Justin Wright, a member of the 2012 U.S. Junior Pan Pacs team, opened a lot of eyes at the Santa Clara Grand Prix a month ago with a 1:57.90 in the 200 fly, which is the fastest by an American in 2013.
But when the unofficial psych sheets were released earlier today, Wright’s name was among those absent from the entrants, as he will be sitting out next week’s World Championship Trials in Indianapolis.
The 16-year old Wright, who trains with the Fresno Dolphins, will instead focus his efforts on qualifying for the American Junior World Championship team, where the results from Worlds Trials will be combined with those from the U.S. Open (July 30-August 3) and Junior Natioanls (August 5-9) that take place much closer to home in Irvine, California.
The two fastest eligible swimmers in each event from the three meets combined (plus top four in the 100 and 200 freestyles) will qualify to swim at Junior Worlds in Dubai at the end of August. Female athletes must be born in 1996-1999, and male athletes must be born in 1995-1998 to be eligible.
If Wright swims as well as he did in Santa Clara, he should win his spot at Junior Worlds, though guys like Corey Okubo and Andrew Seliskar could drop time and catch him (neither is too far off).
Wright had a legitimate shot at the World Championships, but its unlikely that this will be his last opportunity to qualify for a senior international team.
Another notable absence from the meet is Keaton Blovad, formerly of the Phoenix Swim Club, who is now listed as unattached. She moved from Oregon to Phoenix a few years ago to train with coach Coley Stickels, but since he and the program parted ways her only meet in 2013 was in January back in Oregon. Blovad was unlikely to qualify for Barcelona, but at 13 was the youngest swimmer at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Guys Keaton was in ISB and she was training, she was training with my sister Sidney S. and she is going back to the U.S.A to train again and she is looking forward to the next Olympic trials!
I can understand that. It’s better to be junior world champion than 8th at the USA championships.
It sounds like a good strategy for Mr. Wright. Sometimes you need to pick you battles.
Okubo was 1:58.5 at Jr Pan Pacs, so he is less than a second back of Wright.
You’re right Reid, missed that time from Hawaii. Corrected above.
Makes sense that Keaton isn’t swimming. She’s been in Thailand fpr a good part of this year and hasn’t really had anyone to train with.