Kansas set to host fourth-annual CSCAA Open Water Championships on Saturday
LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the fourth-consecutive season, Kansas swimming and diving will be hosting the best long-distance swimmers from around the country on Saturday (Sept. 14) at Lone Star Lake for the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Open Water Championships.
A total of 29 schools will be partaking in the 5,000-meter (roughly 3.1 miles) swim around the lake. This year’s group will total 134 athletes and is divided into a group of 80 females and 54 males.
"We are looking forward to our fourth CSCAA Open Water National Championship. Both the men’s and women’s fields are strong. Our team has been training hard and looking forward to racing on Saturday."
Head Coach Clark Campbell
Four KU swimmers will be competing on Saturday. Senior Jenny Nusbaum is set for her fourth-consecutive season competing in the event after finishing last season in eighth place (1:03:23.85) which was the team-best.
"It has been so fun being a part of the open water race since it started my freshman year. Each year it has gotten better and better, and it’s nice to have a little break from the pool. We have a great group of girls competing this year and we’ve been putting in the work, so I’m really excited to get out there and see what everyone can do."
Jenny Nusbaum
Joining Nusbaum in the event will be junior Crissie Blomquist and sophomores Katie Callahan and Claire Campbell, all of whom competed in the championship last season. Unlike a regular meet, this event is something unlike any other event they will compete in all season long.
"The Open Water meet is different in the way that only four to five of us participate in it and so the whole team is there supporting us and cheering us on for the entire hour as they try and pick out our strokes from the other 70-plus girls. This event takes a different mental preparation – knowing we are about to swim for a little over an hour – but it’s hard not to have fun while swimming next to all my teammates."
Claire Campbell
For more information about the championships, including directions and event layout, visit the championship hub here.
Admission is free and fans are encouraged to come out to Lone Star Lake Saturday morning to support the team. Parking will be available in the lot above the beach and access to the shoreline and road will be nearby using the staircase.
