The 24th Annual Oklahoma Elite Pro-Am, hosted by the American Energy Swim Club, is set to begin tomorrow, December 17th. Over 325 swimmers across 30+ swimming clubs are expected to compete in the historically fast-paced meet, which is held at the Edmond Public Schools Aquatic Center in Edmond, OK. The competition runs through December 21st and will see both junior and senior, amateur and professional swimmers battle it out in the 25-yard pool.
Professional athletes in attendance will be competing for cash prizes, with the top three swimmers receiving awards based on their absolute finish. This year’s kitty includes $600 for first place, $300 for second place, $100 for third place, with a shootout style process applying to the 50 freestyle races. Pro athletes are limited to 4 individual event entries, with no scratches allowed.
Among the prime time athletes schedule to attend, are World Junior Champion Michael Andrew, Duel in the Pool stand-outs Cody Miller and Josh Schneider, as well as National Teamers Madison Kennedy and Breeja Larson.
Miller and Andrew will face-off in the men’s 100 breaststroke race, where they hold the 1st and 3rd seeds, respectively. In both backstroke races, Andrew will have Club Wolverine Elite’s Miguel Ortiz to contend with, who comes in as the 2nd seed in each race. Ortiz will also be contesting the 100 butterfly and 100 free, holding the top seed in the former event.
True to his sprinter self, Schneider is racing both the men’s 50 and 100 freestyle events, entering the meet as the #1 guy in each. Darian Townsend and Jimmy Feigen will also be in the races to compete for cash, as will Derek Toomey.
On the women’s end, Kennedy leads the women’s fields in the 50 and 100 freestyle entry times by a mile, so the SwimMAC Elite athlete looks to be a shoo-in for some prize money. The same holds true for Larson, who is in a league of her own in the 50 and 100 breaststroke events.
However, as amateur attendees of the meet in the past can attest, the unique opportunity to share the pool deck with and race against their professional counterparts is a treasured experience. Having the chance to be in the pool at the same time as big names like Zane Grothe, Lara Jackson and Josh Davis makes the meet atmosphere one to remember.
Order of Events:
