Four Gauchos competing at U.S. Swimming Championships

UC Santa Barbara will be represented by four swimmers at the USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships which will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 6-Sunday, Aug. 10 at the William Wollett, Jr., Aquatics Center in Irvine, the home pool of Gaucho gold medalist Jason Lezak.

UCSB's Andrea Ward

UCSB All-American Andrea Ward will swim in three events.

The UCSB contingent will be led by 2014 NCAA All-American and MPSF Swimmer of the Year Andrea Ward. In addition, the 2015 Gaucho women’s co-captain, senior Katie Records, will compete on the women’s side. On the men’s side 2014 NCAA qualifier and 2015 co-captain senior Wade Allen will be joined by Mickey Mowry, who will be a junior in 2015.

Ward will swim three events beginning with the 200-meter butterfly on the opening day of competition. She will then swim the 50 fly on Aug. 7 and 100 fly on Aug. 8. Records will take part in the 200 breaststroke on Aug. 7.

Allen will have the busiest schedule of all the Gauchos. He will take part in the 100-meter free on Aug. 6, the 50 fly on Aug. 7, the 100 fly on Aug 8 and the 50 frere on Aug. 10. Mowry is slated to swim the 200 fly on Aug. 7.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our Gauchos to perform at the highest level in a southern California setting,” said UCSB head coach Gregg Wilson. “We are very familiar with the facility and these four swimmers have put in a tremendous amount of work leading up to this meet. Each one is seeded very well in their events and I am looking forward to watching them compete. This championship meet will make a big difference in their approach and results for next year’s NCAA season.”

The Gaucho foursome will be competing for roster spots for the 2014 Pan Pacific Championship meet, which will be held Aug. 21-25 in Australia. In addition, the USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships is a