Dec. 19, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State swimmer Shane Ryan (Havertown, Pa.) is set to represent the USA in the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool. Ryan and Team USA will go head-to-head with the European All-Starts in Glasgow, Scotland on Dec. 20 and 21.
"I am really excited that I will be going to Scotland to swim internationally for Team USA," said Ryan. "I am so honored that they picked me to go against Team Europe this year. This will be a great experience as well for me to show that Penn State has a great swimming program."
The sophomore swimmer was selected based on his performances at the 2013 World Championship Trials held in Indianapolis, Ind. this past June. At the trials, Ryan placed third in the 50 backstroke with a time of 54.89 and fourth in the 100 backstroke, finishing in 53.84. Head coach Tim Murphy thinks the international event will be a great experience for Ryan.
"I think what's really exciting for Shane [Ryan] is this will be his first opportunity to have USA on his back," said Murphy. "It's a very special and unique opportunity. I think it's something he is very much looking forward to. It's a big step for him being on a national team trip going to Europe against some competition he will probably see for the next couple years. It's just really the first step for the next couple of years of what Shane has in front of him. He is getting just more and more experience and confidence and exposure to the sport at the highest level."
Ryan has enjoyed a promising start to his sophomore campaign, as the Havertown native holds the top times for Penn State in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke events, reaching the NCAA "B" qualifying standard in each race. Ryan has also qualified under the NCAA "B" standard in the 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly events.
The sophomore has already earned Big Ten Swimmer of the Week and CollegeSwimming.com Counsilman-Hunsaker Men's Division I Swimmer of the Week honors in the fall of 2013.
The two-day, short-course meet will be contested at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, site of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Day one of the meet is slated for 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 21, followed by the conclusion of the meet at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 21. Footage from the meet will be televised by NBC as part of a two-hour show on Sunday, Dec. 22. The show will air from 4-6 p.m. ET.
The U.S. team is comprised of the swimmers who posted the top qualifying time in each Olympic event at the 2013 FINA World Championships, 2013 World University Games or 2013 U.S. Open. The top two swimmers in the 100m and 200m freestyles at these three events qualify for the roster, which may feature a maximum of 22 men and 22 women.
Swimmers can compete in a maximum of six events (individual and relays), and each team may enter up to four swimmers per individual event and one relay. A running score will be kept combining the points earned by both women and men to determine the winning team.
The Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool is a made-for-television event, designed to showcase the sport's most exciting swimmers in a short-course meters format. This year's event will be the sixth Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool in the history of USA Swimming, with past Duels held in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011. The U.S. is undefeated and holds a 5-0 record in the history of the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool.