BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — On the heels of a successful showing at the Toshiba Classic in Long Beach, 11 Roadrunner men and one women will travel to Federal Way, Wash., to take part in the 2009 US Short Course Nationals Thursday through Saturday. Entry into the meet requires meeting qualifying times, a feat achieved by the dozen CSUB swimmers during summer and/or fall meets.

“We had six entries last year so we are excited to bring a full squad this year and swim against some of the best in the world,” said men's swimming Head Coach Chris Hansen. “The meet has Olympic gold medalists, NCAA champions and some of the best up-and-coming swimmers in the world. Our goal is to challenge ourselves against the best and come home with some record times.”

Joao Foresto (freestyle relays), Luka Leskur (100 and 200 backstroke), Chad McKenzie (100 and 200 breaststroke, 200 individual medley), Kevin Miller (freestyle and medley relays), Keenan Natyzak (200 freestyle and 100 butterfly), Matt Parsonage (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly), Jake Priest (200 and 400 individual medley, 200 breaststroke), Malcolm Reid (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly), Michael Schwartz (100 butterfly and 100 backstroke), Mark Silvius (100 freestyle) and Dan Wickensheimer (100 butterfly) all made the cut for the Roadrunner men.

On the women's side, sophomore Rachel McCall will compete in three events, the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke.

The meet takes place at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center (WKCAC), a legacy venue from the 1990 Goodwill Games. More than  200 national and world record swims have been established in this very “fast” pool.