Description
Read about Michael Andrew’s experience after a stunning U.S. Nationals, along with a full U.S. Swimming Nationals recap report and photo coverage. Meet some newcomers to the pool, and track recent progress of rising stars like Andrew Seliskar, Ella Eastin, Regan Smith, and Allison Schmitt.
010 2018 USA SWIMMING NATIONALS PHOTO GALLERY
by Peter H. Bick
022 MICHAEL ANDREW EARNS CREDIBILITY, FACES PRESSURE AFTER NATIONALS BREAKTHROUGH
by David Rieder
After winning three individual events at nationals, Michael Andrew is confident in his abilities to deliver a big performance as a full-fledged member of Team USA for the first time.
024 KATHLEEN BAKER’S 368-DAY JOURNEY TO A WORLD RECORD
by David Rieder
Ever since Kathleen Baker finished second in the 100 back at last summer’s World Championships to Kylie Masse, who set a world record of 58.10, Baker set up a daily notification in her cell phone that read “58.10.” After setting her first world record with a time of 58.00 at the U.S. nationals, the 21-year-old resolved to send herself a new daily reminder: 57.99.
026 UNDER PRESSURE? CAELEB DRESSEL SHRUGS IT OFF AND TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS
by David Rieder
After a surprising “slow” start at nationals, Caeleb Dressel bounced back, learned from his earlier subpar swims and appeared ready for the opportunity to redeem himself at Pan Pacs in Tokyo.
028 ELLA EASTIN PUSHES PAST HEARTBREAK, HEALTH TO FINALLY BREAK THROUGH
by David Rieder
After a monthlong medical odyssey in which she was diagnosed with mononucleosis just 27 days before nationals, Ella Eastin mustered the physical and mental strength required to qualify for Pan Pacs—her first time representing the senior U.S. national team at a major competition.
030 THE BIGGEST SHOCKER OF U.S. NATIONALS? ALLY McHUGH’S 400 IM
by David Rieder
Ally McHugh, best known for her abilities in distance freestyle, dropped nearly five-and-a-half seconds from her personal best in the 400 IM to clock the second fastest time (4:34.80) in the world this year, ahead of Brooke Forde and Olympians Melanie Margalis and Leah Smith.
032 REGAN SMITH FEELS NO PRESSURE AND POSSESSES UNLIMITED POTENTIAL
by David Rieder
Regan Smith has already made quite an impact in the sport in the span of just two summers—from Junior Worlds to representing Team USA internationally. As she continues to drop her times in backstroke—and now butterfly—the 16-year-old is fast becoming one of the best swimmers in the world!
034 ANDREW SELISKAR LEADING AMERICAN RESURGENCE IN MEN’S 200 FREE
by David Rieder
Before June, Andrew Seliskar was not considered a freestyler. Now, he’s a national champion…and he should help lead a fast group of American men internationally in the 200 free and 4×200 freestyle relay.
036 THE BLISS AND THE AGONY OF MISSY FRANKLIN’S RETURN
by David Rieder
Although Missy Franklin was disappointed with her performances in her return to nationals—swimming in a pair of C-finals—everyone in the sport was happy to have her back. “Being here and just seeing everyone was so special,” Franklin said. “It reminds me a lot of why I do this and how special the people are that God has brought into my life through swimming and sport.”
038 ALLISON SCHMITT RETURNS TO U.S. TEAM WITH EMOTION AND INSPIRATION
by David Rieder
Just seven months after committing herself to a comeback in the sport, 2012 Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt came back from the “lowest of the low” and qualified to represent the United States at Pan Pacs…and in the process, she had swum her fastest time in the 200 free in six years!
040 FIRST-TIMERS EARN THEIR SPOTS, STEAL THE SHOW AT USA SWIMMING NATIONALS
by David Rieder
With Katie Drabot, Justin Wright and Zach Harting turning in breakthrough swims on the first night of nationals, swimming fans were able to witness the raw elation of a first-timer—an athlete who has gotten over the hump and made the team—in this case for next month’s Pan Pacific Championships.
042 HOW THEY TRAIN: CONNER McHUGH
by Michael J. Stott
044 2018 USA SWIMMING NATIONALS—FULL FINALS RECAP
by James Sica
Full event-by-event coverage of all five nights, July 25-29, from the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, Calif.
