The psyche sheet for the 2015 KMSC Pro-Am Classic was released this morning, featuring a long list of professional athletes joining several top clubs from all over the country.
Despite the drama that led to Oklahoma City hosting two Pro-Am meets last December and the shut-down of the Oklahoma City Community College pool, the KMSC Pro-Am Classic is moving ahead full steam. Format changes and a new venue promise to improve upon the 25 year legacy of the meet, as it has moved to Lewisville, Texas in a cooperative effort between King Marlin Swim Club and Mid-Cities Arlington Swim Club.
The new facility, near DFW Airport, will allow the meet to be run with prelims in two pools for the first time. The meet offers a unique format, with a tournament bracket style 50 free shoot-out and prize money for professional athletes who finish in the top three places for all events. Prize money is awarded at $600 for first place, $300 for second and $100 for third, with prize money doubled for both the 50 freestyle and the 1650.
The meet begins Thursday evening with relays and the 1000 freestyle. Notable names in the distance events include Stephanie Peacock and Ashley Twitchell with the top women’s seeds in the Chip Peterson and Dan O’Connor leading the men’s 1000. The big money offered in the 50 free also drew notable athletes Karlee Bispo and Ariana Vanderpool-Wallace for the women’s shoot-out and Roland Schoemann, David Williams, Mark Weber and Caleb Weir in the mens’ event. Other professional athletes that stand out in the psyche sheet are Bobby Bollier, BJ Hornikel, Eugene Godsoe, Katie Meili, Brendan McHugh, Tim Phillips, and Hannah Saiz.
The list of clubs attending is impressive as well, with several travelling quite a distance, including Schroeder YMCA and Mission Viejo Nadadores who have a long history with the meet.
You can take a peek at the psyche sheet here.