A Local Swimmer Is 2012’s Youngest American Olympian
The United States Olympic Committee officially named its team for London yesterday, and local distance swimmer Katie Ledecky is the youngest member of the 530-person contingent at 15 years old.
The composition of the American Olympic team has been a work
in progress for some time, with several high-profile sports,
including swimming, gymnastics, and track, completing their
trials just in the past few weeks. As of yesterday, though, the
American Olympic roster is set, and Katie Ledecky, a 15-year-old from Montgomery County, is its youngest member.
The Stone Ridge rising sophomore ran away with the
800-meter freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, and for
many who follow the sport locally, that race was the highlight
of the meet. She qualified for the games with a more-than-two-second
victory over Kate Ziegler—also a local—in the longest
women’s race contested in the Olympics. The 800 capped off a great first trials for Ledecky, who placed third (two people qualify) in the 400 free earlier in the week, breaking a 24-year-old National Age Group record in the process.
Ziegler, who grew up in Great Falls, also earned a trip to
London in the 800 free by finishing second to Ledecky. In 2008,
Ziegler entered the games a two-time defending world champion
in the same event but didn’t quite make the final in Beijing.
The intervening years have brought change for her: a move to
California and another back to the area, and a comeback highlighted
by silver at last summer’s world championships. Her fresh
perspective, which she discussed with the Washington Post just before trials, should make for a richer Olympic experience
this time around.
Other swimmers with local ties headed to London include two University of Virginia standouts, who both qualified as members
of their respective 800-meter freestyle relay teams. UVA grad, 2011 NCAA champion, and Sterling native Matt McLean qualified by finishing fifth in the 200-meter freestyle at the trials; rising senior Lauren Perdue, who comes from a family full of UVA swimmers, qualified by finishing fourth.
All told, according to the United States Olympic
Committee roster, 12 athletes who list suburbs of Washington as their
hometowns
have been named to the team—7 from Virginia and 5 from
Maryland, with 15 Virginians and 12 Marylanders total headed to London.
It’s important to note, of course, that some of those athletes
(like Kevin Durant of Montrose Christian and the Oklahoma City Thunder) live and train outside of the area at present.
Look for Washington representatives in basketball, canoe/kayak, field hockey, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, Taekwondo, and
track. For the full roster, visit teamusa.org.
A Local Swimmer Is 2012’s Youngest American Olympian
The United States Olympic Committee officially named its team for London yesterday, and local distance swimmer Katie Ledecky is the youngest member of the 530-person contingent at 15 years old.
The composition of the American Olympic team has been a work
in progress for some time, with several high-profile sports,
including swimming, gymnastics, and track, completing their
trials just in the past few weeks. As of yesterday, though, the
American Olympic roster is set, and
Katie Ledecky, a 15-year-old from Montgomery County, is its youngest member.
The Stone Ridge rising sophomore ran away with the
800-meter freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, and for
many who follow the sport locally, that race was the highlight
of the meet. She qualified for the games with a more-than-two-second
victory over
Kate Ziegler—also a local—in the longest
women’s race contested in the Olympics. The 800 capped off a great first trials for Ledecky, who placed third (two people qualify) in the 400 free earlier in the week, breaking a 24-year-old National Age Group record in the process.
Ziegler, who grew up in Great Falls, also earned a trip to
London in the 800 free by finishing second to Ledecky. In 2008,
Ziegler entered the games a two-time defending world champion
in the same event but didn’t quite make the final in Beijing.
The intervening years have brought change for her: a move to
California and another back to the area, and a comeback highlighted
by silver at last summer’s world championships. Her fresh
perspective, which she discussed with the
Washington Post just before trials, should make for a richer Olympic experience
this time around.
Other swimmers with local ties headed to London include two University of Virginia standouts, who both qualified as members
of their respective 800-meter freestyle relay teams. UVA grad, 2011 NCAA champion, and Sterling native
Matt McLean qualified by finishing fifth in the 200-meter freestyle at the trials; rising senior
Lauren Perdue, who comes from a family full of UVA swimmers, qualified by finishing fourth.
All told, according to the United States Olympic
Committee roster, 12 athletes who list suburbs of Washington as their
hometowns
have been named to the team—7 from Virginia and 5 from
Maryland, with 15 Virginians and 12 Marylanders total headed to London.
It’s important to note, of course, that some of those athletes
(like
Kevin Durant of Montrose Christian and the Oklahoma City Thunder) live and train outside of the area at present.
Look for Washington representatives in basketball, canoe/kayak, field hockey, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, Taekwondo, and
track. For the full roster, visit teamusa.org.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
Meet the 2023 Washingtonians of the Year
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Washingtonian Magazine
April 2024: Great Places to Live
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
PHOTOS: Demonstrators Gather Outside the Supreme Court as It Hears Arguments on Emergency Abortion Case
DC’s Coolest Jobs: A Jazz Detective. Orchid Whisperer. Armageddon Stopper.
Seven Miles of Georgia Avenue Will Have a Bus-Only Lane This Summer
What We’ll Miss (or Won’t Miss) About Foxtrot
Foxtrot Is Closing Its DC-Area Stores
Taylor Swift Class Will Be Offered at American University
You Can Still Get Tickets to See Caitlin Clark Play in DC
The Capital Pride Parade Won’t Go Through Dupont Circle This Year