Eleven Swimmers Head to US Short Course Nationals
November 28, 2007 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 28, 2007
Eleven University of Louisville swimmers will head to Atlanta to the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center for the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming Short Course National Championships this Thursday through Friday.
The meet will field more than 1,000 participants including 16 Olympians to head up the field. Never before have so many world record holders, Olympians and NCAA swimmers competed in a short course (yards) format at one meet.
"We are certainly excited for this weekend of swimming" said U of L coach Arthur Albiero. "It is an opportunity to measure our team against the very best in the country and the world."
Five-time BIG EAST champion Vali Preda, and newcomer and freestyle sprinter Andrei Radzionau, backstroker Carlos Van Isschot, and NCAA butterfly qualifier Adam Madarassy lead the men with their impressive medley relays and individual events. Freshman Shane Lichtenberg will be swimming in his distance events, the 500-free on Thursday and 1650-free on Saturday. And Rafal Kuchta will represent the Cardinals on Saturday in the 200-butterfly.
Big East Champion and recent NCAA qualifier Leslie VanWinkle leads the women into Atlanta swimming multiple events that include 400-IM, 200-freestyle, 200-backstroke, 200-IM, and 50-freestyle. Freshman standout Nicole Landisch will represent the Cardinals in the 50-freestyle and 100-butterfly. The women bring their relays as well with teammates and freestylers' Whitney Campbell, Liz Halet and Olympic Trial qualifier Anna Dishuck to round out the squad for the Cardinals in Atlanta. Volunteer Assistant coach and Olympic gold medalist Rachel Komisarz , will be also swimming in Atlanta. She is the recent 2007 100-meter butterfly national champion from this past summer.
Competition begins tomorrow with prelims at 9:30 a.m., and finals at 6 p.m. To tune in to live scoring at the meet, visit the special event section at USA Swimming for results and highlights. To view a webcast of the meet, visit www.swimnetwork.com.
