Short Course Nationals - Psych Sheet

Nov
24

Short Course Nationals - Psych Sheet

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 8:27pm (November 24th, 2008)
I just received the Psych Sheet (lineup) for the U.S. Short Course Nationals.

2008 U.S. Short Course Nationals Psych Sheet (PDF)


As of right now my trip to Atlanta is up in the air. I need to make a decision quickly. I am registered for the meet but I don't feel prepared to swim well. I've had a lot to balance lately and haven't trained as I intended to before a meet like this. I'm ranked 54th out of 69 with a 50.95. At first I was disappointed looking at my competition which ended at a 48.94. THEN I noticed the next page... which listed the fastest swimmer, Ben Hesen at a 44.72 which is currently the 2nd fastest time history behind Ryan Lochte's 44.60 (who will also be swimming the 100 Back). Other big names include Matt Grievers, Bryan Lundquist, Chris DeJong (I think he retired) and others. I'm not sure how many of these guys will actually show up. I have a feeling the top athletes might be taking some time off after attempting or in some cases, succeeding to make the U.S. Olympic Team.

I also qualified for the 50 Free. I'm ranked 63rd out of 74 with my long course time of 23.74. As usual I'm really quite out of my league in the 50 free. This event is dominated by the #1 seed Alex Righi, followed by Matt Grievers, Ryan Lochte, Bryan Lundquist, Garrett Weber-Gale and Cullen Jones. The top 53 athletes have faster seed times than my fastest time in the event of 20.95! It is, as always, an honor to even be listed below these great swimmers.

Regardless, even without the top athletes there will be plenty of competition for me. I'm simply weighing the cost of the trip compared to how I feel I will swim. I'm in the mindset that if I am about to spend hundreds of dollars and days of my time to attend a totally optional meet, I'd like to feel as though I'll swim well for myself. I can't say with confidence that's how I feel.

That isn't to say that I wouldn't compete that same week, I have some other options for short course yards meets in the same time frame. These meets are local and are also fast pools. I also have the chance to compete in the Short Course Meters TYR Grand Prix in Chicago. I have to quickly weigh some options.