Get ready for a thrilling showdown at the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – West, where strategic decisions and record-breaking performances are already shaking up the competition! But here's where it gets controversial... Why would top swimmers like Syunta Lee and Rowan Cox scratch from events they’ve qualified for? Let’s dive into the details of Day Two, where priorities shift, and new opportunities emerge.
The event, held from December 10-13, 2025, at the Lee & Joe Jamil Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas, kicked off with intense prelims at 9:00 am CT and finals at 5:00 pm CT. Competitors are battling it out in the SCY (25 Yards) format, and you can catch all the action via Meet Central (https://www.usaswimming.org/event/2025/12/10/default-calendar/speedo-winter-junior-championships), Psych Sheets (https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-speedo-winter-juniors-west-psych-sheet-12-3-25.pdf), and Live Results (http://www.txlameetresults.com/).
And this is the part most people miss... Tonight’s scratches include two men’s ‘A’ finalists: #3 seed Syunta Lee and #8 seed Rowan Cox. Lee, who dropped four seconds in the 500 free this morning, has opted out to focus on the 200 IM, where he secured the 8th spot in the ‘A’ final with a time of 1:47.16. Cox, meanwhile, is skipping the 50 free after breaking the 20-second barrier for the first time, touching in at 19.90. Both swimmers are strategically prioritizing events with tighter schedules—Lee faces a mere 34-minute turnaround between finals.
Here’s where it gets intriguing: Lee’s decision to scratch the 500 free opens the door for Grant Kellis of Gold Medal Swim, who now has a shot at the ‘A’ final after slashing eight seconds off his personal best this morning (4:30.80 to 4:22.81). Is this a smart move by Lee, or a missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments!
Rowan Cox, meanwhile, is doubling down on the 500 free and 200 IM, where he’s seeded #6 and #2, respectively. His 34-minute turnaround mirrors Lee’s challenge, but with his defending champion status in the 100 and 200 fly from last year, Cox is shaping up to be a versatile threat. But is he spreading himself too thin?
Other notable scratches include Nathan Foucu, who drops the 50 free to focus on the 200 IM, and Adalyn Lee, who skips the 200 IM ‘C’ final to concentrate on the 500 free ‘A’ final. Adalyn Biegler is also bypassing the 200 IM ‘C’ final, aiming for a medal in the 50 free after qualifying second with a time of 22.29.
Full Scratches List:
- M 500 Free: #3 Syunta Lee (West Coast Aquatics) – 4:20.01
- W 200 IM: #17 Adalyn Lee (Brea Aquatics) – 2:00.91, #23 Adalyn Biegler (Edina Swim Club) – 2:01.36
- M 50 Free: #8 Rowan Cox (Longhorn Aquatics) – 19.90, #20 Nathan Foucu (Qiocksilver Swimming) – 20.18
As the competition heats up, one thing is clear: every decision counts. What would you do in their shoes? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for more heart-pounding action from the Winter Juniors West!
