Claire Curzan Seeking Return to International Duty at U.S. Nationals
Multiple questions will be answered at this week’s United States National Championships. Among them: Can the American men put together a roster capable of excelling at the World Championships in Singapore? Will Gretchen Walsh and Katie Ledecky continue to break world records? Will Rex Maurer transfer his success from the short-course pool to the big tank?
Another pressing query: What type of performances will Claire Curzan deliver?
Since landing a berth to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Curzan has admirably represented Team USA in international competition. She was a medalist at the 2022 World Championships and starred at the 2024 edition of the World Champs in Doha. Yet, she missed qualifying for the 2023 World Championships and finished shy of a bid to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
This week in Indianapolis, Curzan will look to rebound from last summer as she chases a spot on the American roster for the next edition of the World Champs. Curzan is expected to contest all three backstroke events, along with the 100 freestyle. Where you won’t see the University of Virginia star is in the butterfly events, which she has opted to bypass.
The 20-year-old put together a strong collegiate season for the University of Virginia, as she claimed the title in the 200-yard backstroke at the NCAA Championships. That victory should have provided a confidence boost in Curzan, whose contributions helped the Cavaliers capture a fifth straight national championship.
Although Curzan was not her sharpest at the U.S. Olympic Trials, her recent college efforts suggest she can rekindle the success she enjoyed at the 2024 World Champs. In Doha, Curzan swept the backstroke events, thanks to times of 27.43 in the 50 distance, 58.29 in the 100 and 2:05.77 in the 200. Especially in the 200 backstroke, a similar time would put Curzan in contention to grab a ticket to Singapore.
Curzan enters Nationals as the the 11th seed in the 100 free, fourth seed in the 50 backstroke, sixth seed in the 100 back and third seed in the 200 backstroke. Curzan has been a bright spot for the United States in the past, and this week provides an opportunity for her to return to global duty for the Red, White and Blue.
