INDIANAPOLIS — A U.S. Olympic Trials that changed swimming also underscored how much the state of Indiana influences the sport.
(NOTE: The video above is from a previous report on Indianapolis already pushing to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.)
Although no more swimmers from the state made the Olympic team as the nine-day meet closed Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, two coaches did – and one swimmer secured a spot, and one nearly made it in a second event.
Among those selected by USA Swimming for the coaching staff were Chris Plumb, of Carmel Swim Club, and Chris Lindauer, of Notre Dame.
A record six swimmers out of Indiana made the Olympic team: Drew Kibler, Aaron Shackell and Alex Shackell, all of Carmel; Lilly King, Evansville; Blake Pieroni, Chestertona; and Luke Whitlock, Noblesville.
There had been some doubt there would be enough roster space for Pieroni, who was sixth in the 200-meter freestyle, but his spot was secured on the final night. He came out of retirement to make his third Olympic team after winning relay medals in 2016 and 2021.
Also making Team USA were Chris Guiliano, of Notre Dame, in 50, 100 and 200 freestyles, plus six swimmers out of Indiana University’s program: King, Pieroni, Josh Matheny, Anna Peplowski, Matt King (transferring to IU) and Mariah Denigan (open water).
Although attendance was not announced for Sunday night, the previous eight all exceeded 15,000, capped by a record 22,209 Wednesday night. Total attendance will exceeded USA Swimming’s stated goal of 250,000.
Bobby Finke, defending Olympic champion in the 1,500-meter freestyle, won decisively in the last race of the trials in 14:40.28 – a national championships record and No. 2 in the world this year. Finke came to Indianapolis 14th in the world so far.
David Johnston held on against the hard-charging Whitlock for the second Olympic berth. Johnston, ahead by nearly two seconds with 100 meters left, clocked 14:52.74.
Whitlock’s final 50 meters was timed in 27.74, fastest in the field, and he finished in 14:53.00. The 18-year-old, representing Fishers Area Swimming Tigers, was already on the team from second place in the 800 freestyle.
Whitlock's trials: fifth in 400 freestyle, second in 800 freestyle, third in 1,500 freestyle.
In the only other final, Simone Manuel won the 50 freestyle for a third successive trials, finishing in 24.13 seconds with surge over the closing 10 meters. Gretchen Walsh, the top qualifier in 24.06, was second in 24.15.
Abbey Weitzel was third in 24.26, and Torri Huske fourth in 24.33.
Contact WTHR correspondent David Woods at dwoods1411@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.