CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Two University of Miami swimmers will be competing for a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympics next week at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.
Rising seniors Angela Algee and Christina Leander were among those swimmers who qualified for the trials, set for June 26 – July 3. The event serves as the only selection meet for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.
Algee, who made the initial cut time for the 100-yard butterfly back in July 2015, lowered her time to 1:00.78 at the Texas Senior Circuit No. 2 on the Texas A&M campus two weeks ago.
“It was very exciting when she got it, and it’s been exciting ever since, in terms of planning and preparing and looking forward to it,” Miami head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “It’s one of the greatest honors you can obtain as a U.S. swimmer.”
Kershaw said Algee’s confidence has been key to her training for the 100 fly, with preliminaries for her event set for Sunday, June 26.
“She’s looking great, and she’s having a blast while doing it,” he said. “A big part of it is her confidence in herself and confidence in the training we’re doing. She really believes in it and does everything just the way we want it done.”
Leander qualified for the trials in the 100 backstroke at the same event where Algee lowered her qualifying time in College Station, Texas. Leander, who also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials as a high school junior in 2012, posted a time of 1:02.98 two weeks ago.
Kershaw said Leander’s experience with the event will help in her return trip, which will begin with preliminaries on Monday, June 27.
“Talent-wise, there’s no question with Christina,” Kershaw said. “She has as much talent as you can. When you’re young and make the trial cut time, all of a sudden, expectations can change, pressure changes – she’s been through a lot of different things. For her, a lot of it was getting back to a place where her talent can shine through.”
Having two swimmers competing on the highest stage is an exciting opportunity for not only the individuals, but for the Miami swimming program as a whole, Kershaw said.
“This is the ‘Super Bowl’ of our sport, and we only get it once every four years. That makes it that much more intense. For everyone in the swimming world, the intensity ramps up, the excitement and enthusiasm ramps up.
“The meet out in Omaha is one of the greatest events in the world – it’s not like a swim meet, it’s an event. There’s pyrotechnics, lighting, and sound, and it’s just absolutely awesome. Knowing that we’ll be there in an arena at a pool made just for this, with how many ever thousands of fans cheering for the USA, I’m really looking forward to it, and I know Angela and Christina are too.”
Kershaw will return to Miami for a few days before departing to Rio De Janeiro, where he will serve as Head Manager of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity, and I know our team and program will be in good hands with [assistant coach] Caroline [Maxvill] here during the portion of the summer where I will be with Team USA,” Kershaw said.