Some swim teams see the National Championships as a time to emerge as a group.
The North Baltimore Aquatic Club, and its youthful corps, is looking to push some individuals forward.
The club, which has produced Olympians such as Michael Phelps and current club member Katie Hoff, could see a new wave of top-notch talent emerge at next week?s U.S. National Championships in Irvine, Calif.
“We?re a pretty young group, and in the case of Katie Hoff, she?s been up there at the top for at least a year now,” NBAC head coach Paul Yetter said between workouts Wednesday afternoon. “A lot of our swimmers aren?t as well known.”
In keeping with the individual focus, the NBAC will not compete in any relays at the meet, which runs from Aug. 1 – 5.
The event is key in determining what each swimmer will be doing for the upcoming season. A top-two finish in any event will place a swimmer in the Pan-Pacific Games, while a third-or fourth-place finish would place collegiate swimmers in the World University Games. Fifth and sixth-place finishers can qualify for the Pan-American Games.
“Everything is looking great,” Yetter said. “Right now we?re just sharpening up, and kind of taking our amount of swimming down this week in preparation to fly out to Irvine.”
Yetter?s group will depart in the coming days, flying out to Irvine far enough in advance for his 12 swimmers to get accustomed to their surroundings.
“We?re going to be there, getting used to the pool and going to the grocery store and getting stocked for the week,” Yetter said. “And just getting used to the time.”
Of the dozen swimmers making the trip, Yetter is excited about the prospect of the four boys ? Dan Nadwed, Ian Rowe, Shaun Weinberg and Nico Zebley ? in attendance.
“Since the era of Michael Phelps, we haven?t had a really strong group to take to Nationals,” Yetter said.
NBAC AT NATIONALS
» Eight NBAC female swimmers at Nationals include: Amanda Dunnigan, Kirsten Groome, Katie Hoff, Claire Hutchinson, Courtney Kalisz, Michelle King, Ashley Napik and Felicia Lee.
» In a recent meet, 54 of 59 NBAC swimmers improved upon their personal best times.
