Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix 1 - USA Swimming

2011-12 Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Contact: Matt Whewell (719-866-3599 / mwhewell@usaswimming.org)
Phelps, Coughlin and Lochte to compete at Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix
More than 60 National Team Members to compete in Charlotte, N.C., May 10-13
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.), Ryan Lochte (Daytona
Beach, Fla.) and Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) will headline the talented group of swimmers competing at the Charlotte
UltraSwim Grand Prix, May 10-13. The meet is the sixth stop of the 2011-2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series and will
take place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Additional National Team Members who will compete in Charlotte include Rebecca Soni (Plainsboro, NJ.), Katie Hoff
(Towson, Md.), Brendan Hansen (Havertown, Pa.), Jessica Hardy (Long Beach, Calif.), Caitlin Leverenz (Tucson, Ariz.),
Chloe Sutton (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Mark Gangloff (Akron, Ohio), Eric Shanteau (Lilburn, Ga.), Allison Schmitt (Canton,
Mich.), Mike Alexandrov (Champaign, Ill.), and Charlotte native Ricky Berens (Charlotte, NC).
Timed finals on Thursday will begin at 4 p.m. ET. Prelims in Charlotte will start at 9 a.m. ET, Friday through Sunday, with
finals beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Visit www.usaswimming.org for a complete schedule of events. Tickets may be purchased
at the door or through the Charlotte UltraSwim website online. USA Swimming will also provide a live webcast of the event
while Universal Sports will broadcast the event LIVE from 6 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 and from 6 – 8 p.m. on Sunday,
May 13.
The meet is the sixth stop of the 2011-2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series with the series concluding June 2, 2012 in
Santa Clara, Calif. Swimmers are awarded five points for a gold medal, three points for a silver medal and one point for
a bronze medal. The top scoring swimmer at the conclusion of the Series will be awarded $20,000. Phelps currently sits
atop the standings with Schmitt currently in second. Reigning Grand Prix Series Champion Missy Franklin (Centennial,
Colo.) rounds out the top-three spots. A leaderboard for the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series can be found online at www.
usaswimming.org/grandprix.
The USA Swimming Grand Prix Series serves as an opportunity for swimmers to race against some of the best competition
in the country as they continue their preparation for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. as well as the 2012
Olympic Games in London.
About USA Swimming
As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, USA Swimming is a 300,000-member service organization that promotes
the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs,
events and education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age group level to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers. USA
Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competition including the Olympic Games, and strives to serve the sport through
its core objectives: Build the base, Promote the sport, Achieve competitive success. For more information, visit www.usaswimming.org.
2 2011-12 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series