After world juniors, Upper St. Clair’s Matheny to compete at U.S. Olympic swimming trials

By: Karen Kadilak
Thursday, August 29, 2019 | 12:55 PM

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Upper St. Clair junior Joshua Matheny is shifting his focus to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials after taking his place recently among the world’s best under-18 swimmers.

Matheny, 16, earned a gold medal in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke (2 minutes, 9.40 seconds) and a silver medal in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.17) at the FINA World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Matheny set a championship record in the 200 breaststroke.

He was part of the 400 mixed medley relay team (3:44.84) that won in a world junior record time and took second in the 400 medley relay (3:33.66).

He was fourth in the 50 breaststroke (27.96).

“Worlds exceeded my expectations,” Matheny said. “Having Coach Dave (Schraven) there was a huge help.

“My proudest accomplishment was coming from behind to win the 200 breaststroke.”

Schraven, Matheny’s coach with Team Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics and Upper St. Clair and a Team USA assistant, said Matheny was at his very best on the biggest stage of his career.

Matheny, the 2018 U.S. junior national champion in the 100 breaststroke and a member of the 2018-19 U.S. men’s junior team, said it was an honor to represent the U.S. overseas.

Earlier, Matheny placed third in the 200 breaststroke (2:11.02) and 12th in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.91) at the Phillips 66 National Championships. Both times met standards for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Neb. next June.

“We’re just going to prepare him the best we can,” Schraven said.

Schraven, 52, a former Stanford swimmer, said it was fascinating to be part of the American contingent at junior worlds.

“All eyes are on the USA,” he said.

Tags: Upper St. Clair