Swimmers to compete in Nationals

Juniors Eric Ress and Cody Miller will lead a small group of IU swimmers in Austin, Texas, for the USA Swimming Winter Nationals beginning today and ending Saturday.

Particularly challenging for the Hoosiers as they head into this competition is the increased talent that will be present in the pool, IU Coach Ray Looze said.

He said the IU swimmers will be up against tapered, shaved and reenergized athletes.

“A well-rested athlete is always dangerous to an athlete in full training, and that’s where our swimmers are at this point,” Looze said.

Not only is the meet a chance for the IU swimmers to compete against a versatile field, but it is also an opportunity for IU coaches to scout for recruitments because of the various club teams that will compete, Looze said.

Other Hoosiers competing in the meet include 2012 Olympic participant sophomore Dorina Szekeres and recipient of All-American honors in the 500 freestyle and the 400 medley relay, senior Jim Barbiere.

Brooklyn Snodgrass, Haley Lips, Taylor O’Brien and Madeline Maher will represent the women’s team freshman class, while Tanner Kurz is the lone male freshman to perform at nationals this weekend.

“Without much rest and coming off of break, it’s going to be hard, but this meet is going to be a challenge for a lot of us,” junior Lindsay Vrooman said. “Some of this summer’s past Olympians will be competing, so it will be a good racing experience.”

The remainder of the IU swimming and diving team will participate this weekend in the OSU Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.

The Hoosiers will be pitted against fierce competitors including the men’s current No. 5 Florida, No. 10 Ohio State and No. 17 North Carolina.

“We are going to see some fast times from both teams, either going to Texas or OSU, even though we are not tapering for this meet, but I believe that spending some time with our family or friends over the Thanksgiving break gave us some extra strength to carry on until Christmas break,” Szekeres said.