Senior Michael Chadwick will compete at the 2016 FINA World Championships in Canada this December, USA Swimming announced on Thursday. Chadwick is a member of the U.S. National Team in the 50-meter freestyle.
The competition will take place in Windsor, Ontario, from Dec. 6-11. Chadwick is slated to swim the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, and he is also eligible to swim on relays. Unlike the summer World Championships, the meet will be held in a 25-meter pool instead of a 50-meter.
Chadwick represented Team USA at the Duel in the Pool in Indianapolis last winter. He helped the U.S. down the European All Star team, placing first in the 400-meter freestyle relay.
This winter’s World Championships will be Chadwick’s first international competition representing Team USA. The North Carolina native learned that he made the team three weeks ago.
“I was really excited,” he said. “Not making the Olympics over the summer, it’s my first time representing the U.S. on an international scene. So it’ll be my first time actually representing the United States in a different country, so I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to do it and showcase what I can do on an international stage.”
Chadwick will not be the only Missouri representative at the meet. Assistant coach Mark Gangloff was selected as an assistant coach for the U.S. team, junior Jordy Groters will swim for Aruba, and graduate Mack Darragh will compete for Canada. Assistant coach Andrew Grevers will also attend the meet as a coach for Aruba.
As a sprint freestyler, Chadwick will likely swim in a number of relays in Windsor, increasing his likelihood of picking up an international medal. He also has a chance to medal in his individual races.
“This competition is kind of calm the Olympic year, so a lot of the big guys won’t be fully rested for this meet,” he said. “I think it’s kind of a meet where I can definitely come in and do well.”
Chadwick will be teammates with 10 Olympians at the meet, including individual medalists Lilly King, Josh Prenot, Cody Miller and Leah Smith. He will also be reunited with Matthew Josa, his club teammate and “close” friend from SwimMAC Carolina.
“I’m excited to keep building relationships with each of them,” Chadwick said. “Some of the guys in college, I know really well. But some of the guys who are older I don’t know quite as well. But I’m excited to continue to get to know them, continue to build that national team relationship that’s very unique.”
Chadwick’s first individual event, the 50-meter freestyle, will take place on Dec. 8.
_Edited by Katherine Stevenson | kstevenson@themaneater.com_
