In 2012, the Litherland triplets, from Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta, qualified for their first Olympic swimming trials. The three brothers – Jay, Kevin, and Mick – are preparing to do it all over again, but the circumstances are quite different this time around.
Now sophomores at Georgia, the brothers are competing at the NCAA men’s swimming and diving championships at Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Center this weekend. A strong showing could help catapult them to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I think when they’re here they’ll be totally focused on this,” UGA coach Jack Bauerle said of the NCAA championships, “and then they’ll just switch gears as soon as it’s over.”
If they qualify to compete in Brazil, the Litherlands may represent different countries.
They were born in Japan, but their father holds dual citizenship in New Zealand and the United States. This gave the brothers the opportunity to hold triple citizenship after a decade of living in the U.S.
Since Jay has already been a member of the U.S. national team and represented the U.S. in international competitions, he cannot represent another country. He will race at the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, in June.
Kevin and Mick have not made a national team, so they will have the opportunity to qualify for the New Zealand team at Canadian Olympic trials in April. Swimming New Zealand is using the Canadian trials as a qualifying event for its Olympic team.
“In the beginning I wasn’t really sure about racing in NCAAs and then going to Canada 10 days later for the trials,” Mick Litherland said. “But our coaches have been really helpful.”
The triplets’ combined résumé features competitions including the world junior championships, the World Cup, the U.S. Open, the national championships, and the 2012 Olympic trials. Over the next few months, they will try to expand that résumé as each swimmer attempts to qualify for the Olympics.
Whether they’re on the same team or representing a different country, it’s never more than a friendly rivalry.
“There’s a good balance,” Mick Litherland said. “We have some rivalry, but we also have our other specialty strokes that separate us. When we’re in practice, it’s always back and forth. They push me every day, and I’m happy about that.”
During the NCAA meet, which began Wednesday and ends Saturday, they will race in different events, which will give them the opportunity to root for one another and focus on putting their team on top.
Jay Litherland will specialize in the 400-meter individual medley, his strongest race since entering college and the event in which he placed seventh at last year’s NCAA championships.
Kevin Litherland’s focus is in the 500 freestyle. During the 2015 NCAA championships, he set a collegiate personal best (four minutes, 15:09 seconds) in the 500 free and placed 13th.
Mick Litherland is the strongest butterfly swimmer of the trio and will have the opportunity to improve on his finish in last year’s championship. He currently is the eighth-fastest 200 fly swimmer in UGA history.
Something the three have in common is their strength in the freestyle stroke. That strength may prove beneficial if one of them is called upon to race in the freestyle relay during the championships.
Jay Litherland understands the importance of their individual racing, but also recognizes relay racing’s significance.
“I think as a whole, the relays are going to make a big impact on the team, scoring-wise,” he said.
Bauerle has high expectations for the three, especially Jay, at the NCAA meet.
“I think all three can score,” Bauerle said. “Jay has turned into one of our best 400-meter individual medley racers right now and is doing exceptionally well.”
Bauerle added of Jay: “I think he has a shot to make our Olympic team, too.”
This weekend’s NCAA championship event is another stop on a long journey that they hope will end with all three brothers competing at the Olympics.
“From living at the dorms together to racing at these big meets, these are memories that we’re always going to remember,” Jay Litherland said. “Even if we separate after college, we’re always going to be together and supporting one another in what we do.”
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