For the first time ever, Whitman Swimming will send both men and women to the National Championship. Junior, Claire Collins, is ranked 11th in her 100 breaststroke (1:04.45)--fast enough to be selected into the meet. Senior, Galen Sollom-Brotherton is ranked 10th in the 500 freestyle (4:31.38) and 11th in his 1650 freestyle (15:47.53), fast enough to be selected in both events. Sophomore, Karl Mering achieved an automatic time standard in the 100 butterfly in December but his season-best 48.59 at the NWC Championships in February gave him the third fastest time in the nation in the event.
Once a swimmer qualifies or gets selected to participate at the National Championships, that individual can swim up to three individual events. Karl will swim the 100 freestyle, and 100 and 200 butterfly, Galen the 200, 500 and 1650 freestyle, and Claire the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 IM. Because the meet is spread out over four days, no one will have more than one event on any day of the meet. For a PDF of the meet schedule, click here and then click "Detailed Schedule."
We will leave Walla Walla and head for Houston and the Conroe ISD Natatorium on Monday, March 18th and Return to Walla Walla on Sunday, March 24th. If you or someone you know is a Whitman fan and lives near Houston, Texas--or wants to fly there to cheer us on--let us know! We'd love to hear from you and see you at the meet!
