Letrari Selected to Represent Oregon State at USA Swimming College Challenge

LOS ANGELES (OSU/Pac-12) – Junior Arianna Letrari (Bolzano, Italy) was selected to represent the Oregon State University swimming program this weekend at the Pac-12 vs. USA Swimming College Challenge at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center on the campus of the University of Southern California.

"I'm really excited," said Letrari. "It's my first big meet and I've never competed in the United States before.

"I'm nervous because I've competed in Italy at international meets, so it'll be my first time seeing Olympians."

Letrari will compete in the butterfly events at the swim challenge as she works through her first year competing in the United States. Her specialty came in handy when she raced at the Italian Olympic Trials in April 2016, where Letrari placed third in the 100-meter fly.

"I finished third in the April 2016 trials," said Letrari, "but their talent system is they pick whoever they want, so the specific times didn't matter.

"If I'm still swimming in 2020, I'm hoping I can place either first or second."

The short-course yards dual meet is slated for Oct. 21-22 with both days broadcasting live on the Pac-12 Networks. The Saturday, Oct. 21 session will begin at 6 p.m. PT followed by the Sunday, Oct. 22 session at 11 a.m. Those interested can purchase tickets at usaswimming.org.

In total, 47 student-athletes will represent the Pac-12, with 23 men and 24 women competing in the event. Greg Meehan (Stanford) and Teri McKeever (California) will coach the women, while Dave Durden (California) and Ted Knapp (Stanford) will coach the men.

For Letrari, competing against a talented pool was the first change she noticed coming to the U.S., alongside the shorter course after moving from meters to yards.

"It can be hard to compare the two, but it's different in the U.S.," Letrari said. "Here they have a lot of good athletes, whereas in Italy, being a smaller country, there aren't as many.

It was also tough making the adjustment from meters to yards. It was difficult for me making the turns at first but I'm getting used to it.

Each athlete may be entered in up to six races during the meet, including individual events and relays.

A running score will be kept throughout the dual meet competition combining the points earned by both women and men. With 613 points available in 33 total events, the first team to 306.5 points will be the winner.

For individual events, each team will be permitted to enter up to four athletes. The top five athletes in each individual event will be permitted to score points for their team – Nine points for first place, four points for second, three points for third, two points for fourth and one point for fifth. Relay scoring is 11 points for a first-place finish, four points for second and two for third.

For more information on the Oregon State swimming team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the club @BeaverSwim on Twitter

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Letrari Selected to Represent Oregon State at USA Swimming College Challenge

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Arianna Letrari