Florida senior Conor Dwyer (Winnetka, Ill.), junior Teresa Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa.), freshman Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) and former Gator great Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) each were named to the 2010-11 U.S. National Team, announced this past week by USA Swimming.
The U.S. National Team is chosen based on the six-fastest times from the combined results of the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships and the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships. The 94 athletes chosen for the men’s and women’s teams, including Florida’s foursome, represent the USA’s top hopefuls for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Prior to the 2012 Games, the quartet of Gators also will compete at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China.
Dwyer, the reigning 2010 NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year, was selected to the men’s national team for the first time in his career. The senior captain qualified for the team in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle, along with the 200-meter individual medley.
Making the team for the first time since 2007 was Crippen, a seven-time All-America selection. The junior qualified for the women’s 200-meter backstroke, 200-meter butterfly and 400 IM.
Beisel, who finished fourth in the 400 IM and fifth in the 200 back as a 15-year-old at the 2008 Olympics, qualified in the 100 and 200 back, as well as the 200 and 400 IM. The freshman has been on the team since 2006, where she made the 2006 Pan Pac team as a 13-year-old after finishing second in the 200 back at 2006 Nationals.
The 2010 USA Swimmer of the Year, Lochte will represent his country in the 200 and 400 IM, 100 and 200 free and 100 and 200 back. The 24-time All-American and seven-time NCAA Champion at Florida (2002-06) has already won three Olympic gold medals during his career, while winning a meet-high six gold medals at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships.
