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SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY | APRIL 2021 | ISSUE 07 008 TEXAS MEN’S COACH EDDIE REESE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 SEASONS, 15 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

by David Rieder Eddie Reese, the longtime head coach of the University of Texas men’s team, announced his retirement following his 15th national championship when his Longhorns beat Cal by 27 points at the men’s NCAAs in Greensboro, N.C. Reese will remain in his role as head coach through the U.S. Olympic Trials and ensuing Olympics, then will transition to head coach emeritus.

010 EDDIE REESE BY THE NUMBERS: TEXAS, OLYMPIC COACH HAD CAREER LIKE NO OTHER

by Dan D’Addona Eddie Reese, who ended his college coaching career after 15 NCAA titles at Texas, is widely regarded as the top college swimming coach of all time, if not the top swimming coach of all time.

012 TEXAS ASSISTANT WYATT COLLINS: EDDIE REESE “HAS MEANT A HECK OF A LOT TO ME”

by David Rieder

The news of Eddie Reese’s retirement came as a surprise to the swimming community, and even those in Reese’s near orbit did not know until days before. Assistant coach Wyatt Collins learned of Reese’s decision at NCAAs: “...There’s never going to be anyone like him,” says Collins. “We’re all better for having him in our lives.”

013 COMMENTARY: EDDIE REESE ERA ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE; HIS LEGACY MEASURES FAR BEYOND TITLE BANNERS

by Dan D’Addona

In 43 seasons, Coach Eddie Reese’s men’s teams have finished among the top two at NCAAs 27 times and the top three 34 times. The Longhorns have won 140 event titles during that span. In addition to 15 NCAA titles, his Texas teams have been in the top 10 in the nation a stunning 40 consecutive seasons, and have won 41 consecutive conference championships. Reese is simply the greatest coach in the history of college swimming.

014 TEXAS CONTINUES WINNING FORMULA— EVEN WITHOUT WINNING MANY RACES AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Dan D’Addona

Texas became the first team since Auburn in 2006 to win the NCAA men’s championship without winning any of the individual swimming races. The Longhorns did so by winning two relays and a diving event and having every qualifier actually score in the meet—all 24 of them.

016 CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS COME UP JUST SHORT DESPITE HISTORIC PERFORMANCE

by David Rieder No SWIMMING team was more impressive at the men’s NCAAs than Cal, scoring a whopping 568 points. But the Golden Bears finished second to Texas, which put together a better swimming AND DIVING team. Cal has now scored the most swimming points in seven of the past 11 NCAA championships, but on three of those occasions (2010, 2018 and now 2021), Texas diving proved to be the difference.

019 BOBBY FINKE, KIERAN SMITH USHER IN FAST FUTURE FOR FLORIDA

by Dan D’Addona

With all eyes on the Texas-Cal showdown, Florida put together some of the most impressive performances at NCAAs. The Gators finished third in the team race behind some stellar individual performances by Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke, along with consistently fast relays that all finished among the top four.

020 SHAINE CASAS DELIVERS AFTER TWO YEARS OF BUILDUP: “THE PRESSURE WAS INCREDIBLE”

by Dan D’Addona

Shaine Casas has been the up-and-coming star for years, and with the NCAAs canceled last year, that just added a year of wondering what the Texas A&M swimmer would be capable of. Feeling incredible pressure to perform up to expectations, Casas put together a spectacular show, winning all three of his individual events.

021 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Mauro Pacsi

After battling adversity all season long from the pandemic, collegiate swimmers triumphed at NCAAs and proved that nothing is impossible.

022 TERRY GANLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 44 SEASONS WITH MINNESOTA SWIMMING

by Dan D’Addona Terry Ganley, the longest-tenured coach in the history of Minnesota Swimming, announced her retirement after 44 seasons with the swimming and diving programs. She was one of the most-decorated, pivotal and important athletic figures at the University of Minnesota, leading the Golden Gophers to seven Big Ten team titles and 17 NCAA top 15 finishes.

024 RANKING THE 10 BEST PERFORMERS FROM THE NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Andy Ross 026 CAELEB DRESSEL AND THE OBSTACLES AWAITING HIS OLYMPIC SHOWCASE

by David Rieder

After winning a record-tying seven gold medals at the 2017 World Championships and then a record-breaking eight total medals in 2019, Caeleb Dressel had to wait out the pandemic-induced 12-month delay of the Olympics, just like everyone else. But in 2021, he gets a shot at taking his signature steamrolling to the Olympic level, which could bring with it a series of difficult challenges this July.

028 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY 036 HOW THEY TRAIN: DIGGORY DILLINGHAM

by Michael J. Stott 038 PARTING SHOT

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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)

Nick Albiero has been swimming at the Ralph Wright Natatorium at the University of Louisville ever since he can remember. Now his name will be on the wall as a national champion for the Cardinals after winning an emotional 200 fly at NCAAs that later brought tears to his eyes when he hugged his dad—and coach—Arthur Albiero.

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018 NICK ALBIERO WINS EMOTIONAL 200 BUTTERFLY NCAA TITLE

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TEXAS MEN’S COACH EDDIE REESE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 SEASONS, 15 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY DAVID RIEDER

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ddie Reese, the longtime head coach of the University of Texas men’s team, has announced his retirement.

Reese, 79, won his 15th national championship on Saturday when his Longhorns beat California by 27 points at the men’s NCAA championships in Greensboro, N.C. Previously, Reese and Texas won national championships in 1981, for four years straight from 1988 through 1991, in 1996, three years straight from 2000 to 2002, in 2010 and then four years straight from 2015 through 2018. Following his win this week, he is the only swimming coach to win national titles in five different decades. Also in his illustrious career, Reese has coached 22 Olympic gold medalists and been the head coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 1992, 2004 and 2008. He was an assistant coach on the U.S. Olympic team in 1996, 2000 and 2012.

Reese will remain in his role as head coach through the Olympic Trials this June and the ensuing Olympics in Tokyo, and then he will transition to head coach emeritus. Wyatt Collins, Reese’s assistant coach for the last five seasons, will take over as interim head coach.

In a zoom press conference Monday afternoon, Reese said that he just decided within the last week that he would be retiring. Reese called Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte on Saturday (while he was at NCAAs but before Texas officially clinched the national championship) to tell Del Conte of his decision to retire, but Reese did not tell his swimmers until a 3 p.m. meeting Monday afternoon.

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“Going into this swim meet, I had already made my decision that I was going to retire, regardless of the outcome of the meet,” Reese said. “I’m real happy about the outcome, but this isn’t anything that I’ve dwelled on. I’ve always said I would know when to retire, and it would always be before anybody wanted me to retire. So that’s where I am. I just decided last week I was going to retire.”

In his 43 years at Texas, Reese’s teams won 42 straight conference titles in the Southwest Conference and later in the Big-12, and the Longhorns finished in the top 10 at the NCAA championships an amazing 41 straight years.

In addition to his 15 national titles, Reese led his team to 12 NCAA runnerup finishes and seven third-place finishes, which means Texas finished in the top three at NCAAs in 34 of his 43 years (including the 2020 season, when the NCAA championships was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Despite the length of Reese’s massively successful reign at Texas, his teams were arguably at their best in recent years.

The Longhorns have won five of the last six NCAA team championships (while finishing second in 2019) and have finished either first or second in 12 of the last 13 years (while finishing third in 2013). Texas had developed a rivalry with Cal as the two teams have occupied the top two spots at the NCAA championships at each of the last seven meets and at 10 of the last 11.

After his retirement, Reese’s role as head coach emeritus will

allow him to come to practice when he wants and help out, and he hinted that he may also help out with the women’s team at Texas as well.

“I’ve said for years that if I could just go to practice and not go to meets, I could coach until I’m 100. So as long as my mind is good and my jokes are good, I’m going to keep doing it,” Reese said. He paused and added, “My jokes are always good.”

Regarding the looming decision on who will be the next coach at Texas, Reese said, “Real good feeling on it, but it’s not happening until after Trials.”

Reflecting on his career, Reese said that he prided himself on his teams carrying themselves with dignity and winning and losing the right way. About the accomplishments about which he is most proud, Reese said: “The thing I got most out of coaching swimming has nothing to do with winning or trophies or anything like that. It all has to do with interpersonal relationships. Coaches are in a great position that I love because I’m a firm believer that if the purpose of our life is to help, it puts us in a position to do just that. I’m a big book reader, all fiction. Since March of last year, in a year I’ve read over 100 books. In one of the books, we all know the saying, ‘You can’t take it with you when you die.’ And then, underneath that, it said, ‘The only thing you take with you is that which you’ve given others.’ We’re here to help, and I’ve been able to do that.”

go to the meet and made the qualifying standard to go to the meet. We’re real proud of those ten guys. The reason that happens is there’s no guy on our team who goes uncared for and uncoached at any time during the year. If they’re all good, that gives confidence to the guys that are going to the meet.”

Kris Kubik, Reese’s assistant coach during 34 of his 43 years at Texas, provided a statement to Swimming World on the impact Reese made during his career: “Eddie is the kindest, most loving man I know. He always tries to do everything he can to bring out the very best in everyone he encounters — that’s a trait we all could use! To think of how many generations of lives he has touched in a positive and caring way is simply mind-boggling. The sport has been blessed to enjoy him all these years and I wish him many wonderful and happy days ahead in retirement.”

Following Kubik’s retirement in 2016, Collins moved up from volunteer assistant coach to assistant coach. In his press conference, Reese spoke glowingly about what both Kubik and Collins brought to the table for the Longhorns.

“They took care of the kids. Kris and Wyatt have both got a gift of reading faces. They know when somebody needs to be pulled aside and talked to. Assistant coach always hears more than the head coach, which is a good thing. They handled those problems just with the athlete in mind first. Secondly, they did a phenomenal job taking care of me.” ◄

In a press release, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte called Reese “truly the greatest coach ever.” In the press conference, Del Conte called Reese “a true treasure” and said, “How do you define a guy who’s won a championship under six Presidents?”

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Del Conte reflected on his first meeting with Reese upon his hiring in 2017.

“When I first got here and met Eddie Reese, he said, ‘I’m the last coach hired by coach Darrell Royal.’ I’m thinking, ‘Holy smokes.’ I said, ‘How old are you, dude?’ I affectionately refer to him as Yoda because he’s not only one of the greatest coaches ever in our country, but more importantly, he’s a great sounding board for al of our coaches.

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Reese coached hundreds of swimmers over the course of his time at Texas, but over the last four seasons, that group included his grandson, Luke Bowman. Bowman capped off his four years at Texas by finishing second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free at this year’s Big-12 championships.

“My grandson, when he retired, sent a text out to the other sprinters in his group and said that the other swimmers were going to miss him because he was the best at talking me out of yardage in practice, and he wasn’t really good at that,” Reese said. “He was one of the ten guys that didn’t get to

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EDDIE REESE BY THE NUMBERS: TEXAS, OLYMPIC COACH HAD CAREER LIKE NO OTHER

BY DAN D'ADDONA

E

ddie Reese has ended his career after 15 NCAA titles at Texas. He is widely regarded as the top college swimming coach of all time, if not the top swimming coach of all time.

Reese announced his retirement on Monday, March 29.

EDDIE REESE BY THE NUMBERS •

Completed his 43rd season at Texas

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Has led Texas to an NCAA-leading 15 national team titles, 12 NCAA runner-up finishes and 34 top-three finishes at the NCAA Championships

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40 consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships

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41 consecutive conference titles

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Only coach to win NCAA title in five decades

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Three-time head coach, U.S. Olympic men’s swimming team (1992, 2004 & 2008)

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73 NCAA individual champions and 50 NCAA champion relays (through 2020 season)

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29 Olympians who have collected 39 gold medals, 16 silver medals and eight bronze medals

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Three-time CSCAA National Coach of the Year (2015, ’16, ’17), 8-time NCAA Coach of the Year (1981, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’96, 2000, ’01) and 4-time ASCA Coach of the Year (1991, 2005, ’06 & ’09)

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After placing 21st at the NCAA Championships in his first season (1979) at Texas, Reese’s teams have never finished lower than seventh at the national meet.

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Reese has developed 53 NCAA individual champions, 50 national champion relays, 263 All-Americans and 29 Olympians who have won 39 gold medals, 16 silver medals and eight bronze medals.

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Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco on Feb. 12, 2002. Just the third member of the Hall of Fame to be voted in based on swimming credentials

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In 2002, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Reese was inducted along with eight other honorees in the Class of 2002.

REESE AT THE OLYMPICS Three swimmers from UT traveled to London in 2012 with Reese, who served as an assistant coach for the U.S. men.

Making the Olympics team in 2012 were Ricky Berens (200 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay), Jimmy Feigen (400 freestyle relay) and Brendan Hansen (100 breaststroke). Also, Christian Schurr qualified in the 200 breaststroke for Mexico. Individually, Hansen won the bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke and added gold in the 400m medley relay. Berens won gold in the 800m freestyle relay at a second consecutive Olympic Games, and Feigen joined Berens to win silver in the 400m freestyle relay.

Due to his wealth of international experience and the respect the swimming community has for him Reese was named head men’s swimming coach for the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s swimming team in September of 2006, marking his third selection as the head coach. He served in the same capacity during the 1992 Barcelona Games and the 2004

Athens Games. In addition to his head coaching duties, Reese worked as an assistant coach for the U.S. in four other Olympiads: 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney) and 2012 (London).

Seven of Eddie Reese’s current and former swimmers – including first-time Olympians Ricky Berens, Scott Spann, Dave Walters and Garrett Weber-Gale – joined Reese in Beijing in 2008 and accounted for about one-third of the 22-member USA team while capturing eight gold medals and one silver medal. Weber-Gale joined Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak to win his first gold medal and set a new world record in a thrilling 400m freestyle relay in Beijing, and Berens teamed up with Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Peter Vanderkaay to win Olympic gold and become the first 800m freestyle relay quartet to eclipse the seven-minute barrier in the event. Walters joined Berens in the 800m freestyle relay preliminary and also earned his first Olympic gold medal.

Weber-Gale added his second relay gold when he anchored Team USA’s 400m medley relay in the preliminary round, where he was joined by Ian Crocker, who swam the butterfly leg in the preliminary round to earn a gold medal. Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen swam the event’s backstroke and breaststroke legs in the finals, where Team USA won gold and set a new world record.

Peirsol, a three-time Olympian, collected his third career individual Olympic gold medal by setting a new world mark in the 100m backstroke, and he added a silver medal in the 200m backstroke. Hansen reached the 100m breaststroke finals, where he placed fourth, and Crocker took fourth in the 100m butterfly finals.

At the 2004 Athens Games, senior Nathan O’Brien qualified for Team Canada while a total of seven former Longhorns (Crocker, Nate Dusing, Scott Goldblatt, Gary Hall Jr., Hansen, Peirsol and Neil Walker) – equivalent to one-third of the entire men’s squad – earned a spot on the United States’ Olympic Team. Leading the Texas swimmers at the 2004 Athens Games was Peirsol, who duplicated American teammate Lenny Krayzelburg‘s sweep of the backstroke in Sydney, Australia, and became only the fifth swimmer in Olympic history and second Texas swimmer to win both backstroke events (Rick Carey, 1984); Crocker, who won gold in the 400 medley relay, silver in the 100 butterfly and bronze in the 400 freestyle relay, and Hansen, who captured gold in the 400 medley relay, silver in the 100 breaststroke and bronze in the 200 breaststroke.

Gary Hall, Jr., who was competing in his third-straight Olympiad, won the 50-meter freestyle for the second year in succession. Hall, Jr., Dusing and Walker each earned bronze medals swimming the 400 freestyle relay, while Walker

also captured his second-straight gold medal in the 400 medley relay. Meanwhile, Goldblatt captured his first career gold medal as a member of the 800 freestyle relay team. All said, Texas swimmers had medaled in six individual events and swam at least one leg on all three medal-winning relay squads.

At the 2000 Olympics, Crocker and Peirsol joined with seven former Longhorns (Josh Davis, Dusing, Scott Goldblatt, Gary Hall Jr., Tommy Hannan, Jamie Rauch and Neil Walker – on the United States team. Overall, Longhorn swimmers accounted for one-third of the entire U.S. men’s team in Sydney. UT made up three-fourths of the 400-meter medley relay team that captured a gold medal with Walker, Hannan and Crocker. The 800-meter freestyle relay team, which was made up entirely of former Longhorns, won the silver medal with Davis, Dusing, Goldblatt and Rauch. Walker and Davis won silver medals with the 400-meter freestyle relay team, while Peirsol earned a silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke before even stepping foot on the UT campus.

As head coach of the 1992 U.S. team in Barcelona, Eddie Reese’s swimmers captured 13 medals, including six gold. Former Longhorns Hans Dersch earned a gold in the 400-meter medley relay (prelims). Doug Gjertsen captured gold in the 400-meter free relay (prelims) and a bronze as a member of the American 800-meter free relay, and Shaun Jordan won gold swimming a prelim leg on USA’s 400-meter relay team.

Alltotaled, Reese has coached a total of 26 Olympians who have gone on to win a combined 29 gold medals. His list of individual event gold medalists include: Brad Bridgewater, Rick Carey, Josh Davis, Hans Dersch, Gary Hall Jr., Chris Jacobs, Shaun Jordan and Aaron Peirsol.

Rick Carey- won three gold medals, in the 100 and 200 backstroke, as well as the 400 medley relay – at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Josh Davis matched this feat at the 1996 Atlanta Games capturing gold in the 400 medley relay, the 400 free relay and 800 free relay. ◄ — Some Eddie Reese information was provided by the University of Texas Athletics.

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TEXAS ASSISTANT WYATT COLLINS: EDDIE REESE "HAS MEANT A HECK OF A LOT TO ME"

BY DAVID RIEDER

L

ess than 48 hours after the University of Texas men’s team secured its 15th national championship, coach Eddie Reese announced his retirement after 43 years. The news came as a surprise to the swimming community, and even those in Reese’s near orbit did not know until days before. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said Monday that Reese called him from Greensboro, a few hours before the Longhorns secured their national championship, and it was during that meet that Reese told his assistant coach, Wyatt Collins.

“Eddie told me at NCAAs. He pulled me aside during the meet, and we had a conversation,” Collins said. “Despite my best attempts to throw some Eddie-isms at him or get him to reconsider or to postpone, at least, for a couple days or a couple weeks and think about it some more, he was pretty adamant about it. He told me that he and (his wife) Elinor had spoken on and off for a few weeks. He felt like it was time.

“At that point, I broke down crying, as I think a lot of people in that situation would have done. He has meant a heck of a lot to me. I wouldn’t be where I am in life without him.”

The Texas swimmers learned of Reese’s decision in a 3 p.m. meeting on Monday that also included postgraduate swimmers training in Austin, support staff and former Texas assistant coach Kris Kubik. “It was emotional,” Collins said.

“It was extremely emotional. A lot of tears were shed. Kris Kubik was there, and he opened things up and talked about their time together. It was a powerful meeting. Eddie said a lot of great things in a way that only Eddie can. I don’t know if there was a dry eye in the room. It was a lot to comprehend.”

Collins swam one year for Texas after transferring from Boston University, and he became the volunteer assistant coach for the team in 2013. After three seasons in that role, he was promoted to assistant coach when Kris Kubik retired after the 2016 Olympic Trials. Texas’ press release on Monday announced that Collins would become interim head coach following this year’s Olympic Trials, but until then, nothing about the day-to-day operation of the program will change.

In particular, Collins has led the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts for the last five years, and he will continue to direct that area.

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“Eddie is still going to be on deck. He’s still head coach, and he is still running this program. Once Trials comes to pass, he’s going to be head coach emeritus. He’ll still be able to be on deck, still be able to coach, still be able to work with the guys,” Collins said. “I’m approaching everything the same way I’ve approached the past five years with Ed. I’m taking orders from him and working together with him to figure out how to best navigate the next few months getting to Trials.”

When discussing the future head coach of the program in his retirement press conference, Reese said, “Real good feeling on it, but it’s not happening until after Trials.” Regarding any possible changes in the program following this summer, Collins had no comment.

After Collins had been his assistant for one year, Reese said, “The guys came to me after I hired Wyatt, and they said, ‘If you’d have retired with Kris and Wyatt would have stayed, no one would have left,’ so that’s a real complement to Wyatt, and he’s done a phenomenal job.”

That was in 2017, and Reese has continued to speak glowingly of Collins in the years since,. Hours after Reese’s retirement announcement, Collins was only grateful for Reese’s mentorship.

“I’m just super, super grateful to have had these experiences and these last 10 years with Eddie. He has been a huge part of my life, and he’s going to continue to be a huge part of my life, no matter what happens. He’s been a friend, a mentor, a father figure, a questionably good joke teller, sometimes,” Collins said.

“He can impart wisdom to you in any situation, whether it’s sitting on the bleachers, in a pool, on a plane, whether it’s in an airport, in the weight room, out to dinner, in a car ride, and it can seemingly come out of nowhere, sometimes. You might be talking hamburgers, and he drops a nugget on you where it’s like, wow, that just shook my world. Usually, you walk away with a little more experience than when you sat down with him. That’s why he’s Eddie Reese. That’s why there’s never going to be anyone like him. We’re all better for having him in our lives.” ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

COMMENTARY: EDDIE REESE ERA ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE; HIS LEGACY MEASURES FAR BEYOND TITLE BANNERS

BY DAN D'ADDONA

Just two days after guiding the University of Texas to its 15th NCAA title, legendary coach Eddie Reese announced that he is retirng as coach of the Longhorns after 43 years at the helm in Austin. The following commentary was written

by Swimming World’s Dan D’Addona following Texas’ latest championship march.

E

ddie Reese won his first NCAA title as Texas swimming coach 40 years ago. Fittingly, on the 40th anniversary of that premier championship, the Longhorns won again. He led the Longhorns to plenty in between, too, with the 2021 title the 15th for Texas and for Reese in those 43 seasons, who has now led the Longhorns to a title in five different decades.

Fifteen titles is more than any other coach or program in history, which cements Reese’s legacy as the greatest college swimming coach of all time.

But his legacy isn’t necessarily the championships, but the non-championship seasons.

Reese has coached 43 years. In addition to the 15 NCAA titles, his Texas teams have been runnerup 12 times and third place seven times. The Longhorns have been in the top 10 in the nation for a stunning 40 consecutive seasons and have won 41 consecutive conference championships.

That means in 43 seasons, 27 of them have seen a top-two finish and 34 top-three finishes. The Longhorns have won 140 event titles during that span.

It is simply a dynasty.

“Simply put, Eddie Reese is the greatest coach of all time,” Texas’ Carson Foster said. “If it was ever debated before, it is over now. You can’t argue with 15 national championships in five different decades. He and all of our assistants do an incredible job with recruiting, but also developing, and they

have created such a culture with the team where there is not a single person who is complacent with anything but a championship, and that is the culture from day one. We don’t accept anything less. Forty years after he won his first, he won his 15th and that is beyond special for all of us and the Texas alum.”

The 2021 season was a special one for many reasons. The Longhorns endured the pandemic virtually unscathed and took back their title after Cal broke their four-peat streak in 2019.

“Every one of them are different because of the makeup of your team and every one of them has to go through different things. These guys have been through the COVID year and that freeze in Austin. There is something special to overcome every year and this group, they went the whole school year with no positive COVID-19 tests,” Eddie Reese said after the meet.

It was also special because all 20 swimmers and all four divers who competed at the championships scored at least one point, meaning the entire team had a hand in the title.

It was a meet won by depth as the Longhorns won a diving event, two relays but no individual swimming races, the first time that has happened for a title team since 2006.

“Something really special about Eddie is he doesn’t really view us as athletes or point scorers. He views us all as human beings and wants what is best for us as human beings, and that is how it has always been. He always cares even during the hard practices. It makes you see the value in yourself and makes everybody want to be the best,” Drew Kibler said.

“The culture makes you want to work and where you can take these roads. Eddie has a different way of going about these things and he is just such a phenomenal man.”

And the greatest coach in the history of college swimming. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY NCAA MEDIA ]

TEXAS CONTINUES WINNING FORMULA — EVEN WITHOUT WINNING MANY RACES AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY DAN D'ADDONA

T

exas has employed a winning formula that has worked for decades at the NCAA Championships: Swim well, dive even better, use depth as a weapon and show up in relays.

It seems simple, but it is extremely difficult to have those pieces, let alone put all of those elements in place at the same time, year after year.

That seems to be the norm for the Longhorns.

Texas became the first team since Auburn in 2006 to win the NCAA men’s championship without winning any of the individual swimming races. The Longhorns did so by having every qualifier actually score in the meet — all 24 of them.

“Once the momentum starts, people see that if he can do it, I can do it. We saw that with every single person on our team, swimmers and divers. Anything you can give, we will take and that brings out the best in people,” Drew Kibler said.

The Longhorns won a diving event and two relays and used its immense depth to keep its title tradition going with 595 points, holding off a charge by Cal (568).

“It meant everything. Like the name suggests, it is swimming AND diving and our team has a very diverse set of skills,” Jordan Windle said. “We support each other all the way.”

It is the record 15th NCAA title for Texas and coach Eddie

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Reese, two more than Michigan.

The Longhorns won four in a row before Cal broke the streak in 2019. Texas has won five of the past six.

“I think (Cal sprinter) Ryan Hoffer said it best. They work hard because they know we are working hard and we work hard because we know they’re working hard and we both want the same thing,” Reese said. “Every one of them are different because of the makeup of your team and every one of them has to go through different things. These guys have been through the COVID year and that freeze in Austin. There is something special to overcome every year and this group, they went the whole school year with no positive COVID-19 tests.”

It is the 40th anniversary of Texas’ first title in 1981. Reese has now led the Longhorns to titles in five decades.

Reese has coached 43 years. In addition to the 15 NCAA titles, his Texas teams have been runner-up 12 times and third place seven times. The Longhorns have been in the top 10 in the nation for a stunning 40 consecutive seasons and won 41 consecutive conference championships.

The Longhorns have won 137 individual titles in their history, but only one diving title by Windle, who won this year’s 1-meter, will be added to that total as well as two relays. Windle won the 1-meter event, going 1-2 with Noah Duperre, then Texas won the 400 medley Thursday.

“Our divers, we call them ‘cheat codes,’” Carson Foster said.

“They find a way to get it done.”

“It has been amazing watching all of these underclassmen grow throughout the year. It showed and we got the points we needed,” Windle said.

It was only two events but it completely turned the tide of the meet on Thursday. Cal had dominated the first part of Day 2 with its stellar sprinting and this counterpunch brought the Longhorns within striking distance.

And they struck.

It started the very next day when the Longhorns put a stunning four swimmers in the 400 IM finals. They didn’t win, but the 2-5-6-8 finish led by Foster kept the momentum going.

butterfly and Windle took fourth on platform with teammate Andrew Harness 10th.

It ensured every Longhorn at the meet scored for their team.

“We had to leave guys home to hit the roster limit of this meet. We had 10 swimmers get left home, which shows how deep we are, but they very well could have come and scored, too,” Foster said. “It is huge that we scored all 20 guys (plus four divers), but we could have had all 30 of us score. We had guys in every single final. We just fit together like a puzzle.

“The reason why you come to Texas is to win championships like this.” ◄

“We were thinking we could get three in the A final and one in the B, but I finished and I heard our team going crazy,” Foster said. “We got four and I lost my mind. It was probably the swim of the meet for our team because the mood changed and it was a snowball effect.”

Texas had a 2-4-8 finish in the 200 free, led by Kibler to follow that up. Windle finished second on 3-meter, leading into Saturday.

“It is a big team effort. We have support from the whole swimming and diving team in good times and bad. When you have that support you are going to go to battle for your team,” Texas diving coach Matt Scoggin said.

On the final day, the Longhorns scored multiple swimmers in the mile, then two in the 200 backstroke finals before Kibler and Daniel Krueger tied for second in the 100 freestyle at 41.59.

Same time, same team, same initials.

“It was super exciting to tie, but it left me unsatisfied because we have this ongoing rivalry of who the real ‘DK’ is. That left us just as lost as before,” Kibler said. “We tied, which was great and exciting points-wise, but we still don’t know who the real ‘DK’ is.”

Caspar Corbeau followed with his second breaststroke finals appearance, Sam Pomajevich took sixth in the 200 BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY NCAA MEDIA ]

>> RYAN HOFFER (FRONT) & BJORN SEELIGER

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS COME UP JUST SHORT DESPITE HISTORIC PERFORMANCE

BY DAVID RIEDER

N

o swim team was more impressive at the men’s NCAA championships than the California Golden Bears. They scored a whopping 568 points, the most of any swim team.

Ryan Hoffer was one of just two swimmers to win three individual events, and he led his team to first-place finishes in both the 200 and 400 free relays. Destin Lasco was arguably the most impressive freshman at the meet, recording three top-three finishes and almost stealing a national title in the 200 back. Veterans Reece Whitley, Hugo Gonzalez and Trenton Julian all posted massive performances.

And yet, as we cannot forget, this was the swimming and diving championships, and Texas scored 83 points in diving, good enough to vault the Longhorns past the Bears. Cal has now scored the most swimming points in seven of the past 11 NCAA championships, but on three of those occasions (2010, 2018 and now 2021), Texas diving has made the difference.

This time, Cal’s point total was by far the highest of any runnerup finisher ever at the men’s NCAA championships, easily surpassing Stanford’s total of 501 from the 2002 championships (where, coincidentally, the Cardinal finished second to Texas). Moreover, Cal scored more points than any team, champions included, since 2004.

Let’s repeat that: more points than any other team in 17 years, and it wasn’t enough to win a national championship.

GOLDEN BEARS SPRINT STAR FULFILLS HUGE POTENTIAL So it’s hard to ask what went wrong with the Golden Bears 16

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over the past four days. Hoffer, in particular, fulfilled his potential on the NCAA level. Cal coach Dave Durden has brought in a collection of magnificently talented recruits over the years, but Hoffer was one of the best, with times of 18.71 in the 50 free and 41.23 in the 100 free that made him the fastest high school sprinter ever.

Hoffer never quite lived up to that hype his first two years, despite winning the 50 free national title his sophomore year, and the NCAA championships were cancelled his junior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But this year, Hoffer was masterful: he moved to second alltime in the 50 free behind Caeleb Dressel with his 18.33, and his wins in the 100 fly (44.24) and 100 free (40.90) each moved him to fifth all-time. It wasn’t until Saturday that Hoffer finally surpassed his previous 100 free lifetime best from 2015.

FRESHMAN STUD AND MORE Next up, Lasco: he was another heralded recruit, a many-time NAG record setter from New Jersey, but no one could have predicted this sort of explosion as a freshman. He finished third in the 200 IM, dropping more than four seconds from his lifetime best in the process, and then finished third in the 100 back in 44.49.

And then, on the final day, he nearly stole the 200 back NCAA title from heavy favorite Shaine Casas, taking the lead with 50 yards to go before finishing just two tenths behind. Lasco touched second in 1:35.99, becoming just the third man

to ever break 1:36 in the event. He threw in relay splits of 1:32.13 (800 free relay) and 41.74 (400 free relay) for good measure.

However, some of Cal’s other stars were not perfect. Whitley swam well early in the meet, up through his third-place finish in the 100 breast, but his split on the 200 medley relay (23.57) was slowest of the top nine as Cal finished a disappointing third. And then, in the 200 breast on the final day, he could not get past Minnesota’s Max McHugh, an especially bitter pill to swallow considering his season-best time of 1:48.53 was faster than McHugh’s performance.

Gonzalez? He threw down a 1:39.99 for second place in the 200 IM and a 1:51.20 for third in the 200 breast. He also had the fastest 400 IM of the meet, a 3:36.73—except it was in the B-final. A disappointing morning swim left him maxed out at nine points for ninth place.

Julian? Again, great swims left wanting more. On Thursday, he took a risk by going out fast in the 500 free and led convincingly through 400 yards, only to pay the price down the stretch and fade to fourth in 4:09.78. After taking third in the 200 free Friday, Julian again led almost the entire way in the 200 fly, and he held a lead of seven tenths with a 50 to go. But again, he faded slightly to second behind Louisville’s Nicolas Albiero, whose winning time (1:38.64) was a bit slower than Julian’s season best (1:38.53).

Freshman Bjorn Seeliger proved to be an enormous addition for Cal, as he finished second in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free and provided a huge relay boost. Senior Sean Grieshop took third in the 400 IM and seventh in the 500 free, moving up significantly from his pre-meet seed times, but he couldn’t muster higher than 14th place in a last-ditch effort in the 1650 free on Saturday.

and several members of the college team expected to be in contention. But next year, Cal loses a lot—Hoffer, Julian, Grieshop, Mefford, Carr, Yeadon and Biondi. Some of that group could choose to take advantage of the NCAA extension on eligibility, but if not, that’s six individual scorers and one critical relay piece.

Cal brings back just five scorers in Lasco, Whitley, Gonzalez, Seeliger and sophomore Colby Mefford, younger brother of Bryce and the 13th-place finisher in the 200 back on Saturday. That’s a daunting rebuild looming, but Durden could not have achieved 11 straight top two finishes at the NCAA championships without some brilliant coaching, so Cal will undoubtedly be back.

Indeed, the Golden Bears have a nine-man recruiting class coming to Berkeley in the fall, including talented New Jersey sprinter and backstroker Jack Alexy, Swedish freestyler and World Junior Championships runner-up Robin Hanson and Iowa freestyler Trent Frandson. Some from that group may make an impact on the national level as soon as next season.

But for now, California fans should be proud of their Golden Bears, an outstanding team that just happened to come up against this Texas squad. Make no mistake: Texas won this championship far more than Cal lost it. ◄

SUITMATE": Keeping swimmers happy since '83

Cal’s two backstroke seniors, Bryce Mefford and Daniel Carr did their part in individual events and added some significant relay splits. Senior transfer Zach Yeadon finished sixth in the 1650 free and won the B-final of the 500 free. And who could forget Nate Biondi’s anchor split from the 200 free relay, where he held off Florida’s Eric Friese by just 12 hundredths?

So this was an incredible performance. The Golden Bears just came up against one of the deepest and most complete NCAA swimming squads ever.

“We finished the meet great,” Seeliger said after Cal’s 400 free relay triumph. “We might not have some numbers, and we might need to hire some divers, but all of the guys put their heart into it this weekend. We all stepped up, and I am proud of that.”

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WHAT’S NEXT FOR CAL? So where does Cal go from here? Obviously, there’s an Olympic season coming up with many Golden Bears postgrad swimmers expected to qualify for the Olympic team BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY MIKE COMER / NCAA PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES ]

NICK ALBIERO WINS EMOTIONAL 200 BUTTERFY NCAA TITLE

BY ANDY ROSS

N

ick Albiero has been swimming at the Ralph Wright Natatorium at the University of Louisville ever since he can remember. Now his name will be on the wall as a national champion for the University of Louisville after winning the 200 butterfly in Greensboro on Saturday night.

“When we first started, there were no ACC banners or NCAA champions. So now that my name is going to be on there, it’s pretty cool,” Nick Albiero told Swimming World.

The University of Louisville started honoring its national champions in swimming and diving in 2012 when Carlos Almeida won the program’s first title in the 200 breaststroke nine years ago. Since then, the Cardinals have had an individual champion every single year. Joao de Lucca, Kelsi Worrell and Mallory Comerford have their names etched in history on the walls of the natatorium, and now they will add one more name this year – Nick Albiero, who has seen the program grow first hand with his dad Arthur being the head coach of the program since the fall of 2003.

“It means everything. I see those names – Carlos Almeida and Joao de Lucca, every day when I’m swimming at practice.

They’ve motivated me when I got to watch their careers, and even the females Kelsi and Mallory, it inspired me. To be able to join that group is amazing and I’m so honored to be a part of that.”

Louisville will have some decisions to make regarding the national champion banners now that Albiero and the 200 medley relay are coming home as national champions, potentially needing to free up space to display everyone on the wall.

“I think there’s enough room,” Albiero said with a laugh. “I don’t know how many spots are left…maybe they can do 18

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hanging banners on a wall. I don’t know what the relay is going to look like because we’ve never had one!”

It is a good problem to have for a program that matched its highest ever finish in fifth place for the second straight NCAAs. “It’s awesome and I’m so happy I was considered a captain this year and a leader for this group. My freshman year we came in and wanted to be top ten, and we were ninth, and that was awesome. And to go from ninth to fifth and then not having last year, and getting fifth again…this is the tradition we are setting for the teams to come. It’s really exciting.”

For Albiero, he had trailed nearly the entire 200 butterfly race to Cal’s Trenton Julian, but used a strong final kick out to win the national title.

“I specifically work on underwaters every day. It’s in our warm up and in our main set and that’s what I really utilize, especially for short course. I knew I was going to have a chance if I kept within striking distance at the 150 and 175. I just put my head down and hoped for the best.”

Nick Albiero has played an instrumental role in Louisville’s rise now as a national power, and shared an emotional hug with his dad Arthur after the 200 butterfly.

“After the race I pretty much started crying. We are both pretty emotional guys and we gave each other a hug and the tears were coming down. It means everything to have him on deck. He knows my swimming better than I do. He knows me better than I know myself and I’m so grateful he is on this journey with me and that we get to do it together.” ◄

[ PHOTO BY LUKE JAMROZ PHOTOGRAPHY ]

Finke trailed Texas freshman Carson Foster, well behind in fact, for the first 300. Foster turned at 2:46.12 ahead of Finke at 2:47.46. Finke has proved to be one of the top closers in the country, as this followed a similar pattern seen in the 400 IM at the 2019 summer nationals when Finke ran down Foster a year and a half ago.

Finke’s performance inspired Smith to continue the trend when his turn came up in the 200 free. Smith won in 1:30.10, but again, it wasn’t that he won, it was how he won.

>> KIERAN SMITH

BOBBY FINKE, KIERAN SMITH USHER IN FAST FUTURE FOR FLORIDA

Texas’ Drew Kibler took the early lead with a first-half split of 43.29. Smith was a 43.79 on the front half and stayed close throughout, closing the gap with a methodic finish and burst of speed in the final 25.

BY DAN D'ADDONA

Smith split a 23.16, just a few tenths quicker than his teammate Bobby Finke earlier in the 400 IM as he won his first individual title of his career after coming last year as the top man in the 200 and 500 free before the meet was cancelled.

W

ith all eyes on the Texas-Cal showdown, the Florida Gators put together some of the most impressive performances of the NCAA Championships. The Gators finished third behind some stellar individual performances by Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke, and consistently fast relays.

“It was massive,” Bobby Finke said of Florida’s statement performance this week. “Our coaches wanted to make sure we would be able to swim fast throughout the meet and not just the first couple of days. I am just excited for how we are going to be able to do next year.”

All five relays finished in the top four for the Gators, which was a big factor.

“Relays were huge for us at this meet, especially compared to the past few years. Our team is pretty young and it is fun to see us develop our different gears. After SECs, I was thinking our relays were pretty much as good as they could get, but I was totally wrong. We maintained or moved up in all of them and dropped time — and we don’t lose a single senior on the relays. We return all 20 legs,” Smith said.

Finke won the 1,650 freestyle in 14:12.52, shattering the meet record by 10 seconds. It was nearly as fast as his own NCAA and American record of 14:12.08.

“This time, I actually tried to go out faster than what I did at SECs, but I went out in practically the same time but I was trying harder, so that was a little disappointing. I have swam the mile three different ways now but have gotten all 14:12s.

I am trying to learn how to swim it again and train on that.”

Their previous races were pretty impressive, too.

Bobby Finke won the 400 IM and Kieran Smith followed suit in the 200 free — both in comeback fashion. Finke, a junior, won the 400 IM in 3:36.90, breaking the pool record in the event.

But it wasn’t that he won, it was how he won.

“For me, I just approach the race differently beforehand.

Instead of telling myself I am not going to feel the pain or ignore the pain, I just accept it and know I will be in pain.

I don’t want it to sneak up on me. I want to be fully aware of it and that helps me mentally prepare for it to try to do the whatever I can the last 50 to get my hand on the wall,” Finke said. “Zane Grothe said that at the end of every practice he felt like the end of every race when you are dead tired. I think our Christmas training really trained us well for that.

After every practice everyone was dead. There was one practice where we did 90x100s. Half the team crawled out of practice. We just laid on the pool deck. It was a sight to see,” Finke said.

They weren’t done.

Smith followed that up with a sixth-place finish in the 100 freestyle (41.89), to go along with his 500 free runnerup finish.

“For me, this year, the only difference in my splits from last year are all on the last 50. I was 23.6 last year and 23.1 on both of those swims this year. For me, it is a combination of doing all of those yards and getting up and going fast during quality practices. I make it an important part of practice to finish stronger than when I start,” Smith said.

Now they are hoping their fast NCAAs help them finish the year stronger than when they started as they head to the Olympic Trials this summer.

“I think it is going to help us build confidence. I think our whole team is going to be closer and it is going to help us build confidence with whatever other meet we have,” Finke said. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY LUKE JAMROZ PHOTOGRAPHY ]

SHAINE CASAS DELIVERS AFTER TWO YEARS OF BUILD UP: "THE PRESSURE WAS INCREDIBLE"

BY DAN D'ADDONA

S

haine Casas has been the up-and-coming star for years, and with the NCAA championships canceled last year, that just added a year of wondering what the Texas A&M swimmer would be capable of.

Casas felt that pressure, both internally and externally for nearly two years, and it reached a breaking point before this year’s NCAA Championships.

“The pressure was incredible. It almost cracked me. I was not going to come to this meet but my mom was there for me and my friends and coaches inspired me and supported me to push through and keep going. I am very happy that I did,” Shaine Casas said. “After SECs, I felt like I cracked a little.

The pressure and everything going on with me was just too much. I felt like I had not mental health issues, but too many things going on — dealing with too much. But I fell back on my support system and I did it for them and I am so happy that it worked out this way.”

win to close out his meet.

“It was start-to-finish pretty awesome. Definitely a talented field of guys and it was an exciting race,” Casas said of the 200 backstroke, which he won in 1:35.75, the second-fastest performer in history, ahead of Cal freshman Destin Lasco (1:35.99). “I definitely didn’t think he was going to come back that fast. I knew what I was trying to go but I didn’t know how fast he was going. The 150 turn came and I was like, ‘Man this kid is still with me. He is the real deal.’ I was a little bit behind and the last turn I made the decision that it was fine if I passed out or whatever, but I was going to use everything I had the last 25. It was enough fortunately. I was happy with the race and finally felt satisfied. It was just so fun for once.”

It was a huge finale.

Casas won U.S. national titles in 2019, which was a breakout meet for him. But with so long between big meets, the speculation grew about what he was capable of — and he proved it with three NCAA titles this week in Greensboro.

“The individual accolades are pretty impressive, but I definitely fell short on times and stuff like that, but I still got the job done — three-for-three. Hopefully that is something that this year’s success can build on in the future. I can’t take away that it was a great meet, but I want more than a great meet, I want an excellent meet,” Casas said.

“It is just confidence. Everybody thought I could do it. I thought I could do it. It was just a matter of time until I did it. Now it is official, I am a champion. It is more proving who I was. I am not just a rumor or a post anymore,” Casas said.

This meet showed Casas what it will take to get there this summer.

Shaine Casas did more than just get to the meet. He put together a spectacular show, winning all three of his individual events.

On Thursday, he won the 200 IM in 1:39.53, the first individual NCAA title for himself or any Texas A&M men’s swimmer in history. On Friday, he won the 100 backstroke in 44.20, then made it three-for-three with the 200 backstroke 20

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“I felt like I wasn’t in the best shape I could have been because of the circumstances this year, but I did the best I could in that moment. That is something I struggled with at SECs,” Shaine Casas said. “It just came down to I didn’t apply myself and do enough. Going through the progress of this meet and I am going to add what works and add that for long course and hopefully apply that for the Olympic Trials and hopefully the Olympic Games.” ◄

[ PHOTO BY NCAA MEDIA ]

they did not lose all the progress they had made. So, if you are someone who faces similar issues, stay active outside of the pool. The water will welcome you back with open arms if you do.

>> Colton Paulson of Louisville

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

I

BY MAURO PACSI

f there is anything we can take away from this past year of swimming, it is that nothing is impossible. In the past two weeks, that statement held true as the NCAA Swimming and Diving Division I Championships were successfully conducted. Not a lot of swimmers even thought these meets would be possible because of the surging of COVID-19 pandemic. However, with proper protocols in place, the championships unfolded, along with fast swimming.

Last week, the women’s collegiate teams took to the pool in Greensboro, North Carolina, to deliver a historic NCAA meet. The University of Virginia’s first National Championship, Maggie MacNeil’s NCAA Record 100-yard fly, and N.C. State’s 400 Medley Relay were some of the amazing performances produced. Over the past few days, the men’s championships took place in the same venue, with their own headlines. Louisville won its first relay title in school history, Minnesota’s Max McHugh claimed his school’s first swimming title since 1964, and Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas won his school’s first men’s title ever.

These few swims mentioned, along with the others, show that swimming at the highest level in a pandemic is possible.

These collegiate athletes battled adversity all season from the pandemic and triumphed. If they can do it, then we can too.

By watching them compete, I have been able to take away these valuable lessons that are worth sharing.

SETBACKS ONLY SET UP FOR GREATER COMEBACKS The pandemic left swimmers, coaches, and teams with a lot of problems. Pool time, practices, safety protocols, and finding facilities were all just some of the issues. However, these setbacks – although major – did not extinguish the fire of wanting to return to training.

Athletes did things out of the pool to keep themselves in shape, focused, and refreshed. Whether it was dryland, meditation, eating better, or sleeping better, many found other ways to keep their minds and bodies fresh. By the time they were able to get access to a pool,

EVERYONE LOVES AN UNDERDOG Being an underdog in a race is never bad and it does not take anything away from who you are as a competitor. You know what you are capable of and you know how to maximize your potential. However, nobody else does, so no one has their eyes on you. As previously stated, the N.C. State women and Louisville men both won a title in a relay event. Talk about putting on a show for the Atlantic Coast Conference. While the members of those relays knew what they could do it, there was doubt elsewhere. People might have counted them out and thought better teams would claim the title. Yet, those other teams did not, all because the underdogs never gave up on themselves.

NOTHING IS OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER Sometimes people make bold predictions when it comes to sports. Predictions and statistics will say one team is guaranteed to beat the rest, sometimes by a landslide margin.

This year on the men’s side, that was not the case as many people were split on predicting either the Texas Longhorns or the California Golden Bears to win the whole thing. In the end, Texas won, but only by a margin of 27 points. Texas had to fight and come back to earn another title after being down earlier in the meet. The point is, any meet is not over until the score is tallied and announced. In addition, any race is not over until everyone’s hand touches the wall and the times are on the board.

Fighting until the end is what swimming is all about at any level. Seconds, hundredths of a second, and tenths of a second are crucial in every race as swimmers battle to get the best of each other. So, if you are ever down at a meet or behind in a race, give it your best effort. You will not know what the outcome will be otherwise. Your tenacity and effort will be rewarded, and if not with a best time or a team win, you will be undoubtedly satisfied knowing that you left everything in the pool. ◄

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REACH LONG

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[ PHOTO BY MINNESOTA ATHLETICS ]

TERRY GANLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 44 SEASONS WITH MINNESOTA SWIMMING

BY DAN D'ADDONA

T

he longest-tenured coach in the history of Gopher Athletics, Terry Ganley, has announced her retirement after 44 seasons with the swimming and diving programs.

Ganley is one of the most-decorated, pivotal and important athletic figures at the University.

freestyle relay. She won the 1977 Big Ten title in the 100 individual medley as well.

The statistics from her coaching career are staggering. She helped lead the Golden Gophers to seven team Big Ten Championships and 17 NCAA Top-15 finishes. On her watch, the Gophers won 15 individual national titles, earned All-America honors 299 times and accumulated 532 AllAmerica certificates. Her student-athletes also claimed 147 Big Ten championships, and her women’s program amassed a dual meet record of 318-83-5 during the 44 seasons.

After the conclusion of her swimming career and a degree in physical education in 1977, she began her coaching career under her college coach, Jean Freeman. The coaching combo began a steady build of the program that included numerous close calls in claiming the program’s first Big Ten championship. The Gophers finished second nine times between 1984 and 1998. Finally, the Gophers broke through to win their first Big Ten title in 1999 and a second one the next year. In 1997, Ganley coached Gretchen Hegener to the 1997 national title in the 100 breaststroke, to mark Minnesota’s first NCAA swimming title.

“Today I had the privilege to do something that not many people get to do,” Terry Ganley said. “I was able to announce my retirement from the place where I spent four years as a student-athlete and then coached for 44 years. Maroon and Gold is and always will be home for me. It was an honor to teach, coach and mentor the young women and men of this great program. I am truly blessed to have spent my career as a Gopher.”

“I want to congratulate Terry on her well-earned retirement,” said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. “Her story is one of perseverance, dedication and triumph and her legacy as one of the best ever – to compete in the Maroon and Gold and to coach the Maroon and Gold – is well secured. She broke barriers as a student-athlete and then positively impacted thousands of Gopher athletes as a coach. Terry set a standard of excellence and we wish her well in her retirement.”

Ganley’s story involves much more than coaching. A Minneapolis native, she began her Gopher career in the fall of 1973 as a freshman swimmer and has remained on campus ever since. She won her first Big Ten title in 1974, winning the 50 backstroke. She would advance to the AIAW National Championships, where she sold t-shirts to help fund her trip to the meet. That March, she would go on to earn All-America honors in the event, becoming Minnesota’s first female All-American in any sport. She would go on to earn All-America honors two more times in 1975 (50 freestyle and 100 individual medley) and once more in 1976 in the 200

In 2004, Freeman retired and Ganley was named interim coach. Eventually, Ganley and Kelly Kremer, who had been coaching with the men’s program, were named co-head coaches of the women’s team. The duo earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2006 and led the Gopher women to their third conference title in 2008.

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When the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs merged in 2011, Kremer was named the overall head coach. Ganley continued in her role as women’s head coach, and later her current role as women’s and men’s senior

associate head coach.

“There aren’t enough words, or words big enough, for an occasion like this,” said Kremer. “Terry is the standard for how to love and care for this University and program, and she will be greatly missed. Personally, she is a close friend, colleague and mentor, and I know she will continue to support us as she takes this next step in her life. I would like to thank her and congratulate her! What an amazing legacy!”

The program then began a period of unprecedented success becoming the school’s first women’s team to win four consecutive Big Ten championships, repeating from 201215. From 2006 to 2015, the Gophers finished no lower than 13th at the NCAA Championships, including a programbest ninth in 2011. In 2014, Minnesota finished 10th at the NCAA meet, snagging All-America honors in 16 different events, a program record. Terry Ganley was involved in the development of three NCAA Champions during this period as well. The Gophers swept the breaststroke events in 2011 with Jillian Tyler winning the 100 and Haley Spencer taking the 200. In 2015, Kierra Smith won the 200 breaststroke.

Ganley finished on the highest note possible, assisting in the development of Max McHugh, who won the NCAA title in the 100 and 200 breaststroke in March, becoming the first men’s NCAA swimming champion in nearly 60 years.

Confirming Ganley’s commitment to a well-rounded studentathlete experience, eight members of the women’s program have won the Big Ten Medal of Honor. At least a dozen women have earned Academic All-Big Ten status in each of Ganley’s ­­­17 years as head coach or associate head coach.

Ganley was inducted into the Minnesota Aquatics Hall of Fame in 1984 and the M Club Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ganley’s 44-year tenure is matched by former football assistant coach George “Butch” Nash who served for 44 seasons from 1947 to 1980.

TERRY GANLEY’S GOPHER TIMELINE 1973 – Arrives at the University of Minnesota as a freshman swimmer 1974 – Becomes the Gophers’ first All-American in any sport 1976 – The final of Ganley’s four All-America honors came on the 200 freestyle relay in 1976, teaming with Cindy Anderson, Cheryl Swanum and Joni Ellis 1977 – Graduates from Minnesota and joins the women’s swimming staff as an assistant coach 1984 – Inducted into Minnesota Aquatics Hall of Fame 1990 – Inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame 1997 – Gretchen Hegener becomes Minnesota’s first NCAA swimming champion and breaks the American record in the 100 breaststroke 1999 – Serves as assistant coach for the Gophers’ first Big Ten team title and first of two in a row 2004 – Named interim head coach, and then co-head coach with Kelly Kremer, after Jean Freeman’s retirement 2006 – Earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors with Kremer 2008 – Wins third conference championship 2011 – Gopher women’s and men’s programs combine; Ganley becomes senior associate head coach for both teams. Jillian Tyler and Haley Spencer win the 100 and 200 breaststroke events respectively.

2012 – Starts four-year run of women’s Big Ten championships 2015 – Wins fourth consecutive and seventh overall Big Ten women’s swimming and diving title. Kierra Smith wins the 200 breaststroke national title.

2021 – Max McHugh wins the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Championships, marking Minnesota’s first men’s NCAA swimming champ since 1964. Ganley retires following a 44-year coaching career at the U of M ◄

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[ PHOTO BY MIKE COMER / NCAA PHOTOS VIA GETTY IMAGES ]

>> Sophie Hansson of NC State hugs Ella Nelson of Virginia

RANKING THE 10 BEST PERFORMERS FROM THE NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY ANDY ROSS

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he 2021 NCAA Division I women’s Championships last month were the first national level championship meet in more than a year and swimming fans throughout the United States rejoiced. The Virginia Cavaliers won their first team title in Greensboro, ending Stanford’s winning streak, while N.C. State had its highest-ever finish in second place.

We have highlighted the 10 best performers from the women’s meet.

10. PHOEBE BACON, FRESHMAN, WISCONSIN Our lone freshman on the list came into this meet a bit overshadowed by her rivals from powerhouses Virginia and N.C. State, which is kind of hard to believe considering Bacon is one of the top backstrokers in the world. But Bacon swam a very smart race in the 200 backstroke on the final night in Greensboro, and won the fourth 200 back title for the Badgers – men and women. Bacon made the A-Final in all three of her races and showed great poise and consistency in her first NCAAs, and she will be leading a rising Wisconsin team in the three years to come.

9. OLIVIA CARTER, JUNIOR, MICHIGAN Carter had one of the most dominating performances of the whole meet in winning the 200 butterfly on the final night, showing no signs of slowing down, pressing the pedal to the metal on the third 50, and winning the race by over a second and a half. Carter also swam a quiet sixth place in the 100 fly, which gave her the confidence to win the 200 fly the next night. As one half of “Butterfly U” at Michigan, Carter will

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return for one more year in Ann Arbor as the woman to beat in the 200.

8. ELLA NELSON, SOPHOMORE, VIRGINIA Nelson proved integral in Virginia’s team title, making three A-Finals in both IMs and the 200 breast, and also swam the third leg on the winning 800 free relay team. Nelson is a big reason why this Cavaliers team is so deep, and her ability to swim any stroke fills in holes the team might have. Nelson finished runnerup in both the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke, and will help this Virginia team be very hard to beat the next two years.

7. KATHARINE BERKOFF, SOPHOMORE, N.C. STATE Berkoff finally made her NCAA debut and won the 100 backstroke as a sophomore. She also led off N.C. State’s medley relays that won the first NCAA titles in the pool for the Wolfpack women. Berkoff’s talent and prowess are no longer a secret as she backed up her famous family name with an individual NCAA title of her own and is leading a young N.C. State team with a lot of returning pieces. The backstroke field will only get more crowded after this year, but Berkoff proved how great of a racer she is, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

6. BROOKE FORDE, SENIOR, STANFORD Forde concluded her four-year career with an NCAA title in the 400 IM, continuing Stanford’s tradition in the event after

4. KATE DOUGLASS, SOPHOMORE, VIRGINIA It is hard to believe Douglass only won one NCAA title in Greensboro, but four relay runnerups and two individual runnerups is nothing to yawn at. Douglass could have swum any number of events in Greensboro and been a national title favorite, and she finished second to some really good company in Maggie MacNeil and N.C. State’s medley relays.

Douglass’ NCAA debut resulted in her winning the 50 free, and she led Virginia to the national title. Douglass has been a big reason why this Virginia got so strong seemingly overnight, and her three best times in her NCAA debut proved she can rise to the occasion.

1. MAGGIE MACNEIL, JUNIOR, MICHIGAN MacNeil was the only swimmer at either the men’s or women’s Division I meet to set an NCAA record as she became the first woman to break 49 seconds in the 100 butterfly. It was long overdue for MacNeil, who was expected to battle Louise Hansson and Erika Brown for that mantle of “first to break 49” last season before the meet never happened. But MacNeil really stepped up to the occasion this year, facing budding superstar Kate Douglass in all three of her events and beating her twice – in the 100 fly and 100 free. Those two will have one more year to race each other, if they stick to their same lineups. MacNeil’s record-setting swim this season proved that anything is possible when faced with adversity. ◄

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5. ISABEL IVEY, JUNIOR, CALIFORNIA Even with no individual titles this season, Ivey played a huge role in Cal’s fourth place finish that allowed the team to come home with a trophy for the 12th straight season. Ivey anchored Cal’s winning 200 free relay on Thursday night that was a surprise to some, as it was the Golden Bears’ fifth 200 free relay win in six years. Individually, she made three A-Finals, finishing third in the 100 free, fourth in the 100 fly and fourth in the 100 back. Those three events were some of the most stacked of the whole meet, so we aren’t holding her lack of individual wins against her. Ivey is clearly one of the best swimmers in the NCAA and she proved why with her versatility in Greensboro.

look back, and she led Virginia to the program’s first NCAA title in the process. Madden has been a consistent performer for the Cavaliers over the years, finishing second in the 500 two years back in 2019, and emerged as a multi-title contender in 2020 when Virginia was poised to unseat Stanford before the meet was canceled. Madden backed up that hype with results – four titles in 2021, including the fastest split in the 800 free relay. She leaves behind a lasting legacy in Virginia that will keep the Cavs in the national title conversation for years to come.

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Ella Eastin won four in a row from 2016 – 2019. Stanford lost a lot of pieces from its 2019 title team but Forde guided the Cardinal to yet another top-10 finish (Stanford has never been lower than ninth) with her 400 IM win and 500 free third place finish. Even with a lot of nerves affecting her before the race, and the pandemic affecting much of the season for the West Coast schools, Forde swam a controlled race in the 400 IM and completed her Stanford career as a champion in one of the most grueling events.

3. SOPHIE HANSSON, JUNIOR, NC STATE Hansson swept the breaststroke events in Greensboro, and also threw down some impressive relay splits on N.C. State’s winning medley relays. Hansson was relatively quiet all season, having not raced in the midseason invite, so many didn’t know what to expect from her comes ACCs and NCAAs. But just like she had done her previous two years, she proved clutch. She won both the 100 and 200 breast in Greensboro, not fast enough to beat Lilly King’s records, but enough to put herself in the running for swimmer of the meet by the CSCAA. She still has one more year in Raleigh, and N.C. State’s medley relays look tough to beat next season.

2. PAIGE MADDEN, SENIOR, VIRGINIA Madden was the only swimmer to win all three of her individual events in Greensboro, and each of her races wasn’t close. Once she took the lead in each of her races, she didn’t BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY MINE KASAPOGLU / ISL ]

CAELEB DRESSEL AND THE OBSTACLES AWAITING HIS OLYMPIC SHOWCASE

BY DAVID RIEDER

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fter winning a record-tying seven gold medals at the 2017 FINA World Championships and then a record-breaking eight total medals at the 2019 version of the meet, Caeleb Dressel had to wait out the pandemic-induced 12-month delay of the Olympic Games, just like everyone else. But in 2021, Dressel gets a shot at taking his signature steamrolling to the Olympic level.

The accomplishments Dressel could reach at this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics are significant, even if there’s no realistic path for the 24-year-old Floridian to match Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But seven? That’s definitely a possibility. Dressel enters the Olympic summer as gold medal favorite in the 100 free, 100 fly and 50 free, and he figures to be a key member of the American men’s 400 free relay, men’s 400 medley relay and the newly-added mixed 400 medley relay. He could make an appearance on the U.S. men’s 800 free relay, as well.

The other piece of history Dressel could accomplish is becoming just the third man to win three individual gold medals at one Olympics. The others, of course, are Mark Spitz, who won four events in 1972, and Phelps, who won four events in 2004 and five in 2008. (Nine women have won more than two individual golds at one Games, led by Shane Gould’s five in 1972).

But that’s all hypothetical right now. Winning races in real life is a lot different than projecting based on best times and previous accomplishments. And in real life, Dressel will face a series of difficult challenges this July.

1. CAELEB DRESSEL VS. KYLE CHALMERS This one will be no surprise to anyone who has followed the men’s 100 free over the past four years. In 2016, Kyle Chalmers was just 18 when he shocked the world and came from behind to win Olympic gold in the 100 free. A year later,

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he missed the World Championships after undergoing heart surgery, and Dressel took advantage. Showing his abilities on the global level for the first time, Dressel swam a 47.17 to win by a massive margin of six tenths.

But when Dressel returned to defend his title in 2019, Chalmers was waiting for him. Dressel went out a half-second ahead of his Australian rival, but Chalmers stormed back and almost got back to dead even at the finish. Dressel won gold in 46.96, but Chalmers was right behind in 47.08. Dressel got the American record and improved to third-fastest all-time in the event, and Chalmers moved to sixth all-time.

Chalmers underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in November, but the surgery was minor with a prognosis for a quick return to swimming, and he was back in the competition pool in January. When the two reach their inevitable 100 free rematch in Tokyo, even if Dressel takes another shot at Cesar Cielo’s 12-year-old world record (46.91), Chalmers should be right there at the finish.

2. WATCH OUT FOR KRISTOF MILAK At the 2017 Worlds, Hungary’s Kristof Milak took the silver medal behind Dressel in the 100 fly. Two years later, Milak won his first world title in the 200 fly in stunning fashion, smashing Phelps’ decade-old world record and stopping the clock in 1:50.73. Milak was expected to give Dressel a run in the 100 fly, as well, but he finished a disappointing fourth place as Dressel broke the world record in the semifinal and cruised to gold in the final.

In Tokyo, don’t expect the same outcome. The 21-year-old Milak will surely present a threat to Dressel’s gold-medal hopes in the two-lap fly race. His performance at Hungary’s

recent national championships should put fear into his competition. His 200 fly time of 1:51.40 surpassed Phelps’ previous world record, and his 50.47 100 fly ranks him as the seventh-fastest performer ever (and second-fastest man since 2016). Like Chalmers in the 100 free, Milak will be churning and chasing after Dressel down the stretch of the 100 fly.

Also worth watching in the 100 fly is Russia’s Andrei Minakov, who took silver at the 2019 World Championships.

Minakov, 19, is heading to the United States to swim at Stanford this fall, and he ranks 14th all-time in the 100 fly at 50.83. Teenagers can drop time quickly, but his window of opportunity may not open until the next quadrennium.

3. THE SCHEDULE DILEMMA Excelling at the Olympics requires intense training, mental toughness and killer instinct, but balancing a multi-event program requires a friendly schedule. Phelps took advantage of a good lineup in four straight Olympics, while Ryan Lochte had to deal with all three rounds of the 200 back and 200 IM occurring concurrently. At both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, he had already competed in the 200 back final when he faced off against Phelps in the 200 IM. This year’s Olympic schedule will definitely present Dressel with some challenges as well. The Tokyo Olympics will feature evening prelims and morning finals over nine days (prelims Saturday, July 24 through Friday, July 30 and finals Sunday, July 25 through Sunday, August 1). If all goes as expected, Dressel would barely compete over the first three days, with just the 400 free relay finals on his schedule prior to the fourth evening of prelims. That’s when he would get his individual program underway with the 100 free.

The potential issues come over the last few days. On July 31, Dressel would likely compete in the 100 fly final, the 50 free semifinals and then as part of the mixed medley relay, and then on August 1, Dressel would have the 50 free final and the men’s medley relay. While that triple would be grueling, he wouldn’t have to swim in three finals in one session as he has at the World Championships. That’s also a major improvement over the version of the Olympic schedule used in from 2004 through 2016, where the 100 fly and 50 free finals were in the same session, with just the women’s 800 free final in between.

How about the 800 free relay? Dressel actually qualified for that relay back in 2017, finishing sixth in the 200 free at U.S. Nationals, but he has never actually swum the relay at Worlds because he already had two rounds of both the 50 free and 100 fly that day. But he could certainly take a shot at the 200 free at Olympic Trials. That event occurs early in the event schedule, before his sprint events. The 800 free relay would fit with Dressel’s Olympic schedule better than his World

Championships schedule, with the final scheduled for about 90 minutes after the 100 free semifinal. So maybe he takes a shot and see what happens. Why not?

So if Dressel were to compete in his three individual events and on all four relays, that would be 13 swims total, with 12 of those swims scheduled for a five-day period. Not ideal but certainly manageable. *** Since 2016, Dressel has swum in many high-pressure meets, between World Championships, Short Course World Championships, NCAA championships and the ISL, and he’s come up big with marvelous performances on almost every occasion. The only exception was the summer of 2018, when he missed significant time in training after a motorcycle accident. And even when he does break world records and win world titles, he still finds room for improvement.

Days after the 2019 World Championships, Dressel said, “There’s certainly a lot of room to improve on that meet. I was happy with it but not completely satisfied.”

Considering the big picture of what he wants to accomplish in swimming, Dressel gave a thoughtful, introspective answer.

“I just really want to try to be the best person I can be, and I feel like my swimming as a way to get me there. I just want to inspire some people, maybe just give some people some hope,” he said.

“I’m not satisfied with what I’ve done in the sport as of right now. I want to keep going. I just want to see how far I can push myself in the sport, and I know it’s going to be tough, but I just want to see. Maybe I can conquer a little bit more of my mind and just keep pushing myself for years to come in this and do something special in my own mind, and that’s really just up to me what I consider that to be. I do enjoy the challenge, and swimming certainly does bring that to me.”

Dressel has been to the Olympics before, but 2016 was just a preview. He got to swim with legends like Phelps and Nathan Adrian as part of a gold medal-winning 400 free relay, but he was never in the mix for any individual medals. This time, he will be the preordained star of the Games, with all the cameras zeroed in on him. This will be his chance to inspire some people and push himself to some special accomplishments.

Yes, he will have some serious challenges to manage— competitors like Chalmers and Milak, the schedule of events and, of course, the one-year delay. But this is a special athlete with a learned ability to step up his game when needed. Come Tokyo, expect Caeleb Dressel to be ready. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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SWIMMING WORLD PRESENTS

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY The listings on pages 28-34 are advertisements.

AADVANCED REMOTE SWIM CAMPS

THE ARETE SWIM CAMP & CLINICS

THE BOLLES SCHOOL SWIM CAMPS 2021

Bob Prichard, Director 4 Tara Hill Road Tiburon, CA 94920 415-435-9880 bprichard@somaxsports.com www.somaxsports.com/swimcamp.php

Coach Chuck Warner, Camp Director Arete Swim Camp 1050 Dellwood Rd. Martinsville, NJ 08836 areteswimcamp@gmail.com www.areteswim.com

Peter Verhoef, Coach 7400 San Jose Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32217 904-256-5216 VerhoefP@bolles.org www.Bollesswimming.org

Camp Dates: Feb. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021

Super-Strokes & Skills Clinics: To Be Determined

Elite I Camp: June 6-13 Elite II Camp: June 13-23

Our 2021 private remote camps accommodate up to three swimmers from the same family. Each five-day camp teaches one stroke. We teach swimmers to swim efficiently like world record holders (our swimmers have set 11 world records and have won 43 gold medals) by using frame-by-frame underwater stroke analysis and our exclusive drills, stretches and exercises. Swimmers have reduced their stroke count 30-50%.

We teach parents how to teach their kids.

A parent will record videos and supervise practices as we talk and watch via Zoom. During dryland sessions at home, we will analyze underwater strokes via Zoom, measure strokespecific flexibility and then teach stretches and exercises to relax muscles that are restricting breathing, shoulders, hips and legs.

A complete camp description can be found at www.somaxsports.com/swimcamp.php.

The fee for each private remote camp is $13,500 for all instruction, our custommade Powerbelts and a 2,500-yard practice laminated drill card.

Camp Dates: To Be Determined: June 20-24?? at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, N.J. We are uncertain whether the ARETE Swim Camp will launch its 24th year due to health considerations around COVID-19. Our intense instruction led by three-time USA National Team Coach Chuck Warner has helped transform more than 4,000 swimmers. For 18 consecutive years, ARETE has sold out most sessions. Our four core objectives are: Immediate Skill Improvement, Self-Esteem Development, Teamwork and “WOW Experiences.”

Each swimmer is filmed underwater and has permanent access to their own recording. A coach analyzes each stroke with each swimmer using our camp workbook. A key aspect of our camp is our “Inner Engineering Curriculum,” and we have a coach-to-swimmer ratio of 1:9 or better.

Coach Warner’s experience includes: • Four-time Big East Conference Coach of the Year •

Author of …And Then They Won Gold; Four Champions, One Gold Medal; EDDIE REESE: Coaching Swimming, Teaching Life

•

Former president of the American Swimming Coaches Association

For experienced competitive swimmers 13 and over

Camp sessions will focus on elite training in a team environment that includes technical teaching Dryland sessions focus on swimmingspecific strength and conditioning Olympic Camp: June 23-July 3

For experienced competitive swimmers 13 and over

Coaches and athletes will focus on the training, teaching and competitive aspects that make up competing at the Olympic level with daily viewing of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials as they happen Dryland sessions will focus on swimmingspecific strength and conditioning Campers will compete at the Bolles Classic Swim Meet (entry fees/USA Swimming registration included) Speed Camp: July 5-11

For competitive swimmers 13 and over

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Swimmers will explore the technical and physiological aspects of swimming faster

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Individual technical instruction and video sessions will be included for each camper, and practices will feature measurable and specific sets to focus on speeds for events ranging from 50 to 800 meters

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Dryland sessions will focus on plyometric and power movements

2019 Clinic Fees: $215 all three/$85 per.

2019 Camp Fees: $590-710 commuter/$765-900 resident (early registration discounted). Ages: 7-18.

COMBINATION OPTIONS FOR AFOREMENTIONED CAMPS AVAILABLE

CHECK OUT OUR CAMP LISTINGS ONLINE AT WWW.SWIMMINGWORLD.COM/CAMPS 28

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[ PHOTO COURTESY LARRY THORNTON ]

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY Day Camp: June 8-17 (Day Sessions) Dates: June 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 •

Technical one-day camp for swimmers age 12 and under

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Camp will include teaching, training and camp activities

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Registration is limited to 30 participants per day

Note: Be assured COVID-19 procedures are in place to mitigate risks and keep campers as safe and healthy as possible.

CAMP CHIKOPI Founded 1920 For Boys aged 7-17 Colette Duenkel 373 Chikopi Rd., Magnetawan, Ontario, POA 1PO Canada 705-387-3811 (In Season) • 954-566-8235 (Off Season) campchikopi@aol.com www.campchikopi.com https://www.facebook.com/CampChikopi/ https://www.instagram.com/campchikopi/

camps in Ontario.” Ahmic Lake is a quiet, pristine freshwater lake. Chikopi has over 2,000 feet of waterfront, offering multiple swimming options; a 50-meter swimming pool built into the lake and three sandy beaches.

Our swimming program covers every level— beginning with our respected water safety and learn-to-swim program to our admired and highly competitive swim team. No matter which level of swimming your son is at, he will improve with our personalized program, tailor-made to fit his ability and needs.

Located on 400 acres of the Almaguin Highlands, we offer over 30 land and water sports, all of which complement our swimming program. As well as specializing in swimming, soccer and triathlon, Camp Chikopi offers unique activities such as open water swimming, wilderness mountain bike trails, competitive war canoe and canoe tripping.

Campers range from boys who are here to have fun playing sports and being outdoors to gifted athletes. We have programs to fit everyone’s needs and fulfill their summer goals.

Chikopi is extremely proud of our diversity and inclusiveness. We are very international and welcome every nationality, language and custom at Chikopi. It is an excellent opportunity for boys to be technology-free and immersed in a variety of cultures.

Our wilderness location and rustic setting add to the extraordinary experience that a summer at Chikopi provides.

THE WORLD’S FIRST SWIM CAMP FITTER AND FASTER SWIM CAMPS

Two-Week Camps: June 30-July 14 July 14-28 July 28-Aug. 11 Three-Week Camps: June 30-July 21 July 28-Aug. 18 Four-Week Camps: June 30-July 28 July 14-Aug. 18 Five-Week Camps: June 30-Aug. 4 July 14-Aug. 18 Six-Week Camps: July 30-Aug. 11 Seven-Week Camps: June 30-Aug. 18 Specialty session pre-arranged with directors Camp Chikopi is a unique mix of a traditional and competitive sports camp. Chikopi was founded in 1920 by U.S. Olympic swimming coach Matt Mann II. We are renowned for being the world’s first swim camp and the oldest competitive sports camp in the world.

Chikopi has a long history of Olympic, national, university and high school champions.

It was voted “one of the best boys sports

www.FitterandFaster.com When: Year-round Where: 40+ states, Canada & Bahamas Elite Clinicians: 150+ Fitter & Faster safely produced more than 100 swim camps in 40 states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reduced session sizes and practiced detailed safety protocols.

Fitter and Faster’s high volume of camps has enabled their clinicians to achieve an experience and competency level that is unmatched in the industry.

As a year-round organization that produces swim camps anytime and anywhere—they are able to cap their session sizes at the smallest volume of any swim camp in the world. That means more expert-level attention for your swimmer.

• Each camp has a specific, unique curriculum centered around technique and race strategy •

Your instructors are in the water, demonstrating and making corrections.

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Each camp is an enriching experience where swimmers with professional clinicians who have competed in college, World Championships and Olympics.

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Participants engage in conversations about technique, race strategy, balancing school and swimming, nutrition, psychology, training, taper and other aspects of life in

and out of the pool that have made your clinicians successful.

Visit FitterandFaster.com to find a swim camp or to request one near you.

EAGLE SWIM CAMPS AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY Contact Camp Director Caroline Rollins with questions 513-515-7371 eagleswimcamps@gmail.com Registration is open www.eagleswimcamps.com June 21-24 & June 29-July 2 Technique Camps June 25-28 Elite Training Camp Eagle Swim Camps at Florida Gulf Coast University focus on providing skill instruction on all four competitive strokes, while also providing an incredible overall summer camp experience.

Our campers—ages 8-18 (technique camp), 12-18 (training camp)—will enjoy learning from our championship coaching staff the skills to improve their competitive strokes and turns during their two-water sessions per day.

Between sessions each day, campers will experience special guests and events, including Q&A and swimming with Olympic and world champion swimmers, college recruiting, strength and conditioning as well as our special rock wall.

Eagle Swim Camps aim not only to educate our swimmers, but also continue to foster a love for fun in the sport of swimming. Registration is open!

GOLD MEDAL SWIM CAMPS AND CLINICS Courtney Hart, Head Coach Georgia Tech Swimming and Diving 404-867-3766 buzzswimming@gmail.com www.goldmedalswimcamp.com Link to registration page: https://portal.campnetwork.com/Register/ Register.php?camp_id=397055 Head coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist Courtney Hart invites you to take part in our Spring Clinics and Summer Camps.

The Gold Medal Swim Camp coaches are some of the best in the business. With two former Olympians, former national team members, experienced collegiate coaches and Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving team members, the camp promises to have some of the best technical instruction available in a camp setting.

Camp Dates: June 7-10 Session 1 July 6-9 Session 2

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2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 29 CAMPS: This year, our Competitive Swim Camp is a commuter-style camp that will include a water session, technical instruction, video work and dryland instruction.

Swimmers will be in the water two-plus hours each day and hear from some of the best coaches in the business.

Our camp is located at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology at 750 Ferst Drive.

Clinic Dates: Saturday April 17 Starts and Turns Sunday April 18 Freestyle and Backstroke Sunday April 25 Butterfly and Breaststroke Saturday May 8 Starts and Turns Sunday May 9 Freestyle and Backstroke

AGES 8-17 | COED

CLINICS: Our clinics are designed to provide competitive swimming technique training for intermediate to advanced competitive swimmers. Our clinics are two-and-a-half hours long, to the point and full of information!

Get ready for the summer competition season with one of our focused clinics. Get individualized attention from our former Olympians and collegiate coaches.

Our clinic is located at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology at 750 Ferst Drive.

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Jon Alter, Camp Director The University of Texas P.O. Box 7399 Austin, TX 78713-7399 512-475-8652 • Fax 512-232-1273 longhornswimcamp@athletics.utexas.edu www.LonghornSwimCamp.com Four one-week sessions from May 24-June 19 43 years of excellence! Headed by threetime Olympic and Texas head men’s coach Eddie Reese, 2019 World University Games and women’s coach Carol Capitani, former USA Swimming National Junior Team Director and assistant women’s coach Mitch Dalton and 2018 Team USA Pan-Pac and assistant men’s coach Wyatt Collins, the Longhorns Swim Camp is the most exciting camp in the country! Guest coaches and speakers include Olympians and national team members Ian Crocker, Josh Davis, Colleen Lanné-Cox, Garrett Weber-Gale, Townley Haas, Whitney Hedgepeth, Will Licon, Madisyn Cox and Jimmy Feigen. Open to male and female competitive swimmers, ages 8 to 18.

Camp is held at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus, home to 23 NCAA team champions.

Facility includes an indoor 50-meter by 25yard pool, a 25-yard by 25-meter pool and a BRAND NEW 50-meter by 25-yard outdoor pool.

Four training groups based on age and ability,

Swim Clinics

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with a 1:7 coach/swimmer ratio in technique sessions.

Daily training includes challenging longcourse sessions Monday-Friday mornings; technique sessions Monday-Thursday afternoons and evenings, with start/turn work included. Classroom sessions on technique and race strategies held. Underwater video of each camper analyzed by a coach. Daily social activities and field trips offered. Multiple-week stays include planned weekend activities with supervision. Experienced, mature, adult staff provides 24-hour supervision. Cost: Overnight Camp $1,070; Day Camp $970. Complete camp information and online registration available at Longhornswimcamp.com.

Per NCAA rules, sport 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. NCAA guidelines prohibit payment of camp expenses by a representative of The University of Texas’ athletics interest. NCAA rules also prohibit free or reduced camp admission for prospects (9th grade and above).

er t is g e R now!

June 20-24, 2021 June 27-July 1, 2021

MERCERSBURG ACADEMY SWIM CLINICS Glenn Neufeld, Head Coach Mercersburg Academy 100 Academy Drive Mercersburg, PA 17236 717-328-6225 summerprograms@mercersburg.edu www.mercersburgsummer.com June 20-24 Session 1 June 27-July 1 Session 2 Mercersburg Swim Clinics are dedicated to improving your technique and helping you develop as a swimmer both inside and outside of the pool. Mercersburg Academy’s storied aquatics program has produced over 30 Olympians and brings a tradition of excellence to their summer program. The primary aim of Mercersburg Swim Clinics is to provide an experience that teaches swimmers the most innovative techniques available while having fun. The philosophy is simple. Swimmers do not just compile distance, but rather work on improvements in starting, turning and stroke techniques.

Mercersburg Swim Clinics participants stay in Mercersburg Academy’s state-of-the-art residence halls that are recently renovated, airconditioned with carpeted hallways, and have bathrooms on every hall with individual shower stalls.

The swimmer-to-staff ratio is around 5 to 1.

Mercersburg Academy’s elite coaching staff and other successful coaches from colleges and club teams will instruct swimmers throughout the week. Counselors are generally current and former college swimmers or Mercersburg Academy graduates with swimming experience.

Swimmers will train in the state-of-theart Lloyd Aquatic Center, which includes an Olympic-size, 50-meter, 10-lane pool.

See display ad on page 30.

MICHIGAN SWIM CAMP at The University of Michigan 8160 Valley View Drive Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-845-8596 umswim1@gmail.com www.michiganswimcamp.com or www.camps.mgoblue.com/swimming Four sessions open to any and all entrants, limited to age and 195 campers per session in Canham Natatorium at the University of Michigan. A staff of 60+ and three instructional sessions per day ensure the individual attention necessary for significant improvement.

Coaches Mike Bottom, Dr. Josh White, Rick Bishop, Sam Wensman, Nikki Kett, Kurt Kirner and Roger Karns are directly involved in coaching and teaching campers.

All campers HD-filmed, 1:1 analyzed, and receive a written stroke analysis. Optional custom video and/or Kistler start-and-turn analysis available for an additional fee. Choose the Intensive Training Track or the Technique

Development Track. World-class staff provides leadership and mentoring that encourage each swimmer to strive for excellence in and out of the pool.

While the status of summer camps for 2021 is uncertain, we will resume hosting athletic camps when it is safe to do so. Please continue to follow us on mgoblue.com for the latest updates. Stay safe and Go Blue.

NAVY SWIMMING CAMPS 2021 Bill Roberts, Camp Director Navy Swimming Camps 2021 566 Brownson Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402 410-293-5834, 410-293-3012 Fax 410-293-3811 navyswimmingcamp@usna.edu www.navyswimmingcamp.com or www.navysports.com Facebook search: Navy Swimming Camp June 15-19 Session I June 21-25 Session II Clinics: June 19 & 20 (see website for 2021 clinic offerings) Now going into our 23rd season, expect direct results by being part of the 2021 Navy Swimming Camp this summer! Our principal goal is to provide you the very best in individual instruction, evaluation, camper experience and safety/supervision. The purpose of our camp is to offer you a unique environment to learn and develop your competitive strokes, including all related starts, turns and finishes.

Navy Swimming Camp is a stroke-intensive camp. Swimming campers will receive individual attention. Additional training sessions are offered to all needing to maintain conditioning while at camp. Video analysis, dryland activities designed to improve individual fitness levels, performance, training, goal-setting, leadership presentations and the Severn River boat cruise are all part of the schedule for 2021. Also, outstanding and accomplished guest speakers and presenters all scheduled for this year’s edition of the Navy Swimming Camp.

Campers will learn, train and reside in an amazingly safe and unique environment on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy.

Additionally, teamwork and leadership are important points of emphasis for every camper.

The Navy camp is led by an experienced camp staff while providing the very best in 24-hour supervision.

See www.navyswimmingcamp.com for greater detail, including brochure, application, daily schedule and frequently asked questions.

Cost for each camp: $725/commuter camper (ages 8-18), $775/extended day camper (ages 8-18), $825/resident camper (ages 9-18). All campers receive a NAVY swimming shirt & an exclusive NAVY backstroke flag. Go Navy!

2021 NEAL STUDD SWIM CAMP AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Dan Carrington, Camp Director Florida State University 2560 Pottsdamer St. Tallahassee, FL 32310 850-644-5946 dcarrington@fsu.edu www.fsuswimcamp.com June 14-18 Session 1 June 21-25 Session 2 The Neal Studd Swim Camp at Florida State University is a camp that focuses on giving each swimmer, ages 7-18, the tools to improve his or her overall technique. The camp focuses on fitness, stroke technique, starts, turns, nutrition and mental training.

Each camper will receive specific instruction on all four strokes, turns and starts. There will be classroom sessions on these principles as well as talks on nutrition. We will also have champion swimmers come in to talk to our campers.

Our goal each session is to give your camper the tools to improve his or her swimming as well as give them a renewed love of the sport!

We love to hear from our campers each year that they have a “renewed love of the sport” and/or that they “were so excited to drop time.”

We’ve earned a reputation with the clubs of our campers returning to their teams with better technique, improved fitness and more confidence!

Additional camp information can be found at: https://www.fsuswimcamp.com/

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO SWIMMING CAMPS Lisa Ebeling, Camp Director University of Northern Colorado 970-451-1476 Lisa.ebeling@unco.edu www.uncswimmingcamps.com June 28-July 2 Session 1 July 12-16 Session 2 UNC Swimming Camps are designed to teach athletes the technical aspects of swimming to help them achieve success at the next level. The main focus of our camp is on stroke analysis and technique for starts and turns through in-depth video review. We also provide elite high-altitude training sessions, team building activities, nutritional education, competition preparation tools and mental training.

We group athletes according to skill level, and are able to accommodate swimmers of all levels, ages 8-18.

UNC Swimming Camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender).

Join Coaches Lisa Ebeling and Brody Lewis to learn the techniques used by NCAA and Olympic champions. Camps are filling fast, so register now to reserve your spot!

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2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 31 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SWIMMING CAMPS http://www.pittswimmingcamp.com/ Pittsburgh Swim Camp Dates: June 13-17 June 20-24 Our swim camp is designed to inspire competitive swimmers to develop their strokes and training while swimming under the guidance and experience of some of the best collegiate coaches in the country!

University of Pittsburgh head coach and 1996 Olympic gold medalist, John Hargis, along with his coaching staff will instruct campers how to develop their strokes, starts and turns. We will also instruct campers on how to maximize daily training while at camp and when they return to their home club. Each day will consist of water workouts plus a classroom session to watch and analyze swimming videos, as well as other topics such as preparing for college, sport nutrition and goal setting. Camp will also include individual stroke analysis and instruction via video review, and a low camper-to-staff ratio.

We will be taking additional measures based on guidance from our local health department and the Pitt Athletics department to limit any COVID exposure.

Campers can also purchase additional video analysis that includes all four strokes, starts, turns and underwater kick footage.

Video analysis is done by collegiate coaches and delivered to the camper digitally for unlimited playback.

Cost: $500. Additional camp information can be found at: http://www.pittswimmingcamp.com/

THE RACE CLUB 2021 UPCOMING SWIM CAMPS https://theraceclub.com/swim-camps/swimcamp-details/ Swimmers will focus on all strokes, swimming starts and swimming flip turns while improving freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly swimming techniques. Learn four different types of dryland training, the science of swimming and the five disciplines of fast swimming. Develop seasonal planning, mental training and swim race strategy techniques that are sure to give you an edge over your competition.

Whether you’re a beginner, Masters or a competitive swimmer, we recommend that all campers attend every swim camp session to gain a comprehensive knowledge of our methodologies to improve your swimming technique.

The Race Club Swim Camps are unlike any other swim camps or clinics. Sign up for the sessions you’d like during a camp. We coach a morning and an afternoon session on each scheduled camp day. Morning sessions are three hours at $250 per session, and afternoon sessions are two hours long at $150 per session.

We encourage all campers to attend all

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eight sessions to gain the full benefit of The Race Club methodology. If you register 30+ days before the camp start date, you will receive a $200 discount off the full camp rate of $1,600.

Link to camp info: https://theraceclub.com/ swim-camps/swim-camp-details/

SPIRE INSTITUTE & ACADEMY 440-466-1002 info@spireinstitute.org https://www.spireinstitute.org Stroke Camp Dates: June 6-10 June 13-17 June 20-24 Aug. 8-12 Start & Turn Camp Dates: May 28-30 June 11-13 June 18-20 Aug. 13-15 SPIRE offers five-day Stroke Camps and three-day Start & Turn Camps for ages 12 and older. These competitive swimming camps are either boarding or non-boarding and are for competitive swimmers.

Stroke Camps are structured around a philosophy of teaching skill acquisition and development in all four competitive strokes as well as starts and turns. Two daily water sessions are led by a world-class staff.

Workouts are structured to improve stroke technique with a combination of drills, skills and training.

Each athlete will have opportunities to enhance all phases of competitive swimming through individualized attention from our excellent coaches and counselors. Individual stroke analysis, dryland instruction and lecture sessions will give the campers one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date training camp experiences available in the United States.

The Competitive Start & Turn Camp will only focus on starts and turns. Emphasis is about turning these often-overlooked skills into a true competitive advantage. Swimmers will receive intensive instruction on the forward and backstroke starts with safety being a priority.

Fast, legal turns for all four competitive strokes and the IM transition turns will be covered. Each athlete will receive individual attention from a staff of outstanding coaches and instructors.

See display ad on page 33.

STR SPEEDWEEK SWIM CAMPS USING SCIENCE TO IMPROVE TECHNIQUE swimmingtechnology.com Are you: • looking for a significant time drop?

• serious about improving your technique?

• hoping to reduce or eliminate shoulder pain?

• ready to compete at the next level?

• interested in extending your swimming career to college?

If you are, then an STR SpeedWeek is your best swim camp option! We are the only camp with scientific studies that confirm the effect of our technique improvement strategies.

In the morning classroom instructional session, swimmers learn specific cues to see and feel so they can swim like MONA, a biomechanical model of optimal technique.

The following pool session includes deliberate practice strategies to help the swimmers optimize technique—short swims at a slow stroke rate with lots of individual feedback.

In the afternoon, swimmers are tested in the pool and analyzed in the classroom with Aquanex—our patented system that captures synchronized underwater video and hand force data. This science-based analysis is unlike anything else in the world of swimming, giving swimmers the information they need to fine-tune their technique and make drastic time drops.

You will learn to: • Optimize the non-breathing head position • Control the base of support to minimize resistance and maximize propulsion • Benefit from elbow flexion at the beginning of the pull • Vary the arm index of coordination in freestyle • Minimize shoulder stress on the freestyle and butterfly arm entry • Reduce fluctuations in body velocity in breaststroke and butterfly • Gain extra propulsion on the freestyle push phase • Eliminate wasted arm motion in backstroke • Practice deliberately to make technique changes quickly The STR bottom line: We guarantee we can show every swimmer how to swim faster.

SpeedWeek helps you make technique changes based on scientific data rather than opinion. Our campers have incomparable progress and learn practice strategies that help them continue to improve on return to normal training.

Each SpeedWeek is limited to 12 swimmers to ensure maximum individual attention by Dr. Rod Havriluk, world-renowned biomechanist and technique expert. Dr. Havriluk is internationally recognized for his unique approach to accelerating skill-learning and preventing shoulder injury. He is a frequent conference presenter (ASCA, ASCTA, BMS, FINA, IOC, ISCA, USAS, USMS, USSSA) and is widely published. In 2015, he was selected by Swimming World Magazine as one of the top 10 individuals making an impact on swimming.

Check our website for more info: swimmingtechnology.com CONTINUED ON 34 >>

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 32 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AGGIE SWIM CAMP Shannon Clark, Camp Director aggieswimcamp@gmail.com www.aggieswimcamp.com May 23-28 (Sunday-Friday) May 30-June 4 (Sunday-Friday) June 6-9 (Sunday-Wednesday) TECHNIQUE CAMP The Aggie Swim Camp offers super stroke technique, great counselors, a world-class, newly renovated facility and lots of fun! The Texas A&M head men’s and women’s coaches, Jay Holmes and Steve Bultman, are on deck every day to work with campers one-on-one and in small groups to maximize the camp experience.

Campers receive detailed stroke work with a highly experienced coaching staff and a low coach-to-swimmer ratio in every group. Campers also receive extensive filming with voice-over stroke instruction on all four strokes. Filming includes above water, below water, starts and turns as well as one-on-one video analysis with camp coaches daily. Take home your DVD, and watch it with your coach at home.

Outside of the pool, campers reside in a beautiful off-campus dorm and enjoy great recreational activities away from the pool as they create new friendships and meet swimmers from all over the world.

The Aggie Swim Camp is open on a firstcome, first-serve basis to any individual who satisfies the age, grade level and/or gender requirements set forth in the registration materials.

Male and female swimmers (ages 8-18) of any ability level are welcome to attend. It is highly recommended, but not required, that swimmers have competitive experience prior to attending.

Visit our website at: www.aggieswimcamp.com to register online.

TOTAL PERFORMANCE SWIM CAMPS AT KENYON COLLEGE & CALVIN COLLEGE 740-398-4464 www.tpscamps.com Competitive Stroke Camp at Kenyon: June 13-17 Session 1: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 75) June 17-20 Session 2: $525 overnight $375 day (space limited to 75) June 20-24 Session 3: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 50) Competitive Stroke Camp at Calvin: June 13-17 Session 1: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 50) Elite Distance Camp at Kenyon: June 20-24: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 25) Elite Breaststroke Camp at Kenyon: June 20-24: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 25) Elite STRENGTH Camp at Kenyon (NEW CAMP OFFERING FOR AQUATICS): June 24-27: $425 overnight $310 day (space limited to 25) Elite Coaching Camp at Kenyon (NEW CAMP OFFERING FOR AQUATICS): June 25: $99/coach (space limited to 75) Elite Fly/Back Underwater Camp at Kenyon: June 27-July 1: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 50) Elite Sprint Camp at Kenyon: June 27-July 1: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 50) The Total Performance Swim Camps— hosted in 2021 at Kenyon College and Calvin College—are back! As we have since 1980, Total Performance offers swimmers of all abilities an opportunity to learn how to take their swimming to the next level from some of the nation’s top coaches. This year, we offer two

camp models: the Competitive Stroke Camp and the Elite Camp. NEW in 2021 is the firstever Total Performance Strength Camp and Coaches Camp.

COMPETITIVE STROKE CAMPS feature nationally ranked collegiate coaches, two pool sessions per day with a focus on training and technique, critique sessions in all four strokes, starts and turns with personalized takehome video analysis, special guest speakers that include Olympians and top DI coaches, educational classroom sessions and fun social activities. The Competitive Stroke Camps are directed by nationally ranked collegiate coaches and are open to all competitive swimmers, ages 10-18.

ELITE CAMPS are intensive, stroke-specific programs that provide elite swimmers, ages 13-18, with cutting-edge training and techniques in each specialty, data-driven classroom sessions and swimming-specific drylands. These camps feature nationally and internationally ranked headliners as well as top collegiate coaches.

NEW in 2021 are the Total Performance Elite Strength Camp and Elite Coaches Camp.

ELITE STRENGTH CAMP will feature top strength coaches from around the country and will focus on: 1.) How to develop swimmingspecific strength and power, and 2.) How to establish proper technique. Advanced critique sessions for all aquatic athletes.

Guest speakers will include Olympians and top coaches, educational classroom sessions and fun social activities.

ELITE COACHES CAMP will be a oneday training camp for high school and club coaches. The camp will focus on: 1.) Coach development, 2.) Team development—building a program, and 3.) Culture—establishing a healthy environment for athletes.

Kenyon College and Calvin College feature safe campuses and world-class facilities that have been rated in the Top 20 by the Princeton Review. Overnight camps provide 24-hour supervision by our staff of collegiate swimmers and coaches, providing greater opportunities for mentorship during the week.

More than most years, space is limited. Call 740-398-4464 or visit: www.tpscamps.com for more information. 

CHECK OUT OUR CAMP LISTINGS ONLINE AT

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SPONSORED BY

DIGGORY DILLINGHAM

how they train

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT [PHOTO BY STRAUSS STUDIOS]

“He is very powerful mentally, extremely stubborn, and he can focus like a hot laser when it’s time to race. Milt Nelms once said that I was the most intuitive racer he’d ever met.

Diggory is far more impressive than I ever was. The boy can dial it in like no one I’ve ever seen.

“We had a very special moment when he made his winter junior cut a year ago. His entry time was a 21.7. I had him sprint the first 50 of the 200 free to get him ready for his 50 free later. He went 20.87. An hour later, he won his heat by a full second, going 20.77. That night, he went 20.67 against the ‘big boys.’ That’s when I knew this kid could do whatever he decided to do,” she says.

PROGRESSION OF TIMES SCY 50 Free 100 Free 100 Fly

O

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

25.44

21.71

20.67

20.28

58.17

49.14

45.85

45.42

1:07.54

1:00.08

52.13

51.31

h, to be young—and talented. Diggory Dillingham, son of SwimMAC coach Megan Oesting, is on a roll. He was the fastest 14-year-old 50 yard freestyler in the country (20.67) for the 2019-20 season, and as of January, he was the swiftest 15-year-old (20.28) for 2020-21. A year ago February, he helped his Iowa City West High School team to the Iowa high school state championship, garnering three NISCA All-America finishes: 50 free, 20.67 (63rd), 200 free relay, 1:24.00/20.98 leadoff (28th) and 400 free relay, 3:05.45/45.85 leadoff (37th).

Now in North Carolina, he is the state’s No. 1 college recruit (30th nationally) for the Class of 2023. Two months ago, he won the NCHSAA 4A 100 yard free championship in 45.42 and finished second in the 50 free (20.53, NISCA A-A).

“He was a water bug in childhood,” says his mother.

Dillingham’s early aquatic exploits included being a water aerobics mascot as a preschooler, a summer leaguer who learned butterfly in just one week at age 5—but only an on-and-off competitive swimmer after that. Instead, flag football, basketball, track, Taekwondo, wrestling, art classes and fencing commanded his attention.

When Mom took over Eastern Iowa Swimming Federation and Diggory was 11, he began swimming more frequently.

“He was always a borderline state qualifier,” says Oesting, “which in Iowa is the equivalent to a little faster than BB times. His birthday was right before the state meet, so as an age grouper, he mostly went to a non-qualifiers meet. As he got faster, Dilllingham got more serious.

“He’s not the most well-rounded swimmer,” says Oesting, “and I think people sometimes judge my values as a coach based on his performances. I don’t think that’s fair at all. As a coach, I love the 400 IM, the mile, the 200s of stroke and anything a kid is willing to go after. Diggory is his own guy, and we never talked about swimming at home because that was the only time I had to just cuddle him.

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SAMPLE DILLINGHAM SETS “For about 15 minutes, we do various activities for :08 seconds on and :32 off. It doesn’t matter how far you get— we’re just looking at quick traction and full ignition,” says Coach Oesting: • Head-high free from a “water polo start” (head up also) •

Stretch cord belt wrapped tight (very little give) for streamlined bouncing push-offs

•

From a float with paddles and fins (:08s FAST)

•

From vertical streamline pencil float (stabilize before you hit it), then :08 FAST, get UP on top of the water as fast as you can.

“For 20 minutes, we spend the first 10 minutes doing feel work, then 10 minutes of assisted or resisted cords depending on the time of the season.” Sample feel work includes: •

Hold paddles so they become extensions out front. Look to control water as far out as possible, hollow the armpit out, keep the elbow high to start the impulse and then control it through the pull

•

Fingertip directionality and pathway through the stroke where there is more sensitivity and pressure; work to maximize that sensation throughout

•

Immediate elbow lift as soon as you touch the water, as far away from your head as possible; have your “claw/ meat hook” ready to go

•

Long, high neck, being pulled toward the opposite side of the pool, flatten back belly into spine and hydroplane across the water; keep tight hips as in a boxing drill

•

Kayak freestyle with broomstick and snorkel.

“Diggory’s favorite is called the ‘Death Set.’ We had a 20yard section of pool, and he had to hit a certain time on the watch. If he missed it, we added :05 to the sendoff and kept going. We repeated that until he couldn’t make the speed under any circumstances. We started on :25 per 20-yard sprint, and I didn’t give him his hit time until about 7 or 8 in, so I knew what his fast was going to be around for that session. v 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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The team champion University of Texas Longhorns pose with the champions' trophy on the podium during the team awards presentation of the Division I Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on March 27, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina. [Photo by Mike Comer/NCAA Photos via Getty Images]

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