SW Biweekly February 21, 2022 Issue by Swimming World Magazine

IGNORANCE IS A CHOICE

SWIM SMART

Discover more at FINISswim.com

CONTENTS 008 ISABELLE STADDEN POISED TO DEFEND PAC-12 TITLE, AIM FOR NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS by Dan D’Addona After last year’s unusual college season that didn’t include dual meets or spectators at NCAAs, sophomore Isabelle Stadden is back with Cal, ready to see what a full season of training and racing can bring, starting with the Pac-12 Championships, where she won the 200 back last year while earning All-America honors in multiple events. 010 A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND TIMES: NO DENYING THE ADVANTAGES OF LIA THOMAS by John Lohn SW Biweekly takes a look at some of Lia Thomas’ performances this season and how they measure up in comparison to the biological females against whom she is competing. 012 NOW WHAT? ANALYZING THE QUESTIONS AHEAD IN THE LIA THOMAS CONTROVERSY by John Lohn A little more than two months ago, swimming was presented with a situation that revealed a massive divide, with one corner featuring those who couldn’t understand the presence of transgender woman Lia Thomas in women’s competition, and the other featuring those who believed she should have access to inclusion and racing as she identifies. With NCAAs approaching, the debate continues, and plenty of questions remain. 014 EMBRACING THE PRESSURE, KIERAN SMITH IS READY FOR LAST COLLEGE POSTSEASON by Matthew De George With his final postseason as a Florida Gator beckoning, Olympic bronze medalist Kieran Smith is ready to chase history, both on the clock and in solidifying his legacy within a generation-defining distance group. 016 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST TOWNLEY HAAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT by Matthew De George Olympic gold medalist Townley Haas recently announced his retirement from swimming on social media, thanking all of the people who helped him throughout a stellar career, which included an 800 freestyle relay gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he also finished fifth in the 200 freestyle. Haas also won multiple NCAA championships, contributing to three (2016-18) of Texas’ four straight team titles that started in 2015. 018 ANTHONY NESTY LEADING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM MARKS PROGRESS IN DIVERSITY FOR U.S. COACHING by David Rieder It’s quite a statement about swimming’s lack of diversity in the U.S. that Anthony Nesty—who was named as the head men’s coach for the U.S. World Championships team this summer—is the first black coach to helm a major championship squad. Just like Simone Manuel and other fellow black Olympians have paved the way for future generations of African-American swimmers, Nesty is doing the same for coaches.

second-fastest performer in history, behind only Maggie Mac Neil’s 48.89 from last year’s NCAAs. Curzan also became the third-fastest performer ever in the 100 backstroke, lowering the overall national high school record to 49.61. 022 ANTHONY NESTY AND TODD DeSORBO NAMED U.S. COACHES FOR 2022 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS by Ashleigh Shay USA Swimming announced that Anthony Nesty and Todd DeSorbo will be the head coaches of the U.S. men’s and women’s swim teams, respectively, competing at the 2022 FINA World Championships, June 18-July 3, in Budapest, Hungary. 023 RUSSIAN FIGURE SKATER KAMILA VALIEVA TESTS POSITIVE FOR TRIMETAZIDINE; SAME DRUG INVOLVED IN SUN YANG, MADISYN COX BANS by Dan D’Addona 024 KAITLIN SANDENO STEPS DOWN AS GM OF DC TRIDENT, ENDING GROUNDBREAKING ROLE by Dan D’Addona Kaitlin Sandeno, who was one of the original general managers in the International Swimming League—one of the few front-office females in professional sports— confirmed she is stepping down from her role as GM of the DC Trident. The team’s head coach is Cyndi Gallagher, making the Trident the only all-female-led team in the ISL. 026 KATIE LEDECKY SWIMS FASTER 800 FREESTYLE THAN GOLD TIME FROM TOKYO; DRESSEL BEATS ANDREW IN 50 FLY by David Rieder Swimming at a Sectionals meet in Orlando in February, Katie Ledecky’s first race saw her surpass her own winning time in the 800 freestyle from the Tokyo Olympics by 7-tenths. Her 8:11.83 ranks as the 15thfastest performance of all-time, behind only 14 other performances that Ledecky recorded betwen 2014 and 2019. The time is exactly two seconds faster than any other swimmer in history: Ariarne Titmus’ 8:13.83 silvermedal performance at Tokyo. 027 IN FIRST GAME SINCE OLYMPICS, U.S. MEN’S WATER POLO FALLS TO GREECE by Matthew De George Competing in Valos, Greece, in February, the U.S. men’s water polo team suffered a 16-13 defeat to the host country in its first match since last summer’s Tokyo Olympics. Team USA had lost to Greece, 14-5, in group play at the Tokyo Olympics before exiting in the quarterfinals. 028 TRANSFERS ALVIN JIANG AND AMERON AUCHINACHIE UNEXPECTED STARS IN TEXAS DYNASTY by David Rieder A pair of fifth-year students who have transferred from other schools to Texas—Alvin Jiang (North Carolina) and Cameron Auchinachie (University of Denver)—are swimming alongside and, in fact, pacing the cream of the crop in college swimming, aiming to help the Longhorns add to a sterling legacy under Coach Eddie Reese.

020 MALLORY WEGGEMANN MEMOIR, LIMITLESS, OPTIONED FOR FILM by Dan D’Addona Morning Moon Productions has optioned the rights to Mallory Weggemann’s memoir, Limitless, and plans to adapt the book into a narrative film showcasing Weggemann’s extraordinary journey to becoming a threetime Paralympic gold medalist in swimming and a global champion of disability advocacy.

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

PUBLISHING, CIRCULATION AND ACCOUNTING

www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Publisher, CEO - Brent T. Rutemiller BrentR@SwimmingWorld.com Editor-in-Chief - John Lohn Lohn@SwimmingWorld.com Operations Manager - Laurie Marchwinski LaurieM@ishof.org Marketing & News Manager - Ashleigh Shay Ashleigh@SwimmingWorld.com Marketing Consultant - Brandi West BrandiW@SwimmingWorld.com Circulation/Membership - Lauren Serowik Lauren@ishof.org Accounting - Marcia Meiners Marcia@ishof.org EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION, ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING OFFICE

One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Toll Free: 800.511.3029 Phone: 954.462.6536 www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION

Editorial@SwimmingWorld.com Senior Editor - Bob Ingram BobI@SwimmingWorld.com Managing Editor - Dan D’Addona DanD@SwimmingWorld.com Design Director - Joseph Johnson JoeJ@SwimmingWorld.com Historian - Bruce Wigo Staff Writers - Michael J. Stott, David Rieder, Shoshanna Rutemiller, Matthew De George Fitness Trainer - J.R. Rosania Chief Photographer - Peter H. Bick SwimmingWorldMagazine.com WebMaster: WebMaster@SwimmingWorld.com ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING

Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS Americas: Matthew De George (USA) Africa: Chaker Belhadj (TUN) Australia: Wayne Goldsmith, Ian Hanson Europe: Norbert Agh (HUN), Liz Byrnes (GBR), Camillo Cametti (ITA), Oene Rusticus (NED), Rokur Jakupsstovu (FAR) Japan: Hideki Mochizuki Middle East: Baruch “Buky” Chass, Ph.D. (ISR) South Africa: Neville Smith (RSA) South America: Jorge Aguado (ARG)

021 CLAIRE CURZAN BREAKS 100 BUTTERFLY AMERICAN RECORD AND 100 BACK HIGH SCHOOL RECORD AT NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL STATE MEET by David Rieder Competing in her final high school state championship, Claire Curzan lowered the American record in the women’s 100 yard butterfly to 49.24, becoming the BIWEEKLY

SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 04

PHOTOGRAPHERS/SWTV

Peter H. Bick, USA Today Sports Images, Reuters, Getty Images OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF:

On the cover: Kieran Smith by Peter H. Bick

ENDORSED BY:

One Hall of Fame Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Toll Free: 800-511-3029 Phone: 954-462-6536 www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com

THE INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME IS LOOKING FOR

- 1,OOO Special Members IN THE AQUATICS COMMUNITY

*Artist rendition of possible new museum building

- JOIN THE ONE IN A THOUSAND CLUB Commit $10, $25, or $50 a month, or make a one-time donation. Your donation helps keep us moving toward a new vision and museum*. www.swimmingworld.com/one-in-a-thousand Follow Us On:

@ISHOF

@ISHOF_Museum

@ISHOF

ISHOF / 1 Hall of Fame Drive / Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 / 954.462.6536 / www.ishof.org

[ Photo by Peter H. Bick ]

>> Stadden with Cal Head Coach Teri McKeever

Isabelle Stadden Poised to Defend Pac-12 Title, Aim for NCAA Championship BY DAN D'ADDONA

sabelle Stadden competed at her first NCAA Championships with no crowd and no expectations.

With no dual meets during the regular season, there was little opportunity to race prior to the Pac-12 Championships. The then-freshman at Cal performed well, winning the Pac-12 title in the 200 backstroke and earning All-American honors in multiple events, kicking off a strong and busy year that took her to pools around the world. Stadden then competed at the Olympic Trials, finishing in the top five in both backstroke events, then qualified for the Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi, where she reached the medal podium.

stress meet. I have never been at a meet like that with such high stress levels,” Isabelle Stadden said. “Trials was a bigger learning experience than anything. Going from the 100 back to the 200 back, I can see the stress I put on myself in my best event.” It was an eye-opening realization, especially looking back on it, that allowed Stadden to refocus her swimming goals.

Now, Stadden is back with Cal, ready to see what a full season of training and racing can bring on college’s biggest stage, starting with this week’s Pac-12 Championships.

“I realized that I needed to be having fun. For me to swim fast, I need to have fun. That has always been me,” she said. “Most of the time when I am having fun, it is because I know I already put the work in. But the second I start thinking, that starts to stress me out. We have worked a lot on self talk at Cal and that has helped a lot. I am grateful to have gone to trials. Back tin 2016, I didn’t even realize how big swimming was and how big trials is. To be in the mix was an honor.”

his whole year has been different. This is really my first competitive collegiate year since we didn’t have any dual meets last year,” Isabelle Stadden told Swimming World. “We didn’t have many racing opportunities last year.

Just a few months later, it was a trip around the world that gave Stadden her next opportunity, swimming at the FINA Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi, earning the bronze medal in the 200 backstroke

Stadden was third in the 200 backstroke at last year’s NCAA championships (1:49.66), fifth in the 100 backstroke (50.87) and 20th in the 200 IM (1:57.25).

“It was such an amazing experience. I don’t think I would have thought to go to Abu Dhabi if it wasn’t for a swim meet, but I am really thankful I got to go,” Isabelle Stadden said. “It gave me the extra motivation to work toward something at the end of the year and work toward NCAAs. “I always appreciate being able to represent Team USA. These have all been big learning steps that I was able to experience.”

“NCAAs was a great experience,” Stadden said. “I felt pretty decent in the water, which was a bit of a shock. I sometimes have a hard time doing a double taper like that back-to-back, and I wasn’t sure to expect because I had a pretty good Pac-12s. I am really glad I got that experience at NCAAs. I was grateful for that experience and racing the elite backstrokers.” Then it was a quick turnaround to focus on long-course training before heading to Omaha for the Olympic Trials. “I knew I was in the mix for the months leading up to it. Waiting an extra year for trials, some people would have never made it had it been a year earlier (and some people would have had a better shot if it had not been postponed) but I stayed pretty consistent. That was a little hard to cope with. It was a high8

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

It has been a challenge to go from NCAAs (short-course yards) to trials (long-course meters) to Short Course Worlds (shortcourse meters) and put races together. It has Stadden focusing on her technique and what she can learn in all three formats. “I have been working on breaststroke for my IM, and also taking the opportunities to work on transitions. I tend to slow down going into turns in my backstroke. Those are things I would like to see play out better at NCAAs,” Isabelle Stadden said. “I am most excited to race, using that as the extra push I need in the middle of the race. I am just really excited to race.” ◄

SWIM CAMPS

EXPERIENCE THE E XC E L L E N C E

ELITE CAMP I June 5–11

(6 Days, 6 Nights)

ELITE CAMP II June 11–18

(7 Days, 7 Nights)

For the intermediate to advanced 13 & over swimmer looking for a training challenge and a learning experience.

ELITE CAMP III & JUNE CLASSIC SWIM MEET June 18–27 (10 Days, 10 Nights)

For intermediate to advanced 13 & over swimmers looking for a training challenge and a learning experience. Swimmers will finish the camp competing in the Bolles June Classic swim meet Thursday through Sunday, a prelims-finals competition hosted annually with some of the best club teams in the southeast.

BOLLES SWIM CAMP ADVANTAGE n

Learn from Bolles coaches with Olympic coaching experience. Live, eat, train and learn on the beautiful Bolles riverfront campus with swimmers from around the world. Classroom sessions, dryland training and fun camp activities/outings are included to highlight special topics and create lifetime memories. Registrations will open online in December. For information contact: Lead Senior Coach Ryan Mallam (904) 256-5215 swimcamp@bolles.org

SPRINT CAMP June 27-July 8 (12 Days, 12 Nights) An extended camp experience focused on developing speed in the water. Training sessions will include both technical instruction and race pace swimming designed to increase the potential speed of the athlete for all distances.

JUNIOR ELITE CAMP June 6-10 & June 13-17 (Ages 9-12 Day Camp)

For the novice (experienced) competitive swimmer aged 9-12 looking for comprehensive technical instruction and training. Camp offers a full day (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) schedule allowing for two pool sessions and time spent in the classroom reviewing video of swimming technique. Camp is limited to 24 campers with no overnight stay available.

For more detailed information visit: BollesSwimming.org

A Look at the Numbers and Times: No Denying the Advantages of Lia Thomas BY JOHN LOHN

ust how much of an advantage does Lia Thomas possesses over biological females? The numbers paint a clear picture. The fact that the University of Pennsylvania swimmer has soared from a mid-500s ranking (554th in the 200 freestyle) in men’s competition to the top-ranked swimmer in women’s competition tells the story of the unfairness which is unfolding at the NCAA level. Over the weekend, Thomas won three events at the Ivy League Championships, and in convincing fashion. In fact, in the 200 freestyle, Thomas put together a negative split (52.14-50.98) that reflected an athlete holding back. Beyond the testosterone boost received from male puberty, other benefits include a greater lung capacity, larger hands and feet and enhanced strength. Whether Thomas competes at next month’s NCAA Championships in Atlanta remains to be seen, as she must produce a testosterone threshold of 10 nmols/L, which is twice the limit USA Swimming recently adopted as part of its transgender-participation guidelines. As the conferencechampionship season continues and we await word on Thomas’ eligibility, here is a look at some of her performances this season and how they measure up in comparison to the biological females against whom she is competing. •

•

Thomas still holds the top time in the country in the 200-yard freestyle, with her 1:41.93 mark from the Zippy Invitational in December. Virginia’s Alex Walsh currently sits second, thanks to her ACC title-winning effort of 1:42.28. Thomas won the 200 freestyle at the Ivy League Champs in 1:43.12. She was even with runnerup Samantha Shelton at the midway point, but crushed the Harvard BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

swimmer over the last 100, highlighted by a 25.04 split for the last 50 yards. •

The closing split of Thomas is faster than the finishing laps of Missy Franklin in her American-record performance, and the best closing efforts of the likes of Katie Ledecky, Mallory Comerford and Siobhan Haughey, among others.

•

In the 500 freestyle, Thomas’ time of 4:34.06 from the Zippy Invitational places the senior nearly a second ahead of Arizona State’s Emma Nordin, who is second in the nation at 4:34.87. This past week, Tennessee’s Julia Mrozinski had the fastest time in conference action, going 4:35.95 for the SEC crown – nearly two seconds back of Thomas.

•

On the way to the Ivy League title in the 500 freestyle, Thomas produced a time of 4:37.32 at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool. Not only did that swim hand Thomas a seven-second victory, it broke the 2007 pool record of Olympian Kate Ziegler.

•

In Thomas’ final individual event of the Ivy League Championships, she posted a meet, pool and school record of 47.63 in the 100 freestyle. That time was less than a half-second off her collegiate best of 47.15 from 2017.

•

During the last season Thomas competed as a member of the Penn men’s team, which was 2018-19, she ranked 554th in the 200 freestyle, 65th in the 500 freestyle and 32nd in the 1650 freestyle. Now, she is an NCAA title contender in all of those events, should she contest them at the collegiate-championship meet.◄

www.halloffameswimshop.com Use code: HALLOFFAME for 10% OFF

-S A LE-

Hall of Fame Swim Shop International Swimming Hall of Fame / 1 Hall of Fame Drive / Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 954-462-6536 / www.Ishof.org

Now What? Analyzing The Questions Ahead In The Lia Thomas Controversy BY JOHN LOHN

n early December, in a relatively quiet manner, one of the biggest debates in the sport started to emerge. The controversy, which has been a point of contentious argument for the past two-plus months, ignited when the University of Pennsylvania traveled to Ohio and raced in the Zippy Invitational, a midseason opportunity for athletes to gauge their training progress. When the meet was over, eyebrows raised. One swimmer, representing Penn in women’s competition, popped a trio of sensational times. She went 1:41.93 in the 200-yard freestyle. She clocked 4:34.06 in the 500 freestyle. And, she covered the 1650 freestyle in 15:59.71. Those times led to a pair of questions. One: Who was Lia Thomas? Two: Where did those performances come from? It soon became common knowledge that Thomas was a transgender woman in her first season as a member of Penn’s women’s team, following three years as an athlete on the Quakers’ men’s roster. Having transitioned to female more than a year earlier, Thomas was in compliance with the NCAA’s requirements for transgender participation. At the time, the NCAA only required one year of hormonesuppressant therapy, and Thomas had obliged. Now, what about those times? Well, Thomas’ efforts in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle ranked No. 1 in the nation and reflected a significant jump from her former racing days. Take the 200 freestyle for example. While Thomas topped the college scene among women, her top time from the 2018-19 season ranked in the mid-500s among men. If Thomas’ emergence as a dominant force in women’s swimming was quiet at first, that scenario did not last long. Once word of her story spread, the situation revealed a massive divide. One corner featured those who couldn’t understand Thomas’ presence in women’s competition. The other corner featured those who believed she should have

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

access to inclusion and racing as she identifies. By transitioning to female after undergoing male puberty, Thomas owned several characteristics that provided an advantage over biological females. In addition to possessing higher testosterone levels, Thomas’ experience with male puberty also offered enhanced lung capacity, larger hands and feet and greater strength. The outcry against her participation in women’s sports, including by Swimming World in its editorials, has surrounded the unfairness faced by biological women. While some Penn teammates have supported Thomas, others have been opposed to her participation. However, the individuals arguing against her participation have had to take an anonymous approach, with Penn threatening action and warning that speaking out would cause future harm to careers in the real world. Meanwhile, the Ivy League – of which Penn is a member – has supported Thomas throughout the winter. Over the weekend, at the Ivy League Championships, Thomas won all three of her individual events – the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. In the longer events, it was obvious the senior held back and did not exert her full energy. This sandbagging approach was likely designed to draw less attention to her performances. In the time since the Thomas debate arose, there have been rules changes to the requirements for transgender participation by the NCAA and USA Swimming. The NCAA initially stated it would abide by USA Swimming guidelines on the topic, but upon hearing that the national governing body had instituted a testosterone threshold of 5 nmols/L, the NCAA retreated on its decision. Subsequently, the NCAA – for this winter – indicated that Thomas be eligible for next month’s NCAA Championships in Atlanta if Thomas can produce a testosterone threshold of 10 nmols/L.

So, where do we stand less than a month from the NCAA Champs? Here’s a look. THE WAITING GAME The NCAA Women’s Championships are scheduled for March 16-19. Thomas is already qualified for the meet, provided she meets the NCAA’s testosterone threshold. It is uncertain when that news will be released, but it won’t be long with the meet just a few weeks away. If Thomas meets the 10 nmols/L guideline established by the NCAA, it is important to note that the typical threshold for females is in the range of .5 to 2.4 nmols/L. So, there’s a chance Thomas would have anywhere between four times (4x) to 20x (20 times) the testosterone level of the opposition. More, testosterone only accounts for one of the advantages gained through male puberty, as previously noted. THE SCHEDULE If Thomas races at the NCAA Champs, what would her schedule look like? Undoubtedly, she would contest the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, the events where she currently ranks No. 1 in the nation and has automatically qualified. Her third individual event would come down to the 100 freestyle and 1650 freestyle, with the longer distance the more likely selection. Thomas would have a better chance to contend in the mile than against pure sprinters.

sports, it would be more powerful if an athlete or coach voiced their feelings on a public stage. Of course, this move is considered risky due to the immediate response of many Thomas defenders, which is to hurl transphobic accusations. It is unfortunate that the moment Thomas’ involvement is challenged, those taking that position are considered bigots. There is room to defend Thomas’ choice to live her authentic life, but not agree with her racing with an inarguable advantage. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS How can Thomas be provided an opportunity to showcase her skills without leaving biological females in an unfair situation? Can she be given the chance to exhibition? Would a time-trial suffice? Should an additional competitive category be created? Allowing Thomas to compete in women’s sports does not work, but something needs to be done to give Thomas some type of racing platform. WRAPPING UP A little more than two months ago, the sport was presented with a situation that was unlike anything it previously dealt with. And now, weeks before the NCAA Championships, plenty of questions remain. Will Lia Thomas race in Atlanta? If so, how will her presence be received? Eventually, we’ll have answers. ◄

WHO IS AFFECTED? Thomas racing in Atlanta would have a serious impact on the competition. While Stanford’s Brooke Forde already released a statement that noted she would not have a problem racing against Thomas, the presence of the Penn athlete would create an uneven playing field for the competition in Thomas’ events. Potential foes include the likes of Forde, Arizona State’s Emma Nordin, Stanford’s Torri Huske and Virginia’s Alex Walsh – among others. If Thomas prevails in one of her events, the runnerup would be deprived of a special moment, that period when an athlete realizes a career goal and accomplishment that does not come along very often. The biological females at the NCAA Champs deserve the opportunity to celebrate titles and not be robbed by an unfair situation which is out of their control. At the Ivy League Championships, Catherine Buroker was an example of a swimmer who had a special moment stolen. Buroker won the 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle and was the second-place finisher in the 500 freestyle, placing behind Thomas. Had Thomas not been at the meet, Buroker would have been a three-time titlist and earned Swimmer of the Meet accolades, which went to Thomas. WILL SOMEONE SPEAK OUT? To date, no athletes and few coaches at the NCAA level have spoken out publicly against Thomas’ participation, largely out of fear of retaliation. While there have been off-the-record comments that challenge Thomas’ presence in women’s BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by Peter H. Bick ]

Embracing the Pressure, Kieran Smith Is Ready For Last College Postseason BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

hat Kieran Smith got his dose of valuable perspective from Caeleb Dressel may not be a surprise, given the proximity of the University of Florida training mates. But the location was unexpected. Smith was in an airport headed back to Gainesville from his hometown of Ridgefield, Conn., after the Tokyo Olympics. Dressel, the five-goldmedal star of Tokyo, was shuttling from his various postGames appearances and about to embark on the International Swimming League season. Smith had, to that point in September, been struggling to summon the same motivation to get restarted after the high of an Olympics that brought him a bronze medal in the 400 freestyle, sixth in the 200 free and fourth in the 800 free relay. When he mentioned that to Dressel, the sprinter commiserated, pointing out that he was six days away from a meet on another continent. “We were empathizing with each other because we were both kind of shot,” Smith said last week. “But it was kind of figuring it out for myself.” Smith has done that emotional reckoning, hardly uncommon for college swimmers off the high of an Olympic appearance. And with his final postseason as a Gator beckoning, Smith is ready to chase history, both on the clock and in solidifying his legacy within a generation-defining distance group. The biggest change for Smith has been his reason to be at the

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

pool. He admitted that at the start of the season, he somewhat reluctantly punched the clock to be the senior leader the Gators needed. But the conversation with Dressel helped Smith recalibrate his personal goals and start pursuing them. “It’s not like I ever did a half-assed job, because I was trying to be a good influence and a good leader,” Smith said. “But I was doing it for my teammates more than myself, and then I turned it around and started training hard for my own accomplishments and my own goals.” Smith’s status as one of the top American mid-distance swimmers in the last two decades is secure. But his history at NCAAs is more checkered. Part of that was beyond his control thanks, denied a chance to build on an NCAA record 4:06.32 from SECs in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled NCAAs. Smith says that’s well and truly in the past, beyond a pang of disappointment, shared by his entire cohort, of having three NCAAs to perform at their peak instead of four. Smith also didn’t have the NCAAs he wanted last year, after tying his record at SECs. He finished second at NCAAs behind Jake Magahey of Georgia, going 4:08.07. Magahey went 4:07.97 to set a meet record, also slower than his 4:06.71 from SECs, the second-fastest in history. The 21-time All-American got his first NCAA title in the 200 free (1:30.10) to complement sixth in the 100 free, two runner-up relay finishes and four in the top four.

The accomplishments of the summer of 2021 only add to the confidence that Smith takes into this postseason, starting with SECs and a chance to tangle with Magahey this week. Smith is the two-time reigning SEC Championships Swimmer of the Meet, with six conference titles to his name, and greater comfort in the shorter pool. “I’ve been training really, really well,” he said. “Fall was really, really difficult. I probably put more yards in the pool than I have since I got to Florida. I think having those accomplishments this summer is going to give me a lot of confidence in the short pool. … Just having that accolade of Olympian and bronze medalist, I think that’s going to help me in the college postseason.” Smith already knows the pressure of entering NCAAs as an American record holder. This year, he’ll arrive as an Olympic medalist. He’s embracing that next level. “I think it will certainly add pressure,” he said. “I think going into say the 500 at NCAAs this year – I was the fastest ever last year and I got second, and this year there’s even going to be the added pressure of being the fastest American 400 guy last summer with a bronze medal – so there will be certainly a lot of pressure in that race. But it’s not something I can’t deal with. I think pressure enhances my performance a lot of

the times. I think I’m really good at channeling nerves into good energy.” Smith isn’t sated with what he’s accomplished, which strikes at the heart of his late-fall refocusing. He and double Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke have brought American men’s distance swimming forward by leaps and bounds after a long fallow period. And Smith believes there’s more to be done. He’s improved his speed to bolster the Gators’ arsenal of relays, and the 200 free American record of 1:29.15 by Dean Farris is in his sights. Smith regards 4:06 as soft for the 500 free, not least because he felt confident of lowering it had the 2020 NCAA Championships taken place. Smith is in the legacy-pondering phase of his career. And he’s eager to get after it. “There’s definitely things that I feel that I’d like to accomplish to leave behind a bit more of a legacy,” he said. “I would not be able to forgo this year of college swimming, because there’s so much more that I want to do. If we’re talking the 500, I still think that 4:06 is not a particularly strong time considering that we had a 4:08 in 1995. I think there’s still places that race needs to go, and I’d love to propel it in that direction.” ◄

ES 10 & UP AL L SE SS IO NS : AG

STROKE CAMP

3 - DAY

START & TURN CAMP

5 - DAY

3 - DAY

M AY

JUNE

AUGUST

JUNE

J U LY

AUGUST

6-8

5-9, 12-16

7-11

3-5, 10-12

1-3

5-7

3 - DAY P R I C I N G : COMMUTER: $445

TECHNIQUE 440-466-1002

TRAINING CAMP

BOARDING: $695

FOCUS

M AY

AUGUST

27-29 12-14

5 - DAY P R I C I N G : COMMUTER: $795

STRATEGY

INFO@SPIREINSTITUTE.ORG

5 - DAY

JUNE

19-23 BOARDING: $995

CONFIDENCE

SPIREINSTITUTE.ORG

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by Peter H. Bick ]

Olympic Gold Medalist Townley Haas Announces Retirement BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

lympic gold medalist Townley Haas has announced his retirement from swimming.

He made the announcement on social media. Here is Townley Haas’ post: After some time off and lots of thinking, I’ve decided it’s time to retire from swimming. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make but I believe that it’s the right one. Thank you to Geoff Brown and the entire @nova_of_va staff for not only helping craft me into the swimmer I am but continuing to support me through my college and professional career.

Thank you to Texas and @texasmsd for allowing me to continue my passion for swimming both in college and as a place to train as a professional. Special thanks to Eddie, Kris, @wyatt.collins , @paddymcc90 and all the Texas coaches past and present for all your support and help! Thank you to @usaswimming for every opportunity you have provided me. Through swimming I’ve been able to travel to so many incredible places and meet so many incredible people! Thank you to @iswimleague and @calicondors_isl for creating a new and amazing opportunity for swimmers and thank you @jason.lezak for letting me apart of it! Thank you to my friends, family and fiancé @megan_meseck for the countless hours of cheering, traveling, early mornings and late nights. I truly could not do it without you guys! Lastly, I want to thank my fans and everyone out there who has supported me in any way! It meant the world to me I love every single one of you and I cannot wait to see where this new chapter of my life takes me— Townley Haas Townley Haas made the U.S. Olympic team in Rio de Janeiro and in Tokyo, winning a relay gold medal in Rio (800 free). He also finished fifth in the 200 freestyle in Rio. Haas also won multiple NCAA championships, contributing to three (2016-18) of Texas’ four straight team titles that started in 2015. ◄

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - Basic Member Benefits - ISHOF Pin & Patch - Swimming World Vault With Access To The Past 12 Months

$100

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP - Basic Member Benefits - ISHOF T-Shirt, Pin & Patch - Swimming World Vault With Access To Past 24 Months - 12 Print Issues of Swimming World Magazine

Become A Member Today

$150

LEGACY MEMBERSHIP - Basic Member Benefits - ISHOF Embroidered Polo Shirt, Pin & Patch - Swimming World Vault With Access Back To 1960 - 12 Print Issues of Swimming World Magazine

$300

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP - Basic Member Benefits - ISHOF Embroidered Jacket, Pin & Patch - Swimming World Vault With Access Back To 1960 - Two tickets to ISHOF Induction Ceremony Dinner

$1000

Basic Member Benefits

To become an ISHOF member go to: Swimmingworld.com/join

STAY CONNECTED

- Monthly Member ISHOF e Newsletter - Annual Yearbook With Your Name Listed - 12 Month Access to Swimming World Vault Includes: Swimming World Magazine, Swimming World Biweekly and Swimming Technique

MEMBER DISCOUNTS

- Discounted Ticket Price At ISHOF Events and Honoree Induction Ceremony - 10% OFF At The Museum/Swim Shop

To SHOP visit us at / halloffameswimshop.com Tear off and return with payment

Individual Membership..............................................................$100 Family Membership....................................................................$150 Legacy Membership................................................................... $300 Corporate Membership..............................................................$1000 T-Shirt / Polo / Jacket Sizes - o S o M oL oXL o XXL I also want to make a tax-deductible donor contribution in the amount of $_______________________Donate Now o Donation In Honor of My Coach

o o o o o o

Name:__________________________________________________ Return completed form with payment to: ISHOF, 1 Hall of Fame Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 / p (954)462-6536 or at www.ishof.org

Name ____________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________ City_________________________________ State _______ Zip ____________ Phone_____________________________________________________________ E-mail_____________________________________________________________ Payment (Check one): oCheck oVisa o MC oAmEx o Discover Enclosed is my check to ISHOF for a total of $ ______________________ Please charge my credit card for a total of $________________________ Acc’t# ____________________________________________________________ Exp. Date ________________________ Card Code ____________________ Signature_______________________________________________________ Contributions to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a tax-exempt organization under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

[ Photo by Peter H. Bick ]

Anthony Nesty Leading the World Championships Team Marks Progress in Diversity for U.S. Coaching BY DAVID RIEDER

nclusion matters. For young black swimmers, it was important to see a swimmer who looked like them capturing an Olympic gold medal in swimming for the first time, when Simone Manuel topped the 100 freestyle at the 2016 Olympics. That singular success inspired countless individuals to learn how to swim and to pursue swimming recreationally and competitively. Likely, the next black swimmer to capture Olympic gold for the United States watched Manuel and began believing that he or she could do the same.

Championships, and shortly thereafter, Nesty was named head coach of the Gator women’s team as well.

More black swimmers have qualified to represent the U.S. internationally over the past two decades, including Tony Ervin, Maritza Correia, Cullen Jones, Lia Neal and Natalie Hinds, but swimming’s lack of diversity remains stark in comparison to the racial breakdown of the country as a whole. There have been notable achievements such as Manuel, Neal and Hinds finishing 1-2-3 in the 100 free at the 2015 NCAA Championships, but swimming is a long way from moments like these being seen as a norm.

“It’s every athlete’s dream to win a gold medal. It’s the American coach’s dream to be part of the U.S. coaches staff,” Nesty said. “When Kieran made the team, of course, they’re not going to take you from one athlete, but when Bobby made it, I kind of had an inkling. It was a 50-50 shot. They were swimming four events, so that’s a lot. Obviously, when (U.S. national team managing director) Lindsay (Mintenko) gave me the letter, I was pretty fired up.”

Now, there has been another barrier broken as Florida coach Anthony Nesty was named as the head men’s coach for the U.S. World Championships team this summer. Based on his coaching credentials, it’s irrefutable that Nesty deserves this opportunity. He put in two decades as a lead assistant under Gregg Troy at the University of Florida, and he ascended to the men’s head coaching role when Troy left college coaching in 2018. Nesty took a Florida roster that had just graduated Caeleb Dressel and fellow star seniors Mark Szaranek and Jan Switkowski and built another national powerhouse. Led by juniors Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke, the team finished a comfortable third place at the 2021 NCAA 18

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

During the summer of 2021, both Smith and Finke qualified to represent the U.S. at the 2021 Olympics, and Nesty was named an assistant coach on the U.S. staff. In Tokyo, Smith earned bronze in the 400 freestyle in Tokyo and established himself as one of the best 200 freestylers in the world, while Finke pulled off a shocking distance double with gold medals in the 800 and 1500 freestyle.

Then, following the Games, the two best swimmers in the United States sought Nesty out. Dressel made the switch from training under Troy to working with Nesty and the Florida college team, and superstar Katie Ledecky made the crosscountry move to Gainesville after she had observed Nesty coaching his swimmers at the U.S. Olympic team’s training camp. That move single-handedly validated the program Nesty had built at Florida and validated Nesty as one of the country’s top coaches. “It’s an honor. That means what we’re doing here is right for her,” Nesty said. “She saw how we ran things and how the guys, their pace of practice and how they carried themselves, and obviously she saw their character, and that’s what she was looking for, guys with good character and who perform at a really high level.”

So, yes, those are some absolutely stellar coaching credentials, and that’s before we get into his swimming accomplishments, which include a 1988 Olympic gold medal for Suriname in the 100 butterfly. It’s quite a statement about the sport’s lack of diversity in the U.S. that he is the first black coach to helm a major championship squad. That is not a result of a willful exclusion of black coaches from significant honors but rather an indication of the predominant culture in swimming, where only in recent years have African American athletes broken onto the sport’s elite level. This is a deep-seeded deficit that takes years of work at the grassroots level for the sport to overcome, and swimming has not fully reached that point yet. But this is progress. Nesty is breaking ground. Just like Manuel and her fellow Olympians have paved the way for future generations of African American swimmers, Nesty is doing the same for coaches.

The ORIGINAL Resistance Swim Team Training Gear

USED BY ATHLETES WORLDWIDE

IN WATER RESISTANCE TRAINING

His work with Smith, Finke and his entire team at Florida will help create a sport where we see more and more black coaches working on pool decks around the country. Thanks to Nesty, we won’t have to wrack our brains to think back on the last time a black coach served on an international coaching staff for the United States. One day, it will become a norm. ◄

Increased stamina and speed, quicker acceleration and enhanced endurance.

NZCordz.com | 800.886.6621

DREAM IN COLOR

Your scoreboard makes a huge impact on how your fans and athletes will remember the meet. We cannot wait to work with you on turning your vision into a dream facility. Our experienced consultants will listen to your vision and put a plan into action to bring it to fruition. Colorado Time Systems provides platinum quality timing, scoring, and display systems to facilities, like yours, across the world. Visit our website today and view our installation gallery for inspiration.

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

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by Nelson Brooks ]

Mallory Weggemann Memoir, Limitless, Optioned for Film BY DAN D'ADONNA

orning Moon Productions announced today that the company has optioned the rights to Mallory Weggemann’s memoir Limitless. Morning Moon plans to adapt the book into a narrative film showcasing Weggemann’s extraordinary journey to becoming a three-time Paralympic gold medalist in swimming and global champion of disability advocacy. The film will be produced by Ethan Lazar (Percy vs. Goliath, The Witch), Kyle Owens, and Austen Rydell. Executive Producers are Mallory Weggemann, Jeremy Snyder, and Peter Friedland. Limitless, written by five-time Paralympic swimming medalist Mallory Weggemann, follows the empowering journey of the athlete’s life after a routine epidural injection for back pain left her paralyzed from the waist down at 18 years old. “Limitless serves as a reminder that, while we all navigate through circumstance, we are more than,” said Mallory Weggemann. “It is about empowering others to honor their own journey and realize that our ‘now’ doesn’t define what’s to come. I’m proud that my story can act as a beacon of hope for others while bringing awareness to the importance of representation in our society.” Refusing to allow circumstance to define her, Weggemann–

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

who grew up swimming competitively–returned to the water mere months after her injury and discovered a place of sanctuary and healing, both physically and emotionally. In the pool she found her strength and realized that paralysis didn’t mark the end of her dreams and ambitions…it ignited new ones. Less than two years later, Mallory Weggemann broke eight world records. By the 2012 Paralympic Games, just four years after her paralysis, she held 15 world records and 34 American records. Weggemann would go on to become a recipient of an ESPY Award and compete in both the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games, winning a total of five Paralympic medals. The memoir, published by Thomas Nelson, has since garnered critical acclaim. Additionally, Mallory Weggemann’s documentary, Watershed, produced by TFA Group in association with Morning Moon, is slated to finish post-production in the summer of 2022. Ethan Lazar, Kyle Owens, and Austen Rydell serve as Executive Producers alongside Mallory Weggemann and Jeremy Snyder. Cinetic Media is the exclusive sales agency of Watershed. ◄

[ Photo by Mark Curzan ]

Claire Curzan Breaks 100 Butterfly American Record and 100 Back High School Record at North Carolina High School State Meet

BY DAVID RIEDER

ompeting in her final high school state championship meet Thursday evening, Claire Curzan lowered the American record in the women’s 100-yard butterfly. Curzan swam a 49.24 in the event to beat the previous mark of 49.38 set by Erika Brown at the 2020 SEC Championships. With the performance, Curzan became the second-fastest performer in history, behind only Maggie Mac Neil’s 48.89 from last year’s NCAA Championships. In addition to breaking the American record, Curzan lowered her own 17-18 National Age Group record of 49.51 set last March. She also demolished her national Independent School record (50.35) and Torri Huske’s overall national high school record (49.95).

from W.A. Hough as Cardinal Gibbons barely won the event, 3:25.61 to 3:25.79. Curzan has broken out as a significant force in American swimming over the past 12 months. Along with her improvements in yards, Curzan became a threat to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last spring when she repeatedly swam 100-meter fly performances in the 56-low range. Curzan ended up qualifying for the Games by finishing second in the 100 fly at Olympic Trials behind fellow teenager Torri Huske. Curzan was later a semifinalist in the 100 fly in Tokyo, and she won a silver medal as part of the U.S. women’s 400 medley relay squad after competing in prelims.

In the fall, Curzan announced her verbal commitment to Later on in the session, Curzan took down the overall swim for Stanford next season, and in the pool, she earned national high school record in the 100 backstroke. She swam six medals at the FINA Short Course World Championships a time of 49.61 to crush her own record of 50.47, and Curzan in Abu Dhabi, including a pair of relay golds and individual also became the third-fastest performer ever in the event. bronzes in the 50 fly and 100 fly, both in world-junior-record Only Regan Smith (49.16) and Beata Nelson (49.18) have time. ◄ ever swum quicker times. Previously Curzan broke Phoebe Bacon’s previous SWIM MART record at her final high school regional meet last weekend, but she annihilated that time at the state meet. Curzan’s backstroke time made her only the third woman in history to break 50 seconds in both the 100 fly and 100 back, joining Mac Neil and Smith. Additionally, Curzan anchored the Cardinal Gibbons 200 freestyle relay to a victory with a 21.40 split, and she concluded the meet by anchoring her team’s 400 free relay in 46.76, making up almost four seconds on the team

REACH LONG

KICK STRONG

NZCordz.com 800.886.6621 BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

Anthony Nesty and Todd DeSorbo Named U.S. Coaches for 2022 FINA World Championships BY ASHLEIGH SHAY

SA Swimming, the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, today announced that Anthony Nesty and Todd DeSorbo will be the head coaches of the U.S. men’s and women’s swim teams, respectively, competing at the 2022 FINA World Championships. The competition will take place June 18July 3, 2022, in Budapest, Hungary. “Todd and Anthony are both incredibly accomplished and successful coaches, but also very thoughtful and supportive individuals,” USA Swimming National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko said. “As assistant coaches at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last summer, they really connected with the athletes who showed them a lot of respect and excelled under their coaching philosophies. I look forward to seeing how these two will help lead our team to success in Budapest.” Both Nesty and DeSorbo served as assistant coaches with the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, helping the U.S. to 11 gold, 10 silver, nine bronze and 30 total medals. Nesty’s efforts in Tokyo helped lead his University of Florida swimmers, Bobby Finke and Kieran Smith, to three

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

medals, including two gold. His current training group at the University of Florida consists of five men on the U.S. National Team and a No. 5 ranking among NCAA Division I men’s programs. While the upcoming World Championships will mark his first time as head coach of a U.S. team at an international competition, he previously served as head coach for Suriname at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and 2012 Olympics in London. DeSorbo led the U.S. women’s team—which consisted of four current University of Virginia swimmers—to 18 total medals in Tokyo. Domestically, DeSorbo led the University of Virginia women’s swimming & diving program to its first NCAA title in 2021 and currently has five U.S. National Team women training at his program, more than any other school’s student-athlete representation on the 2021-22 U.S. National Team. This will be the second time that Budapest has hosted the FINA World Championships after the city previously hosted the competition in 2017. This meet will be the first international long-course meter meet since the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and will be the second senior-level international team trip for the U.S. in the Paris 2024 quadrennial. ◄

Russian Figure Skater Kamila Valieva Tests Positive for Trimetazidine; Same Drug Involved in Sun Yang, Madisyn Cox Bans BY DAN D'ADONNA

t the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the medal ceremony for the figure skating team event has been delayed numerous times after it was revealed Russian skater Kamila Valieva had tested positive for trimetazidine, a substance that increases blood flow to the heart and is banned as a possible performance-enhancing substance. Valieva’s positive test was recorded more than a month ago, but it did not reveal the presence of a banned substance until after the team event.

It’s currently unclear how the ongoing situation regarding Valieva will be resolved. The Russian anti-doping agency provisionally suspended Valieva Tuesday, but then the suspension was overturned on appeal the following day. Now, Valieva’s status is in limbo. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will meet Sunday in Beijing to determine whether Valieva will be suspended. A decision is expected Monday, just in time for the start of the women’s figure skating event Tuesday. As of Sunday, Valieva was listed on the official start list for the event. The 15-year-old is the heavy favorite to win gold in the event, and she is the first female figure skater to ever land a quadruple jump in competition. ◄

The word “trimetazidine” should sound familiar to swimming fans. Chinese distance swimmer Sun Yang tested positive for trimetazidine in 2014, but he was only suspended from competition for three months. Sun ended up not missing any time as the ban was announced after the fact with his competition results nullified. China’s anti-doping agency came under fire for issuing such a short suspension. Sun would continue competing internationally for several more years, but he was later banned again from the sport for smashing a drug-testing sample with a hammer. Four years later, American IMer Madisyn Cox was given a two-year suspension by FINA for a positive trimetazidine test, despite the fact that a FINA panel ruled that Cox “did not act with intention.” Cox missed the allimportant U.S. National Championships in the summer of 2018, but she later proved that her positive test had been caused by a tainted multivitamin, so her suspension was reduced to six months. However, Cox had already missed out on the qualifying meet for all of 2019’s major championships. She returned to competition and later finished third in the 200 IM at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, missing out on a spot in the Tokyo Olympics by just two hundredths. BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by Mike Lewis / ISL ]

Kaitlin Sandeno Steps Down as GM of DC Trident, Ending Groundbreaking Role BY DAN D'ADONNA

aitlin Sandeno has stepped down as general manager of the DC Trident.

Sandeno was one of the original GMs in the International Swimming League (ISL), one of the few front-office females in professional sports. She confirmed she is stepping down from her role. She also hired Cyndi Gallagher as head coach, making the Trident the only all-female-led team in the ISL. DC finished sixth in season one, ninth in season two and eighth last year. Kaitlin Sandeno is one of the first American female GM in professional team sports. Susan Spencer was the general manager for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1982-85 when her father owned the team. At that time, the role didn’t include choosing players, but she was in control of the team’s spending. That has changed with three female GMs in the WNBA. Penny Toler is the current GM for the L.A. Sparks, while Cheryl Reeve is the GM and coach for the Minnesota Lynx and Alisha Valvanis is GM of the Seattle Storm. Tina Andrew, born in South Africa, and the mother of U.S. swimmer Michael Andrew, also is one of the general 24

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

managers of the ISL. The Trident have struggled with continuity the past few years as Kaitlin Sandeno’s squad has seen a lot of turnover. In their inaugural season, the Trident had Katie Ledecky, Cody Miller, Zane Grothe and Siobhan Haughey leading the way. Ledecky hasn’t been back in the ISL since the first season, first preparing for the Olympics, then recovering from them, the past two seasons. Miller missed the second season after he and his wife had a baby. Haughey signed with Energy Standard after the first season, a huge point swing heading to another team. In the second season, Amy Bilquist joined the team and had a huge impact, but retired from competitive swimming following that season. Zach Apple has been the only three-year event-winning contenders Kaitlin Sandeno’s Trident have tried to make up for lost points every year, drafting Ryan Hoffer and adding Ali DeLoof, Jay Litherland, Anna Hopkin and Zsuzsanna Jakobos this season to a team that had Linnea Mack, Zach Harting and Andreas Vazaios. ◄

(College or University Affiliated Swim Camp)

2022 CAMP DATES

WORLD CLASS COACHES:

WEEK 1 – JUNE 5-9 WEEK 2 – JUNE 12-16 WEEK 3 – JULY 31–AUG 4 WEEK 4 – AUGUST 7-11 Diving - JULY 10-14

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS:

Mike Bottom

Head Coach US Olympian & Olympic Coach

Functional Dryland Training Technique & Intensive Training Options 3 Instructional Sessions Per Day Individual HD Filming & 1:1 Analysis True Colors Assessment & Mindset Training Kistler Start and Turn Analysis Training Olympians & NCAA All Americans on staff

Dr. Josh White

Associate Head Coach NCAA All American

Ksenia Gromova Volunteer Assistant

Sam Wensman

Cauli Bedran

Assistant Coach CW Elite Coach

Roger Karns

Assistant Coach NCAA All American

Manchester University Head Coach

Kurt Kirner

Hillsdale College Head Coach

Priscilla Barletta Assistant Coach

Jim Richardson

Camp Director NCAA Coach of the Year

Michigan Swim Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age and specified number of participants

(College or University Affiliated Swim Camp)

LONGHORNSWIMCAMP.COM • 43 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE • MAY 29 – JULY 1

Five one-week sessions from: MAY 29-JULY 1 | For detailed information, contact Longhorns Swim Camp Director: JON ALTER 512 475 8652 Complete camp information and registration at: LonghornSwimCamp.com | Email: longhornswimcamp@athletics.utexas.edu Per NCAA rules, sports camps and clinics conducted by The University of Texas are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by Peter H. Bick ]

Katie Ledecky Swims Faster 800 Freestyle Than Gold Time From Tokyo; Dressel Beats Andrew in 50 Fly BY DAVID RIEDER

fter winning two gold medals and two silvers at the Tokyo Olympics, Katie Ledecky left her training base at Stanford and moved to Gainesville, Florida, to train with the University of Florida team and Coach Anthony Nesty. In the six months after Tokyo, Ledecky swam at only one meet, and she put up a series of impressive times at the U.S. Open in Greensboro in early December. This weekend, she is swimming at a Sectionals meet in Orlando, and her first race saw her surpass her own winning time in the 800 freestyle from the Tokyo Olympics. Ledecky won the event in 8:11.83, seven tenths faster than the 8:12.57 she swam to hold off Ariarne Titmus for Olympic gold in the event. The time ranks as the 15th-fastest performance of all-time, behind only 14 other performances that Ledecky recorded between 2014 and 2019. The time is exactly two seconds faster than any other swimmer in history has ever recorded as Titmus’ 8:13.83 in Tokyo made her No. 2 on the all-time performers list in the event. Ledecky barely negative split the race, as she was out in

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

4:05.98 at the 400-meter mark before closing in 4:05.85. Her closest competition, Sarasota YMCA’s Michaela Mattes, was a full 32 seconds away from the distance ace who is the only woman in history to capture three straight Olympic gold medals in the 800 free and the only American woman to three-peat in any swimming event at the Olympics. Ledecky will compete in the 200, 400 and 1500 freestyle and the 400 IM over the weekend at the Sectionals meet. Later on in the day, Caeleb Dressel swam his first race of 2021 in the 50 butterfly, and he edged out fellow 2021 U.S. Olympian Michael Andrew, 23.44 to 23.68. Dressel is the reigning world champion in the 50 fly along with the 100 fly, 50 free and 100 free, along with his five gold medals from Tokyo this summer. Additionally, Olympian Natalie Hinds won the women’s 50 fly in 26.35. Hinds competed collegiately for the Gators and returned to training at Florida this year after training at the University of Georgia in the leadup to Olympic Trials. ◄

[ Photo by Hector Garcia-Molina ]

>> Ben Hallock

In First Game Since Olympics, U.S. Men’s Water Polo Falls to Greece

Welcome TO A WATER WONDERLAND

BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

he U.S. men’s water polo team suffered a 16-13 defeat to Greece on Wednesday in its first match since last summer’s Tokyo Olympics. The match in Volos, Greece, was tied at seven at halftime. But the Tokyo Olympic silver medalists pulled ahead with a 5-3 edge in the third quarter. Ben Hallock scored four times for the USA. Alex Bowen added a hat trick, and Ben Stevenson and Dylan Woodhead scored twice each. Drew Holland made eight saves in the first half before yielding to Jack Turner (five saves) in the second half. The match marked the return of Thomas Dunstan, a 2016 Olympian, to the pool for the first time since the 2017 World Championships. Holland is one of several U.S. men’s water polo players who play professionally in Greece. Woodhead played there last year. The United States lost to Greece, 14-5, in group play at the Tokyo Olympics before exiting in the quarterfinals. Injuries and illnesses limited the Greek team, which handed out two debuts. Greek captain Ioannis Fountoulis scored all five of his goals in the second half, including three consecutive strikes in the third quarter to open the gap to 119. He also buried the final two goals of the game after Max Irving clawed the U.S. back to within 14-13 with 3:33 to play. Stylianos Argyropoulos scored five goals in the first half for the Greeks. Alexandros Papanastasiou added a hat trick. ◄

From top aquatic facilities to miles of warm beaches and waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is the ideal spot for your next event. Dive in at VisitLauderdale.com/Sports.

CLASSIFIED LONGHORNS SWIM CAMP

ASSISTANT COACHES/CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED The Longhorns Swim Camp at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking mature, motivated, team-oriented individuals to be part of its 43rd year! Exciting opportunity to work with world-renown coaches Eddie Reese, Carol Capitani, Mitch Dalton and Wyatt Collins. Five one-week sessions (May 29-July 1). Room, board, parking, $650/session salary, up to $300 travel expense help, and NIKE camp apparel package provided. Applicants must agree to work in an alcohol/drug-free environment, and must have completed at least 75 hours of college coursework. Competitive swimming and/or teaching/ coaching/camp experience required. References, CPR, First Aid and/or Lifeguarding/ Safety Training for Swim Coaches certifications required. For more information and an application, visit our Employment section at www. LonghornswimCamp.com. Completed applications accepted until positions filled. The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status or sexual orientation. BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

[ Photo by NCAA Media ]

>> Alvin Jiang

Transfers Alvin Jiang and Cameron Auchinachie Unexpected Stars in Texas Dynasty BY DAVID RIEDER

or more than four decades, the Texas men’s swimming program has been one of the elite teams in the nation. Under coach Eddie Reese, the Longhorns have won 15 national titles, and Texas swimmers have featured heavily on every U.S. Olympic team since the 1980s. Since 2015, Texas has won the NCAA team championship every year except one (in 2019, when the team finished second), and during that streak, stars such as Joseph Schooling, Will Licon, Clark Smith, Jack Conger and Townley Haas have been the centerpieces of the championship rosters. Today’s Texas team has its stars, like Drew Kibler, who went on to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in the 800 freestyle relay, and Carson Foster, who narrowly missed qualifying for Tokyo before swimming 2021’s fastest time in the 400-meter IM. But last year, Texas won a championship with wins in diving and two relays but no individual swimming events. In 2022, the Longhorns are favored to add another crown — not solely because of swimmers like Kibler and Foster but because of the development of talented competitors up and down the roster, even unheralded swimmers who have become key contributors under the tutelage of Reese and associate head coach Wyatt Collins. That includes a pair of fifth-year students who have transferred from other schools, Alvin Jiang and Cameron Auchinachie. Jiang transferred from the University of North Carolina prior to the 2019-20 season, and he was able to swim a third full season with the Longhorns because of an NCAA waiver following the COVID-19 pandemic. Auchinachie, meanwhile, swam at the University of Denver for three seasons, and he competed in relays at the NCAA Championships in 2018 and individually in 2019, but after sitting out the 2020-21

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

campaign, he chose to come to Austin for his final season of eligibility. Both arrived in Austin unsure if they had what it took to make it with an elite team like Texas. The idea of training with Olympians and under one of the sport’s all-time greatest coaches was, understandably, intimidating. But Jiang and Auchinachie each felt welcomed right away. “You know you have to earn respect and your spot on the team,” Jiang said. “So for me that first year, all I was concerned about was trying to find my place on the team, doing the best I can every day to be the best I can be. The guys, they’re just great, friendly guys. It really doesn’t matter how fast you are. I came in, and they all brought me in with open arms.” Auchinachie was concerned about the training he would undertake after a year away from college swimming, but he, too, felt comfortable right away. “I honestly thought I was going to get my butt kicked and have a lot of guys lose that faith in me going the times that I could,” Auchinachie said. “But right when I showed up, everyone was like, ‘We’re so excited for you. Don’t worry about practice. Eddie will ease us into it. You’re not going to look bad if you get a little broken down. Everyone gets broken down.’” Jiang swam for the Tar Heels for two seasons, and during that time, he qualified for an individual final at the ACC Championships just once. He would often swim fast times in season, but he remembers getting to conference championship meets and barely dropping any time.

Having grown up in Colleyville, Texas, Jiang was familiar with the Texas program, but looking back on the college recruiting process, “I think I just sold myself short,” he said. “I didn’t reach for those top programs where I maybe could have gone, and Texas, obviously, me being in state and having swum in Austin, it was one of those obvious choices, now that I look back on it, but it took those two years in North Carolina to really resurface that desire to see how far I could take myself in this sport. After those two years, I came to that realization, and Texas was the obvious choice.” Jiang improved during his first season at Texas, but the NCAA Championships that year were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021, he played a critical role for the Longhorns. He helped Texas win the 400 medley relay by delivering a 44.05 butterfly split, the second-fastest in the field, and he also provided crucial splits on the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays. Individually, Jiang finished fourth in the 100 fly and 100 back (on the same evening of racing), and he was a consolation finalist in the 200 fly. The meet came down to the wire, with the Longhorns defeating rival Cal by just 27 points, and in his individual events alone, Jiang scored 31.

[ Photo by Stephen Spillman/ Texas Athletics ]

“When I was at UNC, I struggled with taper meets. Looking back on it, I just didn’t work hard enough during the year. I was lights-out in dual meets,” Jiang said. “I get to ACCs, shave, taper, throw a suit on, drop only like three tenths. That was probably, that moment, not having the end that I wanted at ACCs those two years, that’s what prompted me to leave and switch schools.”

>> Cameron Auchinachie know that you’ll be so good.’” But no one could have expected that Auchinachie would come in and instantly become one of the best sprinters in the country. At the Minnesota Invitational in early December, the Binghamton, N.Y., native won the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and in the 50 free, he swam an 18.80 that made him the only swimmer to go under 19 prior to conference championship season. Auchinachie’s 100 back time was 45.01, which ranked him No. 2 in the country prior to conference meets, and he entrenched himself as a key swimmer on all four Texas sprint relays, including the backstroke leg on the medleys. He has made the leap, propelled by the training he put in since arriving at Texas and the meaning of being part of a team pushing for greatness.

“It was especially satisfying because it was in Greensboro, where we had ACC Champs when I was at North Carolina,” Jiang said. “To come full-circle and go back to Greensboro and just redeem myself in that way, that was particularly sweet to me.”

“I think everything about practicing here is done with a lot more intent than I’ve ever. I’ve corrected a lot of the things that I thought I never could because everyone around you is influencing you to work on the little things but also putting your best effort every practice, which isn’t really normal,” Auchinachie said.

When Auchinachie was going through the recruiting process, he was attracted to Denver based on how sprinter Sid Farber had improved during his years with the program to become the best mid-major sprinter in the country, and he knew that then-Pioneers coach Brian Schrader had once worked for Reese at Texas as a graduate assistant. And during his time at Denver, Auchinachie did improve. In 2019, he finished as high as 11th at the NCAA Championships in the 100 free.

“I’m swimming for something bigger than just this one race. I’m trying to win for the history of this program. Honestly, it’s just really fun doing it with these guys. This is a hard sport to really enjoy. It’s hard to enjoy the highs and lows, but the lows are even enjoyable because you know that everyone else is there with you.” Fifth-Year Transfer Stars

Later on, when he decided he wanted to swim a fifth year, Schrader helped convince Auchinachie “that Eddie would take me under and make me the swimmer I’d always wanted to be.” At Olympic Trials in June 2021, Auchinachie met the other Texas swimmers, and that sealed the deal that he would swim his final year for the Longhorns.

In this unexpected chapter at Texas, Jiang and Auchinachie have been able to work with Reese in the twilight of his career. The coach had announced his retirement after the 2021 NCAA Championships, but he changed his mind following Olympic Trials and returned as Texas’ head coach. For both transfer swimmers, getting to experience Reese in action has been incredibly satisfying.

“They were all super excited for me,” he said. “I was like, ‘You guys know I’m looking at other schools, right?’ And they were like, ‘Yeah, but you’re going to go here because we

Reese has always spoken not about winning but about making his swimmers better, and his swimmers see that in the way he acts toward them, from his on-deck coaching to pulling Jiang Continued >>

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

and Auchinachie aside after a Monday morning practice to show them photos from his weekend hunting trip. “I’d say he’s got some magic to him,” Jiang said. “ Honestly, it’s very simple things. He talks to us. He talks to every swimmer, corrects their stroke and what not, but he’s also very concerned about how we are doing as a whole. Are we taking care of ourselves? Are we sleeping? Are we eating? How’s school going? Just that very basic, human kind of relationship, and I think that’s where it all starts. From there, you build trust in him, and he gets to know you, sees what you want to be, and that’s how you build that trust.” Auchinachie added, “He surprised me because at his age, I wasn’t expecting him to be so engaged with every single swimmer because he has so many, but he is so on top of everything he does, and he just really cares for everyone. He cares about the history, and that’s really rare in sport, to have this tradition, and he kind of created it. There’s like an aura around him.” This week, Reese’s Longhorns will be competing at the Big-12 Championships, a meet that Texas has won every single year since its debut in 1997. In fact, Texas has won its conference championship in 42 out of 43 previous seasons under Reese, all except his debut season in 1978-79. That conference meet will be a dress rehearsal for the NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 23-26 in Atlanta, where

Texas will be favored to bring home a 16th trophy. “We’re getting really excited,” Auchinachie said. “Alvin is probably going to be a little more rested than he was for midseason. I got a bit more rest at midseason, so I had a lot of fun having those fast swims.” Both swimmers admitted they are slightly unsure of what their swimming future holds after NCAAs. Jiang will finish his undergraduate degree this year, and he is hoping to attend medical school in the future, while Auchinachie is completing a certificate program in strategic communications after getting his undergrad in construction management, which he expects to be the focus of his post-swimming career. Neither is ruling out competing beyond March, but they don’t know for sure. “I do want to be a doctor and the best doctor I can be,” Jiang said. “Whether that’s this year or next year, I don’t know. Just focusing on what I have to do now and then dealing with that when that time comes.” Right now, both swimmers are in the heart of a national championship push. Neither were junior-level stars long ordained to be leading the great Texas Longhorns swimming program, but here they are, swimming alongside and in fact pacing the cream of the crop in college swimming, aiming to add to a sterling legacy. ◄

STR SPEEDWEEK SWIM CAMPS

for more information please contact Rod Havriluk: 30

BIWEEKLY

SWIMMINGWORLD.COM

Phone: 850-385-9803 Email: info@swimmingtechnology.com