Rehearsing For Summer 2015 Success In Austin Arena Pro Swim Series

Jul 13, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Swimmers warm up prior to the Sunday finals of the Bulldog Grand Slam at Gabrielsen Natatorium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

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Commentary by Jeff Commings

TUCSON – This summer will see more than 100 American swimmers racing in three major international competitions, and if things weren’t already getting serious for those set to represent Team USA, this weekend’s competition at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin will be a necessary wake-up call.

The United States is primed to clean up on the medal count at the world championships, Pan American Games and World University Games. The Arena Pro Swim Series is the best chance Team USA has to rehearse racing strategies and gauge training success without leaving the country, and with Austin being the first long course meet of the 2014-2015 circuit, we’re bound to see some athletes in need of much more rehearsal time.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That is what in-season meets are for. They let athletes work out the kinks without much regard for the consequences. Although, with a lot of prize money on the line, it makes each meet a little more important. But, getting fourth in Austin is not as bad as getting fourth at the world championships.

The competition this weekend will be intense. Elizabeth Beisel will get the chance to race reigning world champion Katinka Hosszu in the 400 IM. Ryan Cochrane and Connor Jaeger will provide some spark in the men’s distance freestyles. And though they’ve previously said goodbye to these races, Natalie Coughlin is signed up for the 100 backstroke and Ryan Lochte is in the 400 IM!

The men’s sprint freestyle events will be most likely the biggest rehearsal for this summer’s world championships. With Nathan Adrian, Jimmy Feigen, Anthony Ervin, Marcelo Chierighini, Bruno Fratus and others in the mix, no love will be lost in the quest to get to the wall first.

Again, the times on the scoreboard won’t be very important. Every winner interviewed after their races are likely to say something along the lines of: “I just wanted to see how I felt after this hard block of training” or “We’ll go back to the drawing board and see what needs to be done in the next six months.”

The first steps to Summer 2015 success have already begun. Will the steps continue forward after this weekend … or set some back a few paces?

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