Schmuhl to compete in 2012 Short Course World Championships

USA Swimming announced Wednesday that IU sophomore Steve Schmuhl has been named to the U.S. roster for the 2012 Short Course World Championships. Schmuhl will compete in the 400-meter individual medley at the event, which runs Dec. 12-16 in Istanbul.

Schmuhl earned his spot among 24 athletes after finishing third in the 400-meter IM at the U.S. Open in August in Indianapolis with a time of 4:18.74. Schmuhl’s time in the finals also set an IU record in the 400-meter IM.

The Broomfield, Colo., native also placed 11th in the 400-meter IM at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Former Hoosier All-American and NCAA champion Ben Hesen will join Schmuhl on the team as he competes in the 50- and 100-meter backstroke events.

During his tenure at IU, Hensen won the 100-yard backstroke at the 2008 NCAA Championship with a school-record time of 44.72 and was awarded All-America honors in the 200 back and the 200 free relay, among several other awards.

Schmuhl and Hesen will swim with the best of the best of the U.S., including Olympic champions Ryan Lochte and Matt Grevers.

Mike Alexandrov and Grevers (Northwestern), Ryan Feeley and Charlie Houchin (Michigan), and Michael Weiss (Wisconsin) are among the swimmers representing Big Ten Conference teams in the competition.

— Gabrielle Reed