Seward’s Lydia Jacoby named to USA Swimming’s national team

Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby of Seward has been named to USA Swimming’s national team, one of 34 first-time members on the large team.

Jacoby’s selection was no surprise — according to the selection criteria, the six American swimmers with the fastest times in their events during the 2020-21 season make the team.

Jacoby swam the season’s third fastest time in the world to win the 100-meter breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics in late July. The time ranks as the second fastest by an American last season — Olympic bronze medalist Lilly King swam 1:04.72 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.

Jacoby is one of 60 Olympians to make the team, headlined by Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel. At age 17, she’s one of the youngest members of the team, but not the youngest. Fifteen-year-old Katie Grimes of Las Vegas owns that honor.

The 2021-22 season begins in late November. Two of the major events, both in North Carolina, are the U.S. Open in early December and the international team trials in April. The April meet will decide the U.S. team for the FINA World Championships scheduled for May in Japan.