AUSTIN, Texas, December 1. JOAO De Lucca and Erika Erndl each had the enviable duty of racing next to Olympic champions Friday at the USA Swimming nationals, and in these post-race interviews, they talk about how they were able to post lifetime best times in their respective finals.
De Lucca, who placed second in the men's 200 freestyle, admitted to some pre-race nerves and concerns about Ryan Lochte's underwater kicking abilities, but was able to beat the Olympian to the wall with a time that puts the University of Louisville junior in contention for the NCAA title next March.
Erndl raced Olympic champions half her age (and younger) in her 200 freestyle race, breaking the 1:44 barrier in a United States Masters Swimming record. Despite the perceived pressure of swimming in a lane between Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky, Erndl said she felt some extra motivation swimming in the aura of two recent Olympic champions.
Be sure to visit SwimmingWorld.TV for more video interviews and Race Day analysis from Austin!