A Year After Indy Trials, Shackell Siblings Again Get Job Done with International Hopes on the Line
Let’s revisit last summer for a moment. At the United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Aaron Shackell used the first day of competition to fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympian. With a victory in the 400-meter freestyle, Shackell qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris. It was a satisfying moment for the family, but only the start.
Two days later, Alex Shackell earned her own Olympic ticket, via a sixth-place finish in the 200 freestyle. On Night Six, she was even better, securing individual-event duty for the Games in the 200 butterfly. In less than a week, the Shackell Siblings joined an exclusive club of family members to make a U.S. Olympic squad.
Well, they’re back at it in Irvine, California.
On the second night of the TYR Summer Championships at the William Woollett Aquatic Center, there were a pair of victories from the Shackells, each win significant in consequence. While Aaron won the 400 freestyle in a career-best time of 3:45.03, Alex prevailed in the 100 butterfly, going 57.34 for one of the top times of her career. The efforts, too, likely landed the Shackells on the American roster for next summer’s Pan Pacific Championships.
In selecting the 26-athlete squads for Pan Pacs, the United States is using a multi-meet qualifying process. From the World Championships, Nationals, the World University Games, TYR Summer Champs and the World Junior Championships, USA Swimming will select its rosters for the 2026 competition. Only the World Junior Champs remain, so the makeup of the teams has gained clarity.
With his effort at the TYR Champs, Aaron Shackell bumped ahead of rising teenage star Luka Mijatovic, who was in the No. 2 position in the 400 freestyle with a time of 3:45.71. As for Alex Shackell, she sits third in the U.S. in the 100 butterfly, and will likely earn a spot to Pan Pacs due to the American women’s greater flexibility with roster spots.
While Aaron still has the 200 freestyle on his program this week, Alex will contest the 100 freestyle and her best event, the 200 fly. Regardless of what transpires, it seems the siblings have done what was necessary to ensure an international meet will occupy their 2026 schedules. The second day of the TYR meet brought back memories of Indy 2024, and a family celebration.
TYR Championships – Meet Results
