Five University of Idaho swimmers are venturing into some heady competition when they travel this week to the Winter Nationals at Austin, Texas. The meet begins Thursday and concludes Saturday. Live results are available at www.swimswam.com.

“This will be a great opportunity for our athletes to gain some experience swimming at a national-level meet among some of the best swimmers in the world,” coach Mark Sowa said. “It also is important for others to see that the Vandals are a presence on the national level and look to be so for a long time to come.

“This should be a fun weekend.”

Sophomore Rachel Millet has a full slate with entries in the 200 IM, 100 fly, 200 free and 100 free. Kelsie Saxe, a senior, will be competing in the 100 and 200 breast, while sophomore Laura Griffing is entered in the 100 breast. Freshman Janelle Stacy (100 back) and Jamie Sterbis (200 fly) also will be competing.

Once at the meet, they will encounter nine U.S. Olympic team members (Haley Anderson, Missy Franklin, Jessica Hardy, Kathleen Hersey, Katie Ledecky, Christine Magnuson, Lia Neal, Kim Vandenberg and Amanda Weir) as well as a host of elite swimmers from across the country.