Franklin and Phelps Expected for 2014 Santa Clara Grand Prix

The Santa Clara Grand Prix is annually the last major competition for a pre-nationals tune-up in American swimming, and thus the fields it attracts are usually top-notch.

That’s true again in 2014, as the sport’s biggest male and female stars, Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin, are both expected to line up at the meet from June 19th-22nd, according to a USA Swimming release.

Though psych sheets aren’t out yet, USA Swimming didn’t make mention of the third part of that three-legged monster, Ryan Lochte, who is still trying to recover from a knee injury late in 2013.

The other big, sort-of-different headliners here are a group of west coast based pros and collegians who skipped the last Grand Prix in Charlotte, which would have been a long haul for them. That includes names like Maya DiRado, BJ Johnson, Rachel Bootsma, Liz Pelton, and Caitlin Leverenz. Though not specifically named, it’s a safe expectation that other swimmers from USC, Stanford, and Cal-based programs will be present as well.

Others named by USA Swimming as participants:

• Nathan Adrian
• Natalie Coughlin
• Anthony Ervin
• Eugene Godsoe
• Allison Schmitt
• Conor Dwyer
• Matt Grevers
• Matt McLean
• Elizabeth Beisel

We will provide a full preview with links, live results, story lines, and schedules after the psych sheets come out, but a few details for now:

• Universal Sports will provide a live broadcast on Saturday and Sunday of the meet.
• Prelims will start at 9 AM Pacific Time, and finals will start at 5 PM Pacific Time
• This meet will decide the winners of the Grand Prix, along with the recipient of a one-year BMW lease. At least on the women’s side, those two winners are not likely to be the same person. See standings here. Conor Dwyer and Megan Romano are the points-favorites to win the cars right now, with Hosszu ineligible but leading the women’s standings.