Grand Prix Update: Next Stop, Long Beach!!
Olympians Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers, Chloe Sutton to Compete at 2009 SoCal GP
Series Leader Mary Descenza Looks To Progress Towards $20,000 Purse
Members of the 2008 US Olympic Swim Team and the US National Swim Team will compete in the first USA Swimming event of 2009, the Southern California Grand Prix of Swimming, presented by Vintage Design Incorporated, in Long Beach, Calif., January 16-19. Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder Ryan Lochte headlines the field in Long Beach. He will be joined by Olympians Matt Grevers, Chloe Sutton, and Lacey Nymeyer. US National Team members Mary DeScenza, Ben Hesen, Caitlin Leverenz, and Deni Cullom will also compete in the event.
The meet, which will be held at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, is the second stop in the six-meet USA Swimming Grand Prix Series, which awards the overall series winner a $20,000 grand prize. A leaderboard can be found online.
The USA Swimming Grand Prix Series serves as an opportunity for athletes to race against top-notch competition as they continue their preparation for the 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships in Indianapolis and the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome. Other stops in the Grand Prix series include: Columbia, Mo.; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; and Santa Clara, Calif.
Finals start at 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday and at 4 p.m. on Monday. Prelims begin at 9 a.m., Saturday through Monday and at 5 p.m. on Friday. Race footage from the Grand Prix meet will be broadcast online on www.swimnetwork.com. The site will also feature behind-the-scene interviews with athletes and coaches, preview stories and results.
The Race for the $20,000 Prize
Last year, for the first time in the history of the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series, a $20,000 purse was awarded to the overall winner of the 2007-2008 series. Michael Phelps took home the prize edging National Team member Mary DeScenza. After the first stop of the 2008-2009 series in Minnesota, DeScenza leads the field with 30 points and will look to increase her series point total in Long Beach. She is followed by William Copeland (Lexington, Ky.), who is in second place with 15 points, and Chloe Sutton, who is in third place with 13 points.
A Fresh Start
Following the success of American swimming in 2008, USA Swimming will kick off the start of 2009 with the Grand Prix meet in Long Beach. Many amazing performances by U.S. swimmers were seen last year, and 2009 hopes to be no different. In addition to domestic competition such as the Grand Prix Series and the 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships, U.S. Swimmers will be compete internationally this summer at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia, as well as the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome.
Another Reason for Records to Fall
In 2008, a handful of short course American records were shattered at the Long Beach Grand Prix. This year, a $1,000 purse will be given to swimmers who break American records at the meet, so be on the lookout for some fast swimming in Long Beach!
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