Olympic gold medalists and world champions Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte headline a strong field for the opening meet of the Arena Pro Swim Series, which will be held Nov. 12-14 at the Gophers' Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
The seven-meet swim series will prepare top American swimmers — and many of their international counterparts — for next summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, will compete for the first time in three months as he seeks to win a place on his fifth Olympic team. Ledecky won five gold medals as the breakout star of the world championships in August. Franklin and Lochte also have won multiple golds at the Olympics and world championships.
About 50 members of the U.S. national team are expected to be among a field of more than 600. Among top local competitors is David Plummer of Minneapolis, a former Gopher who finished eighth in the 50-meter backstroke at the world championships, and about 40 current Gophers.
Rachel Blount
Etc.
• The MIAC men's and women's soccer tournament semifinals will be held Wednesday. On the men's side, St. Thomas plays at Macalester at 7:30 p.m. and St. Olaf at St. John's at 2 p.m. Augsburg plays at St. Thomas in the women's tournament while Concordia (Moorhead) visits Gustavus. Both women's matches are 2 p.m. Winners will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at the higher seed.
• Parker O'Brien, a University of Minnesota student, was named the Minnesota Golf Association's Evans Scholar of the Year.
