International Swimming League 2020: DC Trident
- 2019 finish: 6th
- 2019 MVP: Siobhan Haughey (99 MVP points)
The DC Trident were the first American team left outside the ISL Finale in 2019, but they took some key personnel losses in the offseason. Reloading with NCAA talents and a couple key ISL free agents was vital, and DC did just that.
Additions
- Amy Bilquist (LAC)
- Margo Geer (LAC)
- Bailey Andison (LAC)
- Linnea Mack (LAC)
- Ky-Lee Perry (NCAA)
- Miranda Tucker (NCAA)
- Kathrin Demler (NCAA)
- Aly Galyer (NCAA)
- Lindsey Kozelsky (NCAA)
- Jacob Pebley (NYB)
- Drew Loy (NCAA)
- Mohamed Samy (NCAA)
- Matheus Santana
- Meiron Cheruti
- Conner McHugh
- Mark Nikolaev
On the women’s side, DC nabbed four big names from their U.S. rivals on the west coast. Former LA Current members Amy Bilquist and Margo Geer both offer great speed and relay value – both were skin race entrants at least once last year.
For the men, Jacob Pebley is the big-name ISL free agent, switching from the New York Breakers and bringing much-needed backstroking speed.
The Trident scraped out a bunch of solid new pros from the NCAA ranks. Ky-Lee Perry should be a great relay sprinter and potential skin race entrant. Former Big Ten rivals Miranda Tucker and Lindsey Kozelsky are two of the top breaststrokers coming out of the NCAA.
And then internationally, Brazil’s Matheus Santana is an interesting addition – he was an elite young sprinter who has been more under-the-radar lately, but still offers some major upside in the all-important sprints.
Losses
- Siobhan Haughey
- Brianna Throssell
- Simona Kubova
- Lisa Bratton
- Anika Apostalon
- Katie Ledecky
- Leah Neale
- Annika Bruhn
- Sarah Gibson
- Natalie Coughlin
- Claire Rasmus
- Andreas Vazaios
- Jeremy Stravius
- Jay Litherland
- Kevin Cordes
- Cody Miller
Some big names are off the roster. Katie Ledecky was easily the most recognizable name on the Trident roster last year, but the ISL format doesn’t really play to her strengths in distance, and Ledecky might be sitting out the ISL season this time around as she’s not yet appearing on any roster.
Siobhan Haughey will be the toughest to replace. Haughey was the team’s top scorer last year and a stalwart in the skin races. She jumped to defending league champion Energy Standard in the offseason. Natalie Coughlin came out of retirement to compete last year, but that always appeared to be a short-term move, and it appears Coughlin will not compete in Season 2. Versatile Greek IMer Andreas Vazaios no longer appears on the roster, and he leaves an IM gap along with departed U.S. Olympian Jay Litherland.
The male breaststrokers have also completely cleared out, as Kevin Cordes headed to the Cali Condors and Cody Miller is not on the roster.
Returners
- Bethany Galat
- Emma Barksdale
- Leiston Pickett
- Madison Kennedy
- Remedy Rule
- Ting Wen Quah
- Zane Grothe
- Ian Finnerty
- Zach Apple
- Tristan Hollard
- Giles Smith
- Velimir Stjepanovic
- Robert Howard
- Zach Harting
- Abrahm DeVine
Retaining Bethany Galat is a big deal. She scored 20+ points in both Group A matches last year and is the team’s highest returning scorer.
On the men’s side, IU-based pros Ian Finnerty, Zane Grothe and Zach Apple are all sticking around, even if Miller is out the door. Backstroker Tristan Hollard was also an impact player last year and returns.
Full Roster
Women:
- Bethany Galat
- Amy Bilquist
- Margo Geer
- Bailey Andison
- Linnea Mack
- Emma Barksdale
- Leiston Pickett
- Madison Kennedy
- Remedy Rule
- Ting Wen Quah
- Ky-Lee Perry
- Miranda Tucker
- Kathrin Demler
- Ali Galyer
- Lindsey Kozelsky
Men:
- Zane Grothe
- Ian Finnerty
- Zach Apple
- Tristan Hollard
- Giles Smith
- Velimir Stjepanovic
- Robert Howard
- Zach Harting
- Jacob Pebley
- Abrahm DeVine
- Drew Loy
- Mohamed Samy
- Matheus Santana
- Meiron Cheruti
- Conner McHugh
- Mark Nikolaev
“It appears Natalie Coughlin will not compete”
That would be correct. Because she’s expecting her second child very soon.
Cody Miller is still on the dc trident roster for the isl website
Many, many of the rosters on the website are wrong.
And, in fact, we’ve been told that many of the rosters on the live stream are already out of date.
But, DC Trident have confirmed their roster as above directly to us.
The move away from ISL by Cody feels like it might be driven by the fact that him and Ali will be expecting around the time the ISL would be holding the stint in Budapest. He wouldn’t want to leave his wife and newborn baby alone.
If that’s the case, it’s a very good decision. Imo