ATLANTA, Georgia, April 2. FOR the 11th time since it’s inauguration in 2004, Georgia Tech Swim Club and meet director Patrick Chai are finalizing preparations for the East Coast Collegiate Swimming and Diving Club National Championship. In just two short days, more than 1,400 swimmers representing a record 67 teams will converge on the site of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games to compete in one of the large collegiate club championship meets in the United States.
The team from the University of Colorado-Boulder returns to Atlanta as the three time reining ECC National Champions. The Buffalos look to add an unprecedented 4th consecutive combined team National Championships to their resume. As in previous Championships, this will not be an easy feat for Colorado. This year’s psych sheets reveal the fastest and deepest field of club athletes to ever assemble in Atlanta. That said, the Buffalo have plenty of top 10 seeds to help their run at another team title, Including Zoe Gossett in the 200 butterfly and 200 freestyle, Ashleigh Sall in the 1000 freestyle and 100 individual medley, and freshman Eric Ung in the 400 individual medley, and the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
University of Florida also returns this year hungry for the team title. Traditionally a strong contender, the Gators have finished behind the Buffalos in the team standings each of the past three years. Florida’s swimmers are seeded fast and are looking to their relays and a blend of new and returning swimmers to help match Colorado throughout the meet. Noteworthy returning athletes from Florida include Jeff Reardon and Sarah Bateman. Reardon is the defending ECC Champion in 50 and 100 backstrokes, and enters the meet this year looking to add titles in the 200 backstroke, 50 freestyle, and 100 Individual Medley this year. Bateman, a 2012 member of the Icelandic Olympic team will likely be a team leader for Florida throughout the weekend. Bateman currently holds the top seed in 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke, 50 and 100 backstroke, and the 100 individual medley.
With the depth and versatility that individual swimmers promise to bring to the meet, it comes as no surprise that the relay events will be equally as exciting. Florida and Colorado lead many of the relays, but look for Missouri, Georgia, Connecticut, Northeastern, and Penn State to challenge for top spots as well. 3 out of 5 of the women’s relay events feature seeds that are poised to set records during the meet, while only Florida and Colorado are seeded ahead of record pace in the Men’s 4×200 freestyle relay. The relay events will electrify the pool deck and promise to provide some of the most memorable races of the 2014 ECC Championships.
As the first races of the meet draw ever closer and the athletes’ tapers come to their peak, the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center awaits. In two days, thousands of swimmers and divers will congregate to participate in the final meet of the year (and for some, of their career). With individual and team titles, best times, and record swims on the line, it is almost guaranteed that this will be the most exciting East Coast Collegiate Swimming and Diving Club National Championship Meet yet.
For additional information, Psych Sheets, and Full Results, visit,http://www.gtswimclub.com/ecc.php
Meet Information:
Friday Evening Timed Final: 6:30PM
Saturday Prelim: 10:00AM
Saturday Final: 6:30PM
Sunday Prelim: 9:00Am
Sunday Final: 2 Hours after the conclusion of Prelim Session
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