Root For Team USA

I had the idea to try and introduce you to some of the members of Team USA in the weeks leading up to the Beijing Games. Most know of the Michael Phelps' and Katie Hoff's; we will be inundated more and more about the household names on the team leading up to the start of the swimming competition in Beijing. But there are a number of team members many people don't know very well.

FIRST UP: ERIC SHANTEAU, (Click on the name for a link to his USA Swimming Bio)
Shanteau earned a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team by finishing second to teammate Scott Spann in the 200 Breaststroke. This event served as one of the big surprises of the meet as Spann and Shanteau outdistanced defending World Champion and former World Record Holder Brendan Hansen for spots on the team.
Shanteau graduated from Auburn University in 2006 where he was an 11-time All-American and a member of four straight NCAA Championship teams. He finished third in both the 200 and 400 IMs at the 2004 Trials in Long Beach, CA narrowly missing a spot on the Olympic Team.
Shanteau moved to Austin, Texas after graduating to train with TXLA. He finished 4th in the 100 Breaststroke earlier in the meet before securing his spot on the team with the 2nd place finish in the 200 Breaststroke. Shanteau also finished 3rd in the 200 IM a day later.
This is all well and good, but read this article from ESPN.com for another reason to root for Eric Shanteau in Beijing.