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York swimmers to compete at U.S. nationals


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Olympian Hali Flickinger headlines a group of York County swimmers scheduled to compete at the U.S. National Championships and World Championship Trials from Tuesday through Saturday. 

A Spring Grove graduate and less than a year removed from her appearance at the Rio Olympics, Flickinger is expected to compete in a pair of events at nationals.

Nationals, held at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, could provide Flickinger with a spot at the world championships. Always versatile, Flickinger will once again have more than one event to impress.

MORE SWIMMING: Flickinger's Olympic journey from Spring Grove to Rio
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The former York YMCA swimmer and University of Georgia graduate is entered in the 200-meter freestyle and 200 backstroke. Flickinger reached the Olympics last summer by placing second in the 200 butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Trials. 

Flickinger is seeded eighth in the 200 free, an event that she placed eighth in at the U.S. Trials a year ago. If she places in the top six in the 200 free she will be in line for a spot on the U.S. relay team at the world championships, held July 14-30 in Budapest, Hungary. 

Flickinger recently posted a personal best in the 200 back, winning in 2 minutes, 10.56 seconds, during the Arena Pro Swim Series in May

York teenagers Courtney Harnish and Leah Braswell will also swim at nationals. The two return to the biggest event in U.S. swimming in 2017 after swimming at the U.S. Olympic Trials a year ago. 

Harnish, a recent West York graduate and University of Georgia commit, could compete in as many seven events at nationals. 

MORE SWIMMING: Harnish named GameTimePA's YAIAA female athlete of the year
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She confirmed in a text message Friday night she will likely limit herself to six events, including the 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 free, 200 back and 400 free. She also expects to race in either the 1,500 free or 200 individual medley but not both races. 

Braswell confirmed in a text message Saturday night she expects to swim in five events. She will race in the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, 1,500 free and 400 IM. 

Braswell, who lives in Manchester, has been picked as a dark horse to reach the finals in the 1,500 free by the online site SwimSwam.com

US Nationals
When: Tuesday through Saturday
Where: Indianapolis
Local interest: Spring Grove's Hali Flickinger, West York's Courtney Harnish and Manchester's Leah Braswell have qualified.

Where to watch
Tuesday: 7-8 p.m. on delay NBCSN
Wednesday: 7-8 p.m. on delay NBCSN
Thursday: 6-8 p.m. live on Universal HD
Friday: 6-8 p.m. live on Universal HD
Saturday: 1-3 p.m. taped on NBC; 6-8 p.m. live on Universal HD
Sunday: 1-3 p.m. taped on NBC