8 Cal Women Named to U.S. National Teams

Eight Golden Bears have been chosen to represent the United States in international competition next summer with spots on the 2015 World Championships, 2015 Pan American Games and 2015 World University Games teams, USA Swimming announced Thursday.

Three current members of the California women’s swimming program will be heading to Kazan, Russia, next Aug. 2-9 for the World Championships. Sophomore Missy Franklin, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who captured a record six gold medals at the 2013 World meet, is slated to compete in four individual events – 100- and 200-meter backstroke and 100- and 200-meter freestyle – and could be added to any of three relay squads. Franklin won both backstrokes and the 200 free, in addition to gold in the 400 and 800 free relay and 400 medley relay, in 2013. She was also fourth in the 100 free.

In addition, junior Rachel Bootsma, who won Olympic gold as a member of the U.S. 400 medley relay in 2012, will race in the 50 back after capturing the U.S. title at the Phillips 66 National Championships this past summer, and freshman Cierra Runge qualified in the 400 free and for the 800 free relay.

The Pan American Games will be held July 14-18, 2015, in Toronto and will feature Cal alumnae Natalie Coughlin and Caitlin Leverenz. Coughlin, a 12-time Olympic medalist who was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame earlier this month, will be in the 50 and 100 free, while Caitlin Leverenz, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 individual medley, will swim the 200 and 400 IM.

Finally, the U.S. World University Games roster will include current Bears Bootsma, senior Melanie Klaren, sophomore Celina Li and junior Elizabeth Pelton. Bootsma and Pelton will race in the 100 back, with Klaren in the 200 back and Li in the 200 IM.

“Having eight swimmers on these teams says a lot and is something that we are really proud of,” Cal head coach Teri McKeever said. “They’re going to get the experience of traveling and meeting people, as well as face the challenges and opportunities that present themselves at these international meets. This is a big summer leading into Rio for the 2016 Olympics. To have people swimming in different competitions and in different events will be very valuable.”