UVA Hosts Star-Studded Short Course Meters Swimming Event in October

The University of Virginia is making waves in the swimming world once again, drawing attention with a star-studded event that promises to be a spectacle for fans of the sport.

Starting Thursday evening at UVA’s Aquatic & Fitness Center, the university will host the Short Course Meters World Prep Pro Am, a two-day meet that features some of the most prominent names in swimming, including 23 Olympians who together have amassed 69 Olympic medals, 37 of which are gold.

Among the noteworthy participants are Katie Ledecky, recognized as the most decorated female swimmer of all time, and Caleb Dressel, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist. They will be joined by former UVA swimmers such as Gretchen Walsh, Alex Walsh, Kate Douglass, Emma Weber, and Aimee Canny.

The complete list of competitors, which includes four-time Olympic gold medalist Leon Marchand and Regan Smith, an eight-time Olympic medalist, can be found at VirginiaSports.com. Also participating are several members of UVA’s current men’s and women’s swimming teams.

Admission to all three sessions of the meet is free:

Thursday, 6 p.m.: Events include the 100-meter freestyle, 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke, 400 freestyle, and 100 breaststroke.

Oct. 16, 11 a.m.: Events include the 100 butterfly, 200 breaststroke, 50 backstroke, 400 individual medley, 100 individual medley, and 1,500 freestyle.

Oct. 16, 6 p.m.: Events include the 50 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and 50 butterfly.

Katie Ledecky, who holds the world record in the 1,500-meter freestyle, will be a major draw for spectators.

This competition acts as a preparatory event for athletes gearing up for the USA Swimming Short Course World Championship trials in Illinois and the World Aquatics Swimming Championships taking place in Beijing this December.

UVA’s head swimming coach, Todd DeSorbo, known for leading the university to six consecutive NCAA women’s swimming titles and coaching the U.S. women’s team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will oversee the event.