The Futures Championships in Geneva, Ohio begin Thursday, August 3, and the psych sheets reveal a packed field led by a few stand-out swimmers, including Alyssa Helak and James Koval.
Alyssa Helak of Victor Swim Club tops the psych sheets on the women’s side. The LSU commit holds the first seed in the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, and 200 freestyle.
Additionally, a few specialists claim top seed in two events. In the 100 and 200 butterfly, Allison Piccirillo of Northern Kentucky Clippers is currently the name to beat. In the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke, Kristen Vargas of Firestone Akron Swim Team will look to make an impact. Finally, in the sprint events–the 50 and 100 freestyle–Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics’ Charlotte Krevitt will aim to earn two golds.
Other names to watch on the women’s side include several young up-and-comers. 13-year-old Riley Huddleston of the Ohio State Swim Club is seeded second to Krevitt in the 50 freestyle with a blazing 26.72, a time that may put her within the wake of historic National Age Group ranking. Meanwhile, Huddleston’s fellow 13-year-old, Westchester Aquatic Club’s Joy Jiang, is enjoying a fourth seed in the 200 fly. Additionally, 14-year-old Summer Smith, swimming unattached, has cracked into the top eight in several events, including a third-place seed in the 200 backstroke, and a fourth-place seed in the 400 IM.
On the men’s side, Club Mountaineer’s James Koval, a rising senior at West Virginia University, will look to rack up some hardware, specifically in the 1500 freestyle and the 400 IM, in which he is the top seed. Another top male in Geneva this weekend is Lexo Walker of Wilton YMCA Wahoos, who will have a target on his back in both the 200 freestyle and the 200 butterfly.
Other swimmers of note include Kyle Iorizzo, William Rose, and Dylan Porges, all of whom demonstrate an aptitude for a broad range of events. Scarlet Aquatics’ Iorizzo is primarily a distance specialist; he is the number-one seed in the 800, a close second to Koval in the 1500, and second seed in the 400 as well. To add to his busy program, Iorizzo is also seeded third in the 200 fly.
Rose, representing Canton City Schools, is the top seed in the 100 freestyle, but he is also seeded second in the 100 backstroke. Similarly, Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics’ Porges is seeded first in the 400 free but remains a threat in the 100 fly, in which he is seeded second.
The relays, particularly the freestyle events, look to be no less competitive. The women’s meet will bring Cape Cod and Empire head-to-head in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays, and the men’s competition will see Hudson Explorers attempt double victory in both freestyle relays.
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Go Agua!!
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