Louisville senior Aaron Young has been called-up to the 2015 NCAA Championship meet after the scratch of Princeton senior Harrison Wagner. This will be Young’s first-ever NCAA appearance in an individual event.
“Harrison has come down with a fever and been fighting an illness for the better part of the week,” a Princeton spokesperson said. “We were staying optimistic his health would pick up; however, after a trip to the hospital last night, it became clear that was not likely. Harrison wanted me to pass along that he is still excited to be at the meet and cheer on his teammates as they race this week.”
When the first round of psych sheets were released, Young was the second alternate on the basis of his 46.38 in the 100 yard fly, which tied him with Tennessee’s Jacob Thulin (Young held the tie-breaker between the two). That makes Young the 30th seed in the event, and he’s also available to race the 100 back (46.94 – t-38th seed), and the 100 free (43.95 – 57th seed).
Wagner’s scratch, meanwhile, takes potential individual points off of the board for Princeton. He was seeded to score in Thursday’s 50 free, where he was 16th-best coming in with a 19.39; he was also the 43rd seed in the 100 free in 43.45.
Young was already a part of the Cardinals’ travel squad – according to the team, he was brought along just on the off chance that a scratch might pull him into the meet.
Wagner is also out of the Princeton relays, which will be a huge blow for the Tigers who were set to have their best NCAA presence since finishing 23rd in 2012.
What a bummer way to end your senior year! 🙁
But, very classy to give up his spot to someone who will be able to appreciate it. Carpe diem, Aaron!