LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — University of Louisville head swimming coach Arthur Albiero has been a part of staffs for various U.S. National teams going back to 2015. But it is never something he takes for granted. 

"It's always an amazing honor when you get that call from the national team director basically inviting you to be in that position," said Albiero. "Whether it be on the staff or in this case to be the head coach for Team USA. It's a humbling moment, and I catch myself 'like wow this is really happening', so it never gets old." 

Albiero will be leading Team USA at the World University Games in Germany. He will be joined on that team by three of the sprinters from his Louisville women's squad that finished 7th in the country at the NCAA Championships in March. 

"I mean really, it's a dream," said senior Ella Welch. "Since I was in high school, I had one goal that I wrote down in my journal and it was to make team USA. I didn't know what meet that would be at. I didn't know when or where, and I'm just excited to do it in my last summer swimming."

For other swimmers, it is all about the bonds they form with their own teammates.

"It's always amazing when you get to swim for team USA," said sophomore Caroline Larsen, who was part of a Junior National team a couple of years ago. "There's always great camaraderie among all the people in the country who get to swim for the U.S. I think it becomes so much more team focused at these sorts of meets that even though we come from different teams and different backgrounds, we have such a united goal it's really exciting. I think this meet will be really fun because I know more people going into this meet, and I think we all have this general consensus of like ready to swim fast and make sure to represent the U.S. well." 

There will be opportunities for the three American swimmers from U of L to root for other countries as well because five additional U of L swimmers will be participating in the Games for each of their home countries.

"I think it's a huge added bonus because as much of an honor as it is to wear that team USA cap, it's the World University Games so we're still getting to represent U of L," said senior Julia Dennis. "For all of us to get to cheer each other on even if we're not on the same team is so special and so fun."     

Even though Albiero is a veteran of international meets like this, he said he is always observing and keeping notes on his phone because there is always something to learn. 

"It's probably one of the really neat things that come from an environment like this," said Albiero. "You get to hang out with coaches, and you're constantly exchanging ideas certainly with the staff of team USA but over the years now, I also know a lot of people internationally. So we have a chance to talk shop, and they ask me some things, and I ask them some things. I'll be able to walk away reassured that we're on the right track or sometimes like actually that makes sense. Maybe we can incorporate something like that."

They leave for Germany July 12, and the swim meet lasts for seven days, starting July 16.

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