By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Four years ago, Maddy Vonderhaar wrote herself a letter after watching some of her teammates on the Northern Kentucky Clippers swim club compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. She sealed the letter in an envelope and told herself she would not open it until she achieved that goal herself.
The envelope is tucked inside a suitcase that Vonderhaar is taking to this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials that begin Sunday in Omaha, Neb. The 17-year-old Lakeside Park resident plans to read the letter before she competes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events with other top swimmers from across the country.
“I remember writing it, but I don’t remember what’s in it,” Vonderhaar said of the letter that’s dated June 22, 2012. “I just knew I wanted to be here in four years. I’m pretty excited to make it and take the next step toward my dreams.”
Vonderhaar is one of six Clippers who qualified for this year’s Trials in different events. That’s a record number for the local club that ranks among the top 10 in the nation for the most 17-under age group qualifiers with five.
The other female swimmers who made it are Mikayla Herich, 17, in the 200 and 400 individual medley; Amanda Smith, 17, in the 100 and 200 backstroke; and Sophie Skinner, 15, in the 50 and 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke.
The Clippers male qualifiers are Brendan Meyer, 17, in the 200 butterfly, 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle; and Tommy Thetford, 19, in the 50 freestyle.
On Monday, the club had a ceremony to honor all six qualifiers at the Silverlake indoor pool in Erlanger. They each received a bundle of clothing with the Clippers name or logo imprinted on it that they’ll wear during the prestigious event.
“This is the biggest meet of all of our careers,” Thetford said. “We’ve never been to a meet with this level of competition. There’s more on the line in this meet than in any other meet than occurs in the world every four years.”
Thetford grew up in Alabama and joined the Clippers last year. The other five qualifiers grew up swimming for the local club team that has gained national notoriety and received the USA Swimming Silver Medal Award of Excellence.
Clippers head coach Norm Wright and his staff took the six swimmers to major meets in Texas and California earlier this year to give then an idea of what they’ll be up against at the Trials.
“These guys have all been in heats against Olympians and world champions so we’ve done everything we can to prepare them,” Wright said. “It’s hard for a club to get through a Trials year because it’s extra traveling and extra expenses. But we’re hoping it will be a great experience for all of them.”
At the Trials, preliminary heats will be used to reduce the number of swimmers in each event for the championship finals. The top two finishers in each event will become members of the U.S. team that competes in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
None of the Clippers have qualifying times that rank among the top 20 on the event heat sheets. The highest seeds belong to Vonderhaar, who is 24th in the 200 breaststroke, and Meyer, who is 30th in the 400 freestyle. The odds are pretty steep that any of the Clippers will make it to the championship finals, but they’re excited to be competing with the nation’s best swimmers.
“I don’t go into it with any expectations,” Vonderhaar said. “Something like only 13 percent of people have their best swims at Olympic Trials because there’s so much pressure and everything. So it’s good to go into it with no expectations and just race the people around you and try to win your heat.”
Wright told his team members there are other rewards for swimmers who do well at the Trials. Many of them are selected for U.S. teams that compete in international meets to develop swimmers for the 2020 Olympic Trials.
“It’s a continuous process,” Wright said of competitive swimming. “All these guys will still be eligible in 2020 and able to take the next step.”
Six former Clippers who are now in college are also among the qualifiers for this year’s Trials. They include Max Williamson, Ellen Williamson, Sharli Brady, Anne Davies, McKenzie Margrum and Hanna Gilcrist.
For a telecast schedule and other information about the Trials, go to the USA Swimming website.
Terry, great article! It was nice talking with you the other night at the clippers.
I just want to mention that 2 of the swimmers are in the top 50.
Brenda Meyer in the 200 butterfly is seeded around 30th
And Madeleine Vonderhaar is seeded 24th in the 200 breaststroke!
Thx!