Swimming World June 2021 Issue

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JUNE 2021 • VOL 62 • NO 6 FEATURES

33 | NUTRITION: HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD I EAT?

12 | U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS PREVIEW

by Dawn Weatherwax

by David Rieder The fastest swimmers in the United States will be putting their hopes and dreams on the line at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Swimming, June 13-20, in Omaha, Neb. If realized, they’ll have the opportunity to perform next month on the world’s grandest stage: the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

22 | A NATURAL LEADER

As long course, Olympics and endurance events get underway, a common question is: “How much do I need to eat?” This is a loaded question—one in which the author will try to simplify.

35 | MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH AMY BILQUIST

by Shoshanna Rutemiller

by John Lohn Still producing elite-level performances, Nathan Adrian, now 32 and pursuing his fourth Olympic Games, has the opportunity to further his already lofty reputation. And whenever his days in the sport come to an end, Adrian will be viewed for his excellence in the sport as an athlete, teammate and ambassador.

25 | NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: QUALITY & QUANTITY

by Andy Ross That’s the same winning formula that Indian River’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have been using for nearly a half-century at the NJCAA Championships. The Pioneer men now have won 47 straight team titles; the women, 39—and 43 of the past 47.

26 | TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: A FORGOTTEN STAR

by John Lohn

COACHING 38 | SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: MAXIMIZING SWIMMING VELOCITY (Part 2)—STROKE CYCLE PHASES Swimmers typically decrease non-propulsive time to decrease stroke time, increase stroke rate and swim faster. Research shows that a further decrease in the non-propulsive time is possible and should produce further performance improvement.

40 | A COACHES’ GUIDE TO ENERGY SYSTEMS

by Michael J. Stott In the first of two parts, Swimming World explores the concept of energy systems and how coaches can use them to maximize athlete development and performance.

42 | SPECIAL SETS: KATIE LEDECKY—RUN-UP TO RIO 2016

29 | DOMINANCE AND PARITY ON DISPLAY IN TOKYO

With this month’s Olympic Swimming Trials now upon us, Swimming World takes a back-to-thefuture approach to revisit some training done by superstar Katie Ledecky prior to the 2016 U.S. team qualifying meet.

While the U.S. women have dominated international water polo since 2015—winning their second straight Olympics in 2016 plus three World Championships in 2015-17-19—a different men’s champion has emerged at each of the last three major international competitions—Serbia (2016 Olympics), Croatia (2017 Worlds) and Italy (2019 Worlds).

by Michael J. Stott

by Bruce Wigo As kids who preferred to dive for coins rather than race in a swimming pool, brothers Maiola and Manuella Kalili from Hawaii would eventually become national champions and Olympic silver medalists in 1932.

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In his march to eventual enshrinement into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Nathan Adrian has basically drafted a flawlessly written How-to-Guide for induction. In his decade-plus development from promise to greatness, he has been the reliable veteran—and team leader—at all international competitions, with four medals earned at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and nine medals claimed from the World Championships. Now, as a 32-year-old, Adrian is chasing his fourth Olympic berth and seeking to further his reputation as one of history’s elite sprinters. (See feature, pages 20-22.) [PHOTO BY TAYLOR BRIEN]

JUNIOR SWIMMER 47 | UP & COMERS: KEELAN COTTER

by Shoshanna Rutemiller

COLUMNS 08 | A VOICE FOR THE SPORT 11 | DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT BUSTER CRABBE? 48 | GUTTERTALK 49 | PARTING SHOT

44 | Q&A WITH COACH CATHERINE KASE

by Michael J. Stott

45 | HOW THEY TRAIN HALEY ANDERSON

by Michael J. Stott

30 | ISHOF: REMEMBERING THE KALILI BROTHERS—90 YEARS AGO

ON THE COVER

by Rod Havriluk

By all measures, Don Schollander is a legend in the sport, a Hall of Fame talent who was unrivaled in his heyday. Yet, his impact has been lost to a combination of unfortunate timing and modernday fascination.

by Dan D’Addona

22

35

TRAINING 037 | DRYSIDE TRAINING: TRAINING AMY BILQUIST

by J.R. Rosania

42

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0039-7431). Note: permission to reprint articles or excerpts from contents is prohibited without permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for errors in advertisements. Microfilm copies: available from University Microfilms, 313 N. First St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Swimming World Magazine is listed in the Physical Education Index. Printed in the U.S.A. © Sports Publications International June 2021.

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VOICE FOR THE SPORT

FINAL HURRAH FOR

RYAN LOCHTE?

BY JOHN LOHN

H

ow will Ryan Lochte be remembered? It is a six-word question without a simple response, but the answers are coming soon. At this month’s United States Olympic Trials in Omaha, Lochte will chase his fifth berth to the Olympic Games, his first of four consecutive appearances made at the 2004 Games in Athens.

As a 36-year-old, Lochte will race at the CHI Health Center in what is almost surely his last Trials. In a fairytale world, he will earn one more trip to the Olympics, the 200 meter individual medley his best opportunity to again represent Team USA in international waters. In what is a highly realistic outcome, Lochte will fall short, Father Time remaining undefeated as a younger generation of American talent ushers in a changing of the guard.

Whether or not Lochte qualifies for the Tokyo Games, this much is true: In the coming years, he will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. But when his name surfaces, what will first come to mind? Will the discussion focus on the double-digit Olympic medals he has collected? Or will the focus relate to the multiple pitfalls that have beset Lochte throughout his career?

From a purely athletic standpoint, Lochte is a legend. With 12 Olympic medals to his name, he is tied with Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin as the secondmost decorated swimmers in history. He is an individual Olympic champion in the 200 backstroke and 400 individual medley. He is a world record holder. He has been a longtime cog during the United States’ global dominance in the 800 freestyle relay.

Unfortunately, Lochte has often overshadowed his in-water excellence with poor decisions on dry land. Early in his career, his free-spirited nature could be entertaining, most evident in his decision to wear Grillz on his teeth on various international podiums. If that choice was funny to some, others viewed Lochte as a goofball.

A decorative dental piece, though, hardly triggers the radar compared to other choices.

When Lochte became embroiled in controversy at the 2016 Olympic Games, he brought embarrassment upon himself and Team USA. In Rio, Lochte and three teammates followed a night of partying by urinating outside at a gas station. Ultimately, the foursome was confronted by security guards, and the next day, Lochte told a tale of being held up and robbed at gun point. The aftermath of the incident was a 10-month suspension by USA Swimming and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Then, in 2018, Lochte was suspended for 14 months by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after he received an intravenous infusion. Although the IV infusion, which Lochte posted to social media, was of a permitted substance, it violated anti-doping rules since Lochte did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The truth is, Lochte has been his own enemy, poor decisions dotting his career. While he knows he has not helped himself, Lochte has also worked hard to do the right thing in recent years and has dedicated himself to being a husband and doting father to his two children. He deeply wants people to see him in a brighter light.

“There’s a lot of people out there that have a different perception of who I really am,” he said. “I want to set the record straight, and I want people to see how I’ve grown up, how I’ve matured and the person I am today.”

In Omaha, which is serving as the Olympic Trials host for the fourth straight time, Lochte will be among the most-watched athletes. He is also a guy worth supporting. Sure, he has made his share of mistakes. But his talent is too spectacular to forget, and, over the years, he has meant a great deal to USA Swimming. At a time when Michael Phelps seemed unbeatable, Lochte showed otherwise, and proved the bar can be raised through a combination of belief and hard work.

So, as Ryan Lochte heads to the Olympic Trials in search of another Olympic odyssey, get behind the Team USA veteran. It would be nice to see a final hurrah.v John Lohn Associate Editor-in-Chief Swimming World Magazine

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PUBLISHING, CIRCULATION AND ACCOUNTING

www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Publisher, CEO - Brent T. Rutemiller BrentR@SwimmingWorld.com Associate Editor-in-Chief - John Lohn Lohn@SwimmingWorld.com Operations Manager - Laurie Marchwinski LaurieM@ishof.org Production Editor - Taylor Brien TaylorB@SwimmingWorld.com Circulation/Membership - Lauren Serowik Lauren@ishof.org Accounting - Marcia Meiners Marcia@ishof.org EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION, ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING OFFICE

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INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

DID YOU

KNOW ABOUT BUSTER CRABBE?

BY BRUCE WIGO PHOTOS BY INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

L

arry “Buster” Crabbe had won a bronze medal in the 1500 meters at Amsterdam in 1928. At the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, he was the only American man to win a swimming gold medal—in the 400 free.

His success at the Games—and his rugged good looks—led him to be picked as one of 40 Olympic athletes invited to Paramount Pictures for screen tests. When Paramount signed him to a contract, he dropped out of law school at the University of Southern California and went on to star in more than 170 films on screen and television.

He starred in popular Hollywood serials such as “Flash Gordon,” “Buck Rogers” and “Billy the Kid.” He challenged Johnny Weissmuller by starring as “Tarzan” in two films, and on television, he was “Captain Gallant of the French Foreign Legion.” He also was the male lead in the Billy Rose Aquacade and later produced his own Aquacade water shows that performed all over the world.

At the peak of his fame in the early 1950s, Buster Crabbe Comics appeared. “Unlike most actors,” read the promotional materials, “Buster Crabbe is actually every bit the he-man he portrays in his movie roles! His superb physique and extraordinary strength was acquired by living the part, not by acting it!”

The stories were a mix of real life and the characters he played in the movies. In one, for example, he was in Rio de Janeiro, representing the United States at a swimming meet when “he meets tougher competition than he bargained for and finds that the race is ‘The Swim for Life.’”

He had a popular line of swimming pools, operated a summer camp for boys in upstate New York, and he wrote books on exercise and the benefits of swimming for >> Buster Crabbe Comics: people with arthritis.

“The Swim for Life” He was in the first class of honorees at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and he jumped back in the competition pool when U.S. Masters Swimming was formed in 1971. He was a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and was a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Games Olympic Organizing Committee.

Tragically, he died of a heart attack in April of 1983, probably brought on by years of smoking, something he became addicted to shortly after becoming a national spokesman for Camel Cigarettes— the first sponsor to sign him to a contract after the 1932 Olympic Games.

Buster’s movie costumes, Olympic medals and memorabilia and his scrapbooks are all on display at the ISHOF museum. Bruce Wigo, historian and consultant at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, served as president/CEO of ISHOF from 2005-17.

>> Johhny Weissmuller, Duke Kahanamoku & Buster Crabbe (photo, bottom right) at the opening of International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965.

JUNE 2021

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

11

PRESENTS

U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

PREVIEW The fastest swimmers in the United States will be putting their hopes and dreams on the line at the U.S. Olympic Team TrialsSwimming, June 13-20, in Omaha, Neb. If realized, they’ll have the opportunity to perform next month on the world’s grandest stage: the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

BY DAVID RIEDER

CONTINUED ON 14 >>

12

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[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

OLYMPIC TRIALS PREVIEW/ Continued from 12

Sunday, June 13 MEN’S 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY The 2021 Olympic Trials might be kicking off a year late and with a reduced capacity, but as with the previous three editions of the meet held inside the arena now known as the CHI Health Center Omaha, the first evening session of the meet will begin with the men’s 400 IM final. But unlike previous years, the men’s 400 IM will be full of uncertainty.

Chase Kalisz is the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, 2017 world champion and third-fastest performer in history in the event (best time 4:05.90), but he struggled badly in 2019 and missed the World Championships final.

In his absence, fellow 2016 Olympian Jay Litherland swam a remarkable race to earn the silver medal, his first on the international stage. Litherland ranks 11th all-time in 4:09.22. The only other swimmer in the field with a best time under 4:13 is 2019 Pan American Games gold medalist Charlie Swanson at 4:11.46.

Favorites: Chase Kalisz, Jay Litherland Contenders: Bobby Finke, Carson Foster Potential Surprises: Charlie Swanson, Sean Grieshop, Jake Foster Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Chase Kalisz 4:09.54, Jay Litherland 4:11.02 World Record/Splits: 4:03.84 Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing 8-10-08) 25.73 54.92 (29.19) 1:26.29 (31.37) 1:56.49 (30.20) 2:31.26 (34.77) 3:07.05 (35.79) 3:35.99 (28.94) 4:03.84 (27.85) MEN’S 400 FREESTYLE This event has been a weak spot for the U.S. since the nowretired pair of Conor Dwyer and Connor Jaeger finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at the Rio Olympics. The favorite should be Zane Grothe, who was fourth at Olympic Trials in 2016 and has been a finalist in the event at the last two World Championships.

Grothe has the quickest lifetime best in the field by three seconds, but a new crop of talent has emerged on the NCAA level that could quickly make the jump to excellent swimming long course.

Specifically, watch out for 500 free short course American record holder Kieran Smith and NCAA champion Jake Magahey.

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

Favorite: Zane Grothe Contenders: Kieran Smith, Jake Magahey Potential Surprises: Zach Yeadon, Trenton Julian, Trey Freeman, Patrick Callan

>> Zane Grothe 14

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Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Connor Jaeger 3:43.79, Conor Dwyer 3:44.66 World Record/Splits: 3:40.07 Paul Biedermann, GER (Rome 7-26-09) 26.29 54.42 (28.13) 1:22.43 (28.01) 1:51.02 (28.59) 2:18.78 (27.76) 2:47.17 (28.39) 3:14.30 (27.13) 3:40.07 (25.77) WOMEN’S 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY In the first women’s final of the meet, the favorite will be a swimmer who has competed at one Olympics and three World Championships—but never in the 400 IM. Melanie Margalis has only embraced this event in recent years, and her best time of 4:32.53 (from right before the COVID pandemic) is the fastest in this field by more than a second.

But behind Margalis, the field has a lot of possibilities with swimmers who have swum in the 4:34-high through 4:37-range.

Leah Smith, best known as a freestyler, was the 2017 national champion in this race, and her best time of 4:33.86 ranks second in the field, but she has not swum close to that time in four years.

Favorites: Melanie Margalis Contenders: Ally McHugh, Brooke Forde, Emma Weyant, Madisyn Cox Potential Surprises: Hali Flickinger, Leah Smith Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Maya DiRado 4:33.73, Elizabeth Beisel 4:36.81 World Record/Splits: 4:26.36 Katinka Hosszu, HUN (Rio 8-6-16) 28.33 1:00.91 (32.58) 1:35.01 (34.10) 2:08.39 (33.38) 2:45.62 (37.23) 3:24.50 (38.88) 3:55.68 (31.18) 4:26.36 (30.68)

DAY 2

Monday, June 14 WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY While most events at Olympic Trials will feature similar contenders to those who would have contended for Olympic spots in 2020, the women’s 100 fly is a profound exception. That’s because two teenagers have vaulted up the rankings in recent months.

2016 Olympian Kelsi Dahlia has been the top U.S. performer in this event since 2017. She won bronze in the event at the 2017 World Championships and silver at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships.

But recently, 16-year-old Claire Curzan and 18-year-old Torri Huske have emerged onto the scene with resounding force.

Curzan swam a 56.61 in the 100 fly in November, and then the two teenagers raced in April, with Curzan swimming a 56.20 and Huske a 56.69. Curzan then swam a 56.43 in May. Dahlia, meanwhile, has not broken 57 since 2017. A great race between the veteran and the two teenagers is in store for Trials, and Dana

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

DAY 1

>> Melanie Margalis

Vollmer’s American record of 55.98 could come under fire. The field should also produce numerous swims in the 57-range. Only two women broke 58 at the 2016 Trials.

A great race between the veteran and the two teenagers is in store for Trials, and Dana Vollmer’s American record of 55.98 could come under fire. The field should also produce numerous swims in the 57-range. Only two women broke 58 at the 2016 Trials.

During Ledecky’s reign of dominance, Leah Smith has been her frequent compatriot in the 400 free. Smith took silver in the event at the 2017 World Championships and bronze at both the 2016 Olympics and 2019 World Championships.

Favorites: Katie Ledecky, Leah Smith Contenders: Emma Nordin, Kaersten Meitz, Hali Flickinger, Erica Sullivan Potential Surprises: Ally McHugh, Haley Anderson Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Katie Ledecky 3:58.98, Leah Smith 4:00.65 World Record/Splits: 3:56.46 Katie Ledecky, USA (Rio 8-6-16) 27.73 57.05 (29.32) 1:26.99 (29.94) 1:57.11 (30.12) 2:27.41 (30.30) 2:57.62 (30.21) 3:27.54 (29.92) 3:56.46 (28.92)

Favorites: Claire Curzan, Torri Huske, Kelsi Dahlia Contenders: Katie McLaughlin, Regan Smith Potential Surprise: Kate Douglass Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Kelsi Worrell 56.48, Dana Vollmer 57.21 World Record/Splits: 55.48 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (Rio 8-6-16) 26.01 55.48 (29.47)

DAY 3

Tuesday, June 15

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE This is another event with a lot of contenders and little certainty as to how they stack up. Cody Miller won bronze in the 100 breast at the 2016 Olympics, and Kevin Cordes finished fourth in Rio, but neither has swum close to their best times in recent years.

Andrew Wilson and Michael Andrew competed for the U.S. at the 2019 World Championships, with Wilson finishing sixth in the final and later splitting 58.65 on the U.S. men’s 400 medley relay.

Andrew nearly broke the American record in May, when he swam a 58.67 in the 100 breast at the Indianapolis Pro Series, improving to 11th all-time in the event.

Nic Fink, who has been as quick as 58.57 on a relay split, is the only other American under 1:00 so far in 2021.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE The first of the relay selection events for Trials will see the Americans attempting to put together a fifth-straight gold-medal squad in the 800 free relay, but the 200 free has been a weak event for the U.S. men since 2016. Townley Haas, the Trials winner the last time around, took fourth in Rio and then took silver in the event at the 2017 World Championships, and he hasn’t swum close to his best time (1:45.03) since.

Andrew Seliskar made the transition to freestyle around 2018 and has consistently swum in the 1:45-range, and Kieran Smith will be hoping to translate his short course form into improved long course swimming. Blake Pieroni and Zach Apple have been solid relay pieces for the U.S., and the game-changer here could be Caeleb Dressel. Should the 13-time World Championships gold medalist swim this event through to the final, he will be expected to challenge for an 800 free relay spot at least.

Favorites: Michael Andrew, Andrew Wilson, Nic Fink, Cody Miller Contenders: Kevin Cordes, Reece Whitley Potential Surprises: Max McHugh, Josh Matheny Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Kevin Cordes 59.18, Cody Miller 59.26 World Record/Splits: 56.88 Adam Peaty, GBR (Gwangju 7-21-19) 26.63 56.88 (30.25)

Favorites: Townley Haas, Andrew Seliskar, Kieran Smith Contenders: Caeleb Dressel, Blake Pieroni, Zach Apple Relay Contenders: Jake Magahey, Grant House, Dean Farris, Luca Urlando, Maxime Rooney, Drew Kibler, Carson Foster, Julian Hill Top 6 at 2016 Trials: Townley Haas 1:45.66, Conor Dwyer 1:45.67, Jack Conger 1:45.77, Ryan Lochte 1:46.62, Gunnar Bentz 1:47.33, Clark Smith 1:47.53 World Record/Splits: 1:42.00 Paul Biedermann, GER (Rome 7-28-09) 24.23 50.12 (25.89) 1:16.30 (26.18) 1:42.00 (25.70)

WOMEN’S 400 FREESTYLE No mystery as to the favorite in the women’s 400 free, where Katie Ledecky has not lost to an American since finishing a close third at the 2012 Trials, when she was 15.

Ledecky won world titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017 along with a dominant Olympic gold medal-winning performance in 2016, and her only loss came to Australia’s Ariarne Titmus at the 2019 World Championships when Ledecky was ill.

>> Claire Curzan

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

CONTINUED ON 16 >>

>> Michael Andrew JUNE 2021

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

15

OLYMPIC TRIALS PREVIEW/ Continued from 15

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE No event may be more anticipated than the women’s 100 back, which features the current world record holder and the previous world record holder as the top two seeds. So competitive is the event that Regan Smith missed a chance to swim the 100 back at the 2019 World Championships, but after she broke the world record and won gold in the 200 back, the U.S. coaches placed her onto the leadoff leg of the 400 medley relay—and Smith responded by crushing Kathleen Baker’s world record, blasting a 57.57.

Baker, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the 100 back, remains the third-fastest performer ever, and Olivia Smoliga, also an Olympic finalist in 2016, won bronze in the 100 back at the World Championships and took gold in the 50 back. This race should be one of the most competitive of the Olympic Trials with the likes of Rhyan White, Phoebe Bacon and Claire Curzan in the mix, and all having swum under 59 in the past. Four other swimmers in the field have swum faster than 59.7 within the past two years.

And then Phoebe Bacon, a freshman at Wisconsin and the Pan American Games gold medalist, actually owns a faster lifetime best than Smoliga with her 58.63. And on top of that quartet, five other swimmers in the field have swum faster than 59.7 in the past two years.

Contenders: Matt Grevers, Justin Ress Potential Surprises: Michael Andrew, Jacob Pebley, Daniel Carr, Coleman Stewart Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Ryan Murphy 52.26, David Plummer 52.28 World Record/Splits: 51.85r Ryan Murphy, USA (Rio 8-13-16) 25.13 51.85 (26.72) WOMEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE Lilly King, then 19, was the surprise of the 2016 Trials as she stormed to victories in the 100 and 200 breast and then to Olympic gold in the 100 breast, but now she enters as the undisputed favorite.

King holds the 100 breast world record at 1:04.13 and has not lost the race since 2015. No one else in the field has swum under 1:05.

Annie Lazor, who trains with King at Indiana University, looks like the strongest contender for the No. 2 spot behind King, and 2016 Olympian Molly Hannis has her focus squarely on the 100-meter distance this time around. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Alaska native Lydia Jacoby has dropped more than a second from her best time this year to move into contention.

Favorites: Lilly King Contenders: Annie Lazor, Molly Hannis, Lydia Jacoby Potential Surprises: Kaitlyn Dobler, Emily Escobedo, Micah Sumrall Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Lilly King 1:05.20, Katie Meili 1:06.07 World Record/Splits: 1:04.13 Lilly King, USA (Budapest 7-25-17) 29.80 1:04.13 (34.33)

Favorite: Regan Smith Contenders: Kathleen Baker, Olivia Smoliga, Phoebe Bacon Potential Surprises: Rhyan White, Katharine Berkoff, Claire Curzan, Amy Bilquist, Isabelle Stadden Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Olivia Smoliga 59.02, Kathleen Baker 59.29 World Record/Splits: 57.57r Regan Smith, USA (Gwangju 7-28-19) 27.74 57.57 (29.83)

DAY 4

Wednesday, June 16

MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE Ryan Murphy swept the backstroke events at the Rio Olympics and broke the 100 back world record leading off the Olympic 400 medley relay, and then he almost broke the world record at the 2018 Pan Pacs. But Murphy has never hit his stride at the World Championships, as he settled for bronze in the 100 back in 2017 and missed the podium entirely in 2019. Still, he will be the heavy favorite for Trials.

Shaine Casas has challenged Murphy’s American records in short course and seems primed for a long course breakout, while 2012 gold medalist Matt Grevers, now 36, will aim to get back on the team after narrowly missing in 2016.

WOMEN’S 200 FREESTYLE This event holds extra significance because of six swimmers qualifying for the 800 free relay in Tokyo, but the only swimmer here with a legitimate individual medal chance is Katie Ledecky, the defending Olympic gold medalist and the third-fastest performer in history. Her 1:54.40 from the Mission Viejo TYR Pro Swim Series in April was her second-fastest effort ever, and she likely has a 1:53 swim in the cards sometime this year.

Allison Schmitt, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist and American record holder, is likely the favorite for the second individual spot.

Schmitt will be looking to join Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the only women to qualify for four U.S. Olympic teams.

Meanwhile, the American women had a long winning streak

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

[PHOTO BY BECCA WYANT ]

Favorites: Ryan Murphy, Shaine Casas

>> Lilly King 16

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>> Ryan Murphy

in the 800 free relay snapped at the 2019 World Championships in a narrow loss to Australia, so they will be looking to assemble a strong squad in Omaha, with 1:55 and 1:56-low swims a must.

Favorite: Katie Ledecky Contenders: Allison Schmitt, Simone Manuel, Leah Smith, Katie McLaughlin Relay Contenders: Melanie Margalis, Paige Madden, Olivia Smoliga, Gabby DeLoof, Emma Nordin, Hali Flickinger, Mallory Comerford, Justina Kozan Top 6 at 2016 Trials: Katie Ledecky 1:54.88, Missy Franklin 1:56.18, Leah Smith 1:56.63, Allison Schmitt 1:56.72, Cierra Runge 1:57.16, Melanie Margalis 1:57.65 World Record/Splits: 1:52.98 Federica Pellegrini, ITA (Rome 7-29-09) 27.34 55.60 (28.26) 1:24.38 (28.78) 1:52.98 (28.60) MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY In a relatively weak event for the United States since the retirement of Michael Phelps, by far the best hope is Luca Urlando.

The University of Georgia sophomore-to-be has been as quick as 1:53.84, which makes him the 12th-fastest performer in history. If he can repeat that effort, he will vault into Olympic medal contention for Tokyo.

The event will otherwise be wide open, with 2019 World Championships finalist Zach Harting and 2016 Olympian Tom Shields in contention.

Favorites: Luca Urlando Contenders: Zach Harting, Tom Shields, Nicolas Albiero, Miles Smachlo, Trenton Julian Potential Surprises: Jack Conger, Justin Wright, Gabriel Jett, Aiden Hayes Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Michael Phelps 1:54.84, Tom Shields 1:55.81 World Record/Splits: 1:50.73 Kristof Milak, HUN (Gwangju 7-24-19) 24.66 52.88 (28.22) 1:21.57 (28.69) 1:50.73 (29.13) WOMEN’S 200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY This projects as an excellent showdown between talented swimmers of very different racing strategies. Kathleen Baker, who has the best time in the field at 2:08.32, is sure to be out to a significant lead over the first 100 as she utilizes her strength in butterfly and backstroke, but the field will track her down after that.

Melanie Margalis also has swum in the 2:08-range on multiple occasions, and both 2017 World Championships medalist Madisyn

Cox and NCAA champion Alex Walsh have been 2:09-low.

Favorites: Kathleen Baker, Melanie Margalis, Madisyn Cox Contenders: Alex Walsh, Kate Douglass Potential Surprise: Torri Huske Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Maya DiRado 2:09.54, Melanie Margalis 2:10.11 World Record/Splits: 2:06.12 Katinka Hosszu, HUN (Kazan 8-3-15) 27.30 58.94 (31.64) 1:35.64 (36.70) 2:06.12 (30.48) WOMEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE Katie Ledecky is an enormous favorite to win the inaugural Olympic gold medal in what is probably her best event. She had to withdraw from the 2019 World Championships final because of illness, but the winning time was still 20 seconds off her world record. Even though she will swim the 200 free on the same night as the 1500, she should have almost an hour’s rest, and her dominance in the event will spare her any real competition at Trials and probably at the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Ashley Twichell finished fourth in the 1500 at the World Championships, and she and Haley Anderson will both look to add Olympic swims in the pool to go along with the 10K marathon race for which they have already qualified.

Favorite: Katie Ledecky Contenders: Haley Anderson, Ashley Twichell, Erica Sullivan, Emma Nordin Potential Surprises: Leah Smith, Ally McHugh, Kensey McMahon, Sierra Schmidt Top 2 at 2016 Trials: N/A World Record/Splits: 15:20.48 Katie Ledecky, USA (Indianapolis 5-16-18) 28.90 58.50 (30.41) 1:29.26 (30.76) 2:00.25 (30.99) 2:31.11 (30.86) 3:02.50 (31.39) 3:33.71 (31.21) 4:04.88 (31.77) 4:35.86 (30.98) 5:06.82 (30.96) 5:37.52 (30.70) 6:08.29 (30.77) 6:39.28 (30.99) 7:10.13 (30.85) 7:40.88 (30.75) 8:11.70 (30.82) 8:42.52 (30.82) 9:13.20 (30.68) 9:43.96 (30.76) 10:14.83 (30.87) 10:45.43 (30.60) 11:16.15 (30.72) 11:47.05 (30.90) 12:17.94 (30.89) 12:48.62 (30.68) 13:19.43 (30.81) 13:50.27 (30.84) 14:20.71 (30.44) 14:51.26 (30.55) 15:20.48 (29.22)

>> Katie Ledecky

[PHOTO BY CONNOR TRIMBLE ]

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

CONTINUED ON 18 >>

>> Luca Urlando JUNE 2021

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OLYMPIC TRIALS PREVIEW/ Continued from 17

Thursday, June 17 MEN’S 800 FREESTYLE This event is a new addition to the Olympic program in 2021, and the battle is expected to come between three swimmers. Zane Grothe and Jordan Wilimovsky finished 1-2 at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, and the duo ranks 16th and 22nd all-time in the event, respectively, but neither qualified for the final at the 2019 World Championships.

Meanwhile, Bobby Finke has been the best distance swimmer in the United States over the past several years. No one else in the field has ever cracked 7:50 in the event.

Favorites: Bobby Finke, Jordan Wilimovsky, Zane Grothe Contender: Jake Magahey Potential Surprises: Ross Dant, Andrew Abruzzo, Kieran Smith Top 2 at 2016 Trials: N/A World Record/Splits: 7:32.12 Zhang Lin, CHN (Rome 7-29-09) 26.94 55.20 (28.26) 1:24.04 (28.84) 1:52.55 (28.51) 2:21.16 (28.61) 2:49.87 (28.71) 3:18.58 (28.71) 3:46.79 (28.21) 4:15.02 (28.23) 4:43.28 (28.26) 5:11.79 (28.51) 5:40.36 (28.57) 6:09.26 (28.90) 6:38.03 (28.77) 7:06.13 (28.10) 7:32.12 (25.99)

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE The men’s 200 breast at Olympic Trials has produced some wacky finishes over the years. In 2008, underdog Scott Spann came from nowhere to shock favorites Brendan Hansen and Eric Shanteau and win the event, and in 2012, Scott Weltz and Clark Burckle pulled off the same accomplishment. And then, in 2016, Josh Prenot used a scintillating last 50 to overtake Kevin Cordes and nearly break the world record, while Cordes held off Will Licon for second by 14-hundredths.

In 2021, the field still includes 2016 qualifiers Prenot and Cordes, although neither has swum close to their 2016 form in recent years.

Licon and Nic Fink finished 1-2 at the Pan American Games in 2019, while Andrew Wilson finished sixth and Prenot 13th at the World Championships.

The field is wide open, but the top time by an American during the qualifying period, Licon’s 2:07.62, is nowhere close to the 2:06s that will undoubtedly be required to challenge for the Olympic podium.

>> Hali Flickinger 18

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Favorites: Will Licon, Andrew Wilson, Nic Fink, Josh Prenot Contenders: Cody Miller, Daniel Roy, Reece Whitley Potential Surprises: Josh Matheny, Kevin Cordes Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Josh Prenot 2:07.17, Kevin Cordes 2:08.00 World Record/Splits: 2:06.12 Anton Chupkov, RUS (Gwangju 7-26-19) 29.73 1:02.22 (32.49) 1:34.23 (32.01) 2:06.12 (31.89) WOMEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY The American women have not won an Olympic medal in the women’s 200 fly since Misty Hyman’s stunning gold medal at the 2000 Games, but they are positioned to snap that streak in 2020. Hali Flickinger and Katie Drabot took silver and bronze, respectively, at the 2019 World Championships, but each recorded semifinal times quicker than Boglarka Kapas’ eventual gold medal-winning time.

Flickinger is the favorite as the only swimmer in the U.S. to swim under 2:06 since 2012, but watch out for Regan Smith, the backstroke star who has been as quick as 2:06.39 and could certainly break into the Olympic mix in this event.

Favorite: Hali Flickinger Contenders: Regan Smith, Katie Drabot, Charlotte Hook Potential Surprises: Lillie Nordmann, Dakota Luther, Olivia Carter, Kelly Pash Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Cammile Adams 2:06.80, Hali Flickinger 2:07.50 World Record/Splits: 2:01.81 Liu Zige, CHN (Jinan 10-21-09) 27.19 58.08 (30.89) 1:30.20 (32.12) 2:01.81 (31.61) MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE While the Americans have struggled to find great talent in the other men’s relay event, the 200 free, there is more depth in the 100 free than in a long time.

The undisputed favorite is Caeleb Dressel, the two-time world champion in the 100 and American record holder. His best time of 46.96 makes him the second-fastest man ever. He will likely take another run at Cesar Cielo’s world record of 46.91 this year, but that might wait until his showdown with 2016 gold medalist Kyle Chalmers in Tokyo.

Behind Dressel, five other Americans broke 48 in 2019, the most in any year. Ryan Held is the slight favorite for the second individual spot, but he will have numerous challenges, including World Championships fourth-place finisher Blake Pieroni.

2012 Olympic champion Nathan Adrian will also be in the field,

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

DAY 5

>> Will Licon

as he guns for a spot in his fourth Games, and the top six finishers could be very unpredictable. Look for a super quick semifinals to determine who gets to take a shot at the Olympics in the final.

Favorite: Caeleb Dressel Contenders: Ryan Held, Blake Pieroni, Maxime Rooney, Zach Apple, Nathan Adrian Relay Contenders: Tate Jackson, Dean Farris, Robert Howard, Jack Conger, Daniel Kreuger, Michael Chadwick, Townley Haas Top 6 at 2016 Trials: Nathan Adrian 47.72, Caeleb Dressel 48.23, Ryan Held 48.26, Anthony Ervin 48.54, Jimmy Feigen 48.57, Blake Pieroni 48.78 World Record/Splits: 46.91 Cesar Cielo, BRA (Rome 7-30-09) 22.17 46.91 (24.74)

DAY 6

Friday, June 18 WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE No one broke 2:24 in this event at the 2016 Olympic Trials, and no American swimmer qualified for the Olympic final in Rio, but this year, the event figures to produce two strong medal contenders for Tokyo.

100 breast Olympic gold medalist Lilly King has improved her skills in the four-lap breaststroke event, and she has a best time of 2:21.39. Annie Lazor, who also trains at Indiana, has been even quicker at 2:20.77. Emily Escobedo has been as fast as 2:22.00 and has raced well recently. While Bethany Galat has multiple 2:21 swims to her name, the 2017 World Championships silver medalist and 2019 Pan American Games champion has struggled recently.

Favorites: Annie Lazor, Lilly King Contenders: Emily Escobedo, Bethany Galat Potential Surprises: Micah Sumrall, Madisyn Cox Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Lilly King 2:24.08, Molly Hannis 2:24.39 World Record/Splits: 2:19.11sf Rikke Moller Pedersen, DEN (Barcelona 8-1-13) 31.80 1:07.27 (35.47) 1:42.89 (35.62) 2:19.11 (36.22) MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE Defending Olympic champion Ryan Murphy is the clear favorite in the longer backstroke event, and his task will be to try to challenge the 1:53.23 that Russia’s Evgeny Rylov, the two-time defending

world champion, swam at Russia’s Olympic Trials in April. No other American besides Murphy has cracked 1:55 since 2016.

The intriguing battle for second will include Jacob Pebley, who took down then-reigning Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary for the second spot in 2016, as well as a new crop of NCAA talent led by Shaine Casas, who came close to breaking Murphy’s 200 yard back American record this year.

Favorites: Ryan Murphy Contenders: Jacob Pebley, Shaine Casas, Austin Katz Potential Surprises: Destin Lasco, Bryce Mefford Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Ryan Murphy 1:53.95, Jacob Pebley 1:54.77 World Record/Splits: 1:51.92 Aaron Peirsol, USA (Rome 7-31-09) 26.52 54.90 (28.38) 1:23.30 (28.40) 1:51.92 (28.62) MEN’S 200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY Chase Kalisz is the sixth-fastest performer all-time in the 200 IM at 1:55.40, and he won the world title in the event in 2017 before fading to third at the 2019 World Championships. However, Kalisz remains the favorite in this intriguing event.

Michael Andrew has swum in the 1:56-range and has the ability in all four strokes, but his endurance over 200 meters is a question.

Shaine Casas and Carson Foster each have substantial potential in this event, but will face a decision if they want to attempt both the 200 back and 200 IM finals in the same session.

Finally, can 36-year-old Ryan Lochte overcome the odds and qualify for his fifth Olympic team, which would match Michael Phelps and Dara Torres for the most of any U.S. swimmer? Lochte remains the world record holder in the event, but his fastest time since the Rio Olympics was his 1:57.76 from the 2019 U.S. Nationals, and he would need to be much quicker to qualify for Tokyo. This event is by far his strongest shot of making the team.

Favorite: Chase Kalisz Contenders: Michael Andrew, Shaine Casas, Carson Foster, Abrahm DeVine, Ryan Lochte Potential Surprises: Andrew Seliskar, Sam Stewart, Kieran Smith Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Michael Phelps 1:55.91, Ryan Lochte 1:56.22 World Record/Splits: 1:54.00 Ryan Lochte, USA (Shanghai 7-28-11) 24.89 53.48 (28.59) 1:26.51 (33.03) 1:54.00 (27.49)

>> Chase Kalisz

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

CONTINUED ON 20 >>

>> Simone Manuel JUNE 2021

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OLYMPIC TRIALS PREVIEW/ Continued from 19

Favorite: Simone Manuel Contenders: Mallory Comerford, Abbey Weitzeil, Erika Brown, Torri Huske Relay Contenders: Gretchen Walsh, Allison Schmitt, Katie McLaughlin, Natalie Hinds, Claire Curzan, Olivia Smoliga, Katie Ledecky, Linnea Mack Top 6 at 2016 Trials: Abbey Weitzeil 53.28, Simone Manuel 53.52, Amanda Weir 53.75, Lia Neal 53.77, Allison Schmitt 53.87, Dana Vollmer 53.92 World Record/Splits: 51.71 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (Budapest 7-23-17) 24.83 51.71 (26.88)

DAY 7

Saturday, June 19

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY In the five years since the Rio Olympics, Caeleb Dressel has become the world’s most dominant sprint butterflyer. He nearly took down the world record at the 2017 World Championships and then clobbered Michael Phelps’ mark at the 2019 global meet. His best time of 49.50 is almost a second faster than any other active swimmer, and he will be the heavy favorite for Olympic gold.

The favorites for the second spot behind Dressel are Maxime Rooney, who swam a 50.68 in 2019, and Michael Andrew, who recorded a 50.80 earlier this year. Rooney and Andrew are the only Americans besides Dressel who have swum under 51 since 2016.

>> Regan Smith 20

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Meanwhile, Tom Shields and Jack Conger will each have their best chance to qualify for their second Olympic team in this event.

Favorite: Caeleb Dressel Contenders: Maxime Rooney, Michael Andrew Potential Surprises: Tom Shields, Andrew Seliskar, Shaine Casas, Miles Smachlo, Jack Conger Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Michael Phelps 51.00, Tom Shields 51.20 World Record/Splits: 49.50 Caeleb Dressel, USA (Gwangju, 7-26-19) 22.83 49.50 (26.67) WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE The overwhelming favorite both at Trials and at the Olympics is 19-year-old Regan Smith, who burst onto the scene as a 2017 World Championship finalist when she was 15 and completed her stunning rise by setting the world record and winning gold at the 2019 World Championships. She swam a 2:03.35 to break Missy Franklin’s previous world record, and the only swimmer remotely close to that is Australia’s Kaylee McKeown at 2:04.46. Meanwhile, in the last four years, no other American has broken 2:06.

Kathleen Baker will be in contention for the second spot as she has been in the 2:06-range on a number of occasions, but Phoebe Bacon recently dropped two seconds from her lifetime best and swam a 2:06.84, beating Smith in the final tune-up before Olympic Trials. Rhyan White and Isabelle Stadden have also posted impressive performances recently that suggest 2:06s could be in the cards.

Favorites: Regan Smith, Kathleen Baker, Phoebe Bacon Contenders: Rhyan White, Isabelle Stadden Potential Surprises: Lisa Bratton, Alex Walsh Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Maya DiRado 2:06.90, Missy Franklin 2:07.89 World Record/Splits: 2:03.35 Regan Smith, USA (Gwangju, 7-26-19) 29.06 1:00.37 (31.31) 1:31.84 (31.47) 2:03.35 (31.51) WOMEN’S 800 FREESTYLE Katie Ledecky faced her toughest contest yet in an 800 free at the 2019 World Championships. Battling illness all week, she gutted out a win over Italy’s Simona Quadarella, her final time almost nine seconds off her world record. She now has two Olympic golds and four straight world titles in the event, and that was the only occasion she has won by less than two seconds. She probably won’t challenge her incredible world record of 8:04.79, but no other American has ever swum within 11 seconds of that mark.

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE Simone Manuel shocked the world when she tied for Olympic gold in the 100 free in 2016, and then she shocked the world again in 2017 to win the world title, then yet again in 2019 to win another world championship. No one would be surprised to see Manuel earn Olympic gold in 2021. She is the third-fastest performer ever in 52.04, more than a half-second quicker than anyone else in the field has ever swum. The only other American to break 53 is Mallory Comerford, while 2016 Trials winner Abbey Weitzeil has been as fast as 53.18.

The Americans have built some strong depth in this event, including high schoolers Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh both in the 53-range, and it would not be surprising to see a 53-second swim required just to qualify for the final.

However, in order to challenge Australia for Olympic gold, the Americans will need more swimmers to jump into 52 territory. Katie Ledecky could be in the mix for a relay spot, but she has not put up any great 100 free swims since splitting 52.79 to anchor the silver medal-winning 400 free relay in 2016.

>> Kathleen Baker

Leah Smith, meanwhile, has been the second American swimmer in the 800 free at every international meet since 2016, and it’s unlikely anyone else can catch her in Omaha.

Favorites: Katie Ledecky, Leah Smith Contenders: Ashley Twichell, Erica Sullivan, Haley Anderson, Emma Nordin Potential Surprises: Bella Sims, Sierra Schmidt Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Katie Ledecky 8:10.32, Leah Smith 8:20.18 World Record/Splits: 8:04.79 Katie Ledecky, USA (Rio 8-12-16) 28.03 57.98 (29.25) 1:28.71 (30.73) 1:59.42 (30.71) 2:30.06 (30.64) 3:00.76 (30.70) 3:31.13 (30.37) 4:01.98 (30.85) 4:32.20 (30.22) 5:02.94 (30.74) 5:33.54 (30.60) 6:04.30 (30.76) 6:35.07 (30.77) 7:05.44 (30.37) 7:35.80 (30.36) 8:04.79 (28.99)

DAY 8

Sunday, June 20 MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE Just like the 100 free, Caeleb Dressel is on the verge of the world record, Cesar Cielo’s 20.91 mark that has lasted since the supersuit era. At 21.04, he is the third-fastest performer in history, and if Dressel brings his top form to Olympic Trials, no one will be able to catch him.

However, Michael Andrew did defeat Dressel at the 2018 U.S. Nationals and Pan Pacific Championships, and Andrew could be desperate by the meet’s final day if he has not qualified for the Olympic team in another event.

Ryan Held has been as quick as 21.62 this year, while 2016 bronze medalist Nathan Adrian has not been as strong in the 50 free as the 100 free in recent years.

Favorite: Caeleb Dressel Contenders: Michael Andrew, Ryan Held Potential Surprises: Nathan Adrian, Zach Apple, David Curtiss Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Nathan Adrian 21.51, Anthony Ervin 21.52 World Record: 20.91 Cesar Cielo, BRA (Sao Paolo, 12-18-09)

>> Bobby Finke

Favorites: Simone Manuel, Claire Curzan, Abbey Weitzeil Contenders: Torri Huske, Gretchen Walsh, Erika Brown Potential Surprise: Kate Douglass Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Abbey Weitzeil 24.28, Simone Manuel 24.33 World Record: 23.67 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (Budapest, 7-29-17) MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE In the last race of the meet, the American men will again try to produce their first 1500 free medal contender at a major meet since Connor Jaeger’s retirement. The best hopes in this race are Bobby Finke, who has swum the three fastest performances ever in the 1650 yard free, and Jordan Wilimovsky, who has the best time in the field with the 14:45.03 he swam to finish fourth at the Rio Olympics.

Zane Grothe also has swum sub-14:50 in his career, but he isn’t quite as good at the 30-lap race as he is in the 400 and 800.

Wilimovsky and Grothe finished 1-2 in the event at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, but neither qualified for the final at the World Championships in 2019. No other active American swimmers have ever swum under 15:00.

Favorites: Bobby Finke, Jordan Wilimovsky Contender: Zane Grothe Potential Surprises: Jake Magahey, Ross Dant, Andrew Abruzzo, Michael Brinegar, Brooks Fail Top 2 at 2016 Trials: Connor Jaeger 14:47.61, Jordan Wilimovsky 14:49.19 World Record/Splits: 14:31.02 Sun Yang, CHN (London 8-4-12) 27.09 55.80 (28.71) 1:25.26 (29.46) 1:54.31 (29.95) 2:23.66 (29.35) 2:52.63 (28.97) 3:22.16 (29.53) 3:51.50 (29.34) 4:20.73 (29.23) 4:49.62 (28.89) 5:18.88 (29.26) 5:48.15 (29.27) 6:17.40 (29.25) 6:46.74 (29.34) 7:16.15 (29.41) 7:45.45 (29.30) 8:14.94 (29.49) 8:44.32 (29.38) 9:13.78 (29.46) 9:43.10 (29.32) 10:12.52 (29.42) 10:41.73 (29.21) 11:11.27 (29.54) 11:40.64 (29.37) 12:09.81 (29.17) 12:39.00 (29.19) 13:08.39 (29.39) 13:37.53 (29.14) 14:05.34 (27.81) 14:31.02 (25.68) 

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

[PHOTO BY CONNOR TRIMBLE ]

WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE Simone Manuel and Abbey Weitzeil have been the two American representatives in the 50 free at every international meet going back to 2016, and Manuel won a surprising world title in the splash-anddash in 2019. Manuel also owns the American record at 23.97.

But Claire Curzan recently broke the world junior record and became the third-fastest American ever in the event at 24.17, and fellow teenager Torri Huske has been as quick as 24.44 this year.

We should expect to see a lot of swimmers in the 24.5-or-better range this time, and the battle for Olympic spots could come down to the finish. Swimmers such as Gretchen Walsh and Erika Brown will also be in the mix.

>> Caeleb Dressel JUNE 2021

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[PHOTO BY INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME]

A NATURAL

LEADER Still producing elite-level performances, Nathan Adrian, now 32 and pursuing his fourth Olympic Games, has the opportunity to further his already lofty reputation. And whenever his days in the sport come to an end, Adrian will be viewed for his excellence in the sport as an athlete, teammate and ambassador.

BY JOHN LOHN

T

he evolution of Nathan Adrian, a decade-plus development from promise to greatness, can be considered the perfect blueprint for how a Hall of Fame career is molded. Sure, HOF status can be obtained in a variety of ways. Emergence as a phenom. Patience as a late bloomer. Pride in longevity. These are just a few of the paths that can be traveled.

In his march to eventual enshrinement into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Adrian has basically drafted a flawlessly written How-to-Guide for induction. Consider the steps he has taken: • As a rising collegiate star at Cal-Berkeley, Adrian qualified for his first Olympic Games in 2008 and left Beijing with a gold medal for his prelim contributions to the United States’ 400 freestyle relay.

• Having established himself as one of America’s premier sprinters over the previous few years, Adrian soared to the top of the world when he captured the Olympic title in the 100 freestyle at the 2012 Games in London. It was an effort complemented by a pair of relay medals, with Adrian handling the anchor role for Team USA. • From 2013-17, Adrian was the reliable veteran—and team leader—at all international competitions, with four medals

>> PICTURED ABOVE Nathan Adrian anchored the 400 freestyle and medley relays to gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

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Now, as a 32-year-old, Adrian is chasing his fourth Olympic berth and seeking to further his reputation as one of history’s elite sprinters. As he looks to write this next chapter, Adrian will try to deny the next realm of stars while having experienced life’s highs and lows.

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

earned at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and nine medals claimed from the World Championships.

A TOKYO TICKET?

The gauntlet that is the United States Olympic Trials is nothing like any other qualifying event in the world. As impressive as the depth may be in certain events around the world, no nation measures up to the American arsenal. This fact is hardly an unknown, for the United States has long left home medal-contending talent from the Olympic Games.

As Adrian prepares for his fourth Trials, he is aware that the sprint-freestyle events, specifically the 100 freestyle, are loaded. It can be argued that the 100 free is the deepest event on the men’s program. While two-time defending world champion Caeleb Dressel is viewed as a lock to secure one of the two Tokyo bids in the event, a plethora of names—including Adrian—are in the mix for the second individual berth, and one of the relay slots available.

How fast will the field be at Trials in Omaha? It is possible that a sub-48 performance will be required to qualify for the final. To put that type of speed in perspective, outside of the farcical 2009 World Championships (ruled by super suits), there has never been an international final featuring a full field of sub-48 qualifiers.

In addition to Dressel, Adrian will duel with the likes of Blake Pieroni, Zach Apple, Maxime Rooney and Ryan Held, among others.

“It is an impressive field,” Adrian said. “I feel like I’m a backstroker. Team USA has been stacked in the backstroke since the 1970s, and freestyle has not necessarily been that way. But the last few years, it has really developed, and it may take a 47 (to final).

There’s nothing I can do about it. My mentality is do what I can do.”

On top of the 100 freestyle, Adrian will again be a lead contender in the 50 freestyle, where Dressel has won back-to-back world titles. In the one lap sprint, Adrian figures to battle with the likes of Michael Andrew, Held, Apple and rising star David Curtiss.

Originally preparing for Trials in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a one-year delay of the Olympic Games, Adrian and longtime coach Dave Durden carefully designed a training regimen. As an athlete in his 30s, Adrian doesn’t recover as quickly as he did in the past. Consequently, practices are either tweaked or Adrian eases off the pedal when his body informs him of the need.

More, Adrian is drawing on his experience with a lighter meet schedule. Although USA Swimming has offered several TYR Pro Series competitions, Adrian will enter Trials with a lighter racing load. That scenario might prove hazardous for younger athletes, but Adrian knows what to expect and how to handle multiple rounds of racing and the intense pressure that will be present.

“The volume I’m doing is not what it used to be,” Adrian said.

“I would say I’m doing half a practice less each week. It lets me recover. There’s a self-awareness. I have a trust in (Durden), and he knows I’m going to put in the effort.”

BEYOND THE POOL

Anyone familiar with the career of Adrian is likely aware of his testicular cancer diagnosis in late 2018. Forced to undergo multiple surgeries to treat his illness, Adrian needed to shift his attention from his athletic pursuits to managing his health. Ultimately, Adrian came through his medical situation with positive results and has since become an advocate for early detection of testicular cancer.

Additionally, Adrian has adopted a different outlook on life.

>> “It shifts your perspective in the highest degree,” Adrian said of his cancer battle. “As a swimmer at the highest level, you get down to the nitty-gritty. Nail this dive and look at the minute details. You get cancer, and it’s like a movie where you zoom out to 30,000 feet and none of it matters. It puts everything in perspective. If you have a bad day in the pool, just be glad for your health and not angry.”

“It shifts your perspective in the highest degree,” Adrian said of his cancer battle. “As a swimmer at the highest level, you get down to the nitty-gritty. Nail this dive and look at the minute details. You get cancer, and it’s like a movie where you zoom out to 30,000 feet and none of it matters. It puts everything in perspective. If you have a bad day in the pool, just be glad for your health and not angry.”

As dark a time as cancer was for Adrian, he is now waking to bright moments, with “Dad” being the newest title he wears. Adrian and his wife, Hallie, welcomed their daughter, Parker, to the world in February. In the months since becoming a father, Adrian has shifted his priorities to make his baby girl his No. 1 focus.

Before the birth of Parker, Adrian—like his fellow Tokyo hopefuls—dealt with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finding pool time was a dilemma at times and making proper decisions to remain healthy was a must.

“Every experience has been different, but this has been the most different with COVID and having a baby,” Adrian said. “It used to be just swimming. Now with a baby, it’s about what Parker needs.

It’s been amazing, all I ever dreamed of and more. (Being a dad) is the best thing ever.”

A LEADER OF MEN

There are certain individuals who are natural leaders. Adrian fits that mold. During his time as a Team USA staple, Adrian has been named captain for international competitions on multiple occasions.

In the way he carries himself on deck or handles interviews, much can be learned from Adrian. Simply, he is someone to emulate.

In the pool, Adrian maintains a quiet confidence about himself.

He has routinely answered the call in his individual races and has been the guy the Red, White and Blue wants on the end of a relay.

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NATHAN ADRIAN / Continued from 23

to let his actions do the talking, which is easy for him because he’s always doing the right things. In front of the group, he has a direct and concise way of speaking, and he does a great job making everyone feel included. He’s been a model of consistency for Team USA, both in his performances in the pool and his personality. He’s consistently patient, compassionate and hard-working.... As a person, I really look up to Nathan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone balance being a nice person with being an ultra-competitive athlete. You will not find a person that has something bad to say about him.” >> Nathan Adrian has been a Team USA staple and has been named captain for international competitions on multiple occasions. He has routinely answered the call in his individual races and has been the guy the Red, White and Blue wants on the end of a relay. During his career, he anchored three American relays to Olympic titles and another to Olympic silver. He also punctuated seven triumphant relays at the World Championships.

(Pictured: Adrian at inaugural Prudential Singapore Swim Stars in 2014)

During his career, Adrian has anchored three American relays to Olympic titles and another to Olympic silver. At the World Championships, he has punctuated seven triumphant relays.

Outside of the pool, Adrian has equally put his leadership skills on display. From the way he handled the adversity of his cancer diagnosis to the upbeat manner he displayed when coronavirus struck, Adrian has been a steady presence. If he qualifies for the Tokyo Games, his guidance and persona will surely be a positive for the United States.

“Nathan is a natural leader,” said three-time Olympic champion Ryan Murphy, a teammate of Adrian’s with Cal Aquatics. “He prefers

AN ACTIVE LEGEND

What will come next for Nathan Adrian? A fourth trip to the Olympic Games? Another appearance on the mostprestigious podium in the sport? The chance to anchor another American relay? A moment to impart his vast wisdom on younger teammates?

Still producing elite-level performances, Adrian has the opportunity to further his already lofty reputation. And whenever his days in the sport come to an end, Adrian will be viewed for his excellence in the sport as an athlete, teammate and ambassador.

Whatever the future holds, Adrian will be able to look back on a stellar career: “It’s been a dream come true,” he said. “The whole thing has been a dream. I’ve pursued my passion for so long, and I’m so grateful for that opportunity.” 

TWO POOLS. ONE MEET.

VIRTUAL MEETS HAVE ARRIVED. Colorado Time Systems is pleased to introduce our new virtual meet solution, which facilitates dual meets at two separate facilities and shares real-time data between the two sites for the ultimate experience in virtual competition.

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For more information on our complete line of timing solutions, scoreboards, and video displays, call us at 800.279.0111 or +1 970.667.1000.

© 2021, Colorado Time Systems

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QUALITY& QUANTITY That’s the same winning formula that Indian River’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have been using for nearly a half-century at the NJCAA Championships.

The Pioneer men now have won 47 straight team titles; the women, 39—and 43 of the past 47.

BY ANDY ROSS

MEN’S RACE: INDIAN RIVER 1,340, IOWA CENTRAL 690.5, SOUTHWESTERN OREGON 598 Indian River State College’s men continue to have the longest unbroken U.S. championship winning streak in any sport at the collegiate level. They did it by winning 20 of the 25 NJCAA Championship events at their home pool in Fort Pierce, Fla., April 28-May 1. They also qualified 46.67% of all of the swimmers who competed in the A-finals.

Coach Sion Brinn’s men snatched the top four places in two races, top three in five, and top two in 11 (including both diving events). And they swept all five relays.

Michael Deans (breast), Brennan Hammond (fly) and Dean Walker (free) swam with backstrokers Nicholas Fauteux (200) and Jhon Moncada (400) to win both medleys (1:30.67, 3:17.59). IRSC dominated the freestyle relays, winning the 200 by 4+ seconds (1:21.57—Fauteux, Walker, Luke Altmann, John Zeiger), 400 by 6+ seconds (3:00.61—Altmann, Caleb Brandon, Walker, Zeiger) and 800 by 11+ seconds (6:41.70—Brandon, Chance Conde, Hammond, Zeiger).

IRSC’s Aramis Rivera was named Male Swimmer of the Meet, sweeping the 100-200-400 yard IMs (50.21, 1:48.63, 3:54.56) and finishing second in the 200 breast to teammate Michael Deans (1:56.82). Taking top honors in diving was TJ Ray, who swept the 1- and 3-meter boards (402.35, 426.80).

Joining in on the Pioneer party was distance specialist Chance Conde, who won the 500-1000-1650 freestyles (4:24.56, 9:12.43, 15:31.21) and placed fourth in the 200 behind winner Caleb Brandon (1:38.50). Brandon was also involved in a 1-2-3 sweep in the 100

[PHOTO BY MOLLY BARTELS, INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE]

NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

<< Indian River’s Taryn Dailey (first) celebrates with teammate Isabela Cabrera Duarte (third) after IRSC captured the top four places in the women’s 200 fly at NJCAAs. Dailey (right), who won the 100 free, 100200 fly and 200 IM, shared honors for Female CoSwimmers of the Meet with teammate Victoria Ortiz, who also won four individual events.

free that was led by Luke Altmann (45.20) and 50 champ Dean Walker (20.66).

Brennan Hammond was a two-time champ, winning the 100 fly (48.79) by 3-hundredths over teammate Liam Henry (50 fly winner, 21.89) and the 200 fly (1:47.03).

Southwestern Oregon’s Alejandro Robles Ruiz was a triple winner in the 50-100-200 back (23.13, 49.62, 1:49.48), while Barton’s Johan Cue Carrillo won the 50-100 breast (24.53, 53.37).

WOMEN’S RACE: INDIAN RIVER 1,374, SOUTHWESTERN OREGON 674, IOWA CENTRAL 562 Indian River’s women were just as impressive as the men. They won 19 of 25 events and qualified 48% of all of the swimmers who competed in A-finals. They took the top four places in seven events, top three in nine, top two in 13 (including the two diving events)...

PLUS the top six swimmers in the women’s 500 yard free! And IRSC swept the relays.

Catherine Royden-Turner (back), Rylee Woelk (breast), Taryn Dailey (fly) and Sydney Weatherspoon (free) joined forces to sweep the medley relays (200 1:45.50, 400 3:53.53), with Royden-Turner, Dailey and Weatherspoon combining with Kailea Green to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:37.15) by nearly four seconds.

Dailey and Green also swam on the winning 400 free relay (3:32.36) with Victoria Ortiz and Lillian Lewis, while Ortiz, Green and Lewis followed leadoff swimmer Esther Rydbeck to win the 800 free relay (7:41.21).

Dailey and Ortiz also won four individual events apiece and shared honors for Female Co-Swimmers of the Meet. Dailey displayed her versatility, winning the 100 free (51.59), 100-200 fly (55.32, 2:03.15) and 200 IM (2:06.00). Meanwhile, Ortiz commanded the four freestyle events from 200 yards up to the 1650 (1:52.24, 4:53.59, 10:11.62, 16:56.82). Her 500 time was just 11-hundredths off Gwen Cross’ (Brevard) NJCAA record set 38 years ago in 1983!

IRSC’s Lainie Rivas won both springboard diving events (409.05, 390.10) and was named the Female Diver of the Meet, while teammate Royden-Turner was a double winner in the 50 and 200 backstroke (25.73, 2:05.27). She also finished second in the 100 back to South Georgia State’s Aimee Miller (55.86). Ella Gates (50 fly, 25.25) and Rylee Woelk (400 IM, 4:31.96) brought Indian River’s total number of individual event winners to six.

Iowa Central’s Magali Mouton dropped more than three seconds from last year in the 100 breast to win in 1:03.91 and more than four seconds in the 200 for a 2:20.54 victory. She also went from fifth a year ago to first in the 50 (29.99) to complete her breaststroke sweep.

The meet’s top freestyle sprinter was Karianne Yuchnitz of Jamestown CC, N.Y. (50 free, 23.87), while Jacqueline Feurtado of Southwestern Oregon won the 100 IM in 58.52. 

TOTAL ACCESS MEMBERS CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR’S NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, INCLUDING A PHOTO GALLERY OF INDIAN RIVER’S CONTINUING DYNASTY. NOT A TOTAL ACCESS MEMBER? YOU’RE JUST A CLICK AWAY: SWIMMINGWORLD.COM/VAULT

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TAKEOFF TO TOKYO A FORGOTTEN

STAR

By all measures, Don Schollander is a legend in the sport, a Hall of Fame talent who was unrivaled in his heyday. Yet, his impact has been lost to a combination of unfortunate timing and modern-day fascination.

BY JOHN LOHN PHOTOS BY INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

>> Don Schollander with the four gold medals he won at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo (100-400 free, 400-800 freestyle relay).

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SPONSORED BY

H

ow can a five-time Olympic champion be underappreciated? How can a man who set double-digit individual world records go overlooked? How can the one-time face of Team USA find himself snubbed on the scale of historical greatness?

Don Schollander was dominant. He was versatile. He was clutch in pressure situations. A half-century beyond retirement, he deserves continued recognition of his greatness. Yet, Schollander is a largely forgotten star.

Among aquatic enthusiasts, there is little debate regarding the greatest American triumvirate among male athletes. Michael Phelps sits at the head of the boardroom table, the CEO of the sport. Meanwhile, vice presidential status is held by Johnny Weissmuller, actually best known for his >> Schollander, only 18, matched what legendary track athlete, Jesse Owens, managed at the 1936 Olympics in cinematic identity as Tarzan, and Mark Berlin: four gold medals. (Pictured, from left: 1964 men’s Olympic 400 freestyle medalists: Frank Wiegand, United Spitz, he of seven gold medals and seven Team of Germany, silver; Schollander, gold; and Allan Wood, Australia, bronze.) world records at the 1972 Olympic Games record of 4:12.2, nearly three seconds ahead of the silver-medal time in Munich. of Germany’s Frank Wiegand (4:14.9).

Because modernity plays a role in most subjective rankings, the The critical nature of the 100 freestyle was not lost on next name typically mentioned is that of Matt Biondi, the highestSchollander, as that event jumpstarted his success and supplied profile American star of the 1980s and 1990s. much-needed momentum: “Because it was my first event, I felt that What about Schollander? this race could make me or break me for the rest of the Games,” While he was widely appreciated in his era, his greatness was he said. “If I won, I would be up for the rest of my events—my quickly dismissed, the aura of Spitz casting an inescapable shadow. confidence would be flying high. If I lost, I would be down. That Timing simply was not on Schollander’s side. His excellence sounds temperamental, but I have seen an early race work this way was delivered prior to the period in which professionalism was an on swimmers. So this 100 free took on much more importance than option, with endorsement deals available to the top-tier athletes in just another event.” the sport. More, Schollander was the victim of Spitz’s surging star With four gold medals to his credit, Schollander became an and monumental performance at the Munich Games.

Olympic hero, with his title count matching what the legendary Really, the lack of appreciation for Schollander is an injustice. track athlete, Jesse Owens, managed at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

The total could have been higher, too, if not for the U.S. coaching A STELLAR CAREER staff’s decision not to use Schollander on the 400 medley relay.

There are several ways to place the career of Don Schollander in As the Olympic champion in the 100 free, Schollander figured perspective. The task could be handled by focusing on his Olympic to have earned the anchor slot on the medley relay. Instead, the exploits. Or, we could dissect the power of his world-record coaches went with Steve Clark, who was the fastest American in the performances. Instead, let’s go with this bullet point on the man’s 400 freestyle relay. The decision was highly questionable. résumé: Schollander was a member of the inaugural induction class “Certainly, in the back of my mind, I was aware that this could into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. mean my fifth gold medal,” Schollander said of being on the medley When the Hall of Fame announced its initial entrants in 1965, relay. “And it wouldn’t be just one more gold medal—it would be Schollander was just a year removed from starring at the 1964 an unprecedented fifth gold medal. No swimmer had ever won four Olympics in Tokyo. He was also a mere 19 years old, with several gold medals at an Olympics, but nobody in history—in any sport— more impressive years ahead of him. Yes, Schollander earned Hall had ever won five. But this wasn’t my arguing point. I felt that I had of Fame status as a teenager and in the prime of his career. earned the spot on the medley relay team.”

Schollander’s precocious talent was on display in his early In the ensuing years, Schollander added to his greatness, teens, as he guided Lake Oswego High School to the Oregon state winning the 200 freestyle at the 1967 Pan American Games and championship as a freshman. Meanwhile, by the time he was 16, adding Olympic gold in the 800 freestyle relay at the 1968 Games he was a multi-time national champion and on pace to become a in Mexico City. headliner for the United States. That identity was etched at the 1964 Olympics.

Having qualified for the Tokyo Games in the 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle, Schollander embraced a four-event schedule. In relay action, Schollander fueled the United States to world records in the 400 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay, with Germany the runner-up in both events. His individual success required a bit more work, but was just as golden.

In the 100 free, Schollander (53.4) eked out a narrow triumph over Great Britain’s Bobby McGregor (53.5). A couple of days later, he went back to work in the 400, this time prevailing with a world

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

The schedules utilized for today’s major championship competitions provide a little something for everyone. At the World Championships, sprint specialists are offered 50-meter events in each stroke. And at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 800 freestyle will be offered for men for the first time, with the 1500 freestyle new to the women’s program.

During Schollander’s era, the Olympic program was limited, and the World Championships were still a figment of the imagination.

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TAKEOFF TO TOKYO / Continued from 27

but one that Schollander took in stride and did not lament. Rather, he was able to view his career through a lens that focused on all that was accomplished, not what was lost.

“I feel very fortunate to have gained the success I’ve achieved,” he said. “I think it’s a career I’ll be able to look back on and be very pleased about. I would have liked to have won because it is my last race, but I did as fine a job as I could. I’m not disappointed a bit.”

A CEREBRAL APPROACH

One of the main struggles for swimmers who reach the pinnacle of their sport is finding an alternate identity. Athletes in the sport, including today, have a difficult time transitioning to life after swimming, or finding interests to offset the zoned-in nature of training. Schollander, though, was different.

After his Olympic success, Schollander enrolled at Yale University and continued to excel in the water. But as an introspective individual, he found a balance in his life and made sure he was wellrounded in his endeavors.

“This is the crux. Before you decide how you want to live your >> “There are three things that make Don such a terrific swimmer,” said George Haines, life, you must look at yourself and attempt to know yourself,” who molded Schollander into a champion at the Santa Clara Swim Club. “First, he is Schollander once said. “I look at myself as a person who’s trying almost flawless mechanically. Second, he has a tremendous desire to win. Finally, he is to develop as an individual. It’s been important to me throughout a thoroughly intelligent competitor with a wonderful tactical sense.” my life to be much more than a student, to be much more than an athlete, to be much more than anything. This is consistent with my Specifically, Schollander was denied the chance to contest the 200 philosophy of the well-rounded, but not necessarily Renaissance, freestyle—his best event—when the American was at his peak at man. I’m proficient in the academic side, the athletic side and the 1964 Olympics. the social side. I’m not proficient in the arts—music, painting, Although he possessed the speed necessary to excel in the sculpture. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to go to more plays, take 100 freestyle and the endurance required of the 400 freestyle, in concerts. I’m always on the go. I think I have a very active mind.

Schollander was at his best in the 200 freestyle. It was his sweet I don’t feel I do total justice to anything.” spot, and no foe had the ability to keep pace.

Another element of Schollander’s career A statistical look at the event serves as that defined his success was the mental proof of Schollander’s dominance: From DESIGNING & MANUFACTURING game he played. Schollander walked with 1962 to 1968, Schollander set 11 world HIGH QUALITY POOL DECK an air of confidence about him, and never records in the 200 free, including seven EQUIPMENT FOR 89 YEARS! appeared rattled. He played a psychological consecutive marks from 1964 to 1968. Over game with the opposition, his lack of the course of those records, Schollander took nerves—well—unnerving. the time in the event from 2:00.4 to 1:54.3, a Obviously, Schollander did justice to his massive leap that speaks to the revolutionary career in the pool. Sure, the likes of Phelps, nature of Schollander’s skill.

Spitz and Weissmuller might receive greater “There are three things that make Don attention, but anyone with deep knowledge such a terrific swimmer,” said George of the sport will recognize Don Schollander Haines, who molded Schollander into a as a legend. He was a thoroughbred in the champion at the Santa Clara Swim Club. water, as once noted by his college coach, “First, he is almost flawless mechanically.

Phil Moriarty.

Second, he has a tremendous desire to “His stroke is flawless,” Moriarty said. win. Finally, he is a thoroughly intelligent “Every other swimmer I’ve worked with competitor with a wonderful tactical sense.” had a flaw. With legs only, he does as well As successful as Schollander was at as anyone, and he has combined this so well the 1964 Olympics, his haul almost surely with his stroke that he is a one-motored would have been five gold medals had the man. Many swimmers are two-motored, 200 freestyle been part of the program (and in that they don’t synchronize their stroke even possibly six had he been selected to and kick. swim the medley relay). But the four-lap “As a coach, all I can do is observe him discipline was not added to the schedule and tell him when he’s going off pattern, until 1968, and while Schollander was still keep him busy, give him a program. With superb at that point in his career, he was not Don Schollander, I feel like I’m training a the untouchable force who went to Tokyo racehorse. How can I communicate with a and emerged as the sport’s main man. horse?”

At the Mexico City Games, Schollander By letting him run, or in Schollander’s claimed the silver medal in the 200 freestyle, 800.824.4387 case, swim. And he performed his craft beaten to the wall by Australian great SRSMITH.COM Michael Wenden. It was a surprise setback, better than most.  28

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OLYMPIC PREVIEW: WATER POLO

T

DOMINANCE AND PARITY ON DISPLAY IN TOKYO

he U.S. women’s water polo team the most of it if you get the chance to enters the 2021 Tokyo Olympics play. We are preparing with computers, as the defending champion with a lot but not feeling those emotions. We are to prove. training six to seven hours a day six In 2016 at Rio, the United States days a week. Then we do recovery became the first country to win backwork and video work.” to-back gold medals. Since women’s *** water polo became an Olympic sport Meanwhile, Serbia is the defending in 2000, Team USA is also the only men’s Olympic champion, defeating country to medal in each Olympiad.

Croatia 11-7 in the 2016 gold medal As they prepare for an match. Italy defeated Montenegro 12unprecedented third straight title, their While the U.S. women have dominated 10 to earn the bronze. success has allowed the sport to grow international water polo since 2015—winning Croatia won the 2017 Worlds, as well. their second straight Olympics in 2016 plus defeating Hungary 8-6 in the final, “It is important for us to make while Serbia defeated Greece 11-8 three World Championships in 2015-17-19—a the game better,” believes U.S. team for bronze. Italy won in 2019, topping captain Maggie Steffens. “We want different men’s champion has emerged at Spain 10-5, while Croatia defeated to build up women’s water polo into each of the last three major international Hungary 10-7 to finish third. something girls want to play. We want competitions—Serbia (2016 Olympics), Croatia As for the United States, the men’s people to be a part of the sport. How team qualified for the knockout stage can we propel the sport forward?

(2017 Worlds) and Italy (2019 Worlds). in 2019 after going 2-1 in the group Hopefully, we can keep passing the

BY DAN D’ADDONA stage, but lost 11-9 to Greece. At Rio, torch forward.” the Americans went 2-3 in the group The U.S. defeated Italy 12-5 in stage and did not advance to the the final in 2016 in Rio to claim quarterfinals in Rio—something they gold. Russia won the bronze. The U.S. also won the 2019 World hope to change this year.

Championships with an 11-6 win over Spain in the final.

“Us playing abroad has been a huge opportunity,” says U.S. The preparation for this year’s Olympics have been completely player Alex Bowen. “We have 11 players in Greece playing different with the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the Games and professionally. We are able to keep some amount of team cohesion. limiting international competition the past year.

We are able to see high-level players by playing in the Champions “It has been difficult to scout opponents,” shares U.S. goalie League. We really get to see some of these players at their best, so Ashleigh Johnson. “We have been trying to visualize our opponents we know what to expect from them.” more and working on it that way. From the video that we have and Having players in the Champions League means there are more what are seeing, we are doing a lot to prepare ourselves. Once we players playing at a professional level on the U.S. roster than in get there, we will be ready. We are gearing up.” years past.

The change in training and mindset has been different, but it has “Usually, the national team is split between the U.S. and Europe, still led to improvements. and this time there are more in Europe, and we have had some group “How lucky I am to get to practice against Ashleigh Johnson training out there,” says U.S. player Ben Hallock. “It is going to be every day,” says Steffens. “That will help us get better and improve. a very difficult challenge. There is a reason why a lot of this team is Preparation does really build confidence. But it is definitely tough in Europe. This is a huge confidence boost for everyone.”  not to play games. It gives you a perspective and gratitude to make > PICTURED ABOVE Maggie Steffens, team captain of the USA women’s water polo team, has won gold medals at the last two Olympics and last three World Championships. The 27-year-old ranks second all-time in Olympic scoring with 38 goals. [PHOTO BY JARED GRAY, USA WATER POLO] JUNE 2021

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INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

REMEMBERING THE KALILI BROTHERS— 90 YEARS AGO

As kids who preferred to dive for coins rather than race in a swimming pool, brothers Maiola and Manuella Kalili from Hawaii would eventually become national champions and Olympic silver medalists in 1932.

BY BRUCE WIGO | PHOTOS BY INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME

T

here’s a photograph that’s been on the wall in the International Swimming Hall of Fame museum for many years. It’s part of the Larry “Buster” Crabbe exhibit, and it shows him as part of the 1931 U.S. men’s national swimming team.

Crabbe (fourth from the left, shown in the photo at the top of the page) and the coach, Bob Kiphuth (far left), are the only members of that team who have been inducted into the ISHOF. The team is standing on the side of a swimming pool wearing traditional Japanese swimwear known as fundoshi. Almost directly in the center of the line of swimmers (sixth from left) is a dark-skinned man with an outstanding Afro. Farther down the line (11th from left) is another dark-skinned man. They are Manuella and Maiola Kalili, brothers who grew up swimming in Hawaii alongside Buster Crabbe, and this is their story.

Maiola and Manuella Kalili were born on the island of O‘ahu in 1909 and 1912. It was said that their father taught them to swim with the idea that they could become another Duke Kahanamoku, and like all of the native Hawaiian boys, water was their playground.

But their early desire was not for competition—it was diving for coins thrown in the harbor of Honolulu by tourists on incoming and outgoing steamships. Their parents’ disappointment ended with the arrival of Harvey Chilton, the coach who started the Hui Makani Swim Club and started recruiting diving boys for his team.

TRIPLE THREAT In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the trio of Crabbe and the Kalili brothers dominated American swimming like no trio from the same club before or after. But at the 1930 AAU Nationals in Long Beach, Calif., it was a two-man show. Buster Crabbe and Maiola Kalili won four of the national championships, and they placed second in five races.

In every event won by Crabbe, Kalili was second. Crabbe was runner-up in the race won by Kalili. In addition, Maiola was second in the backstroke, being barely outtouched by George Kojac, the 1928 Olympic champion and world record holder. But it was Maiola Kalili who was the talk of the meet: for “his style was the most relaxed and easy of any of the competitors, including Crabbe.”

I haven’t been able to find out why Manuella didn’t compete in Long Beach, but the brothers had earlier been invited to compete in the Japanese nationals in Tokyo later that summer. Fatigue from the journey and exhaustion from competing in every event but the breaststroke, the brothers refreshed enough to win two events, bettering Japanese national records: Maiola in the 100 meter backstroke and Manuella in the 100 freestyle.

The 1931 AAU Outdoor Nationals were held in Hawaii’s War Memorial Natatorium. In this meet, the Kalili brothers were swimming under the banner of the Hollywood AC, while Buster

>> PICTURED ABOVE The American team, dressed in fundoshi swimwear, lines up on the edge of the Meiji Shrine Pool in Tokyo for a dual meet with Japan in 1931.

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Crabbe represented the Los Angeles AC, coached by Fred Cady, his coach at USC. Once again, it was the Buster Crabbe and Maiola Kalili Show.

The first day started in the afternoon with Crabbe winning the 1500 and Maiola finishing fourth. In the evening, Manuella outtouched his older brother, Maiola, to win the 100 free, while Crabbe watched from the sidelines.

On Day 2, there was a touch of humor in the 400 after Crabbe jumped off to a false start. As he went to the side of the pool to climb out, Maiola rushed over to him and extended his hand to pull him out. “You almost beat the gun,” he said as both walked back to the starting blocks. But it was Buster who got the last laugh, as he pulled away from his rival on the final lap. Later, Maiola revived enough to win the 200 backstroke. On the third day, Crabbe displayed reserve power again to take down Maiola Kalili and win the 300 individual medley, with Manuella placing third.

On the fourth and final day, it was the 800 freestyle that would determine the high-point award winner. Like their other races, it came down to the last individual event on the program. Crabbe went four-for-four and not only nosed out Kalili for the 800 title, but won the high-point trophy by a half-point, 20 to 19-1/2, which included 2-1/2 points for the 800 relay. Manuela was third with 9-1/2 points.

At the luau following the last event, it was learned that after having been training in the States, Manuella couldn’t resist the call of the harbor. Beyond a big smile, he refused to disclose how much he collected each morning of the meet diving for coins.

UPSET IN TOKYO National titles and high-point awards weren’t all that was at stake at the 1931 AAU Nationals, for it also served as the selection meet for a dual meet with the Japanese national team in Tokyo.

When the Americans arrived for the USA vs. Japan Friendship Meet at the immense Meiji Shrine Pool in Tokyo, they were greeted by nearly 20,000 cheering fans. And the Japanese national team gave the home crowd a lot to howl about.

The U.S. swimmers had ruled the pool at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, but at this meet, upsets by Japan’s finest became the norm...with the biggest coming in the very first event, the 800 meter freestyle. The Japanese captured the first three places, leaving the American star, Buster Crabbe, in fourth.

The Kalili brothers somewhat silenced the partisan crowd when Maiola won the 200 backstroke and Manuella, the 200 free.

But in the last event of the day, Japan’s 300 meter medley relay shattered the unofficial world record of the Hui Makani Club by 8-1/5 seconds...and based on scoring for the top three places, Japan ended the first day of competition with a 13-8 lead.

On the second evening of competition, team captain Crabbe suffered through a second straight night without scoring a point.

But James Gilhula of the Detroit AC won the 400 free, and Frank Walton won the 100 back. The surprise of the evening came when Japan won the 400 relay by two meters over the U.S. team of the Kalili brothers, George Fissler and John Howland.

On the third and final night of competition, the Japanese piled up more points, nearly doubling Team USA’s total, 40-23.

The meet was a major disappointment for Crabbe, who had been the high-point winner in practically all of the important meets in the U.S. the previous two years. He had been the favorite in his three featured races—yet finished fourth in each one. The Japanese placed 1-2-3 in the 1500 free and 200 breaststroke. Salvaging some measure of national pride, John Howland won the 100 free, and the team closed out the meet by winning the 800 relay.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT? When the team arrived back in Honolulu, they made no excuses.

“I suppose you folks expect us to say something,” was head

>> In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Maiola (top) and Manuella Kalili, who grew up swimming in Hawaii alongside Buster Crabbe, dominated American swimming like no trio from the same club before or after.

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31

THE KALILI BROTHERS / Continued from 31

>> The Meiji Shrine Pool in Tokyo, filled with 20,000 cheering fans, was the site of the USA vs. Japan Friendship Meet, won by Japan, which nearly doubled Team USA’s total, 40-23. (Pictured: opening ceremonies)

coach Kiphuth’s first remark to the press.

“The only thing we have to say is that the Japanese swimmers were plenty good.”

Buster Crabbe, who was standing nearby, echoed Kiphuth’s remark and declared that none of the American swimmers were sick.

“There was no holding back,” Buster said.

“We swam the best we knew how, but it was not good enough.”

However, Kiphuth declared that, in his opinion, American fans had nothing to worry about. “Don’t forget that the Japanese will be the ones to make the long trip for the (next) Olympics,” he said.

In early 1932, with Crabbe and the Kalili brothers in fine form, Kiphuth’s prediction seemed right on. At the AAU Indoor Nationals that year in New Haven, Conn., Maiola won both the 100 and 220 yard freestyle, while adding a third-place finish in the 1500. Manuella took second in the 220, and Buster Crabbe won the 1500 and 300 individual medley. Buster and Maiola were the only double winners of the meet, finishing one-two in points.

When the Hawaiian contingent arrived by steamer in Los Angeles for their flight to Cincinnati for the 1932 Olympic Trials, the Kalili brothers did not care to trust the winds of a plane and decided to make the journey to Ohio by train. They left instead on the Golden State Limited, and their performance suffered.

While Manuella qualified for the L.A. Games in the 100 free, the best Maiola could do was qualify for the 800 free relay.

At the Games, Manuella finished fourth in the 100 and teamed up with his brother on the relay to take the silver medal. And as it turned out, Crabbe would be the only American to win a gold medal at the 1932 Olympic Games (400 free). *** The brothers retired from competitive swimming after 1933, worked as beach boys and started appearing in films as uncredited South Sea natives and Navy cooks or messmen in war films.

With the rise of a new generation of Hawaiian swimmers as documented by Julie Checkoway’s “Three-Year Swim Club,” the memory of the Kalili brothers faded from history, while Buster Crabbe rose to greater fame as a motion picture star (see “Did You Know?” feature on page 11).

Manuella Kalili passed away in 1969, followed by Maiola three years later, hardly remembered except by family and friends. 

>> The memory of the Kalili brothers faded from history, while Buster Crabbe rose to greater fame as a motion picture star. (Pictured: Crabbe, starring as Tarzan, with a friend from the jungle)

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Bruce Wigo, historian and consultant at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, served as president/CEO of ISHOF from 2005-17.

NUTRITION

HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD I EAT?

CALORIES = ENERGY! Athletes need optimal energy to train, recharge, recover and perform. It is also essential for growth, immunity, avoiding injury and every aspect of bodily functions. It affects both males and females of all ages—however, 75% of athletes undereat!

Signs of Undereating • Weight loss • Fatigued all the time • Chronic soreness or prolonged recovery • Not finishing strong • Hard to stay with pace, timed trainings or not progressing as expected • Irritable • Lack of growth (weight/height) • Not happy, low self-esteem, sadness and difficult to stay motivated • For women, inconsistent or lack of menstrual cycle • Increased rate of sickness or injuries, especially stress fractures • Dry skin • Consistently cold • Digestive health changed • Change in sleep quality and quantity

WHAT YOU EAT DOES MATTER Please understand it does make a difference where these calories come from, in what amounts and at what times. Fueling properly and varying caloric needs with training fosters an optimum foundation for peak health and performance!

To learn more, please refer to past and future Swimming World nutrition articles.

SWIMMING On The Wall

.com

BY DAWN WEATHERWAX, RD, CSSD, LD, ATC, CSCS

Advanced Method for All Indirect Calorimetry or Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing: This is what I do at my business. We do an actual measurement of how many calories you burn (RMR). Then we do an extensive food and activity recall to see if this matches the recommended measurement/calculations, and individualize from there.

Some places that have these devices can travel. This measurement is highly recommended for the serious or elite athlete, and should be measured at least once a year.

The change in daily caloric needs vary greatly pending on training.

Working with a sports dietitian is highly recommended to make sure caloric needs match the training throughout the year.

www

As long course, Olympics and endurance events get underway, a common question is: “How much do I need to eat?” This is a loaded question—one in which the author will try to simplify.

MISTAKEN CUES: HUNGER AND FULLNESS Hunger and fullness are not always good indicators of optimal fueling—especially for people on the leaner side or on the lower end of the growth and weight chart.

Many times, the brain is not matching the signals of what the body needs, and the stomach gets full before properly nourished. The best way to see if the caloric needs are being met for all situations is logging on an app. (Cronometer is my favorite one so far.)

A common error is when training intensifies, most athletes don’t increase their caloric intake to match. This can only lead to substandard outcomes.

HOW TO CALCULATE ENERGY NEEDS Quick Method for Collegiate or Younger Swimmers The average female mid/high school/collegiate swimmer needs about 2,200 to 3,500 calories a day...and males can range from around 2,200 to 5,000 calories a day!

Quick Method for All Cronometer: Open free app and input information to calculate energy needs. Make sure you say very active for activity! Please note that the calculations on these sites are not always optimal for athletes, but they are still a good place to start.

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NUTRITION / Continued from 33

*** To get a sense on how to accurately eat enough with ideal food options, here is a 3,000 to 3,500-calories sample menu with a Japanese phrase to honor the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics.

Meshiagare! (bon appétit!)

3,000 to 3,500-CALORIE TRAINING MENU Pre-Swim/Workout (4:30-5:15 a.m.)

1 Garden of Life® high-performance bar 1 large Banana 16 oz Water

Training (5:30-6:45 a.m.)

4-16 oz Water an hour (amount needed depends on sweat rate) (Might add electrolyte tablet) Breakfast (6-7:30 a.m.)

Yogurt Parfait: 8-10 oz Greek Yogurt 2% 1.5 cups Frozen cherries (thawed) 1 T Tart cherry juice concentrate 1/3 cup Salted cashews 16 oz Water

Lunch (11-12:45 p.m.)

Quinoa Kale Chicken Salad: 3 oz Organic chicken breast grilled 3 cups Baby kale chopped 1 cup Quinoa cooked 1/2 cup Dried cranberries 1/3 cup Salted sunflower seeds 2 T Olive oil with 1 T red wine vinegar and 2 T balsamic vinegar 16 oz Water Afternoon Snack (2-3:30 p.m.)

Strawberry Cucumber Chia Protein Cooler: 20 g Klean Athlete® no flavor protein powder 1-1/2 cups Frozen organic strawberries 1-1/2 cups Cucumbers 1-1/2-2 cups Coconut water or Greater Than Drink (has more sodium) 4 T Chia seeds 1/4-1/3 cup Salted seeds or nuts (separately) Training (3:30-5:30 p.m.)

10-20 oz Water an hour with one Nuun tablet (optional tablet) per 20 oz Post recovery within 30-45 min: 1 Evolve shake and large banana (If you can have dinner within that time, then no need for this snack) Evening Meal (6-7p.m.)

3-6 oz Grilled chicken 1-2 cups Roasted veggies 1-2 T Olive oil 1 cup Couscous 16 oz Water Evening Snack (8-10 p.m.)

2 cups Chex or puffed rice cereal 2 cups Berries 8-16 oz Almond milk unsweetened 1-2 scoops Klean Athlete® aminos (separately) 

Dawn Weatherwax (RD, CSSD, LD, ATC, CSCS) is a registered/licensed dietitian with a specialty in sports nutrition and founder of Sports Nutrition 2Go. She is also a boardcertified specialist in sports dietetics, which is the premier professional sports nutrition credential in the United States. In addition, she is an athletic trainer with a certification in strength and conditioning from The National Strength and Conditioning Association.

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MENTAL PREP

BEFORE THE BEEP WITH AMY BILQUIST

BY SHOSHANNA RUTEMILLER PHOTOS BY PETER H. BICK

A

my Bilquist is tough. She has had more than her fair share keeping her nerves at bay. of struggles throughout her swimming career. Bouncing back “I want to make sure I have a really good dinner—lots of protein from a single injury is enough to make an athlete question their and veggies,” says Bilquist. “I like to fuel my body, but also include resolve—Bilquist has had to bounce back from multiple injuries. something that makes me feel happy. If I’m not getting any joy out From three stress fractures to a broken hand to a broken foot to of my food, that’s not going to help.” knee and shoulder surgeries, Bilquist gained useful insight into the When she was younger, Bilquist would go straight for the red importance of staying both mentally healthy and mentally prepared. meat, but now she’s a big fan of chicken with a nice side salad and “There is fortunately more attention some rice or pasta...then a little bit of “joy” that to (mental health) now because it’s been comes from dessert.

If there’s one message Amy overlooked for so long,” says Bilquist. “I Back in her room, Bilquist is staying off her Bilquist could leave young used to overlook it myself, but once I made feet, watching TV and loading up on stretches it a priority, it made me both a happier and swimmers trying to find their and water. While many athletes spend the night faster swimmer. Focusing on the mental own perfect pre-race model, it’s before a big race visualizing, Bilquist conducts aspect of swimming adds another layer of that a fast swimmer is having most of her visualization during weights and potential you’ll reach.” fun and is happy: “If something workouts. However, she does admit to having After her broken foot, Bilquist had her doesn’t go exactly according to some “super vivid” dreams the night before a most successful NCAA season as a senior at big race. plan from your pre-race routine, Cal. After recovering from her broken hand “My roommate at the 2016 Olympic Trials that won’t dictate if you have a in 2019, Bilquist went on to win her first told me I made the Olympic team in my dreams good or a bad race.

Go with the national title in the 100 backstroke. Perhaps the night before,” says Bilquist. “Apparently, I flow, and have the confidence this time she’ll make the Olympic team. talk a lot in my sleep!” you can do your best.”

“All of my injuries have made me a lot more intentional and grateful,” says Bilquist.

“It takes a few weeks or months to grasp that I’m injured, but then I change my mental outlook to be: ‘How can I make this help me in the long run?’”

As a high schooler, Bilquist held Indiana high school records in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 medley relay and 200 and 400 free relays.

At the 2016 Olympic Trials, she barely missed representing the United States in the 100 backstroke with a third-place finish. Now, as one of the pioneers of professional swimming in the International Swimming League (ISL), she’s hoping that her tough mental attitude will enable her to represent the Red White and Blue in Tokyo.

Bilquist took the time to talk to Swimming World Magazine about all of the preparation, both physical and mental, that leads up to a successful race.

HOTEL

The night before a big meet, Bilquist is all about fueling and

WARM-UP

Bilquist’s warm-up hasn’t varied since college. But you know what they say: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

“Before I get into the water, I am stretching and doing my dynamic movements like squats, squat jumps and abdominal exercises. I think it’s important to turn on my body before I get into the pool.”

A typical pre-meet warm-up for Bilquist is a 400, 300, 200, 100 that is broken down as follows: • 400 swim broken into 200 freestyle, 100 25 double-arm backstroke, 100 freestyle.

• 300 kick broken into 3x100s, 2 backstroke or freestyle kick depending on what she is racing that day, then a 100 building up her underwater kicks followed by a 100 freestyle kicking in various body positions.

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BEFORE THE BEEP / Continued from 35

• 200 drill broken into 2x100s, 1 freestyle, 1 backstroke. Each 100 consists of 25 scull, 25 3 right 3 full 3 left, 25 drill...then she stops for 10 seconds at the wall before completing a 25 all-out.

• 100 is broken in 4x25s doing hard pushoffs with 6 hard cycles. These 25s are either backstroke or freestyle or a mix of what the day needs in terms of quick sprints.

Additionally, if Bilquist is competing in the 200 backstroke, she will do a couple 50s in the pace lane and then a start or two off the wall.

READY ROOM

>> With the kind of preparation Amy Bilquist puts into her race “before the beep,” this is the reaction she often has “after the beep.”

for the outcome.

Once warm-up is done and Bilquist heads to the ready room, she’s keeping herself positive in the build-up to her race.

While she’s experimented with different things in the ready room over the years, her main focus lately has been on maintaining her breathing.

“I’ve been the headphones-on/hood-up/ super-focused swimmer,” says Bilquist.

“Now I like to just keep to myself and keep breathing. When you’re nervous, you tend to hold your breath.”

In addition to her breathing, Bilquist makes sure that she’s keeping to the positive self-talk, reminding herself that she’s trained for this race and is prepared

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As Bilquist heads to the blocks, she always takes a second to look up into the stands and say hi to her family. Seeing them there and feeding off the crowd’s energy is an important part of her prerace ritual. If her dad is in the stands, she looks for him to give her their “sign”—a hand over his heart.

“It’s his way of reminding me to swim with your heart and dig deep.”

Once she shakes off her parka and takes off her tennis shoes, she’s up and moving her body again. The crowd might see her slapping her body, jumping around and taking those deep, cleaning, lung-opening breaths. She’ll take a moment to look up and down the pool for the lengths that she’s swimming, always reminding herself that she’s ready for this race.

“This is the time where I get the most fidgety. I’m probably messing with my goggles trying to get the perfect seal.”

But once she’s in the water, it’s all business. She likes to follow the tried-and-true model of sticking to the race you know, but racing when the time comes.

“I stay close during the race because I’m a back-half swimmer,” she says. “That’s my biggest strength even if it’s unintentional.”

Bilquist has been a fierce competitive swimmer for the past 16 years. She knows her body and her race forward and backward. But it took those 16 years to perfect.

If there’s one message she could leave young swimmers trying to find their own perfect pre-race model, it’s that a fast swimmer is having fun and is happy: “If something doesn’t go exactly according to plan from your pre-race routine, that won’t dictate if you have a good or a bad race,” she says. “Go with the flow, and have the confidence you can do your best.” 

TRAINING

DRYSIDE TRAINING TRAINING AMY BILQUIST

BY J.R. ROSANIA

Amy Bilquist is a different kind of animal. I’ve never been around someone who has had to persevere through so much adversity and still come out on top. I have been providing her dryland programs for the last year-and-a-half.

This article is just a small highlight on the young woman and some of our training...and what makes her tick.

• She’s 23 years old and currently training in Phoenix, Ariz. I have had the pleasure of training her dryland and weights the past few years. She is a true delight.

• She graduated from Cal in 2019 after a successful four-year swimming and academic college career.

• She was a gold medal winner at the 2019 U.S. nationals in the 100 meter backstroke.

• She hardly ever complains...and when she does, it’s because she wants to understand what she’s doing so she can give the proper feedback.

• Previous Olympic Trials: 2016—3rd, 100 back; 4th, 200 back.

2012—swam the 50-100 free and 100-200 back.

>> J.R. with Amy, who won the gold medal in the women’s 100 back at the 2019 U.S. Summer National Championships

• Injuries and surgeries in the last three years: three stress fractures, broken hand, broken foot, knee surgery and shoulder surgery!

• Amy’s philosophy in regard to life and swimming: “It’s changed a lot over the years. I have had a lot of obstacles, but it’s taught me to enjoy and respect the journey more than focusing so much on the destination. Life is never predictable, and we must find beauty and strength in the unpredictability that we conquer.”

• Amy’s comments about our relationship: “In this stage of my career, J.R. has given me the best opportunity I could have asked for. He has provided me with interesting, original and innovative workouts that allow me to gain strength, work around injuries and gain confidence in my athletic abilities.

“He has not only helped improve my physical abilities, but also my mental abilities as an athlete by exploring new ways to feel powerful and strong as a young woman. This has translated into my swimming by helping me still drop time and stay consistent even after training through multiple injuries and surgeries.

>> Pull-ups from low position to high position

“Strength training with J.R. three times a week is consistently a high point because even if it was a hard session, I leave feeling refreshed and motivated.” *** As Amy’s trainer, I am very thankful for the opportunity to train this young lady. We have a very good rapport with each other, and she actually makes it easy for me to train her.

Go Amy!  MEET THE TRAINER

J.R. Rosania, B.S., exercise science, is one of the nation’s top performance enhancement coaches. He is the owner and CEO of Healthplex, LLC, and has finished the Ironman Triathlon 18 times. He also serves as Swimming World Magazine’s fitness trainer and was named one of “America’s Top Trainers” by Men’s Journal and Vogue magazines. Check out Rosania’s website at www.jrhealthplex.net.

NOTICE All swimming and dryland training and instruction should be performed under the supervision of a qualified coach or instructor, and in circumstances that ensure the safety of participants.

>> Beginning to pull full dead lift

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37

COACHING

SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS

BY ROD HAVRILUK , Ph.D.

MAXIMIZING SWIMMING VELOCITY (Part 2):

STROKE CYCLE PHASES A

s explained in Part 1 of this series (SW May 2021), stroke rate and stroke length typically vary inversely. When a swimmer increases stroke rate, he/she usually decreases stroke length. When a swimmer increases stroke length, he/she usually decreases stroke rate.

The previous article also explained the relationship of stroke time (the time for an arm to complete a stroke cycle) to both stroke rate and stroke length. This article identifies the component phases of stroke time and potential changes to improve performance.

STROKE TIME

The inverse relationship between stroke length and stroke rate is primarily because both variables are directly related to the time for each stroke cycle (stroke time), as shown in Fig. 1. A decrease in stroke time increases stroke rate, while an increase in stroke time increases stroke length. This makes it a challenge to optimize stroke time for the fastest swimming velocity.

STROKE TIME PHASES

Strategies to optimize stroke time become apparent from analysis of the component phases. Each stroke cycle includes two propulsive phases (pull and push) and two non-propulsive phases (entry and recovery), also shown in Fig. 1. The four phases of the freestyle stroke cycle were previously defined (Chollet, Chalies & Chatard, 2000): • Entry: from when the hand enters the water until the beginning of backward hand motion • Pull: from the beginning of backward hand motion until the hand passes beneath the vertical plane of the shoulder • Push: from when the hand passes beneath the vertical plane of the shoulder until the hand’s release from the water • Recovery: from the hand’s release from the water until it enters the water Although the stroke cycle phases were originally developed for freestyle, they also apply to butterfly and backstroke. Similarly, the breaststroke cycle has four phases with two propulsive (outward and inward sculling motions) and two non-propulsive (recovery and glide) components.

STROKE TIME DECREASE WITH SWIMMING VELOCITY INCREASE

Numerous studies show similar changes in the duration of each stroke phase with an increase in swimming velocity. For example, elite male swimmers increased swimming velocity on a series of swims from distance to sprint pace in all four strokes. The results are shown in Fig. 2 for butterfly (Chollet, Seifert, Boulesteix, Carter, 2006), backstroke (Chollet, Seifert, Carter, 2008), breaststroke (Leblanc, Seifert, Baudry & Chollet, 2005) and freestyle (Seifert, 38

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FIG. 1 > Swimming velocity is the product of stroke length and stroke rate, which are both related to stroke time. The four phases of stroke time are entry, pull, push and recovery.

Chollet & Bardy, 2004).

To swim faster, swimmers naturally move their arms faster.

Consequently, there is a decrease in the time duration for each of the four phases for all strokes from distance to sprint pace. The phase time decreases from the slowest to the fastest velocity, as shown in Fig. 3. For breaststroke, the outward and inward sculling motions are shown as the pull and push phases, and the glide phase is shown as the entry phase.

With an increase in swimming velocity, there is a substantial decrease in the non-propulsive phase times—specifically, the entry phase for all four strokes and the recovery phase for backstroke and freestyle. In contrast, there is a very small decrease in the propulsive phase times.

STROKE TIME PHASES AT SPRINT PACE

The phase time duration for all four stroke phases for all four strokes at sprint pace (the fastest velocity from Fig. 2) is shown in Fig. 4. While the swimmers substantially decreased the duration of the entry and recovery phases at the fastest velocity, there is still a considerable amount of non-propulsive time—at least 2-tenths of a second of entry time and at least 3-tenths of a second of recovery time.

Further decreases in non-propulsive time would decrease stroke time and increase stroke rate and swimming velocity without compromising stroke length produced by propulsive phases. For example, as the entry phase in butterfly, backstroke and b reaststroke is the non-propulsive time from when the hand enters the water until propulsion begins, this phase could be further decreased by directly submerging the hand to a position where propulsion could immediately begin. 

FIG. 2 > The graphs show the decrease in the duration of all four stroke phases with an increase in swimming velocity for all four strokes.

FIG. 3 > The decrease in the time duration from distance to sprint pace for all four stroke cycle phases for all four strokes.

SUMMARY

Swimmers typically decrease non-propulsive time to decrease stroke time, increase stroke rate and swim faster. Research shows that a further decrease in the non-propulsive time is possible and should produce further performance improvement. Future articles in this series will present strategies for optimizing the duration of the stroke cycle phases.

FIG. 4 > The time duration at sprint pace for all four stroke cycle phases for all four strokes.

Dr. Rod Havriluk is a sport scientist and consultant who specializes in swimming technique instruction and analysis.

His newest ebooks in the “Approaching Perfect Swimming” series are “Optimal Stroke Technique” and “Swimming Without Pain,” and are available at swimmingtechnology. com. Contact Rod through info@swimmingtechnology.com.

All scientific documentation relating to this article, including scientific principles, studies and research papers, can be provided upon demand.

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39

COACHING

A COACHES’ GUIDE TO

ENERGY SYSTEMS [PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN]

In the first of two parts, Swimming World explores the concept of energy systems and how coaches can use them to maximize athlete development and performance

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

I

n the world of athletic training—nay any field of endeavor— there are varying degrees of sophistication and understanding.

In aquatics, that may range from beginning summer league coaches to the likes of Ph.D./Olympic mentors, sport scientists and beyond.

A successful swim coach doesn’t have to have an advanced degree in kinesiology. However, a basic understanding of energy systems and how they affect athletic training can certainly help.

THE SCIENCE

Let’s begin with metabolism, the process of storing and releasing the energy. There are three main metabolic pathways to recycle energy in muscle cells during exercise, notes Genadijus Sokolovas, High Performance Director at USA Pentathlon and senior physiologist at Global Sport Technology. They are non-aerobic (creatine phosphate), anaerobic (anaerobic glycolysis) and aerobic.

Energy for body usage is stored in different forms and pathways, and is used to convert the three forms into accessible energy for the athlete (or anybody) to perform work.

“There are no borders to energy pathways in a body,” says Sokolovas. “At any given time, several pathways may be engaged in energy production. However, dominance of an energy source depends on the duration and intensity of the exercise,” he says.

“Typically, workload is broken into several energy zones based on that duration and training intensity. Energy zones allow athletes and coaches to develop a specific pathway of energy recycling to quantify, track and plan the physiological adaptations desired for their specific event.”

At one time, USA Swimming identified seven energy zones.

These were categorized as Recovery (Rec), Endurance 1 (EN1), Endurance 2 (EN2), Endurance 3 (EN3), Sprint 1 (SP1), Sprint 2 (SP2) and Sprint 3 (SP3). The organization has since reduced the number to five, a number that correlates with those utilized by European coaches. In practicality, the number may be reduced to three: aerobic, anaerobic threshold and high performance endurance with subsets (anaerobic race pace and high velocity overload) found under the high performance category.

Over the years, various coaches and organizations have altered the categories and subsets to suit their training modes and preferences.

Grandfather to the codification of the zone system is Jon Urbanchek who, at the University of Michigan, introduced energy category color-coding for ease of understanding and communication with his athletes. Urbanchek’s original chart consisted of seven categories, which he has since modified to five for ease in training.

ENTERING THE ZONE

So how does one effectively measure the utilization of each

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>> Grandfather to the codification of the zone system is Jon Urbanchek who, at the University of Michigan, introduced energy category color-coding for ease of understanding and communication with his athletes.

energy system to perform well? The simple answer is heart rate and time measurement. While heart rate monitors may be the most accurate means, not everyone has a watch with that measuring capability or desire to strap a monitor across the chest. A more convenient and universally accepted method is to place two fingers on the carotid artery, count the number of heart beats (noting the first beat as zero and moving the thumb away from the artery) for 10 seconds and multiply by six.

For that measurement to have meaning, an athlete needs to determine his/her maximum heart rate for each training zone.

Training zones are calculated by using BBM (beats below maximum). For example, a swimmer with a maximum heart rate of 210 beats per minute working in the A1 (low-intensity aerobic zone, 60-50 beats below maximum) would need to be functioning at 150 beats per minute.

Another way to calculate each training zone is to use swim and rest times or personal best times +5 seconds or 10 seconds. That method requires a coach to have precise knowledge of swimmer workout and race histories in order to have them training in the proper energy zones.

Bill Sweetenham and Australian Swimming have had success using a 7 x 200 step test (shown here) for establishing training values: Warm-up • 1 x 1000 choice 7 x 200 @ 5:00 • 1 x 200 @ 60 BBM • 1 x 200 @ 50 BBM Aerobic • 1 x 200 @ 40 BBM • 1 x 200 @ 30 BBM Threshold • 1 x 200 @ 20 BBM • 1 x 200 @ 10 BBM Anaerobic Lactate • 1 x 200 @ Maximum Effort Record Total Time 1st 100 split 2nd 100 split Heart rate Stroke Count

Swim-down • 1 x 1000 choice Urbanchek has gained worldwide approbation for educating swimmers and coaches through his codification. The training system explanation he uses today is illustrated here: (All times are based on one-half of personal best 200 time) (All hearted rates are based upon personal maximum heart rate) Zone 1—Aerobic Swimming intensity below anaerobic threshold A1 - Low Intensity | 70-50 BBM | White to Pink** (+:20) A2 - Aerobic Maintenance | 50-40 BBM | White to Pink (+:15-:20) A3 - Aerobic Development | 40-30 BBM | White to Pink (+:10-:15) ** Colors mentioned correlate to Urbanchek’s color charts Zone 2—Anaerobic Threshold The point at which the lactate accumulation begins to rise sharply 30-20 BBM | Red (+:07-:10)

>> Bill Sweetenham and Australian Swimming have had success using a 7 x 200 step test for establishing training values.

“Typically, workload is broken into several energy zones based on duration and training intensity. Energy zones allow athletes and coaches to develop a specific pathway of energy recycling to quantify, track and plan the physiological adaptations desired for their specific event.”

—Genadijus Sokolovas (pictured with Michael Phelps)

Zone 3—High Performance Endurance Critical speed or heart rate training where athletes reach maximum oxygen uptake—i.e., lactate removal set 20-10 BBM | Red to Blue (+:04-:07) Zone 4—Anaerobic (Race Pace) Any set done at 400-meter pace or faster Blue to Purple Zone 5—High Velocity Overload Training repeats 10 to 25 meters with rest Short maximum speed training

•

APPLICATION

•

With maximum heart rate in hand, a coach and swimmer can embark upon a personal improvement plan. For the gifted and motivated, perhaps national and international long course success awaits. Others may find successful age group and/or college careers.

In any case, the best results can come from careful and precise applications of energy zones during swim training.

In a recent conference call, a select group of coaches discussed ways to refine and update Urbanchek’s color chart energy system and associated terminology. On the call were: Urbanchek (former coach, University of Michigan, ISHOF inductee), Jack Roach (director of coach and athlete development, former USA Swimming national junior team director), Chris Plumb (head coach/CEO, Carmel Swim Club), Chris Webb (high performance coach, Fort Collins Area Swim Team) and George Heidinger, owner/coach, Pike’s Peak Athletics, former USA Swimming national junior team program director).

While still a work in progress, the coaches offer these reminders and guidelines for optimizing training outcomes: • Fall training sets up the rest of calendar year. Be conservative, be gradual.

• Energy system program success is yielded over the long-term.

Be patient and know that the process will unfold and come to fruition over a period of years, not necessarily over the course of a season or a calendar year. Be consistent and conservative in the application of the energy systems.

• Only two or three workouts per week should be BLUE or higher. Everything else is maintenance.

• Start implementing elements of the BLUE energy system in the third or fourth cycle.

• When starting to train BLUE, consider blending it with PINK

• • •

and RED through classic Urbanchek rainbow sets.

Be careful not to overdo the BLUE; it can harm as much as it helps.

If swimmers get overtrained on BLUE, stop and give them rest.

Make sure they are recovered before going back to BLUE. Give RED its due! Urbanchek recommends RED emphasis as much or more than BLUE. Keep it moving!

To be really fast, you have to know what is required to get there. Pace charts enable you to do that.

Energy systems were created for college-age men. Use creativity to adapt to younger swimmers.

LOOKING FOR MORE

There is an inexhaustive supply of popular and academic literature pertaining to energy systems and swim training. To access two easily digestible sources, search: • Onewiththewater.org, Energy Zones in Swimming, Genadijus Sokolovas, Ph.D. • Staines Swimming Club: Head Coach Guide—Energy Systems and Growth • For a deep dive, consult Swimming Energy Training in the 21st Century: The Justification for Radical Changes (Third Edition), Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., Swimming Science Bulletin, Number 39, Revised June 12, 2018 In part 2 on energy systems, Swimming World will explore how some coaches incorporate their understanding of energy systems into seasonal training plans. Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.

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SPECIAL SETS

KATIE LEDECKY:

RUN-UP TO

With this month’s Olympic Swimming Trials now upon us, Swimming World takes a back-to-the-future approach to revisit some training done by superstar Katie Ledecky prior to the 2016 U.S. team qualifying meet.

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

A

lready an Olympic champion in the 800 meter free at the 2012 Games in London, Katie Ledecky, under the able hand of her Nation’s Capital coach Bruce Gemmell, had already amassed a bucketload of medals in the years leading up to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.

She had garnered seven individual (four world records) and two relay gold medals from the 2013 and 2015 World Championships as well as four individual (two world records) and one relay gold from the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships.

To fully appreciate Ledecky’s dominance, consider this: She owns the top seven times ever in the 400 meter freestyle and 21 of the top 26. Her 3:56.46 is 2.30 seconds faster than Ariane Titmus in eighth. She has the top 24 times ever swum in the 800 free, with her 8:04.79 swum in Rio being 9.31 seconds faster than second-place Rebecca Adlington, the 2008 Olympic champion.

In the 1500 free, Ledecky has the top 11 times, a mere 18.40 seconds faster than her nearest competitor, Denmark’s Lotte Friis.

The 200 free? Ledecky’s 1:53.75 is third best ever behind Federica Pellegrini’s leading supersuit time of 1:52.98.

THE ROAD TO OMAHA But back to the future, circa 2016.

Ledecky began the year with a bang. At the arena Pro Swim Series in Austin, she reset her 800 meter freestyle world record (8:07.39), going 8:06.68. In addition, she posted world-leading times in the 200 and 400 and a U.S. top time in the 100.

Following are some representative sets on which Gemmell & Ledecky partnered after Austin to prepare the world’s best female swimmer for a successful Olympic Trials experience at the age of 19.

“The focus was clearly on the 400 meter free, with expected spillover to the 200 and 800. Any attempts to prepare for the 1500 or 100 were back-burnered in the lead-up to Omaha and Rio,” says Gemmell. Coach and swimmer wanted to make sure she had enough speed for what was expected to be a very competitive 200 race. They were also determined to maintain an endurance focus to achieve their 800 goals and to endure a rigorous seven days of competition.

“On the eighth day, she rested,” he says.

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[PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRUCE GEMMELL]

RIO 2016 >> Coach Bruce Gemmell and Katie Ledecky at the 2016 Rio Olympics

MOLDING OF A CHAMPION (All done in the period of March-May 2016, unless otherwise noted) Set 1 Threshold/Colors (Mon and Thu) 10 x 300 @ 3:20 (SCY) 1-4 descend (2:52.6, 2:49.0, 2:46.0, 2:43.6) 5-10 hold best average (2:44.3, 2:43.0, 2:43.0, 2:43.0, 2:42.2, 2:43.4) Converted Long Course estimate: average 3:06.4) Set 2 Threshold/Short Colors 150 and down (Thu) 40 +/- 5 minutes in length Sample Set (3 rounds): 1 x 300 @ 3:00 negative-split 3 x 150 @ 1:45 Pink 1:23.1 (using 56.0 T-30 base) 3 x 100 @ 1:15 Red 53.6 (using 56.0 T-30 base) 6 x 25 @ :20 Fast Feet 1:00 rest between rounds 3,600-yard set/44 minutes/7,600 total practice Set 3 Active Rest (Tue and some Fri) Long Course: Desc avg. time x “round” 1 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 1:01.9 2 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 1:01.5/1:01.1 3 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 1:00.8/1:01.2/1:00.9 4 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 1:00.4/1:00.3/1:00.2/59.4 3 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 59.1/59.3/58.8 2 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 58.3/58.6 1 x 100 @ 1:20 + 100 ez @ 1:30 57.3 Set 4 Broken Swims (Wed and maybe Sat) 4 rounds: 4 x 100 @ 1:20 Long Course (descend x round) 300 ez @ 5:40 Slowest 100 of all 4 rounds: 1:00.9 Average on last round of 4 x 100: 58.2 Last 100: 57.3

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

>> Katie Ledecky was named the female Swimmer of the Meet at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the 200, 400 and 800 meter freestyles and placing seventh in the 100 free.

Set 5 Threshold/Colors (Mon and Thu) Mid-May 2016 12 x 200 SCY: 4 @ 2:10 Avg 1:56’s 4 @ 2:05 Avg 1:52’s 4 @ 2:00 1:48/1:49/1:48/1:47.4

best 1:53.73 that was good enough to win by 35-hundredths over Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom.

Ledecky’s third gold came while anchoring the 4 x 200 free relay with teammates Allison Schmitt, Leah Smith and Maya DiRado. Turning in the field’s fastest split (1:53.74), she reversed a deficit of 89-hundredths to claim an American victory by 1.84 seconds (7:43.03).

For the Stanford-bound star, the 800 free was essentially a coronation that earned her a fourth gold medal. Posting a Games record 8:12.86 in prelims, Ledecky erased the field with an 8:04.79 final to defeat runner-up Carlin by more than 11 seconds.

With three individual titles, Ledecky became the first swimmer since Debbie Meyer in 1968 to win the 200, 400 and 800 meter freestyles at the same Olympics.

Early June 2016 8 x 200 SCY @ 2:20 Avg 1:49.1 (no extra rest) 8 x 100 SCY @ 1:20 Avg 52.1 Swims in Omaha went well for the Bethesda, Md. swimmer, as she qualified for her second Olympic team in the 200, 400, 800 free and 4 x 200 freestyle relay.

She opened the Trials with a win and meet record in the 400 (3:58.98). Two days later, she clocked a 1:54.88 to win the 200. In the morning 800 freestyle preliminary heats, Ledecky swam an 8:10.91 before placing seventh that evening in the 100 free (53.99). The following day, her 8:10.32 was good enough to win the 800 by nearly 10 seconds. Her three-win performance earned her female Swimmer of the Meet honors.

“The focus (for Katie Ledecky at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials) was clearly on the 400 meter free, with expected spillover to the 200 and 800. Any attempts to prepare for the 1500 or 100 were back-burnered in the lead-up to Omaha and Rio....

On the eighth day, she rested.”

—Bruce Gemmell, Head Coach, Nation’s Capital Swim Club

SOUTH OF THE BORDER In Rio, Ledecky matched world expectations. She anchored the U.S. 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay with splits of 52.64 (prelims) and 52.79 (finals), boosting teammates Simone Manuel, Abbey Weitzeil and Dana Vollmer to an American record (3:31.89) and a silver medal behind Australia’s 3:30.65.

Ledecky’s first individual meet title came in the 400 free.

After setting an Olympic Games record in qualifying (3:58.71), she blitzed the field with a world record 3:56.46, besting secondplace Jazmin Carlin of Great Britain by nearly five seconds. Her second gold came in her tightest race of the meet, a personal

INFINITY AND BEYOND With the exception of an unfortunate illness at the 2019 World Championships, the post-Rio period has been very, very good to Ledecky. She ended a two-year stint at Stanford as an eight-time NCAA champion and nine-time All-American with American records in the 500, 1000 and 1650 yard freestyles as well as the 400, 800 and 1500 meter events. Currently, she has five gold/one silver Olympic podium finishes to go along with her 18 World Championship swimming medals (15 gold, three silver)—a record for female swimmers.

As for what the future holds, that’s to be continued. 

Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.

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COACHING

KASE

[PHOTO BY MIKE LEWIS, USA SWIMMING]

Q&A

CATHERINE

A distance swimmer herself, Catherine Kase has found her calling as a college and well-respected open water coach.

Her first USA Swimming assignment began in 2005. In Tokyo, she will direct American swimmers for the third time as head Olympic open water coach.

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

Q. SWIMMING WORLD: How did you get your start in the aquatic life?

A. COACH CATHERINE (VOGT) KASE: I started in Clearwater, Fla. at age 10 after riding horses and running track. Swimming was measurable, and I remember enjoying my friends on the team. When I was 13, my coach, Rico Maschino, told me I was a distance swimmer. Even though I was not very good, I enjoyed the attention!

SW: Who were your early influences?

CK: My junior and senior year in high school, I swam with Randy Erlenbach at the North Carolina Aquatic Club in Chapel Hill. I lived and went to school 90 minutes away in Pinehurst. My mother drove me to daily practice, allowing me to train, swim competitively and aspire to be the best I could be. The team was very welcoming, and I loved the training and repetition.

After college, Randy helped me get into a coaching mindset.

SW: You were a scorer for UNC at the ACC Championships in the 1650.

CK: My college roommates made fun of me because I loved practice and all things swimming. During my junior and senior years, I stayed after college practice and coached the little NCAC kids and summer league—that was fun! I am a much better coach than I was a swimmer.

SW: You have terrific relationships and trust with your athletes. How have you cultivated those bonds?

CK: At UNC, I majored in education and psychology—so, for me, coaching is all about relationships. The Carolina family taught me how important it is to connect with people, and I saw firsthand incredible coaches and leaders at UNC.

I just look at the pool as my classroom, and I think about each individual, what motivates them, what their goals are, and I try to understand who each swimmer is as a person. That better informs me how I can challenge, communicate and understand what they are trying to achieve.

The fun part is watching the journey.

The process is different for everyone, but done right, it can be a mutually beneficial investment for coach and athlete.

SW: At UNC, you swam and coached with Frank Comfort and Rich DeSelm.

Why the move to USC? CK: Frank Comfort taught me about caring for people and expecting excellence in the classroom and the pool. I worked with Frank for one year and with Rich for two. We had a blast. Luckily, I got to work with talented, hard-working swimmers like Whitney Sprague, Tyler Harris, Chip Peterson and Joe Kinderwater, among others. Knowing what it took to be in the distance group, I wanted to make sure we had fun, and I took pride in the work!

At the end of 2008, I was really comfortable in my position, and I had already been to open water World Championships in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

When Dave Salo at USC—someone I had always admired—offered me a position, I knew it was outside my comfort zone.

However, I wanted to see the Pac-10 and be part of a team and conference with a storied history—one with international and national success.

SW: How did that move improve your coaching chops?

CK: I started coaching club/age group kids in Mississippi and North Carolina, then made the jump to college. At USC, I was fortunate to help Dave (Salo) and Jon CONTINUED ON 46 >>

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Coach Catherine Kase Head Coach U.S. Olympic Open Water Team Boise, Idaho •

University of North Carolina, B.A., elementary education, 2000

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Associate head coach, University of Southern California, 2008-20

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Head open water coach, U.S. Olympic team, 2016, 2021

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Head open water coach, Tunisian Olympic team, 2012

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Head open water coach, U.S. World Championship team, 2009, 2013, 2015 (team winner), 2019; assistant open water coach, 2005, 2006, 2008

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Head open water coach, U.S. Pan Pacific Championship team, 2006, 2014

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Head open water coach, U.S. Pan American Games team, 2007, 2011

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Assistant coach, University of North Carolina, 2005-08

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Assistant coach, Cape Carteret (N.C.) Currents, 2003-05

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Head/assistant coach, Meridian (Miss.) Swim Association, 2002-03

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Head coach, South Run Winter Swim League (Fairfax, Va.), 2002

In addition to her coaching responsibilities over the years, Catherine Kase serves as chair of the USA Swimming Open Water Steering Committee and is a member of the FINA Coaches Committee. In 2020, she was the recipient of USA Swimming’s Women in Swimming Award.

[PHOTO BY MIKE LEWIS, USA SWIMMING]

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www.NZcordz.com

“Dave Salo and I recruited her to USC at the end of 2008, and she subsequently qualified for World Champs in the 800 the summer of 2009,” says Kase. “I got her to do an open water select camp in 2010, and she soon qualified for her first open water World Championships in the 25K. “She continued to compete in both open water and pool throughout college.

During that time, she was not only a leader on the team, but an NCAA champion, Olympic silver medalist, Pac12 champion and Olympic Trials finalist.

“Over the past 10 years, she has developed a passion for the sport and has consistently gotten stronger and faster, enjoying sustained success at the highest levels. Haley has competed in different bodies of water all over the world (rivers, oceans, lakes, varied courses) and has won races in water hot and cold. She is flexible, adaptable and responds to everchanging circumstances in a race.

“Haley is tough and can handle just about anything in workout. She thrives in competition, can handle short-rest sets, loves racing-quality sets and has an ability to descend any distance. My job has been to stay attuned to her needs,” says Kase.

“Dave Salo and I liked to vary practices, keep things interesting and challenge swimmers with different distances. We rarely repeated sets. However, at training camps or a few days before a competition, I often had Haley repeat a set of 3x (8 x 50). The results would give me a good read on how fast she was swimming. I could then tailor training to what I thought would build her confidence leading into the race.

“Sometimes I would change intervals—i.e., 1 round on :40, 1 round on :45, 1 round on :50. Other times I would look for descending 1-4, holding each round faster, or 1 easy/1 fast and really get her going with a good kick. At a venue, I wanted to see her on the course, adapting to the environment—landmarks, buoys—just taking it all in. We would also practice turns and finishes.

“In 2016, she had speed, endurance and was training better than ever. She used her fifth place in Rio (1:57:20.2, just 28.8 seconds out of third) to motivate herself and to continue to pursue her goals,” says Kase. “To her credit, she used that experience to grow and to ultimately produce two of her best career years in the pool (she posted her fastest times in 2018) and winning international open water races.” 

HOW THEY TRAIN HALEY ANDERSON

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

O

pen water competition is a take-no-prisoners endeavor.

Meteorological conditions (wind, weather, etc.) and elements such as waves and water temperature present physical and mental pressures unlike those found in shorter aquatic contests. Then there are seasoned opponents—e.g., the average age of female 10K competitors at the 2016 Olympics was 25.03; for men, 25.64.

Among those in Rio was 24-year-old Haley Anderson. Her credentials include being an 11-time NCAA All-American (USC), three-time NCAA champion, 2012 Olympic silver medalist (10K) and five-time open water World Championship medalist (two gold, 2013 and 2015 5K; two silver, 2017 team event, 2019 10K; one bronze, 2019 team event).

The Granite Bay, Calif. native also has four U.S. open water championships, two Pan Pac gold and two World University Games gold medals. A USA Swimming national team member since 2009, last season she wore the colors of the International Swimming League’s Cali Condors.

In short, Anderson is decorated and determined. And at age 29, on her third U.S. Olympic team, she is headed for the Aug. 4 10K starting line at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo after an extended stay in Mission Viejo, working with Mark Schubert.

Through it all, her main open water coach and training director has been Catherine Kase.

“Haley is competitive, loyal, coachable, independent, adaptable, a DIY project lover and a great traveling partner,” says Kase. “She is extremely aware and observant of all things.

Every day she brings her best to the pool, trains hard, smiles and leaves it there. Haley makes those around her better in training and pursues excellence in everything she does. She loves her snorkel, can train every stroke in workout, mixes it up and is great at changing gears.

Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.

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Q&A / Continued from 44

were the new kids on the block. I asked a lot of questions. Everyone was passionate, enthusiastic and genuinely took interest in sharing what they had learned over the years.

When Chip won the 10K world title, I was eager to learn anything and everything about open water! Sid Cassidy has been a great mentor as well.

>> Coach Catherine Kase (right) and Haley Anderson celebrate after Haley captured the silver medal in the women’s 10K at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Urbanchek with the professionals (Trojan Swim Club), so each step has been a coaching career building block. Dave ran things very differently, so I knew I had much more to learn. Exposure to the Pac10 (now Pac-12), world-class coaches and athletes plus a different lifestyle helped give me a different perspective to share with the swimmers.

SW: Chip Peterson was one of your first open water prodigies. What did you learn from coaching him?

CK: In 2005, Chip was a top talent, and USA Swimming invested in me as a coach and Chip as an athlete. Jon Urbanchek came to visit us in eastern North Carolina and opened up a whole new world of training, coaches and friends for me. Jon taught me to be myself and not worry about what anyone else was doing. I learned how important it was to communicate and connect with your athletes, to understand their goals and identify strengths and weaknesses.

To teach strength, you have to understand and experience challenges. To become brave and resilient, you must fail.

The journey was the fun part. I told Chip I didn’t have all the answers, but we were a team. We worked together and have memories for a lifetime.

SW: When you were at a relatively young age, USA Swimming began assigning you to an impressive list of national and international open water coaching assignments.

CK: Because of Chip’s success, I was asked to be on the 2005 World Championship staff with Rick Walker, Denny Ryther, Steve Munatones and Mike Schrader. Chip and I 46

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SW: How have Teri McKeever, Cyndi Gallagher, Carol Capitani and other female coaches helped you become a better coach and person?

CK: I feel so fortunate that I have these women with whom to talk, complain, laugh and keep me centered. I look to see what makes these women great and try to be true to myself as a coach. Carol, Cyndi and Teri have all profoundly impacted me as a person and coach. At the end of the day, we can learn from and support each other, share stories and laugh together.

SW: Bill Rose has remarked that pool training is vital to open water success.

Do you agree?

CK: Absolutely, I love long course and short course training—all have a place!

At the end of an open water race at Worlds, finishing speed can make all the difference—1-hundredth of a second can mean 11th and missing an Olympic spot or be the difference between the podium and fourth place.

SW: There are so many strategies in play in open water competition. Regarding preparation, expect the unexpected is one. What are some others?

CK: We use this A LOT: Only control what you can control...because you can’t control the competition, water conditions or the course, but you can control your thoughts, actions and attitude. I often say many things can change throughout a race...so ride the waves—the highs and lows throughout the two hours—manage energy levels, stress.

During feeds, we teach Grab, Gulp, Go ☺.

SW: How do you guide swimmers when they face adverse race-day conditions?

CK: I always want to minimize stress for athletes. If I am worried or actively upset, the athletes will take on my stress, so I try to make sure I am patient and calm. That being said, if an athlete is concerned about water quality or temperature, I am going to do everything I can to make sure they have the information they need and that their questions are answered to my best ability.

SW: You have coached Ous Mellouli, Haley Anderson, Ashley Twichell, Jordan Wilimovsky, Chip Peterson and Joe Kinderwater, among others.

What similarities and differences have they exhibited in gaining open water success?

CK: All the athletes have been talented pool swimmers with endurance, speed and a curiosity about open water! I enjoy being part of the process with these talented athletes and sharing in their journey, in what they learn, and then applying it to the next race opportunity or training session. What I love about open water is the experience, the people, camaraderie of a team, the travels and representing the USA. I want the experience to be a great one for athletes and coaches.

SW: You have coached Haley Anderson for quite a while now, and she was one of the first two aquatic athletes named to the 2020 (now 2021) Olympic team.

CK: Haley has been in my life for more than a decade. I’ve been a mentor, at times a mom, a friend and always her biggest fan. Like any relationship, we are still growing and learning, giving each other feedback and making each other better. She has passion, perseverance, calmness and is a fierce competitor! I love how she has matured into one of the best in the world.

When the lights are bright, she shines.

SW: How might you mentor younger coaches who may want to replicate your success at North Carolina, USC, the Olympics and in World Championships?

CK: The Cape Carteret Currents (Charlie and Barb Gregalis) gave me an opportunity to coach in eastern North Carolina. In turn, I worked with Chip who believed in me, trusted in a process and had fun on our open water journey. As doors in Cape Carteret opened, I was ready to run through. Fortunately, that job led to other opportunities to coach at UNC, USC, global open water competitions and, ultimately, my third Olympic Games. I’ve met amazing people along the way. I am still learning, observing, asking questions and striving to be myself. 

Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.

TOTAL ACCESS MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO READ MORE Q&A WITH COACH CATHERINE KASE. NOT A TOTAL ACCESS MEMBER? YOU’RE JUST A CLICK AWAY: SWIMMINGWORLD.COM/VAULT

JUNIOR SWIMMER

UP & COMERS AGE GROUP SWIMMER OF THE MONTH

BY SHOSHANNA RUTEMILLER | PHOTO BY MORGAN COTTER

K

eelan Cotter, now 15, graduated from the 13-14 age group rankings with two short course yards national age group records: 200 freestyle relay (1:33.30, along with TAC Titan teammates Claire Curzan, Taylor Morris and Elena Dry) and 200 medley relay (1:41.87/Curzan, Abby Clark and Morris).

Now, she’s making waves in high school! The Green Hope High School sophomore claimed two All-America A-cuts at the North Carolina 4A high school championships in February. Cotter took first place in the 500 yard freestyle with a 4:47.87—nearly five seconds below the standard—and also placed second in the 200 free with a 1:48.48, just below the All-America A-cut.

Although freestyle may be her strength, Cotter is an all-around talented swimmer, regularly gracing the podium in the IM events at her championship club meets. Looking back at her age group record, Cotter regularly claimed titles in everything from the 100 butterfly and breaststroke to the 1500 freestyle. With so much versatility, it’s no wonder Cotter is looking forward to her upcoming recruiting season!

Cotter comes from a closely bonded swimming family. She and her two older brothers, Colin and Michael, enjoy driving to swim practice together.

Michael, who also attends Green Hope High School as a junior, recently committed to North Carolina State University.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING? I think the best thing I do in swimming is competing. I’ve always had a competitive personality, and I love to race for something bigger than myself. My best meets are always swum when my team is working toward a common goal.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE? Some of the toughest sets I have done include: • 6 x 400 IM • 30 x 100 best average • 20 x 200 IM • 3K for time • Run swims: 4x {run a mile, swim a 1000 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING? I truly love the team culture of swimming. Team goals create such a motivating environment and strengthens the bond between me and my teammates.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? I’m really looking forward to starting the recruiting process this summer and having the opportunity to meet new people and coaches.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING...AND WHY? I look up to a number of female college swimmers. I have grown up on teams with many of them, and I admire their team spirit, work ethic and dedication.

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WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? When I’m not swimming, I really enjoy going to the lake with my friends and playing with my dog, Finn.  JUNE 2021

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GUTTERTALK

BY ANDY ROSS

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE SOLIDIFIED QUALIFICATION FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO AFTER A YEAR OF SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY?

LEWIS CLAREBURT New Zealand

ANNA HOPKIN Great Britain

[PHOTO BY JO KLEINDL]

It’s super nice being able to have the Olympic qualification out of the way nice and early and putting together some solid times.

Also, it gives me confidence moving forward to Tokyo and some really good information about how I’m tracking.

Obviously, it’s difficult with all of the same problems we had last year still lingering—if not, they’re worse—and I completely understand where the critics are coming from. However, from an athlete’s perspective, we really just want to get over there and race.

But sometimes we need to look at the greater good and what effects it might have on other areas if we were to travel into Tokyo. I’m lucky as an athlete—I don’t have to make those tough decisions, and, ultimately, I just get told what to do.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

It feels amazing to officially be part of the Olympic team especially after the year we’ve had...and it means now I can put all my energy and attention into the upcoming Games. It was definitely a huge blow to me—and I’m sure to many around the world—when the Olympics were postponed last year, as I was in a really good place going into the qualification.

There’s always that little bit of doubt as to whether you can recreate that form a year later, but I had a really good block of training going into trials, so I was definitely relieved to do myself justice. It’s obviously going to be a different kind of Olympics than previous years, but I think, in a way, that will make the experience even more special.

SWIM MART

ANDREI MINAKOV Russia [PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANDREI MINAKOV]

Despite the absence of swimming competitions in 2020 and other difficult circumstances, I think we needed that one extra year of preparation, and it worked for us. We spent time exploring and finding new opportunities, testing new tactics and trying specialized workouts that we hadn’t done before.

At this point, I feel strongly confident about the Olympics—the most important is that we secured a spot, and even if anything changes and the Olympics are canceled/postponed again, it will affect everyone.

But we shouldn’t put too much pressure on ourselves because the decision regarding the Games is not taken by athletes. Our main priority is to train and be ready for all possible outcomes.

MOLLY RENSHAW Great Britain [PHOTO BY BECCA WYANT]

I think it’s just exciting the thought of it all going ahead. I think this time last year, we were all in a very different position where we were at home doing Zoom calls in our garages to fast-forward a year and kind of be excited to go toward a Games is a great feeling.

I had to switch off to a certain degree—obviously in the back of our minds, the preparation was always going toward Tokyo...that it was going to happen. But everything has been completely out of our control: We’ve just been doing whatever we can in the pool and the gym and with the staff around to be in the best condition we can be...and we’ve just been hoping and praying.

In terms of expectation, I’d just kind of like to go there and improve on what I did in Rio. I think going there was a great experience, and making the final was all I could have dreamed of at the time. But this time, I’d like to push things on and try and push for a podium place. v

REACH LONG

KICK STRONG

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Allison Schmitt stretches and smiles prior to the 200 freestyle final at the 2021 TYR Pro Swim Series stop in Indianapolis. [ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

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