After a dead heat in the 50m Free at US Nationals last year, Josh Schneider and Cullen Jones will swim-off on Thursday at the Charlotte Ultra Swim. At stake, a spot on the US World Championship team. For one night only, swimming morphs into a boxing contest. Two heavyweight's going head-to-head.
The Contenders
Josh Schneider
Date of birth: January 11, 1988
Height: 6ft 4in (193cm)
Team: Swim MAC Carolina
Career Highlight: Winning the NCAA 50yd Free title in 2010.
Memorable Moment: Swimming's version of 'the called shot'. On an episode of The Morning Swim Show, the then little known Schneider predicted that he would beat Nathan Adrian at NCAAs, a feat few thought possible at the time.
Rundown: Had a monumental breakthrough in 2010. Started the year as a virtual unknown and ended it as a World Short Course Bronze medalist in Dubai. Undeniably talented with no apparent ceiling to what he can acheive. If he has improved some of his technical aspects he will be a big threat. On last year's evidence, he has more speed than Jones on the surface of the water.
Cullen Jones
Date of birth: February 29, 1984
Height: 6ft 5in (196cm)
Team: Swim MAC Carolina
Career Highlight: Silver medalist in the 50m Free at the 2007 World Championships.
Memorable Moment: One quarter of the victorious US 4 x 100m Free relay team in Beijing 2008. Considered by many to be the greatest swimming race of all-time. In victory, he became only the second African-American in history to win an Olympic Gold in swimming.
Rundown: Much longer track record than Schneider, Jones has competed on the sport's biggest stages since 2006. Only swam 22.86 at last month's Michigan Grand Prix, expect that to be significantly improved upon in Charlotte. When fully tapered, he can mix it with the very best in the world. Has a tremendous start and finish.
Schneider all the way
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