Twenty members of the SwimMAC Carolina Elite team are in Bolzano, Italy, to compete in the popular Bolazano International Swim Meet next weekend. It has become an annual overseas competition for David Marsh’s team, where athletes earn cash for top finishes and get to race some of Europe’s best over two days. The meet features only races of 50 and 100 meters, with a
The meet will be streamed live on the Internet. A link to view the stream can be found on the Swimming World meet coverage page.
Among those swimming in the short course meet this week from SwimMAC is Olympic champion Cullen Jones, and new SwimMAC member Jimmy Feigen. Sprint freestylers Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and Madison Kennedy will carry the women’s team, along with breaststroker Katie Meili. Others representing SwimMAC come from the team’s junior squad, and will get some key racing opportunities against European rivals.
Tennessee Aquatics will be represented at the meet with breaststroker Brad Craig and backstroker Kira Toussaint. Both will face strong competition against a few top athletes from Europe, including former world championship medalist Fabio Scozzoli of Italy and Italian national champion Elena Gemo.
One of the top sprinters to watch on the men’s side is Marco Orsi, who made a major breakthrough this past August to make the 50 freestyle final at the world championships, tying for fifth. Orsi and fellow Italian Federico Bocchia — best known as “King Shark” – will be up against Feigen and Jones from the United States in the 50 free, as well as Brazilian Henrique Rodrigues, Hungarian Krisztian Takacs and Brit Andrew Weatheritt.
GOOD LUCK TO THE MAC SWIMMERS!!