Jack Bauerle, head men and women’s swimming and diving coach, and UGA swimmers Hali Flickinger, Melanie Margalis and Nicolas Fink will help lead the U.S. against Europe in the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool Dec. 11-12 in Indianapolis.
This will be the seventh Duel in the Pool, which has been held every other year since 2003. The Americans are 6-0 in the competition.
Bauerle has been a fixture in the Duel in the Pool. He served as the U.S. women’s head coach in 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2011 and as an assistant women’s coach in 2007.
Bauerle also was picked as the women’s head coach for 2013 but had to step down because of knee surgery. This season, he will serve as the overall head coach for the Americans.
“It’s an honor any chance you get to represent both the University of Georgia and the United States,” Bauerle said. “It’s a feeling that never gets old, and it’s an honor that the swimmers and I never take for granted.
“This will be a high-level meet with an exciting format,” he also said. “We’re really looking forward to it. It will be quite a challenge because the Europeans will be coming off some major competitions and they’ll be ready. Our swimmers will really have to step up. It should be pretty exciting.”
Flickinger is a senior for women’s swimming and diving, while Margalis was a 17-time All-American from 2011-14 and Fink earned 21 All-American certificates from 2012-15.
“The Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool is an exciting format for the athletes, fans and viewers, where our sport’s most decorated athletes line up with some of USA Swimming’s future stars,” said Frank Busch, director of the USA Swimming national team. “I’m looking forward to watching this group compete against a talented European roster, and the experience gained in Indianapolis will be key heading into an Olympic year.”
Thirty-six athletes, including Olympic medalists Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte and Natalie Coughlin, also will represent the U.S at the meet.
