Seliskar named to U.S. national team

Seliskar at the 2013 FINA Junior World Championships in Dubai.

Seliskar at the 2013 FINA Junior World Championships in Dubai.

Yena Seo

After a summer of several national and international-level championship meets, junior Andrew Seliskar was named to the 2013-2014 U.S. national team by USA Swimming on Sept. 3. He was selected for the team based on his results at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. and the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Athletes who held the top six fastest times in an Olympic event with combined results from Indianapolis, the 2013 World University Games, the 2013 World Championships and the 2013 U.S. Open were selected for the team.

Seliskar qualified for the team in the 200-meter butterfly, joining top-level swimmers such as Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky. He also qualified for the U.S. junior national team in the 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley.

“The U.S. national team isn’t a normal team where you would all train and swim together because it’s composed of people all across the country,” Seliskar said. “But it means I can qualify for some benefits and possibly represent the team in international meets.”

At the 2013 Speedo Junior Nationals in Irvine, Calif., Seliskar placed first in the 200-meter butterfly, fourth in the 100-meter breaststroke, and sixth in the 100-meter butterfly. He also won and broke the National Age Group record in the 15-16-year-old boys’ 200-meter individual medley.

In Dubai, Seliskar re-broke his National Age Group record in the 200-meter individual medley, placing fourth overall in the event. Additionally, he won the 200-meter butterfly with a meet record of 1:56.42.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the team and learn as much as I can from the leaders and other swimmers on the team, and hopefully represent the United States well,” Seliskar said.