The USA Swimming has announced a roster of 12 talented young swimmers who will be representing the Stars and Stripes at the 2024 Open Water World Junior Championships, taking place in Italy in September. Among them is Claire Weinstein, the reigning World Junior champion in the girls’ 5km event, who will be competing in the challenging 7.5km race this year. Weinstein, who is expected to qualify for her first Olympic team at the upcoming U.S. Trials, is joined by her teammates Sianna Savarda, Gabriel Manteufel, and Luke Ellis from Sandpipers of Nevada as well as Cobe Hehenberger and Brinkleigh Hansen from Saint Petersburg Aquatics.
The roster includes nine first-time competitors representing the United States, with only three members having previous experience. This opportunity will allow these young athletes to gain valuable racing experience on an international stage while showcasing their skills against some of the best young athletes from around the world. The World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships feature events for various age groups, including 14-15 year olds in the 5km race, 16-17 year olds in the 7.5km race, and 18-19 year olds in the 10km race.
USA Swimming National Team Open Water Director Bryce Elser expressed his excitement about this opportunity and praised his team’s performances at the Open Water National Championships. He expressed confidence in their abilities to represent both their clubs and USA Swimming on an international stage while gaining valuable racing experience that they can use to prepare for future competitions like the Olympics.
The championships will be held from September 6th to September 8th in Alghero, Italy, a perfect location for this prestigious event that showcases the best young talent from around the world. It’s an excellent opportunity for these talented swimmers to prove themselves and make history as they compete against each other on a global stage.
