European Championships on Tap for USC Swimmers
USC Swim will be well represented at the European Swimming Championships this week with eight Trojans – past, present and future – set to compete in the meet that kicked off today, May 17 in Budapest, Hungary.
The 2021 Championships are underway, with the pool swimming portion of competition beginning today, and continuing through Sunday, May 23.
Prelims will get underway every day at 10:00 local time (GMT+2) which is 1 a.m. PT, while final sessions will commence each day at 18:00 local time and 9 a.m. PT. The whole meet will be streamed on the LEN's TV platform which can be accessed here.
Hungary's own Katinka Hosszu, who boasts the World Record in the 400m IM (4:26.36), regained her European title with a win in the event earlier this morning to kick off the first day of competition. The reigning Olympic champion posted a 4:34.76 to boost her up to second on the seasonal world rankings.
Kasia Wasick, who set a Poland national record in the 50m free during prelims (24.34), returned to semi-finals to take third in 24.51, advancing to tomorrow's 50m free finals.
After securing the top seed in the 100m fly during prelims, Louise Hanson returned to dominate the semis, posting a 56.73 to qualify for the final with the top time. Representing Sweden, Hansson tied her personal best time, which she set last month in Stockholm. Her time ranks her fifth in the world this season.
Romanian swimmer Robert Glinta finished third during the semifinals of the 50m back, touching in 24.57 to secure a spot in tomorrow's finals.
Still To Swim:
Three current Trojans and one newcomer will also compete this week at the Championships, as Victor Johansson (Sweden), Alexei Sancov and Nikola Miljenic will represent USC abroad. Joining them is Trojan newcomer Evangelos Makrygiannis (Greece), who did not compete his first season due to COVID-19.
- Victor Johansson (Sweden) – 800m free
- Alexei Sancov (Moldova) – 200m fly, 100m fly, 200m free
- Nikola Miljenic (Croatia) – 100m free, 100m fly, 50m fly, 50m free
- Evangelos Makrygiannis (Greece) – 100m back, 200m back