By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

Courtesy of Gary Hall Sr., 10-time World Record Holder, 3-time Olympian, 1976 Olympic Games US Flagbearer and The Race Club co-founder.

While nearly all of the forces that create propulsion come from the hands and feet, there are certain other movements that we can do with our bodies that will increase the amount of propulsion coming from the pull and kick. We call those coupling motions.

I have written extensively in the past about the importance of coupling motions, but for those that missed reading them, let me explain. A coupling motion is a motion of some part of our body that by itself produces no propulsion, yet, when coupled with the propulsive forces, will make them stronger. Since we live in what is called an open system in nature, where the energy from one part of our moving body affects other parts of our body, using coupling motions are a powerful way to swim faster.

The coupling motions of swimming are very important; like putting a fuel additive into your gas tank. Any serious discussion of propulsion in swimming would be remiss without mentioning the coupling motions.

The following are important coupling motions in all four strokes and in the start and the propulsive forces they are coupling with.

• Freestyle: Rotation of the body (including the head after the breath) and the recovery of the arms (pull and kick)
• Backstroke: Rotation of the body and recovery of the arms (pull and kick)
• Breaststroke: Elevation of the upper body (pull) and pressing down of the upper body and head (sometimes the arms, depending on the technique) (kick)
• Butterfly: Recovery of the arms, snapping down of the head on the front breath (second down kick)
  Start: Elevation of the head, motion of the arms, elevation of the back leg (feet or feet and arms, depending on the technique)

The keys to making the coupling motions effective are precise timing and more energy. The coupling motion is most effective when the maximum kinetic energy of the motion is timed precisely with the maximum propulsion. For example, if the coupling motion ends before the propulsive force begins, it has no effect at all. A good example is in breaststroke, perhaps the most timing-sensitive stroke of all, where if the body pressing forward reaches the water much before the feet begin to push backward, the benefit of all that work is lost. For that reason, the kicking cycle of breaststroke needs to be lightning fast to work well with the coupling motions of the upper body.

The kinetic energy of coupling motions in swimming can increase in the following ways: rotating faster, lengthening (straightening) the arms, pressing the body forward harder or snapping down the head faster. There is a price to pay, however, and it is called work.

It is much easier to swim without using these high-energy coupling motions. I call that technique survival stroke, which utilizes less energy to get through a workout. If you get accustomed to swimming with survival stroke technique that is the way you will likely swim in the competition. You may invest less energy in the race, but you probably won’t swim as fast and likely won’t win.

At the Race Club we take coupling motions very seriously. Coupling motions are one of the main reasons that swimmers that do not appear to be very strong can swim faster and with more power than bigger, stronger swimmers. We have designed many drills that will help you with the energy and timing of your coupling motions. Come to Islamorada or Coronado and let us show you them!

Yours in swimming,

Gary Sr.

Gary Hall, Sr., Technical Director and Head Coach of The Race Club (courtesy of TRC)

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THE RACE CLUB

Because Life is Worth Swimming, our mission is to promote swimming through sport, lifelong enjoyment, and good health benefits. Our objective is for each member of and each participant in The Race Club to improve his or her swimming performances, health, and self-esteem through our educational programs, services and creativity. We strive to help each member of The Race Club overcome challenges and reach his or her individual life goals.

The Race Club provides facilities, coaching, training, technical instruction, video, fitness and health programs for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Race Club swim camps are designed and tailored to satisfy each swimmer’s needs, whether one is trying to reach the Olympic Games or simply improve one’s fitness. Our programs are suitable for beginner swimmers, pleasure swimmers, fitness swimmers, USA swimming or YMCA swimmers, or triathletes; anyone who wants to improve swimming skills. All of our Race Club members share an enjoyment of being in the water and use swimming to stimulate a more active mind and body.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Why you need to Max Propulsion with Coupling Motions

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

USA Swimming has released its 2016-17 Scholastic All-America Standards. Swimmers who meet the time standards are eligible to apply for Scholastic All-American status. The application will be available on Thursday, June 1st.

To be named a Scholastic All-American, swimmers have to meet the time standards set by USA Swimming, as well as a certain standard of academic success. Swimmers have to have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade with a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Below are the list of time standards for both men and women. Swimmers may qualify with either short course yards or long course meters times.

Women’s Time Standards:

• 50 free- 23.49 (yards)/26.99 (meters)
• 100 free- 50.99 (yards)/58.39 (meters)
• 200 free- 1:49.79 (yards)/2:05.39 (meters)
• 400/500 free- 4:52.09 (yards)/4:23.79 (meters)
• 800/1000 free- 10:03.59 (yards)/9:03.49 (meters)
• 1500/1650 free- 16:46.19 (yards)/17:20.49 (meters)
• 100 back- 56.59 (yards)/1:05.59 (meters)
• 200 back- 2:01.29 (yards)/2:20.69 (meters)
• 100 breast- 1:04.29 (yards)/1:14.29 (meters)
• 200 breast- 2:19.79 (yards)/2:40.09 (meters)
• 100 fly- 55.99 (yards)/1:03.39 (meters)
• 200 fly- 2:03.29 (yards)/2:19.59 (meters)
• 200 IM- 2:03.79 (yards)/2:22.49 (meters)
• 400 IM- 4:23.69 (yards)/5:01.89 (meters)

Men’s Time Standards:

• 50 free- 20.99 (yards)/24.39 (meters)
• 100 free- 45.79 (yards)/52.89 (meters)
• 200 free- 1:40.29 (yards)/1:56.29 (meters)
• 400/500 free- 4:32.69 (yards)/4:06.29 (meters)
• 800/1000 free- 9:25.49 (yards)/8:33.79 (meters)
• 1500/1650 free- 15:46.99 (yards)/16:14.99 (meters)
• 100 back- 50.99 (yards)/59.69 (meters)
• 200 back- 1:50.69 (yards)/2:09.59 (meters)
• 100 breast- 57.69 (yards)/1:07.59 (meters)
• 200 breast- 2:05.89 (yards)/2:27.19 (meters)
• 100  fly- 50.09 (yards)/57.39 (meters)
• 200 fly- 1:51.59 (yards)/2:08.19 (meters)
• 200 IM- 1:52.49 (yards)/2:10.49 (meters)
• 400 IM- 4:00.19 (yards)/4:38.39 (meters)

Read the full story on SwimSwam: USA Swimming Releases 2016-17 Scholastic All-America Standards

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

MEET FACTS

• Full Results
• College Station, Texas
• Wednesday, January 11th
• 25 yards
• Texas A&M 178, North Texas 109

After having their initial 2017 spring opener against Auburn cancelled due to weather issues, the Aggie women officially got the new year underway with a blowout win over North Texas.

Texas A&M won all 16 events, including having 13 different women claim an individual event.

The only multi-event winner was freshman Karling Hemstreet, who came out victorious in the 200 free (1:49.82) and 200 back (2:05.19). The only other freshman who came away with an individual win was diver Kaley Batten, who put up a score of 292.42 to take the 1-meter diving event.

Sycerika McMahon collected an individual win in the 500 free to go along with a pair of wins in the 200 free and medley relays. Lisa Bratton (400 IM), Beryl Gastaldello (50 free) and Lexie Lupton (100 back) also brought home multiple victories with one individual win and one relay win each.

Leading the way for the Mean Green was Natalia Kwiatkowska, who put up a pair of podium finishes placing 2nd in the 500 free and 3rd in the 1000.

Other top finishes for North Texas included Jowita Sienczyk placing 3rd in the 100 back, Ash Stone placing 2nd in the 200 back, and Brittany Thurstin taking 3rd in the 50 free.

PRESS RELEASES

Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The No. 7-ranked Texas A&M women’s swimming and diving team improved to 5-1 while opening the spring portion of its schedule with a 178-109 clean sweep over North Texas on Wednesday at the Student Recreation Center.

“We were disappointed that the (original spring opener) Auburn meet was cancelled, but it was good to get back in race mode again,” head coach Steve Bultman said following the meet. “We have some big meets coming up. We had a couple of really good swims, so I was real pleased. I think that the Arena Pro Swim meet in Austin this weekend will be good for us. It is something that we do every year to go swim some long course (meters) meets and help them get ready for international competitions. Next week we finish up our dual meet season with SMU and LSU, with LSU being our senior recognition night.”

Texas A&M won all 16 events and earned at least the top two spots in all 14 races in the pool. The Aggies opened the meet by controlling the 200-yard medley relay as they earned the top four times. The foursome of junior Lisa Bratton, senior Sycerika McMahon, freshman Golf Sapianchai, and sophomore Lexie Lupton led the sweep by claiming first place in 1:41.58.

Leading the way for the Aggies with two individual wins on the day was freshman Karling Hemstreet in the 200 free with a time of 1:49.82 and posting a top finishing time of 2:05.19 in the 200 back.

Texas A&M also dominated the 100 free, 100 breast, 100 fly, and 200 fly by claiming the top four spots in each. Junior Frankie Jonker touched first in the 100 breast with a time of 1:02.25 and sophomore Claire Rasmus led the 100 free finishing in 51.04. In the 100 fly, senior Ashley McGregor earned first place with a time of 55.39.  Senior Sarah Gibson topped the leaderboard with time of 2:00.99 in the 200 fly.

Logging other individual victories for the Aggies were sophomores Tiffany Futscher in the 1000 free (10:13.24) and Lupton in the 100 back (56.85). Also earning single wins were Bratton in the 400 IM in 4:15.83 and McMahon in the 500 free (4:51.88). Juniors Jorie Caneta and Béryl Gastaldello each swam NCAA “B” qualifying times while earning individual wins. Caneta earned a victory in the 200 breast (2:12.62) and Gastaldello in the 50 free (22.57).

Across the pool, the dive team controlled the diving well with wins in both springboard dives. In the three-meter, Texas A&M had top scoring dives from sophomore Alais Kalonji in first (311.55), with junior Zoe Alaniz (303.15) and freshman Kaley Batten rounding out the top three (282.38). The Aggies also took the top three spots in the one-meter dive with Batten in the lead, scoring a 292.42. Kalonji placed second (279.75) and Alaniz took third (243.83).

Closing out the meet, the Aggies finished with the top four times in the 200 free relay. The quartet of freshman Samantha Siebenaller, freshman Katie Portz, McMahon, and Gastaldello touched in 1:34.25 to finish first.

The Aggies return to action this Friday through Sunday as they travel to Austin to compete at the Jamail Texas Swim Center in the Arena Pro Swim Series.  Live results and live stream information for the Arena Pro Series can be accessed at USASwimming.com.

North Texas

COLLEGE STATION – The North Texas swimming and diving team dropped a dual meet, 178-109, at No. 7 Texas A&M on Wednesday afternoon inside the Student Rec Center Natatorium.

North Texas secured 19 top-three finishes, including a first-place showing in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

The Mean Green opened the meet by claiming third and fourth in the 200-yard medley relay. The relay team of Jowita Sienczyk, Sarah Vaisse, Kelsey Opiela and Brittany Thurstin led the relay teams at 1:47.80.

Natalia Kwiatkowska led the way for North Texas, securing the first individual top-three finish for the Mean Green behind a season-best time of 10:32.87 in the 1,000-yard freestyle. She later swam a career-best time of 4:41.39 in the 400 individual medley en route to second-place finish.

Sienczyk recorded another podium finish for North Texas, securing third place in the 100-yard backstroke (57.70). Ash Stone finished fifth at 59.53. Stone logged her first top-three finish in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:05.79.

Thurstin added to the top-three finishes for North Texas in the 50-yard freestyle, clinching the third-place spot at 24.35.

Vaisse, the 100-yard breaststroke record holder at North Texas, touched the wall at 1:05.42 in the event, finishing fourth. Following her was Claudia Kitching (1:05.80) in fifth and Kathleen Rousset (1:08.03) in sixth.

The Mean Green had three athletes place in the top-five of the 200-yard breaststroke, led by Kitching’s second-place showing at 2:19.89. Vaisse finished third (2:23.32) and Kathleen Rousset followed her in fourth with a time of 2:27.77.

North Texas found success in the 100-yard freestyle, collecting two of the top-three spots. Isabelle Morris came away with the second spot, posting a time of 52.10, while Thurstin logged her second individual podium finish with a time of 53.66.

Barbara Wasilewska had a strong showing in the 500-yard freestyle, finishing second with a time of 5:13.54, narrowly edging out teammate Sara Whelan (5:13.67).

Sydney Buckley (57.46), Opiela (1:00.00) and Caroline Culpepper (1:01.62) went 2-4 in the 100-yard butterfly.

Capping the meet for the Mean Green was the foursome of Emmabeth Jensen, Thurstin, Morris and Vaisse who secured the 200-yard freestyle relay victory and North Texas’ lone victory with a time of 1:37.77.

On the diving side, Samantha Scheck finished second on the one-and-three-meter boards. Scheck logged a score of 210.14 on the three-meter and 225.67 on the one-meter.

Following Scheck on the three-meter board were teammates Jordan Ransom in third (207.38) and Averie Ruiz in fourth (205.35). On the one-meter, Ruiz finished third (215.62) and Gabryella Silva finished fourth (211.95).

Quick Hits

• The 200-yard medley relay team of Ash Stone, Claudia Kitching, Sydney Buckley and Isabelle Morris finished fourth at 1:49.78
• Barbara Wasilewska clocked a time of 10:43.08 in the 1,000-yard freestyle, good for fourth place
• Morris placed fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:52.87). Sara Whelan (1:55.87) and Katie Moore (2:01.47) finished in the top-eight of the event
• Lindsey Blanchard placed third in the 400 IM behind a time of 4:45.07. She finished seventh in the 100-yard backstroke, clocking a time of 1:01.36.
• Meredith Manry (2:09.22) and Haley Timmons (2:09.23) finished fourth and fifth in the 200-yard butterfly
• Abbie Imes swam a time of 26.35 in the 50-yard freestyle
• Courtney Connelly finished fourth in the 100-yard freestyle (54.40)
• Emily Rush finished third in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:19.84
• Katie Moore swam a time of 5:15.12 in the 500-yard freestyle, securing fourth place
• Meaghan Rousset recorded a third-place finish in the 400 IM (4:45.07)
• North Texas’ other 200-yard freestyle relay team comprised of Opiela, Buckley, Moore and Connelly finished second with a time of 1:40.55

Up Next For North Texas

The North Texas diving team will head to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the Air Force Diving Invitational from Jan. 25-27. North Texas’ swimming team will compete against TCU on Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. in Fort Worth.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Texas A&M Women Sweep North Texas To Kickstart 2017

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Presenting the MPWeekly Wonders for December 26, 2016-January 8, 2017.

Esme Hunter, 14, Swim Seventy: 100y free (52.53) – Hunter won the girls’ 13-14 100 free by over 1 second at the Bluefish Trials/Finals meet at Boston University. She went a best time by 1.4 seconds and was 3.2 seconds ahead of her pace from a year ago. Hunter also won the 500 free, 100 back, 100 breast, and 200 IM, and was runner-up in the 200 back.

Brimwin Peabody, 14, Coastal Maine Aquatics: 200y free (1:48.80) – Also swimming at the ABF Trials/Finals meet, Peabody won the boys’ 13-14 200 free with his second-best time ever. Just .5 off his PB, he was 3.1 seconds faster than he’d been at the same meet last year. Peabody also won the 50 free and was runner-up in the 100/1650 free. Moreover he was an A finalist in the 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM, and earned PBs in every event except the 200 free.

Philip Manoff, 15, Nation’s Capital Swim Club: 1000y free (9:26.99) – Manoff dropped nearly 12 seconds off his seed time to win the boys’ 15 and over 1000 free at the Potomac Valley LSC January Distance Meet. Manoff has improved 22.4 seconds over the last 14 months in the event. He vaulted to #5 in the country for 15-year-old boys for the 2016-17 short course season with the swim.

Tama Tuitama, 17, Team Rebel Aquatics: 200y back (1:51.03) – Swimming at the Team Rebel Aquatics Mid Winter Invite at the UNLV Natatorium, Tuitama won all four of his events and dropped a combined total of 15.3 seconds. He won the boys’ 15 and over 200 free (1:44.00, PBx2.5), 100 back (52.06, PBx1.4), 200 back (1:51.03, PBx5.7), and 200 fly (1:57.29, PBx5.7).

Kaleb Brannock, 14, Georgetown-Scott County Supersharks: 200y back (1:53.95) – Brannock won the boys’ 13-14 200 back at the Mid States All Star Championships at IUPUI Natatorium, dropping 6.2 seconds and notching the #3 time in the country for the last two weeks. He broke the 2:00 barrier for the first time and was 12.4 seconds faster than he’d been a year ago in the event. Brannock also won the 100 back (52.64, PBx1). He was third in the 100 fly and fourth in the 200 IM, and picked up new times in both events.

Lily Plaudis, 16, Kearns Youth Aquatic Team: 100y breast (1:05.07) – Plaudis won the girls’ 15 and over 100 breast and set a new meet record at the 51st Kearns Holiday Open Invitational. She went a PB by 8/10 and was 1.8 seconds faster than a year ago, while notching the #2 time in the country for 18-and-under girls for the two-week period. Plaudis also won the 1650 free, 200 breast and 400 IM during the weekend.

Ellie Boyer, 11, Utah Valley Aquatic: 200y fly (2:17.24) – Boyer destroyed the meet record in the girls’ 11-12 200 fly at the 51st Kearns Holiday Open Invitational. She dropped 10.1 seconds off her seed time and beat last year’s PB by 16.6 seconds. Boyer also won the 50 fly, and left the meet with new times in the 50/1000 free, 200 back, 200 breast, 50/100/200 fly, and 100/200 IM.

Theo Makler, 14, Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics: 200y IM (1:57.33) – Representing Pacific Swimming at the Pacific Coast All Star Meet, Makler won the boys’ 13-14 200 IM with a best-by-2.4-seconds 1:57.33. Makler also contributed top-3 finishes in the 200 free, 100/200 back, and 200 breast. His 200 free time was a PB by 2/10, and fully 6 seconds faster than at the same time last year.

Cade Oliver, 13, Franklin Regional Swim Team: 400y IM (4:10.45) – Oliver posted the third-fastest 400 IM in the country for all 18 and unders for the two-week period with his second-place finish in the boys’ 13-14 event at the Mid States All Star Championships at IUPUI. He improved his seed time by 6.1 seconds and was 21 seconds faster than he’d been a year ago. Oliver also went best times in the 100 breast (1:02.59, PBx2.2) and 200 IM (1:57.69, PBx2.1).

Reminder: The Weekly Wonders column is a celebration of age-group swimming, where new champions are made every day. Anyone can look up the top swims of the week. That’s not what we’re doing here. If we were only reporting on the week’s top swims we would feature the same handful of athletes every Wednesday. Instead, this is an opportunity to introduce the swimming community to athletes who have made great strides in the context of their own particular swimming worlds. By association, it also celebrates their coaches and their teams. The Weekly Wonders column, therefore, amounts to a pat on the back for a job well done, and hopefully encourages swimmers of all levels to continue to reach from within to get to that next level.

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ABOUT AQUA SPHERE

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Aqua Lung pioneered the creation of modern diving equipment in 1943 when Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau teamed with Emile Gagnan to develop the first “aqua-lung” that made underwater exploration possible. Today, the brand continues to be the leading global designer and manufacturer of dive and water sports gear. With a deep commitment to quality, research and testing, Aqua Lung has revolutionized the scuba diving experience by setting industry standards for scuba equipment in technology, comfort, safety and design. The company’s rich history as an expert in the dive and water sports industry has led to the demand of Aqua Lung equipment for recreational, technical and military applications in more than 90 countries around the world, under the brand names of Aqua Lung, Aqua Sphere, Apeks, U.S. Divers, and Stohlquist. For more information, visit www.AquaLung.com or http://www.Facebook.com/AquaLungDivers.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: MP Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming – 1/11/2017

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

USA Swimming’s latest video profile centers on Anthony Ervin, who became the oldest ever individual Olympic gold medalist in swimming at the age of 35. You can check out the video above, courtesy of USA Swimming on YouTube.

Below is our coverage of Ervin’s Olympic win from back in August:

Anthony Ervin became the oldest Olympic swimmer to earn an individual gold medal tonight with his improbable victory in the 50 free.  Ervin, 35 years and 78 days old, takes over title from the most decorated Olympian ever, Michael Phelps, who earned that distinction with a victory in the 200 fly Tuesday night.  Phelps then extended that record by a few days with his gold in the 200 IM last night, giving him a gold at 31 years and 42 days old.

Tonight’s gold medalist has one of the most intriguing storylines in swimming history.  He was only 19 years old when he tied Gary Hall Jr. for gold in the same event in 2000, making Ervin the youngest Olympic champion in the 50 free.  After a couple more years of swimming, he dropped out of the sport, and essentially disappeared, only to reappear and renter the world of competitive swimming on the road to the London Olympics.  He qualified for the 2012 USA team in the 50 free, beating out, among others, Nathan Adrian, who joined him as a medalist tonight.  Ervin then placed 5th in this event London.

The man who won gold in London, Florent Manadou of France, looked likely to repeat heading into tonight.  But Ervin nailed his start, something had long been a visible weakness, and churned the water the rest of the length of the pool, touching out Manadou 21.40 to 21.41.  After yesterday’s semifinal, Ervin had said that he felt like he could go a little faster, and he surely did, as tonight’s swim represented a personal best for him, showing that even at what’s considered an “old age” in swimming, he is still improving.

Ervin has given no indication that he intends to retire, and he’s only 0.04 seconds off of the American Record, held by teammate Adrian, potentially giving Ervin yet another goal to work towards.  In fact, Ervin indicated later on in the evening that he would like to swim at the 2020 Olympics, when he’ll be 39 years old.

Ervin on what the medal means to him 16 years after he won his first gold:

“This medal means to me, the recognition, the immense gratitude for all the people that have supported me through the highs and the lows, always there for me, let me lean on them and I hope they can always lean on me if they need it. Most of them are beyond needing to lean on the likes on me.”

On winning the race:

“There were no guarantees but I was feeling good coming into the meet. I felt really good in the prelims, then I changed things for the semis, felt even better then I had a game plan for finals. If anything, I was a little bit slower than I thought I was going to be. But it’s a tough race, it’s the 50m final in the Olympics.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: VIDEO: Comeback Rio Moment – Anthony Ervin

The University of Pittsburgh’s swimming and diving team announced its 2017-18 signees. Among the 11 to sign is Pine-Richland’s Ryan Schonbachler.

Schonbachler joins the Panthers as a freestyle distance swimmer, but could also be used in butterfly events and possibly others. His versatility is one of the many strengths that put him high on Pitt’s radar. Schonbachler qualified for last year’s PIAA state championships in the 200 and 500 freestyle.

(photo courtesy of Google Images)

PITTSBURGH --The Pitt swimming & diving teams combined to win 27 out of 32 total events as the Panthers' men's and women's teams both earned dominant victories over rival West Virginia in an aquatics rendition of the Backyard Brawl on Saturday at Trees Pool.

Pitt's men (3-4, 1-4 ACC) triumphed 214-86 over the Mountaineers, while the Panthers' women's team (4-3, 2-3 ACC) earned a 205.5-94.5 victory in the Backyard Brawl, marking Pitt's biggest wins over WVU since 2013 and 2015 for the men and women, respectively.

The biggest ovation of the day from a raucous crowd at Trees Pool came after Pitt senior diver Dominic Giordano, a Pine-Richland graduate,shattered the school and pool record in the 1-meter dive with a six-dive score of 434.63, breaking Alex Volovetski's previous record of 408.40 that had stood since 2008.

(photo courtesy of University of Pitt)

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Returning for its first meet of the New Year, the Missouri State swimming and diving team will celebrate its 10 seniors during the Bears’ last home meet of the 2016-17 season against Truman State. Senior Day is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Hammons Student Center.

On Senior Day, the men’s team will honor three seniors – Preston Selby, Uldis Tazans and Brandon Weissman – while the women’s team honors seven – Anna Bump, Shawna Elsey, CeCe Etter, Briana Horozewski, Quincy Howell, Lauren Pavel and Alexis Skiniotes.

Series History

Going into Saturday’s meet, the Missouri State men boast a perfect 29-0 record against the Bulldogs while the women’s team edges Truman with an overall record of 12-9. Last season the Bears came out with victories against the Bulldogs in Kirksville, Mo. The women’s team earned a 148-114 victory and the men trounced Truman, 198-64.

The Bears and the Bulldogs met up at the beginning of the season at the Missouri Show-Me Showdown, where Truman’s women placed sixth and the men placed ninth. Missouri State’s women squeaked past the Bulldogs, finishing fifth, while the men’s squad placed second at the meet.

Order of Events

200 Medley Relay

1000 Free

200 Free

50 Free

200 IM

1M Diving

100 Fly

100 Free

100 Back

500 Free

3M Diving

100 Breast

400 Free Relay

Bear Bites

Coming off a month of rest after a competitive fall season, the Bears return to action with four meets remaining in the regular season. On the women’s side, Sydney Zupan, Sarah Allegri, Lauren Pavel and Josie Pearson combine for eight top times in the Missouri Valley conference. Pavel leads the bunch, sitting first place in the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke, as well as the 200m individual medley. Zupan leads the conference in the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly, while Pearson paves the way in the 200m fly and the 400m IM. Allegri, a freshman, leads the conference in the 200m back. The squad also leads the conference in the 200 and 400m medley relay, as well as the 200m free relay. The women have won their last three meets, including a first-place finish out of 12 teams at the House of Champions Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Missouri State men command several top times in the Mid-American Conference where Michael Mollak, Artur Osvath, Antonio Thomas and Phillip Willett lead the way for the squad. Collectively, the four Bears bring in eight top spots for Missouri State while the team dominates four of the relays. Thomas, a freshman, sits first in the 500, 1000 and 1650m freestyle while Willett dominates the 200 and 400m IM. Osvath leads the conference in the 200m breast and 200m fly, and Mollak commands the 200m free. Like the women, the men have also won their last three meets, also placing first out of 12 teams at the House of Champions Invitational.

Battle With The Bulldogs

In dual action, the Truman men carry an even, 4-4 record. The Bulldogs have earned victories against Lewis, Maryville, Lindenwood-Belleville as well as Western Illinois. The squad’s biggest victory came against Marville, where Truman stifled the Saints 219-22. Standout Sam Heveroh leads the squad in the 50, 100 and 200m free as well as the 100m breast. Heveroh claimed two Truman records this season in the 100 and 200m free. Distance Swimmer JT Thayer was just two seconds shy of besting program’s 500 free record, leading the squad in the event as well as the 1000 and 1650m free.

Carrying a 6-2 dual record, the Truman women have taken down Quincy, Maryville, Lewis, Indianapolis, Lindenwood-Belleville and Western Illinois. The Bulldogs’ only losses came at the hands of Lindenwood and Delta State. In its six dual victories, the team has only allowed one opponent to score over 100 points – Indianapolis – in which Truman won, 127-102.

Final Details

Senior Day at Hammons Student Center is scheduled to begin at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. Saturday’s meet features 13 events for both the men and the women and admittance is free of charge. For more information on the Missouri State men’s and women’s swimming and diving team visit www.missouristatebears.com or Twitter (@MoStateSwim).

News courtesy of Missouri State Athletics.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Missouri State Hosts Truman State On Senior Day

By Carly DeMarque on SwimSwam

UW-Milwaukee has returned from their winter training trip to Fort Lauderdale over the holidays.

The team is set to face the University of Chicago in a duel on January 14 in their first meet of the new year. After this weekends meet, the team will turn around and travel to Chicago for the UIC Invite on January 20, followed by a meet against UW-Green Bay on the 28th.

The Horizon League Championships will begin on February 22.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Watch: UW-Milwaukee Returns From Training Trip To Fort Lauderdale

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Cincinnati Marlins head coach and CEO Chris Wolford will be stepping down from his post this spring to take a job as Sports Performance Director for South Carolina Swimming.

Wolford will end a 16-year tenure with the Marlins on April 1. He will continue to coach the team through the short course season. The full Cincinnati Marlins press release is below:

Chris Wolford, Head Coach and CEO of the Cincinnati Marlins, has announced he will be stepping down April 1 at the end of the short-course season.

Coach Wolford will be leaving the Marlins to become the Sports Performance Director for South Carolina Swimming. In this role, Wolford will provide guidance and direction to coaches, parents, & athletes throughout South Carolina to combine their numerous resources to improve the sport of swimming as a whole.

Wolford led the Marlins for 16 years, making him the longest serving Head Coach in Marlins’ history. During his tenure, the Marlins have grown from 175 swimmers to over 500. The team has opened satellite locations in Norwood, Taylor HS, Oak Hills, Northern Kentucky, Sycamore High School, and Princeton High School. The Marlins have also expanded their programming to include lessons, clinics, water polo, and lifeguard training.

Much of the Marlins’ growth was fueled by successes in the water. While Wolford was Head Coach, Marlins swimmers qualified for the Pan American Games, World University Games, Olympic Trials and numerous National Junior Teams. Marlins swimmers captured over 16 Junior National Titles, Junior National Meet Records, as well as 13 National Age-Group Records. The Marlins were the 2006 Men’s Junior National Team Champions. Locally the Marlins have won 14 Junior Olympic team titles setting over 100 LSC records.

“Coach Wolford will be missed by the Cincinnati Marlins and in the Cincinnati swimming community,” said Marlins Board President, Bob Prangley. “We wish him well with his new endeavor and will begin our search for his replacement to carry on the Cincinnati Marlins exemplary tradition in swimming excellence.

About the Cincinnati Marlins

Cincinnati Marlins has been a premier training ground for Greater Cincinnati area swimmers for over 50 years.  Established in 1961, the Cincinnati Marlins primary training facility is Keating Natatorium located on the St Xavier High School campus. The Cincinnati Marlins offer 3 other training sites – Princeton High School, Sycamore High School and Northern Kentucky University.  The Cincinnati Marlins provide programs for varying skill levels from beginners to elite competitors. For more information, visit www.cincy-marlins.com or contact the office at 513-761-3320.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Chris Wolford Leaving Cincinnati Marlins For South Carolina Swimming

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

Two-time Olympian for Bermuda, Roy Burch, has announced his retirement from the sport of competitive swimming.  The 31-year-old, who competed in Beijing and London, will focus on his new career as Head Coach at Lake Norman Charter School in Huntersville, North Carolina.

Burch, who still holds Bermuda’s 50m and 100m freestyle national records, had been training the past Olympic cycle with SwimMAC Elite under the direction of David Marsh. Burch was gearing up for his 3rd Olympic appearance in Rio when he suffered a season-ending injury in 2015. The incident resulted in bi-lateral patella rupture in both his knees. Burch was in a wheelchair for 3 months and his bid for a Rio Olympic berth was derailed.

The road to recovery had him move from wheelchair to a walker to crutches, until he finally was back in the water and able to compete at the 2016 Caribbean Island Championships. Although he was able to score a FINA ‘B’ standard as lead-off leg of the Bermudian mixed 18+ 200m freestyle relay, it wasn’t enough to garner a spot on the Bermudian Olympic roster for a 3rd time.

Nevertheless, Burch’s ability to persevere serves as an inspiration to swimmers everywhere. Below is a compilation of photos put together by Burch’s wife, followed by her heartfelt announcement confirming his retirement.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Two-Time Bermudian Olympian Roy Burch Announces Retirement