5 Races to Watch at the Arena Pro Swim Series Charlotte

Jul 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Katie Meili of the United States races Alia Atkinson of Jamaica in the women's 100m breaststroke final the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

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Many of the United States’ top swimmers have elected to race at the Atlanta Classic Swim Meet this weekend, instead of improving their point standings in the Arena Pro Swim Series. The Charlotte stop of the series still has a number of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, including a strong group from host SwimMAC’s Team Elite.

The Mecklenburg Country Aquatic Center, home to the meet, has undergone an 8.6 million dollar renovation since the meet was held there last May. While a larger weight room, a nicer locker room, and a better flowing lobby won’t alter the meet, an additional seating area should be a nice addition. More important to the races, the broken pool floor has been removed, and the entire pool has been retiled, in addition to a new gutter and filtration system.

The new energy in the revitalized facility could spark the athletes. Here are five races to watch in the Queen City this weekend.

1. Women’s 100 Breaststroke

Katie Meili is leading the charge into Trials in this event, and she is the top seed this weekend, with the world’s seventh fastest time. Alia Atkinson has the world’s 13th best time this year. The two went head to head at last summer’s Pan Am Games in this event, with Meili taking gold to Atkinson’s silver. Indiana University breaststroking stars Lily King and Miranda Tucker finished 1-2 in the 200 short course at NCAAs and will be in long course action this weekend. Emma Reaney, Kierra Smith, and Laura Sogar are among other top seeds.

2. Men’s 100 Freestyle

Canada’s two entries for the 100 freestyle in Rio, Santo Condorelli and Yuri Kisil, will compete this weekend. Anthony Ervin, who’s been recently training in Charlotte, is seeded third, ahead of TYR Derby Pro champ Josh Schneider. Michael Chadwick and Ryan Lochte are also hoping to sprint to the top this weekend.

3. Women’s 100 Butterfly

The United States’ leading butterflier Dana Vollmer will face off with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak as the two hold the world’s fourth and fifth best times this season. Kelsi Worrell was not dominant like she was in yards, but was still quick in Mesa, and will be in the mix again this weekend.

4. Men’s 50 Butterfly

Though not an Olympic event, this should still be a fun one with a little less on the line. Three SwimMAC training partners, Tim Philips, Lochte, and Matthew Josa are the top three seeds in the event. Albert Subriats of Venezuela holds a faster 100 fly this season than any of these men.

5. Women’s 100 Backstroke

Kylie Masse was the only swimmer under a minute at the 2015 World University Games and heads to Rio as Canada’s top 100 backstroker. Some of the U.S.’s top younger talent, Claire Adams and Kathleen Baker, are also in the race this weekend. They’re joined by veteran Kirsty Coventry, and Masse’s teammate Dominique Bouchard.

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