10 Swimmers To Watch At Pilot Flying J January Classic

Here's a look at 10 swimmers to watch this weekend at the Pilot Flying J January Classic hosted by Tennessee Aquatics at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Jan 12, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

10 Swimmers To Watch At Pilot Flying J January Classic

Over 1,100 age group swimmers hailing from some of the Southeast's premier clubs are descending on the Pilot Flying J January Classic at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, for their first meet of 2017 on Jan. 13-15. Hosted by Tennessee Aquatics at UT's Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center, the three-day event not only offers a glance at the region's top club programs but also a number of Division I-committed athletes.

Here's a look at 10 swimmers to watch this weekend:

Sydney Baker (Y-Spartaquatics Swim Club)

Baker, an individual medley and breaststroke specialist, is committed to the University of North Carolina and comes from the same club as the 2016 NCAA DI national champion in the 200 backstroke, Danielle Galyer. Baker has already recorded junior national time standards in the 200 IM (2:00.00), 100 breast (1:01.99), and a national time standard in the 200 breast (2:12.57).

Jessi Snover (Y-Spartaquatics Swim Club)

Snover, a butterfly specialist and Gardner Webb commit, has already recored a junior national time standard in the 100 butterfly (53.63). Snover has also put up some impressive times in the 100 free (50.02), 200 free (1:49.03), and 200 fly (2:00.08).

Andrey Tretyakov (Madison Swimming Association)

Tretyakov, a sprint butterfly specialist and University of Alabama commit, looks to improve upon his seed time of 48.07 in his speciality event, the 100 butterfly (He has the Olympic Trials standard in the LCM version of the race with a 54.78).

Noah Henderson (STAR Aquatics)

Henderson, 15, is a very versatile swimmer who has already recorded a junior national time standard in the 100 butterfly (48.93). He has also put up some solid times in the 50 free (20.96), 200 butterfly (1:50.32), and 100 back (50.48).

Andrew Shea (Madison Swimming Association)

Shea, a sprint freestyle/backstroke specialist and University of Alabama commit with teammate Tretyakov, has already recorded a junior national time standard in the 50 free (20.48) and will look to dip under the 50-second mark in the 100 backstroke (50.36).

Caleb Harrington (Tennessee Aquatics)

Harrington, another versatile swimmer, is the top seed in the 200 back (1:49.04) and 100 free (44.99). He has also recorded solid times in the 50 free (20.61) and 200 free (1:40.47) and will look to pick up a handful of wins in Knoxville as the No. 2 seed in those two events.

Alex Hines (Tennessee Aquatics)

Hines, an IM/breaststroke specialist and Virginia Tech commit, will look to improve upon his top seed time in the 400 IM (3:58.56) and dip under the two-minute barrier in the 200 breaststroke (2:01.62).

Tonner DeBeer (Triton Swimming)

DeBeer, a versatile sprint specialist, has already recorded some impressive times in the 100 back (54.71), 100 fly (55.16), 100 free (50.84), and 50 free (23.30). DeBeer was also a pivotal member of Sacred Heart Academy's 200 medley relay that broke the national independent high school record last February at the Kentucky High School State Championships. She led off on the backstroke leg with a swift 25.76.

Sarah Sperber (Dayton Raiders Swim Club)

Sperber, a sprint breaststroke specialist, has already recorded a junior national time standard in the 100 breast (1:02.96) and looks to give Sydney Baker a run for her money in this event.

Will Tarvestad (Triton Swimming)

Tarvestad, a well-rounded freestyle specialist, will look forward to showing off his range as he has recorded solid times in the 50 free (21.10), 100 free (45.69), 200 free (1:40.19), and 500 free (4:37.23).

Stay tuned to the meet coverage page for more information and content throughout the weekend.