Wheeling, W. Va. - While the Wheeling University Men's Swimming team is in their first half break, one Cardinal is representing the team on the national stage. After a strong start to the season, freshman Felix Norlin will represent the Cardinals at the Sweedish Short Course Nationals. The event runs from Wednesday, December 10th through Sunday, December 14th as Norlin looks to build on his success in the first half of the season with the Cardinals
"Many internationals come to the US in hopes of improving so that they make nationals in their home country," said Wheeling University Head Swimming Coach Will Hughes. " For Felix to achieve this in his first season at Wheeling is pretty significant. He has worked hard and made changes that have benefitted him here in short course yards competition, and we hope that will transfer to his approach at nationals in Sweden.
I think one of the biggest differences internationals experience in US competition is the team atmosphere aspect that isn't present in some countries, especially for swimming where it is viewed more on an individual basis. Having that extra drive and motivation for and from your teammates is a huge benefit few get to experience unless they are part of a collegiate swim program in the US. We hope that Felix knows he has the full support of his team and coaches wherever he competes, and we are pulling for him to swim strong at nationals and represent Wheeling Universoty Swimming well."
Norlin is making his second trip to the Sweedish Short Course Nationals, swimming as a member of the Stockholms Kappsimingsklubb. He will be swimming in four events across the four days of competition, taking on the 100-Meter Breaststroke, the 50-Meter Breaststroke, the 100-Meter Individual Medley, and the 50-Meter Freestyle. The competition field includes some of the top club teams from across Sweeden, with some of the top swimmers in the country competing for the National Titles. The event will be held at the Munktellbadet in Eskilstuna, Sweeden and will consist of the same format as the Malone Midseason Invitational. Preliminary swims will begin in the morning, with the top swimmers in the event qualifying for the evening swims later that night.
Norlin will be heading to the event for the second year in a row, competing last season across five individual events while also being a part of six relay teams throughout the week. His best performance of the week came in the 100 Individual Medley, where he swam a time of 58.43 to finish ninth in the field. It was one of two top 10 finishes for Norlin across the event., with his other coming in the form of a 10th place finish in the 100-Meter Breaststroke (1:03.18). His best finish in the relay events came in the 400 Medley Relay, where he swam the Breaststroke portion of the event. He would help lead his team to a 10th place finish in the field, swimming a time of 1:03.15 to round out the event.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Norlin has established himself as one of the top swimmers in the conference through 10 events in the first half. He currently ranks as the top individual swimmer in the conference, averaging 672.85 points and holding a 17 point lead over the next closest swimmer. He is coming off a strong performance at the Malone Midseason Invitational, with his top performance coming in the 100-Yard Breaststroke. He would finish third in the event, swimming a time of 57.23 and finishing third overall in the field. He would add two more top five finishes in the relay events, helping the Cardinals to a 4th place finish in the 200-Yard Medley Relay, swimming the Breaststroke portion in 25.83, and a fourth place finish in the 400-Medley Relay, swimming the breaststroke in 57.32.
The Sweedish Short Course Nationals kick off on Wednesday, December 10th, with first events beginning at around 10 AM. Follow along with wucardinals.com for a full recap after the four days of competition as we follow Norlin's success.
