Swimming Nationals Start Today in Fresno

Brooke Bennett, gold medalist in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at the Sydney Olympics last year, is seeded No. 1 in the event at the Phillips 66 U.S. Summer National Championships, which begin today at Clovis Olympic Swim Complex in Fresno.

Bennett will be one of several Olympic swimmers at the meet, considered the most prestigious in the U.S. in a non-Olympic year. Other Olympians competing include breaststroke specialists Megan Quann, Amanda Beard and Staciana Stitts, men’s freestyle specialist Gary Hall Jr. and men’s backstroke specialist Neil Walker.

Among the Olympians not competing are sprinter Anthony Ervin and backstroke specialist Aaron Peirsol, who focused on the recent world championships. Some top young swimmers also will be missing as they point toward the World University Games later this month.

Olympian Chad Carvin of Laguna Hills and the Mission Viejo Nadadores is top-seeded in the men’s 800 freestyle and the 400 freestyle, scheduled for Friday.

Competition continues Wednesday with the 100 freestyle and the 200 breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly events. The meet runs through Saturday.