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The SwimSwam Podcast

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On the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
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On the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
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Episodes

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Three-time Olympic Champion and NBC Sports Voice of Swimming, Rowdy Gaines, has the dream job. Who wouldn't want a front-row-center seat at the Olympic Games?  The 2021 Olympic Games (and the U.S. Olympic Trials) will mark Rowdy's 8th turn in the chair.

What I want to know is what's it really like? I have an idea. I've subbed for Rowdy before, but only for small competitions.  I know it's intense, days starting at 5am and ending, sometimes, after midnight.  Thankful, ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rowdy shares some details in this SwimSwam Podcast.

Rowdy also addresses the elephant in the room. Rowdy is well aware his commentary is not for us, the Swim Nerds. Rowdy's working for NBC. He's under direct instructions to call the races for the non-swimming audience, that fan that drops in once every four years.  "I have to have a moment where I explain the backstroke flags," Rowdy laughed.  "I do it on every Olympic telecast."

Rowdy, of course, loves the television gig and he shares a lot of insights:

  • his day-in-the-life from the Rio Olympics
  • how he goes to the bathroom during live telecasts
  • a few funny mistakes over the years
  • when he's gotten the giggles during live telecasts
  • how he tries to manage four people talking in his ear while he's commentating
  • and he shares his thoughts on how COVID will impact the Olympics

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

More description

Three-time Olympic Champion and NBC Sports Voice of Swimming, Rowdy Gaines, has the dream job. Who wouldn't want a front-row-center seat at the Olympic Games?  The 2021 Olympic Games (and the U.S. Olympic Trials) will mark Rowdy's 8th turn in the chair.

What I want to know is what's it really like? I have an idea. I've subbed for Rowdy before, but only for small competitions.  I know it's intense, days starting at 5am and ending, sometimes, after midnight.  Thankful, ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rowdy shares some details in this SwimSwam Podcast.

Rowdy also addresses the elephant in the room. Rowdy is well aware his commentary is not for us, the Swim Nerds. Rowdy's working for NBC. He's under direct instructions to call the races for the non-swimming audience, that fan that drops in once every four years.  "I have to have a moment where I explain the backstroke flags," Rowdy laughed.  "I do it on every Olympic telecast."

Rowdy, of course, loves the television gig and he shares a lot of insights:

  • his day-in-the-life from the Rio Olympics
  • how he goes to the bathroom during live telecasts
  • a few funny mistakes over the years
  • when he's gotten the giggles during live telecasts
  • how he tries to manage four people talking in his ear while he's commentating
  • and he shares his thoughts on how COVID will impact the Olympics

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

We sat down with Lydia Jacoby, the 16-year-old who made headlines at the Pro Swim in Mission Viejo by becoming the #3 all-time US 17-18 in the 100 breast (1:06.38). We discussed her ascension to becoming an Olympic contender, something she's certainly thought of but isn't putting pressure on herself about. Jacoby also discusses life as a swimmer (and human) in Seward, Alaska where she lives and how that has helped build her championship mindset.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Lydia Jacoby, the 16-year-old who made headlines at the Pro Swim in Mission Viejo by becoming the #3 all-time US 17-18 in the 100 breast (1:06.38). We discussed her ascension to becoming an Olympic contender, something she's certainly thought of but isn't putting pressure on herself about. Jacoby also discusses life as a swimmer (and human) in Seward, Alaska where she lives and how that has helped build her championship mindset.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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Chris Ritter, the founder and CEO of RITTER Sports Performance and creator of SURGE Strength , drops in on the SwimSwam Podcast with Gold Medal Mel Stewart.

The importance of having a repeat-able and adaptable process for your dryland training has never been realized more than this past year. Chris sat down with us to announce he is hosting a FREE upcoming webinar on The Process of Dryland Training. Join with other coaches and swimmers who are committed to better results in their dryland training.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Chris Ritter, the founder and CEO of RITTER Sports Performance and creator of SURGE Strength , drops in on the SwimSwam Podcast with Gold Medal Mel Stewart.

The importance of having a repeat-able and adaptable process for your dryland training has never been realized more than this past year. Chris sat down with us to announce he is hosting a FREE upcoming webinar on The Process of Dryland Training. Join with other coaches and swimmers who are committed to better results in their dryland training.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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We sat down with legendary coach Dave Salo, who recently announced that he would be dawning the role of assistant coach at Orange Coast College. Salo explains that after so long of being a head coach, he's excited to coach without all of the extra worries that come with heading a Power-5 Division I program. He also gets into the nitty-gritty of how he runs workouts, if he's a "player's coach", and what he's looking forward to at Orange Coast.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with legendary coach Dave Salo, who recently announced that he would be dawning the role of assistant coach at Orange Coast College. Salo explains that after so long of being a head coach, he's excited to coach without all of the extra worries that come with heading a Power-5 Division I program. He also gets into the nitty-gritty of how he runs workouts, if he's a "player's coach", and what he's looking forward to at Orange Coast.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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We sat down with Claire Curzan, the 16-year-old swimmer for the TAC Titans who turned heads when she dropped a 56.20 100m fly 2 weekends ago in Cary, North Carolina. Swimming fans had already been looking forward to this meet, as Curzan and fellow age-group star Torri Huske were slated to race in the 50/100 free and 100 fly. Huske ended up taking the 50 and 100 free races, while Curzan won the 100 fly, becoming the #2 American performer in history with her swim. Curzan admits that her goal in the race was to come home in under 30, which she did (29.99), and therefore didn't even know her final time until her teammate told her in the warm down pool.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Claire Curzan, the 16-year-old swimmer for the TAC Titans who turned heads when she dropped a 56.20 100m fly 2 weekends ago in Cary, North Carolina. Swimming fans had already been looking forward to this meet, as Curzan and fellow age-group star Torri Huske were slated to race in the 50/100 free and 100 fly. Huske ended up taking the 50 and 100 free races, while Curzan won the 100 fly, becoming the #2 American performer in history with her swim. Curzan admits that her goal in the race was to come home in under 30, which she did (29.99), and therefore didn't even know her final time until her teammate told her in the warm down pool.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

We sat down with Andrei Minakov, the Russian sprinting sensation who just qualified for his first Olympic games in both the 100 free and 100 fly. Minakov takes us through the Russian Trials as well as how he's adjusted to studying at Stanford (remotely from Russia). We also get into some throwback memories for Andrei, including the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (where he won 5 gold medals) and the 2019 World Championships (2 silver, 1 bronze).

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Andrei Minakov, the Russian sprinting sensation who just qualified for his first Olympic games in both the 100 free and 100 fly. Minakov takes us through the Russian Trials as well as how he's adjusted to studying at Stanford (remotely from Russia). We also get into some throwback memories for Andrei, including the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (where he won 5 gold medals) and the 2019 World Championships (2 silver, 1 bronze).

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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We sat down with Brent Hayden, the Canadian Olympic medalist who is now on the athlete board of the International Swimmers' Alliance. Hayden discusses what it's been like to cooperate with a group of athletes like this and what he thinks they can accomplish for swimmers everywhere moving forward. Hayden emphasizes that he wanted to be a part of this as a way to give back to the sport that has already given him so much. He's looking to make changes not necessarily to this generation, but the generations in swimming to come.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Brent Hayden, the Canadian Olympic medalist who is now on the athlete board of the International Swimmers' Alliance. Hayden discusses what it's been like to cooperate with a group of athletes like this and what he thinks they can accomplish for swimmers everywhere moving forward. Hayden emphasizes that he wanted to be a part of this as a way to give back to the sport that has already given him so much. He's looking to make changes not necessarily to this generation, but the generations in swimming to come.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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We sat down with Velimir Stjepanovic, a 2x Serbian Olympian and member of the DC Trident in the ISL. We talked about a wide range of topics, from Velimir's upbringing in life and swimming to his last year navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. One topic we covered was swimming without pressure, which Velimir explained was the case as a member of the DC Trident. Knowing that the team was not a contender for the ISL title, Velimir was able to swim freely during the matches in Budapest, resulting in best times.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Velimir Stjepanovic, a 2x Serbian Olympian and member of the DC Trident in the ISL. We talked about a wide range of topics, from Velimir's upbringing in life and swimming to his last year navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. One topic we covered was swimming without pressure, which Velimir explained was the case as a member of the DC Trident. Knowing that the team was not a contender for the ISL title, Velimir was able to swim freely during the matches in Budapest, resulting in best times.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

We sat down with Torri Huske who went a slue of best time at the TAC Titans LCM Premiere meet this past weekend. Huske Battled Claire Curzan head-to-head in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly, where she took wins in the 50 (24.44, new 17-18 NAG) and 100 free (53.40). She also went a huge PB in the 100 fly (56.69, new 17-18 NAG) and 200 fly (2:09.97). Huske discussed that just a couple weeks before this meet, she had started using drag sox, parachutes, and weight racks in her training, which she said she enjoyed but did make her a bit sore heading into the meet.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

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We sat down with Torri Huske who went a slue of best time at the TAC Titans LCM Premiere meet this past weekend. Huske Battled Claire Curzan head-to-head in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly, where she took wins in the 50 (24.44, new 17-18 NAG) and 100 free (53.40). She also went a huge PB in the 100 fly (56.69, new 17-18 NAG) and 200 fly (2:09.97). Huske discussed that just a couple weeks before this meet, she had started using drag sox, parachutes, and weight racks in her training, which she said she enjoyed but did make her a bit sore heading into the meet.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Extract Knowledge
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I have four hours with Mark captured. This is only the first chapter, which is about 35 minutes. We meander, but when you're talking to Mark the side stories are where all of the detail and color become fully saturated. Mark covers:

  • his start, how and why he chose swimming
  • what fueled him in childhood to win blue ribbons
  • his swimming hero
  • his secret warm-up, the same warm-up he used for years because it signaled success
  • his first world record
  • how he trained butterfly (which went against the grain of the day, which was grinding hard yardage)
  • and who he feared, and Mark feared several competitors for legitimate reasons

Between now and the U.S. Olympic Trials, I'll rollout these episodes. I absolutely love Mark. Some of my best swimming memories come from him, outside of the pool, just talking.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

More description

I have four hours with Mark captured. This is only the first chapter, which is about 35 minutes. We meander, but when you're talking to Mark the side stories are where all of the detail and color become fully saturated. Mark covers:

  • his start, how and why he chose swimming
  • what fueled him in childhood to win blue ribbons
  • his swimming hero
  • his secret warm-up, the same warm-up he used for years because it signaled success
  • his first world record
  • how he trained butterfly (which went against the grain of the day, which was grinding hard yardage)
  • and who he feared, and Mark feared several competitors for legitimate reasons

Between now and the U.S. Olympic Trials, I'll rollout these episodes. I absolutely love Mark. Some of my best swimming memories come from him, outside of the pool, just talking.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

We spoke with Olympic champion Olivia Smoliga at the 2021 Mission Viejo Pro Swim, where Smoliga was looking very strong on the back half of her races. Olivia explained to us that she's been really focusing on aerobic training with coach Jack Baurle and saw the extra Olympic year as a good time to challenge herself and work on her 200 free, an event she says is "the ultimate". 

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

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We spoke with Olympic champion Olivia Smoliga at the 2021 Mission Viejo Pro Swim, where Smoliga was looking very strong on the back half of her races. Olivia explained to us that she's been really focusing on aerobic training with coach Jack Baurle and saw the extra Olympic year as a good time to challenge herself and work on her 200 free, an event she says is "the ultimate". 

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

At the Pro Swim Series stop in Mission Viejo, we spoke with standout Cal freshman Destin Lasco. Lasco had a sensational Pac-12 championship, highlighted by leading a 1-2-3-4-5-6 Cal finish in the 200 backstroke. He turned even more heads at the NCAA Champs, where he became the fastest freshman ever in the 200 IM (jumping from 58th seed to finishing 2nd overall), the 100 back, and the 200 back. Lasco reveals that he focused a lot on academics, especially his second semester, saying that if his grades were taken care of, then the rest takes care of itself.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

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At the Pro Swim Series stop in Mission Viejo, we spoke with standout Cal freshman Destin Lasco. Lasco had a sensational Pac-12 championship, highlighted by leading a 1-2-3-4-5-6 Cal finish in the 200 backstroke. He turned even more heads at the NCAA Champs, where he became the fastest freshman ever in the 200 IM (jumping from 58th seed to finishing 2nd overall), the 100 back, and the 200 back. Lasco reveals that he focused a lot on academics, especially his second semester, saying that if his grades were taken care of, then the rest takes care of itself.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

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We sat down with British record holder and ISL standout, Abbie Wood. We talked through Abbie's career, especially how hard the transition can be from being a fast swimmer as an 18-under to trying to compete on a national and international stage at the senior level. Wood also takes us through her ISL season and what went into the stellar results that she posted in Budapest.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

More description

We sat down with British record holder and ISL standout, Abbie Wood. We talked through Abbie's career, especially how hard the transition can be from being a fast swimmer as an 18-under to trying to compete on a national and international stage at the senior level. Wood also takes us through her ISL season and what went into the stellar results that she posted in Budapest.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

At the Pro Swim Series in Mission Viejo, 2016 Abbey Weitzeil dropped a 24.57 in the 50m freestyle. In her post-race interview, Weitzeil revealed that in prelims, when she went 24.80, it was the first time she had done a no-breather 50m free during a race. She admits that it gave her a lot of anxiety and in finals instead of focusing on not taking a breath, she instead put her energy toward having a good race, which seemed to pay off. However, Weitzeil does give us the details on how she's been preparing for a no-breather 50 in practice.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

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At the Pro Swim Series in Mission Viejo, 2016 Abbey Weitzeil dropped a 24.57 in the 50m freestyle. In her post-race interview, Weitzeil revealed that in prelims, when she went 24.80, it was the first time she had done a no-breather 50m free during a race. She admits that it gave her a lot of anxiety and in finals instead of focusing on not taking a breath, she instead put her energy toward having a good race, which seemed to pay off. However, Weitzeil does give us the details on how she's been preparing for a no-breather 50 in practice.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Extract Knowledge
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Big announcement!  Olympic swimming champion Caeleb Dressel will be producing another Dressel Dissects video, and it will be his 100 scm IM World Record from the ISL. So, stay tuned. He feels guilty for not producing one for awhile, but he assured me that episode is coming. See his YouTube channel here.

Caeleb was nice enough to drop-in for 15 minutes of conversation, and he unpacks his ISCA meet swims.  If you missed it, ISCA ran yards in the morning and meters at night. Caeleb popped a 1:40 200 yard fly and 3:44 400 IM just to let you know he still loves yards, and he was happy with his 48.8 100 meters free. He felt those swims were on-point for in-season races.

I tried to get to him to say he could drop a 1:36+ 200 yard fly shaven and suited, but he wouldn't go there. I think he's got that swim if he wants it. What do you think?

Caeleb's got a mutual partner, SPIRE Academy, and he has high praise for their upcoming summer camps. You can see them here to sign up.

I play the U.S. Olympic Trials prediction game, but I'm going to play again after the Mission Pro Swim as well. My predictions might change a little. I think I played it too safe below. I'm curious if commenters will change their predictions between now and next week.

PREDICTIONS FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

Dressel is the master at double tapers. His Olympics will be faster than the US Trials. BUT AT TRIALS I SEE:

  • 50 free - 21.3 (maybe a little slow)
  • 100 free - 47 point 2
  • 100 fly - 49 point 9

I want Caeleb to swim the 200 free, at least in prelims. I don’t know if he will. If he does, I see a 1:45 point 8 or 9, enough speed to show he’s a strong option for the 4x200 US relay. But who cares what I think? It is all about  what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

More description

Big announcement!  Olympic swimming champion Caeleb Dressel will be producing another Dressel Dissects video, and it will be his 100 scm IM World Record from the ISL. So, stay tuned. He feels guilty for not producing one for awhile, but he assured me that episode is coming. See his YouTube channel here.

Caeleb was nice enough to drop-in for 15 minutes of conversation, and he unpacks his ISCA meet swims.  If you missed it, ISCA ran yards in the morning and meters at night. Caeleb popped a 1:40 200 yard fly and 3:44 400 IM just to let you know he still loves yards, and he was happy with his 48.8 100 meters free. He felt those swims were on-point for in-season races.

I tried to get to him to say he could drop a 1:36+ 200 yard fly shaven and suited, but he wouldn't go there. I think he's got that swim if he wants it. What do you think?

Caeleb's got a mutual partner, SPIRE Academy, and he has high praise for their upcoming summer camps. You can see them here to sign up.

I play the U.S. Olympic Trials prediction game, but I'm going to play again after the Mission Pro Swim as well. My predictions might change a little. I think I played it too safe below. I'm curious if commenters will change their predictions between now and next week.

PREDICTIONS FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

Dressel is the master at double tapers. His Olympics will be faster than the US Trials. BUT AT TRIALS I SEE:

  • 50 free - 21.3 (maybe a little slow)
  • 100 free - 47 point 2
  • 100 fly - 49 point 9

I want Caeleb to swim the 200 free, at least in prelims. I don’t know if he will. If he does, I see a 1:45 point 8 or 9, enough speed to show he’s a strong option for the 4x200 US relay. But who cares what I think? It is all about  what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

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We sat down with Ryan Spoon, a name you may not be familiar with... but you should be. Ryan is the current COO of BetMGM as well as the former Senior VP of Digital and Social for ESPN. If that didn't sell you, he's also a Duke Swimming alumnus, so he's got chlorine in his blood. Ryan knows how to draw a sporting audience and hold them, and he shares his thoughts on what swimming can do to boost their audience, in a non-Olympic year especially.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

More description

We sat down with Ryan Spoon, a name you may not be familiar with... but you should be. Ryan is the current COO of BetMGM as well as the former Senior VP of Digital and Social for ESPN. If that didn't sell you, he's also a Duke Swimming alumnus, so he's got chlorine in his blood. Ryan knows how to draw a sporting audience and hold them, and he shares his thoughts on what swimming can do to boost their audience, in a non-Olympic year especially.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

We sat down with Camden Murphy, the Georgia butterflied who was a big contributor in UGA's 4th place finish at the 2021 Men's NCAA Championships. Murphy takes us through his senior season, starting with having an extended period of time out of the water due to COVID and nearly deciding to not come back at all. Ultimately, Murphy did come back to complete his 4th year on the team and ultimately go personal bests in both the 100 and 200 fly.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Camden Murphy, the Georgia butterflied who was a big contributor in UGA's 4th place finish at the 2021 Men's NCAA Championships. Murphy takes us through his senior season, starting with having an extended period of time out of the water due to COVID and nearly deciding to not come back at all. Ultimately, Murphy did come back to complete his 4th year on the team and ultimately go personal bests in both the 100 and 200 fly.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

Olympic swimming star Simone Manuel delivered at the recent San Antonio Pro Swim, sweeping the 50m and 100m free:

  • 50m free - 24.70
  • 100m free - 54.62

Simone said she wasn't happy with her races, saying "there were goal times I didn't hit." However she felt there were positives she could takeaway from the competition.  Considering the masks, no fans, and that she hasn't raced during COVID, she was satisfied with her performance overall.

U.S. Olympic Trials PREDICTIONS!

Simone sweeps the 50m and 100m free at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. She's not messing around. This is a full rest to test her flat-out speed, and she will go faster in Tokyo.  At U.S. Trials  I see a 24.2 50m free and a 52.4 100m free. I think she swims the 200 free as well, dropping a 1:56.8 to make the 4x200 free relay.

More description

Olympic swimming star Simone Manuel delivered at the recent San Antonio Pro Swim, sweeping the 50m and 100m free:

  • 50m free - 24.70
  • 100m free - 54.62

Simone said she wasn't happy with her races, saying "there were goal times I didn't hit." However she felt there were positives she could takeaway from the competition.  Considering the masks, no fans, and that she hasn't raced during COVID, she was satisfied with her performance overall.

U.S. Olympic Trials PREDICTIONS!

Simone sweeps the 50m and 100m free at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. She's not messing around. This is a full rest to test her flat-out speed, and she will go faster in Tokyo.  At U.S. Trials  I see a 24.2 50m free and a 52.4 100m free. I think she swims the 200 free as well, dropping a 1:56.8 to make the 4x200 free relay.

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We sat down with Andi Murez, the 2016 Olympian and Stanford All-American who is now training in Coronado, California. Murez takes us through her swim journey, most recently recapping the 6-week ISL Budapest bubble as a member of the LA Current. She also takes us through what it was like training as a professional as well as going to medical school, balancing two activities that take a huge amount of time and dedication.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

More description

We sat down with Andi Murez, the 2016 Olympian and Stanford All-American who is now training in Coronado, California. Murez takes us through her swim journey, most recently recapping the 6-week ISL Budapest bubble as a member of the LA Current. She also takes us through what it was like training as a professional as well as going to medical school, balancing two activities that take a huge amount of time and dedication.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
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We sat down with Jozsef Nagy, the breaststroke coach extraordinaire to talk about all things breaststroke. Nagy goes into detail on how the stroke has changed and what methods he thinks are best for training the stroke. One of the most interesting things Nagy brings up is the fact that in his opinion, the 100 breast world record has taken leaps and bounds in the last 20 years, while he thinks the 200 hasn't quite matched up. The Hungarian native thinks that if athletes really focused on the event, the 200 Breast world record could be as low as 2:02 currently.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with Jozsef Nagy, the breaststroke coach extraordinaire to talk about all things breaststroke. Nagy goes into detail on how the stroke has changed and what methods he thinks are best for training the stroke. One of the most interesting things Nagy brings up is the fact that in his opinion, the 100 breast world record has taken leaps and bounds in the last 20 years, while he thinks the 200 hasn't quite matched up. The Hungarian native thinks that if athletes really focused on the event, the 200 Breast world record could be as low as 2:02 currently.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

Olympic Champion and Youtube star Cody Miller partners with the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo, a SwimSwam partner. This has been in the works for awhile; however, for Cody fans, it might be the worst kept secret in swimming. He’s been wearing Speedo in his last few video episodes. In this podcast Cody unpacks the industry details behind the partnership, and he PLAYS THE PREDICTION GAME for his own events at the U.S. Olympic Trials -- sort of.   Cody's got an interesting take on the run-up to the big show this June. See the official Speedo press release about the partnership hereSubscribe to Cody's Youtube channel here. 

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

More description

Olympic Champion and Youtube star Cody Miller partners with the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo, a SwimSwam partner. This has been in the works for awhile; however, for Cody fans, it might be the worst kept secret in swimming. He’s been wearing Speedo in his last few video episodes. In this podcast Cody unpacks the industry details behind the partnership, and he PLAYS THE PREDICTION GAME for his own events at the U.S. Olympic Trials -- sort of.   Cody's got an interesting take on the run-up to the big show this June. See the official Speedo press release about the partnership hereSubscribe to Cody's Youtube channel here. 

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere

I sat down with #12 ranked recruit in the class of 2021, Arsenio Bustos. Arsenio swam a troth of lifetime bests this past week at the ISCA Senior Cup in St Petersburg, Florida, including 1:43.94 200 IM, 53.57/1:02.95 100 Breast, 1:59.03 200 breast, 19.96/23.02 50 free, 46.51 100 fly, 1:36.31 200 free, and 43.27/49.25 100 free. Bustos breaks down his racing at the ISCA Cup, what made racing Dressel so exciting, and how he's been training for the last year.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
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I sat down with #12 ranked recruit in the class of 2021, Arsenio Bustos. Arsenio swam a troth of lifetime bests this past week at the ISCA Senior Cup in St Petersburg, Florida, including 1:43.94 200 IM, 53.57/1:02.95 100 Breast, 1:59.03 200 breast, 19.96/23.02 50 free, 46.51 100 fly, 1:36.31 200 free, and 43.27/49.25 100 free. Bustos breaks down his racing at the ISCA Cup, what made racing Dressel so exciting, and how he's been training for the last year.

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I sat down with Brazilian Olympian Brandonn Almeida, who at the time was training at an altitude camp in Mexico. Almeida takes us through the bulk of his career, including his experience at a home Olympics in 2016 and competing in the NCAA at the University of South Carolina. Almeida has found, especially over the past 3 years, that his swimming really benefits if he is in the right environment with a coach who understands him.

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I sat down with Brazilian Olympian Brandonn Almeida, who at the time was training at an altitude camp in Mexico. Almeida takes us through the bulk of his career, including his experience at a home Olympics in 2016 and competing in the NCAA at the University of South Carolina. Almeida has found, especially over the past 3 years, that his swimming really benefits if he is in the right environment with a coach who understands him.

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Michael Andrew shocked us all at the San Antonio Pro Swim opting out of the 50m free to focus on the 200m IM.  He was out fast in 200 IM final, touching in 54.75 at the 100.  He built his lead with 33.29 breast split, closing in a 1:58.05–enough for the win over Abraham DeVine and Andrew Seliskar.

  1. Michael Andrew (Race Pace), 1:58.05
  2. Abrahm DeVine (Team Elite), 1:59.65
  3. Andrew Seliskar (Cal Aquatics), 2:00.59

Michael’s personal best is 1:56.83 from the 2019 Des Moines Pro Swim Series, one of the last meets before the coronavirus pandemic shut down competition around the world. His 1:58.05 in San Antonio is now the top time in the United States this season, and he climbs to 8th in the 2020-2021 World Rankings.

The other morsel of intel from the San Antonio Pro Swim was that Michael said he’s doing triple workouts. I understand with his USRPT method that may not be enormous yardage, but triples are still triples. Triple workouts are the domain of Bob Bowman and Michael Phelps. I was surprised to hear Michael Andrew‘s doing them–but he did add he’s a little concerned about doing three 200 IMs at Olympic Trials. Those triples might put him over the edge in Omaha at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

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Michael Andrew shocked us all at the San Antonio Pro Swim opting out of the 50m free to focus on the 200m IM.  He was out fast in 200 IM final, touching in 54.75 at the 100.  He built his lead with 33.29 breast split, closing in a 1:58.05–enough for the win over Abraham DeVine and Andrew Seliskar.

  1. Michael Andrew (Race Pace), 1:58.05
  2. Abrahm DeVine (Team Elite), 1:59.65
  3. Andrew Seliskar (Cal Aquatics), 2:00.59

Michael’s personal best is 1:56.83 from the 2019 Des Moines Pro Swim Series, one of the last meets before the coronavirus pandemic shut down competition around the world. His 1:58.05 in San Antonio is now the top time in the United States this season, and he climbs to 8th in the 2020-2021 World Rankings.

The other morsel of intel from the San Antonio Pro Swim was that Michael said he’s doing triple workouts. I understand with his USRPT method that may not be enormous yardage, but triples are still triples. Triple workouts are the domain of Bob Bowman and Michael Phelps. I was surprised to hear Michael Andrew‘s doing them–but he did add he’s a little concerned about doing three 200 IMs at Olympic Trials. Those triples might put him over the edge in Omaha at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

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Cal’s Trenton Julian was first at the halfway mark at 46.64 while Louisville’s Nicolas Albiero was 5th at 47.40. Yet Albiero’s strong underwaters allowed him to catch Julian on the last 25, sealing his first individual NCAA title at 1:38.64. That time knocked 0.01s off his own 2020 Greensboro pool record from the 2020 ACC Championships. He remains the 5th-fastest swimmer all-time and 3rd-fastest American ever. Julian settled for second place at 1:38.85, dropping eight-tenths from this morning.

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Cal’s Trenton Julian was first at the halfway mark at 46.64 while Louisville’s Nicolas Albiero was 5th at 47.40. Yet Albiero’s strong underwaters allowed him to catch Julian on the last 25, sealing his first individual NCAA title at 1:38.64. That time knocked 0.01s off his own 2020 Greensboro pool record from the 2020 ACC Championships. He remains the 5th-fastest swimmer all-time and 3rd-fastest American ever. Julian settled for second place at 1:38.85, dropping eight-tenths from this morning.

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Finke won his second NCAA title in as many days on the final day of competition, blowing away the field and registering his 3rd 14:12 in history, a mark no other competition has gotten near. The Florida gator tells us of his disappointment in not going a best time, but also of the good feeling in winning 2 national titles. He also explains the meetings that the men's team has had in order to open up to one another and really learn how to communicate with one another.

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Finke won his second NCAA title in as many days on the final day of competition, blowing away the field and registering his 3rd 14:12 in history, a mark no other competition has gotten near. The Florida gator tells us of his disappointment in not going a best time, but also of the good feeling in winning 2 national titles. He also explains the meetings that the men's team has had in order to open up to one another and really learn how to communicate with one another.

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In the final heat, Florida freshman Adam Chaney led off in a 20.55 backstroke split, which is the 9th-fastest lead-off all-time. In the same heat, Louisville’s Evgenii Somov came in hot with a 22.87 breast split, the 13th-fastest split all-time, to put the Cardinals in the lead. Senior Nicolas Albiero held on to the narrow lead with his 20.07 fly split. Cal’s Ryan Hoffer (19.70) and Florida’s Eric Friese (19.87) were sub-20 on their fly legs, yet still could not catch Cardinal Albiero. Hoffer’s split is now the 10th-fastest split in history.

Into the freestyle leg, Cal had a three-tenths deficit behind Florida, who was 0.09s behind leader Louisville. Sophomore Haridi Sameh anchored the Cardinals in an 18.45, which was enough to win the 2021 title and break the Greensboro pool record at 1:22.11. This was also Louisville’s first NCAA relay title in program history.

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In the final heat, Florida freshman Adam Chaney led off in a 20.55 backstroke split, which is the 9th-fastest lead-off all-time. In the same heat, Louisville’s Evgenii Somov came in hot with a 22.87 breast split, the 13th-fastest split all-time, to put the Cardinals in the lead. Senior Nicolas Albiero held on to the narrow lead with his 20.07 fly split. Cal’s Ryan Hoffer (19.70) and Florida’s Eric Friese (19.87) were sub-20 on their fly legs, yet still could not catch Cardinal Albiero. Hoffer’s split is now the 10th-fastest split in history.

Into the freestyle leg, Cal had a three-tenths deficit behind Florida, who was 0.09s behind leader Louisville. Sophomore Haridi Sameh anchored the Cardinals in an 18.45, which was enough to win the 2021 title and break the Greensboro pool record at 1:22.11. This was also Louisville’s first NCAA relay title in program history.

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Cal’s Ryan Hoffer was out like a rocket, flipping to a 8.90 at the feet off of the first 25. Hoffer couldn’t be stopped, defending his NCAA 50 free title by 0.38 seconds with a new Greensboro pool record time of 18.33. Hoffer shaved a tenth off his lifetime best of 18.43 from this morning, remaining the second-fastest swimmer ever in the 50-yard free behind Caeleb Dressel (17.63). Hoffer’s 18.33 tonight cracks the top-10 performances in history, which were all formerly held by Dressel, ranking 10th all-time.

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Cal’s Ryan Hoffer was out like a rocket, flipping to a 8.90 at the feet off of the first 25. Hoffer couldn’t be stopped, defending his NCAA 50 free title by 0.38 seconds with a new Greensboro pool record time of 18.33. Hoffer shaved a tenth off his lifetime best of 18.43 from this morning, remaining the second-fastest swimmer ever in the 50-yard free behind Caeleb Dressel (17.63). Hoffer’s 18.33 tonight cracks the top-10 performances in history, which were all formerly held by Dressel, ranking 10th all-time.

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Texas A&M senior Shaine Casas was on Dressel’s American record pace during the first 100, taking the race out in 21.13/24.89 (46.04). Casas maintained his lead into the breaststroke, yet his 29.16 did not match Dressel’s 28.3 record split. Only Cal senior Hugo Gonzalez challenged Casas in the breast leg with his strong 29.13 split. Heading into the freestyle, Casas was able to hold off Gonzalez Cal freshman Destin Lasco for his first NCAA 200 IM title at 1:39.53, breaking Lasco’s morning pool record of 1:40.61. Casas’ record is also the first NCAA title in Texas A&M swimming program history.

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Texas A&M senior Shaine Casas was on Dressel’s American record pace during the first 100, taking the race out in 21.13/24.89 (46.04). Casas maintained his lead into the breaststroke, yet his 29.16 did not match Dressel’s 28.3 record split. Only Cal senior Hugo Gonzalez challenged Casas in the breast leg with his strong 29.13 split. Heading into the freestyle, Casas was able to hold off Gonzalez Cal freshman Destin Lasco for his first NCAA 200 IM title at 1:39.53, breaking Lasco’s morning pool record of 1:40.61. Casas’ record is also the first NCAA title in Texas A&M swimming program history.

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We sat down with UVA head coach Todd DeSorbo fresh off of his first NCAA title in team history. DeSorbo reflects on the performance his team put up throughout the weekend as well as his coaching style of being conscious to not put pressure on his athletes. He also comments on the historic 1-2 finish for the ACC, saying it was a goal of his for his team to be disruptive at this meet, knowing that only 3 teams had finished in the top 2 at NCAAs over the past decade.

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We sat down with UVA head coach Todd DeSorbo fresh off of his first NCAA title in team history. DeSorbo reflects on the performance his team put up throughout the weekend as well as his coaching style of being conscious to not put pressure on his athletes. He also comments on the historic 1-2 finish for the ACC, saying it was a goal of his for his team to be disruptive at this meet, knowing that only 3 teams had finished in the top 2 at NCAAs over the past decade.

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12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte looked a little rough at the recent San Antonia Pro Swim, swimming 2:02.03 in the 200m IM, but he always swims slowly in-season, and Caeleb Dressel swam slowly, and they're both in Coach Gregg Troy's clutches. In sum, we know they're doing hard work--certainly broken down at this point in their training cycle.

"If there was an 800 IM at the Olympics, I would be swimming it," Ryan Lochte said in his last Gold Medal Minute back in October 2020.  He also revealed his Olympic Trials schedule, which was the standard Lochte schedule we've always seen.  He said,  "At this point, with all of the work I'm doing? 400 and 200 IM, 200 back, 200 free, 100 fly..."

I'm still bullish on Lochte's chances to make the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team this summer. Lochte has mastery in the 200 IM. He’s going to turn heads at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

PREDICTIONS

Lochte makes Team USA in the 200 IM, dropping a solid 1:55 low…barely edging Shaine Casas, Michael Andrew, Chase Kalisz and Andrew Seliskar. It’s going to be a tight race... Of course, you know I want everyone to make the Olympic Team.  But who cares what i think? I want to know what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

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12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte looked a little rough at the recent San Antonia Pro Swim, swimming 2:02.03 in the 200m IM, but he always swims slowly in-season, and Caeleb Dressel swam slowly, and they're both in Coach Gregg Troy's clutches. In sum, we know they're doing hard work--certainly broken down at this point in their training cycle.

"If there was an 800 IM at the Olympics, I would be swimming it," Ryan Lochte said in his last Gold Medal Minute back in October 2020.  He also revealed his Olympic Trials schedule, which was the standard Lochte schedule we've always seen.  He said,  "At this point, with all of the work I'm doing? 400 and 200 IM, 200 back, 200 free, 100 fly..."

I'm still bullish on Lochte's chances to make the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team this summer. Lochte has mastery in the 200 IM. He’s going to turn heads at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

PREDICTIONS

Lochte makes Team USA in the 200 IM, dropping a solid 1:55 low…barely edging Shaine Casas, Michael Andrew, Chase Kalisz and Andrew Seliskar. It’s going to be a tight race... Of course, you know I want everyone to make the Olympic Team.  But who cares what i think? I want to know what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

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We sat down with the University of Cincinnati's NCAA qualifier in the 200 backstroke, Blake Hanna. Looking at Blake's times, specifically his 1:40 in the 200 backstroke, you'd think that he was highly recruited coming out of high school. Turns out, he was barely recruited at all and therefore didn't end up swimming for a team straight out of high school, as he was set on going to Cincinnati for academic reasons. However, he did swim with the colleges club team and ended up winning the national college club championships in the 200 back with a 1:47 his sophomore year.   Hanna explains his drive to win the college club nationals after getting 2nd his first year and how that landed him a spot on the bearcats DI collegiate team once he did.

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We sat down with the University of Cincinnati's NCAA qualifier in the 200 backstroke, Blake Hanna. Looking at Blake's times, specifically his 1:40 in the 200 backstroke, you'd think that he was highly recruited coming out of high school. Turns out, he was barely recruited at all and therefore didn't end up swimming for a team straight out of high school, as he was set on going to Cincinnati for academic reasons. However, he did swim with the colleges club team and ended up winning the national college club championships in the 200 back with a 1:47 his sophomore year.   Hanna explains his drive to win the college club nationals after getting 2nd his first year and how that landed him a spot on the bearcats DI collegiate team once he did.

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1650 FREE TIMED FINAL
  • NCAA Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • American Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • U.S. Open Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • Meet Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:07.57 – 2018
  • 2019 Champion: Ally McHugh (Penn State), 15:39.22
  • 2020 Top Performer: Molly Kowal (Ohio State), 15:43.17

Top 8 (final)

  1. Paige Madden (Virginia) – 15:41.86
  2. Evie Pfeifer (Texas) – 15:46.41
  3. Sierra Schmidt (Michigan) – 15:51.09
  4. Kristen Stege (Tennessee) – 15:52.07
  5. Kaitlynn Sims (Michigan) – 15:57.80
  6. Kensey McMahon (Alabama) – 16:00.62
  7. Camryn Toney (Texas A&M) – 16:04.02
  8. Lola Mull (Northwestern) – 16:04.11

Virginia’s Paige Madden let the field jump out over the first 500, but by the 1000 mark, the senior had moved into the lead. Madden kept pouring it on, though, and she made it home in 15:41.86, dropping over three seconds from her seed.

That’s Madden’s third win of the meet, and she looks favored to win swimmer of the meet, the only swimmer to claim three victories.

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1650 FREE TIMED FINAL
  • NCAA Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • American Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • U.S. Open Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:03.31 – 2017
  • Meet Record: Katie Ledecky (Stanford), 15:07.57 – 2018
  • 2019 Champion: Ally McHugh (Penn State), 15:39.22
  • 2020 Top Performer: Molly Kowal (Ohio State), 15:43.17

Top 8 (final)

  1. Paige Madden (Virginia) – 15:41.86
  2. Evie Pfeifer (Texas) – 15:46.41
  3. Sierra Schmidt (Michigan) – 15:51.09
  4. Kristen Stege (Tennessee) – 15:52.07
  5. Kaitlynn Sims (Michigan) – 15:57.80
  6. Kensey McMahon (Alabama) – 16:00.62
  7. Camryn Toney (Texas A&M) – 16:04.02
  8. Lola Mull (Northwestern) – 16:04.11

Virginia’s Paige Madden let the field jump out over the first 500, but by the 1000 mark, the senior had moved into the lead. Madden kept pouring it on, though, and she made it home in 15:41.86, dropping over three seconds from her seed.

That’s Madden’s third win of the meet, and she looks favored to win swimmer of the meet, the only swimmer to claim three victories.

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1-METER DIVING FINALS

Top 3

  1. Sarah Bacon (Minnesota) – 357.20
  2. Aranza Vazquez-Montano (UNC) – 348.45
  3. Brooke Schultz (Arkansas) – 335.85

Minnesota gets some points on the board here with Sarah Bacon defending her 2019 crown, scoring 357.20. Bacon won silver in this event at 2019 Worlds and won the Pan Am gold.

3-METER DIVING FINALS
  • NCAA Record: Christina Loukas (Indiana), 437.75 – 2009
  • Meet Record: Christina Loukas (Indiana), 437.75 – 2009
  • 2019 Champion: Maria Polyakova (UCLA), 396.00

Top 3:

  1. Sarah Bacon (Minnesota)- 408.60
  2. Aranza Vazquez (UNC)- 384.75
  3. Cami Hidalgo (Georgia Tech)- 356.40

After winning the 1-meter board yesterday, Minnesota’s Sarah Bacon won again on the 3-meter diving board by 23.85 points. Taking second was UNC’s Aranza Vazquez (384.75) and Georgia Tech’s Cami Hidalgo (356.40).

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1-METER DIVING FINALS

Top 3

  1. Sarah Bacon (Minnesota) – 357.20
  2. Aranza Vazquez-Montano (UNC) – 348.45
  3. Brooke Schultz (Arkansas) – 335.85

Minnesota gets some points on the board here with Sarah Bacon defending her 2019 crown, scoring 357.20. Bacon won silver in this event at 2019 Worlds and won the Pan Am gold.

3-METER DIVING FINALS
  • NCAA Record: Christina Loukas (Indiana), 437.75 – 2009
  • Meet Record: Christina Loukas (Indiana), 437.75 – 2009
  • 2019 Champion: Maria Polyakova (UCLA), 396.00

Top 3:

  1. Sarah Bacon (Minnesota)- 408.60
  2. Aranza Vazquez (UNC)- 384.75
  3. Cami Hidalgo (Georgia Tech)- 356.40

After winning the 1-meter board yesterday, Minnesota’s Sarah Bacon won again on the 3-meter diving board by 23.85 points. Taking second was UNC’s Aranza Vazquez (384.75) and Georgia Tech’s Cami Hidalgo (356.40).

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200 BACK FINALS
  • NCAA Record: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24 – 2019
  • American Record: Regan Smith, 1:47.16 – 2019
  • U.S. Open Record: Regan Smith, 1:47.16 – 2019
  • Meet Record: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24 – 2019
  • 2019 Champion: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24
  • 2020 Top Performer: Rhyan White (Alabama), 1:48.06

Top 3

  1. Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin) – 1:48.32
  2. Rhyan White (Alabama) – 1:48.99
  3. Isabelle Stadden (Cal) – 1:49.66

This was a fantastic race, as Katharine Berkoff of NC State, Rhyan White of Alabama and Phoebe Bacon of Wisconsin all took it out within tenths of each other.

Pushing into the third 50, though, Bacon really charged, and she was able to hold onto that pace through the exciting final 50. Bacon hits her first sub-1:50 ever, becoming the third-best NCAA freshman ever at 1:48.32. That keeps the Wisconsin 200 back streak alive after Beata Nelson won in 2019.

White was also under 1:49, hitting a 1:48.99, not quite able to come back on Bacon but picking up big points for Alabama before their huge 100 free.

Cal freshman Isabelle Stadden was third in 1:49.66, while youth continued to reign; Virginia Tech freshman Emma Atkinson was fourth in 1:50.43 ahead of Virginia freshman Reilly Tiltmann (1:50.66).

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200 BACK FINALS
  • NCAA Record: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24 – 2019
  • American Record: Regan Smith, 1:47.16 – 2019
  • U.S. Open Record: Regan Smith, 1:47.16 – 2019
  • Meet Record: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24 – 2019
  • 2019 Champion: Beata Nelson (Wisconsin), 1:47.24
  • 2020 Top Performer: Rhyan White (Alabama), 1:48.06

Top 3

  1. Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin) – 1:48.32
  2. Rhyan White (Alabama) – 1:48.99
  3. Isabelle Stadden (Cal) – 1:49.66

This was a fantastic race, as Katharine Berkoff of NC State, Rhyan White of Alabama and Phoebe Bacon of Wisconsin all took it out within tenths of each other.

Pushing into the third 50, though, Bacon really charged, and she was able to hold onto that pace through the exciting final 50. Bacon hits her first sub-1:50 ever, becoming the third-best NCAA freshman ever at 1:48.32. That keeps the Wisconsin 200 back streak alive after Beata Nelson won in 2019.

White was also under 1:49, hitting a 1:48.99, not quite able to come back on Bacon but picking up big points for Alabama before their huge 100 free.

Cal freshman Isabelle Stadden was third in 1:49.66, while youth continued to reign; Virginia Tech freshman Emma Atkinson was fourth in 1:50.43 ahead of Virginia freshman Reilly Tiltmann (1:50.66).

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For the first time in program history, the Virginia Cavalier women are NCAA team champions, earning at least one A-finalist in every individual event. Taking team runner-up was the NC State Wolfpack, making the team rankings an ACC 1-2 finish. No ACC team, men’s or women’s, has ever finished higher than third place at NCAAs. Before this meet, Virginia’s best team finishes were a pair of 5th-place scores in 2015 and 2016. NC State’s best finish before 2021 was 7th place, achieved between 2017-2019.

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For the first time in program history, the Virginia Cavalier women are NCAA team champions, earning at least one A-finalist in every individual event. Taking team runner-up was the NC State Wolfpack, making the team rankings an ACC 1-2 finish. No ACC team, men’s or women’s, has ever finished higher than third place at NCAAs. Before this meet, Virginia’s best team finishes were a pair of 5th-place scores in 2015 and 2016. NC State’s best finish before 2021 was 7th place, achieved between 2017-2019.

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After the 200 fly/back of the 400 IM final, Stanford’s Brooke Forde was running 4th heading into the breaststroke. Forde then pulled ahead of the field into the 100 free, easily winning her first 400 IM NCAA title with a Greensboro pool record of 4:01.57. That was just four one-hundredths off her 2020 season best of 4:01.53. In 2018, Forde placed 4th in the final as a freshman followed by a third-place finish in 2019. Her title today is Stanford’s 5th-straight 400 IM title, following Ella Eastin‘s 2015-2019 sweep and the cancelled 2020 meet. Stanford now has 13 total 400 IM titles, the most of any program.

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After the 200 fly/back of the 400 IM final, Stanford’s Brooke Forde was running 4th heading into the breaststroke. Forde then pulled ahead of the field into the 100 free, easily winning her first 400 IM NCAA title with a Greensboro pool record of 4:01.57. That was just four one-hundredths off her 2020 season best of 4:01.53. In 2018, Forde placed 4th in the final as a freshman followed by a third-place finish in 2019. Her title today is Stanford’s 5th-straight 400 IM title, following Ella Eastin‘s 2015-2019 sweep and the cancelled 2020 meet. Stanford now has 13 total 400 IM titles, the most of any program.

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The women of NC State clocked a new US Open and American record in the 400 medley relay of 3:24.59. Katharine Berkoff (50.07), Sophie Hansson (57.01), Kylee Alons (49.29), and Julia Poole (48.22) combined to win the Wolfpack's first-ever relay title in program history. The 4 women talk through the lead-up to this relay and how they were able to get the job done.

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The women of NC State clocked a new US Open and American record in the 400 medley relay of 3:24.59. Katharine Berkoff (50.07), Sophie Hansson (57.01), Kylee Alons (49.29), and Julia Poole (48.22) combined to win the Wolfpack's first-ever relay title in program history. The 4 women talk through the lead-up to this relay and how they were able to get the job done.

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We sat down with world record-holder Sarah Sjostrom, who is on the road to recovery after breaking her elbow. Sjostrom gave us an update on her status, saying she's back in the pool and kicking about 3-3.5 kilometers daily. However, Sjostrom is also going to the gym and doing a heavy leg lift, then getting in a cycling workout daily as well, making her legs very tired by the end of the day. Sjostrom says she's never focused this much on her legs before and normally she just relies on her upper body strength in her swimming. This could be a revamped Sjostrom once she is allowed to swim 100%, a scary thought considering she already holds 6 individual world records.

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We sat down with world record-holder Sarah Sjostrom, who is on the road to recovery after breaking her elbow. Sjostrom gave us an update on her status, saying she's back in the pool and kicking about 3-3.5 kilometers daily. However, Sjostrom is also going to the gym and doing a heavy leg lift, then getting in a cycling workout daily as well, making her legs very tired by the end of the day. Sjostrom says she's never focused this much on her legs before and normally she just relies on her upper body strength in her swimming. This could be a revamped Sjostrom once she is allowed to swim 100%, a scary thought considering she already holds 6 individual world records.

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With the 2021 Women's NCAA Championships on the horizon, University of Virginia head coach Todd Desorbo sat down with the media to preview the meet. We asked about UVA's event lineup choices for 2 of their more versatile stars, Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh. For both swimmers, DeSorbo said the event choices came down to what they wanted to swim and what events excited them the most. Douglass will be taking on the 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free while Walsh will swim the 200 IM, 200 free, and 200 breast.

DeSorbo also emphasized the importance of his team staying loose and having fun while not forcing good swims. DeSorbo recalled that at the 2020 ACCs, the 200 medley relay squad had a year-long goal of breaking the US Open record in the 200 medley relay, but with the weight of that goal on their shoulders all year, the squad fell short of that time at the championships. This year, DeSorbo told the same squad to simply relax and have fun, and they ended up breaking the US Open record.

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With the 2021 Women's NCAA Championships on the horizon, University of Virginia head coach Todd Desorbo sat down with the media to preview the meet. We asked about UVA's event lineup choices for 2 of their more versatile stars, Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh. For both swimmers, DeSorbo said the event choices came down to what they wanted to swim and what events excited them the most. Douglass will be taking on the 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free while Walsh will swim the 200 IM, 200 free, and 200 breast.

DeSorbo also emphasized the importance of his team staying loose and having fun while not forcing good swims. DeSorbo recalled that at the 2020 ACCs, the 200 medley relay squad had a year-long goal of breaking the US Open record in the 200 medley relay, but with the weight of that goal on their shoulders all year, the squad fell short of that time at the championships. This year, DeSorbo told the same squad to simply relax and have fun, and they ended up breaking the US Open record.

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I sat down with SwimSwam writers and swimming aficionados Robert Gibbs and Karl Ortegon to discuss and predict every event in the upcoming 2021 Women's NCAA Championships.   From a team perspective, it looks like Virginia's year to finally take a women's crown. However, as Robert pointed out, they have a lot of points to lose from the psych sheets, and NC State and Cal also have very strong teams coming into the meet that could make a title run. It also still doesn't seem like we've seen what Stanford can really do with a full rest and I feel like you can never count them out.   From an individual standpoint, the biggest storyline here is Kate Douglass and Maggie MacNeil getting in the ring and going 3 rounds in the form of 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free. With few defending champions from 2019, this is a very young field of talent with a lot of wide-open events, so look to see some surprise champions crowned this weekend.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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I sat down with SwimSwam writers and swimming aficionados Robert Gibbs and Karl Ortegon to discuss and predict every event in the upcoming 2021 Women's NCAA Championships.   From a team perspective, it looks like Virginia's year to finally take a women's crown. However, as Robert pointed out, they have a lot of points to lose from the psych sheets, and NC State and Cal also have very strong teams coming into the meet that could make a title run. It also still doesn't seem like we've seen what Stanford can really do with a full rest and I feel like you can never count them out.   From an individual standpoint, the biggest storyline here is Kate Douglass and Maggie MacNeil getting in the ring and going 3 rounds in the form of 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 free. With few defending champions from 2019, this is a very young field of talent with a lot of wide-open events, so look to see some surprise champions crowned this weekend.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Olympic and World Champion distance swimming icon Katie Ledecky swam well at the San Antonio Pro Swim, but she was her own biggest critic unpacking her swims in the post race interviews.  I thought Ledecky looked great considering she hasn't really traveled and competed in a year.  Suiting up at home and running an elite meet schedule isn't the same experience.  I think Ledecky knocked off some rust in San Antonio. What do you think?  If you missed the meet coverage, see her times:

Ledecky - 2021 San Antonio Pro Swim

  • 1500 free - 15:42.92
  • 800 free - 8:13.64
  • 400 free - 4:04.72
  • 200 free - 1:56.62

For reference, see Ledecky's 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim Times:

  • 1500 - 15:29.51
  • 400 - 3:59.66
  • 200 - 1:54.59

U.S. Olympic Trials Predictions?

Ledecky will swim fast, but not as fast as she will at the 2021 Olympic Games.  At U.S. Olympic Trials I see a 1:54.5 200 free,  3:59.1 400 free,  8:09  800 free, and a 15:29 1500 free.  I might be playing it a little too safe, but I don't see a reason for her to swim faster when making Team USA  is all that's needed.  Still, those would be solid swims in June for Ledecky, but the big question is will she swim the 100 free? I don’t know. I haven’t asked her, but I don’t think so. It’s been a weird year battling the pandemic. I think Ledeckey stays focused on her core schedule at U.S. Olympic Trials.  But who cares what I think?  I want to know what you think? Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

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Olympic and World Champion distance swimming icon Katie Ledecky swam well at the San Antonio Pro Swim, but she was her own biggest critic unpacking her swims in the post race interviews.  I thought Ledecky looked great considering she hasn't really traveled and competed in a year.  Suiting up at home and running an elite meet schedule isn't the same experience.  I think Ledecky knocked off some rust in San Antonio. What do you think?  If you missed the meet coverage, see her times:

Ledecky - 2021 San Antonio Pro Swim

  • 1500 free - 15:42.92
  • 800 free - 8:13.64
  • 400 free - 4:04.72
  • 200 free - 1:56.62

For reference, see Ledecky's 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim Times:

  • 1500 - 15:29.51
  • 400 - 3:59.66
  • 200 - 1:54.59

U.S. Olympic Trials Predictions?

Ledecky will swim fast, but not as fast as she will at the 2021 Olympic Games.  At U.S. Olympic Trials I see a 1:54.5 200 free,  3:59.1 400 free,  8:09  800 free, and a 15:29 1500 free.  I might be playing it a little too safe, but I don't see a reason for her to swim faster when making Team USA  is all that's needed.  Still, those would be solid swims in June for Ledecky, but the big question is will she swim the 100 free? I don’t know. I haven’t asked her, but I don’t think so. It’s been a weird year battling the pandemic. I think Ledeckey stays focused on her core schedule at U.S. Olympic Trials.  But who cares what I think?  I want to know what you think? Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

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We sat down with NCAA Champion and American record holder Ian Finnerty, who just announced his retirement from swimming. Finnerty explains that staying in swimming an extra year for the 2020-21 season was a challenge in itself, as he had been ready to move on to other pastures after the 2020 Olympic Trials (and Games if applicable). After leaving Indiana University and training with Energy Standard, he wasn’t able to return to Turkey after the ISL season in Budapest, so went to train with Coley Stickels at Alabama. After Sitckels announced his leave as head coach at Bama, Finnerty decided to call it quits.   Finnerty was the first (and currently only) man to break 50 seconds in the 100y breaststroke, a feat which he first accomplished at the 2018 NCAA Championships, then repeated at the 2019 NCAA Championships, winning the event both times. He was also a 2x NCAA Champion as a part of Indiana’s 400 medley relay that one in both 2018 and 2019.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with NCAA Champion and American record holder Ian Finnerty, who just announced his retirement from swimming. Finnerty explains that staying in swimming an extra year for the 2020-21 season was a challenge in itself, as he had been ready to move on to other pastures after the 2020 Olympic Trials (and Games if applicable). After leaving Indiana University and training with Energy Standard, he wasn’t able to return to Turkey after the ISL season in Budapest, so went to train with Coley Stickels at Alabama. After Sitckels announced his leave as head coach at Bama, Finnerty decided to call it quits.   Finnerty was the first (and currently only) man to break 50 seconds in the 100y breaststroke, a feat which he first accomplished at the 2018 NCAA Championships, then repeated at the 2019 NCAA Championships, winning the event both times. He was also a 2x NCAA Champion as a part of Indiana’s 400 medley relay that one in both 2018 and 2019.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with 13x Paralympic champion Jessica Long, who was just featured in an ad for Team Toyota that ran during the 2021 Super Bowl. Long takes us through the process of being featured as a subject of an ad of that caliber and getting to see the different iterations of her own story coming to life on screen. Long also takes us through training through COVID in the last year and staying motivated for what could be her 5th Paralympic Games.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with 13x Paralympic champion Jessica Long, who was just featured in an ad for Team Toyota that ran during the 2021 Super Bowl. Long takes us through the process of being featured as a subject of an ad of that caliber and getting to see the different iterations of her own story coming to life on screen. Long also takes us through training through COVID in the last year and staying motivated for what could be her 5th Paralympic Games.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with NCAA Champion, World University Games Champion, and now Swammer Reed Malone. Malone announced his retirement after sustaining a concussion in practice one day, which gave him time to reflect on his career. Reed said the realization that he came to is he was chasing this Olympic dream because, without it, he thought his career would be a failure. Malone was able to reflect on all that he's accomplished, and more importantly all the relationships he was able to foster through swimming, and hang his goggles up feeling very fulfilled with his time in the sport.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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We sat down with NCAA Champion, World University Games Champion, and now Swammer Reed Malone. Malone announced his retirement after sustaining a concussion in practice one day, which gave him time to reflect on his career. Reed said the realization that he came to is he was chasing this Olympic dream because, without it, he thought his career would be a failure. Malone was able to reflect on all that he's accomplished, and more importantly all the relationships he was able to foster through swimming, and hang his goggles up feeling very fulfilled with his time in the sport.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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2-time Olympian, 3-time Olympic medalist, and the author of BLUEPRINT Katie Hoff drops in on the SwimSwam Podcast. Katie talks about her hardcore training, her business, and her new life post-swimming--which she is loving.  Check her out here on IG @KTHoff7.   Interested in BLUEPRINT, her book?  See what Michael Phelps has to say about it:   “I have so much respect and admiration for Katie Hoff as a person and an athlete. She helped push the progression of women’s swimming and now courageously shares her insights and challenges in and out of the pool in Blueprint. Through it all, Katie’s mettle is gold.”   – Michael Phelps   See Blueprint HERE, a great holiday gift for you swimmer, swammer or swim coach  - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P521NV8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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2-time Olympian, 3-time Olympic medalist, and the author of BLUEPRINT Katie Hoff drops in on the SwimSwam Podcast. Katie talks about her hardcore training, her business, and her new life post-swimming--which she is loving.  Check her out here on IG @KTHoff7.   Interested in BLUEPRINT, her book?  See what Michael Phelps has to say about it:   “I have so much respect and admiration for Katie Hoff as a person and an athlete. She helped push the progression of women’s swimming and now courageously shares her insights and challenges in and out of the pool in Blueprint. Through it all, Katie’s mettle is gold.”   – Michael Phelps   See Blueprint HERE, a great holiday gift for you swimmer, swammer or swim coach  - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P521NV8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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