AT&T Winter National Championships 2015: USA Swimming Dates and Event Schedule
The 2015 AT&T Winter National Championships of swimming give competitors the opportunity to seize glory in a prestigious meet in addition to logging qualifying times for the impending Summer Olympics.
Thursday through Saturday are the dates for the action in Federal Way, Washington. The spring and summer also fostered swimming Nationals meets, but the winter is the grand finale. With the biggest stage in aquatic sports looming at the Summer Games, the stakes are even higher than usual this time around.
Below is a look at the complete event schedule, followed by a preview of what to watch for at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
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| 1 | Women's 400 Freestyle | 9 a.m. |
| 2 | Men's 400 Freestyle | 9:38 a.m. |
| 3 | Women's 200 Individual Medley | 10:26 a.m. |
| 4 | Men's 200 Individual Medley | 10:51 a.m. |
| 5 | Women's 50 Freestyle | 11:19 a.m. |
| 6 | Men's 50 Freestyle | 11:30 a.m. |
| 7 | Women's 400 Individual Medley | 9 a.m. |
| 8 | Men's 400 Individual Medley | 9:32 a.m. |
| 9 | Women's 100 Butterfly | 10:07 a.m. |
| 10 | Men's 100 Butterfly | 10:21 a.m. |
| 11 | Women's 200 Freestyle | 10:37 a.m. |
| 12 | Men's 200 Freestyle | 11:02 a.m. |
| 13 | Women's 100 Breaststroke | 11:32 a.m. |
| 14 | Men's 100 Breaststroke | 11:50 a.m. |
| 15 | Women's 100 Backstroke | 12:07 p.m. |
| 16 | Men's 100 Backstroke | 12:23 p.m. |
| 17 | Women's 800 Freestyle | 2:28 p.m. |
| 18 | Men's 1500 Freestyle | 5 p.m. |
| 19 | Women's 200 Backstroke | 9 a.m. |
| 20 | Men's 200 Backstroke | 9:24 a.m. |
| 21 | Women's 100 Freestyle | 9:50 a.m. |
| 22 | Men's 100 Freestyle | 10:06 a.m. |
| 23 | Women's 200 Breaststroke | 10:25 a.m. |
| 24 | Men's 200 Breaststroke | 10:59 a.m. |
| 25 | Women's 200 Butterfly | 11:27 a.m. |
| 26 | Men's 200 Butterfly | 11:46 a.m. |
Winter National Championships Swimming Preview
Unlike most massive swim meets, the Winter Nationals feature only the best of the best individuals and don't feature any relay races.
That gives fans the chance to see the cream of the crop go head-to-head more often without having to rely on relay teammates to hold up their end of the bargain in terms of results in the pool. USA Swimming Stats provided a snapshot of the Olympic trials picture:
As for more recognizable individuals, Michael Phelps deservedly garners a ton of fanfare as the most decorated Olympian ever. The 30-year-old is still capable of competing with the world's best and will be seeded No. 1 in the 200-meter individual medley and 100- and 200-meter butterfly.
Adding another layer to the Phelps storyline is his incredible resurgence since emerging from rehab following a DUI arrest that got him a six-month suspension by USA Swimming. He evidently still has enough in the tank to add to his Olympic hardware collection.
In a lengthy interview with SI.com's Tim Layden, Phelps opened up about his struggles, indicated he wouldn't drink until at least after the 2016 Summer Olympics and spoke about how sobriety has helped him as an athlete:
"Haven't had a single sip and will not have a sip. My body fat has dropped significantly, and I'm leaner than I've ever been. The performances were there because I worked, recovered, slept and took care of myself more than I ever had. …
That whole four-year period [from 2008 to 2012], I would miss at least two workouts a week. Why? Didn't want to go. Didn't feel like going. Screw it. I'm going to sleep in. I'm going to skip Friday and go for a long weekend.
"
One can imagine how dominant Phelps can be as he continues to apply himself to a more serious degree.
But Phelps isn't the only American who will be causing a stir this week in Federal Way. It's time for the USA faithful to become more acquainted with the present and future in Missy Franklin.
The vast majority may not know of Franklin yet. It'd be worth tuning in for the Winter Nationals to get a glimpse of the 20-year-old before she travels to compete this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Franklin is the top seed in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle events in addition to the women's 200-meter backstroke. Such prowess and versatility is the mark of a transcendent future Olympian, and she'll be able to showcase her skills against elite competition.
Another rising star in the women's events to keep an eye on is Simone Manuel. Only 19 years of age, she will be seeded first in the 50-meter freestyle and is second only to Franklin in the 100 meters at the Winter Nationals.
Their head-to-head battle in the 100 could be one for the ages with Natalie Coughlin also racing. Coughlin also figures to give Franklin a run for her money in the 100-meter backstroke, as she's seeded first ahead of Franklin.
Those marquee stars alone would be well worth tuning in for. The Winter Nationals feature numerous swimmers who are separated by fractions of a second on a routine basis, though, so it's worth monitoring to see if any breakout performers will rise to the occasion and claim a spot in the pre-Rio storylines.
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