World’s Top Swimmers Will Compete in Irvine

Ranked swimmers from throughout the world will compete today through Sunday in the sixth annual Speedo Grand Challenge at Heritage Aquatics Complex in Irvine.

Among those competing will be Olympians Amanda Beard, Ashley Tapping and Kristine Quance-Julian, who is returning to competition for the first time since having a baby. Elli Overton, a 1996 Olympian from Australia, also will be swimming.

Chad Carvin of Mission Viejo, the 1999 national champion in the 400-meter freestyle, will compete, along with Bobby Brewer and Jason Lezak, both 1998 national champions, Steve West and Francisco Sanchez, a member of Ecuador’s Olympic team.

Allen Ong, a double winner at the Division I Southern Section finals, and Juan Rodela, who won a silver medal in the 100 butterfly at spring nationals, also will compete.

Others competing include U.S. Pan American Games team members Aaron Peirsol, Carly Geehr, Jessica Hayes, Staciana Stitts and University Games team member Allison Terry.

Preliminaries start at 9 a.m. and finals are scheduled for 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

Notes

The list of events: Today: 200-meter individual medley; 400 freestyle; 100 breaststroke; 200 backstroke; 50 freestyle. Saturday: 100 backstroke; 200 freestyle; 100 butterfly; 400 IM. Sunday: 100 freestyle; 200 breaststroke; 200 butterfly; 800 freestyle; 1,500 freestyle.