: 1500 free
Carter Griffin: 100/200 back
BJ Johnson: 100/200 breast
Cullen Jones: 50 free
Sean Lehane: 200 back
Matt McLean: 200/400 free
Josh Schneider: 50 free
Ty Stewart: 200 fly; 200 IM
Giles Smith: 100 fly
Nick Thoman: 100 back
Darian Townsend: 100 free
Michael Weiss: 200 free; 400 IM
Max Williamson: 400 IM
Women (18 athletes):
Kaylin Burchell: 100/200 breast
Natalie Coughlin: 50/100 free
Gia Dalesandro: 100 fly
Courtney Harnish: 800 free
Madison Kennedy: 50 free
Caitlin Leverenz: 200/400 IM
Amber McDermott: 200/400 free
Katie Meili: 100 breast
Kate Mills: 200 fly; 400 IM
Gillian Ryan: 400 free
Sierra Schmidt: 800 free
Allison Schmitt: 200 free
Meaghan Small: 200 breast; 200 IM
Clara Smiddy: 100/200 back
Olivia Smoliga: 100 back
Kylie Stewart: 200 back; 200 fly
Amanda Weir: 100 free
Kelsi Worrell: 100 fly
All relay teams will be selected by the coaching staff.
Congratulations Bollier family!!