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2017 Swammy Awards: Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year Yuri Kisil

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

To see all of our 2017 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here. 

2017 Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year: Javier Acevedo

While the Canadian women are booming, the Canadian men are still finding their footing and looking to capture the next generation of talent. Canada had only one male finalist at the 2017 World Championships – their 400 free relay, which finished 6th (out of 6 teams that weren’t DQ’ed).

Yuri Kisil swam in the final heat of both the mixed 400 medley and 400 free relays that won bronze medals and set Canadian National Records. Kisil also had the country’s highest individual male finish at the meet – he placed 10th in the 100 free semi-finals with a 48.50.

The Calgary native who swims at the University of British Columbia also won 6 events at the Canadian collegiate U Sports championships in March. While that meet isn’t as competitive as the NCAA Championship, it has been in an upswing, and 6 gold medals is still a tall task.

Last year’s Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year, Santo Condorelli, didn’t swim at Worlds this year.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

In no particular order

  • Mack Darragh – This was a tough one. Darragh was the only Canadian to break a men’s National Record outright in 2017, but he wasn’t selected for the World Championship team. He swam a 1:56.87 in the 200 fly at the Canadian Championships in August, which came on similar timing as Worlds. His record-setting time would’ve placed him 19th at Worlds.
  • Among the 8 men who swam individual events at Worlds, only one finished in the top 16 of multiple individual events: Javier Acevedo, who was 16th in the 50 backstroke (25.13) and 14th in the 100 backstroke (54.43). That 50 back semi-final swim tied the Canadian Record in the event, which was previously set by Russell Wood in 2015. Acevedo was also the fastest prelims leg on the 400 free relay that advanced to the final at 48.43, and swam on both bronze-medal winning mixed relays (the 400 free in finals, the 400 medley in prelims only). Acevedo represents the Ajax Aquatic Club domestically, but is currently training in the United States at the University of Georgia.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2017 Swammy Awards: Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year Yuri Kisil


2017 Swammy Awards: Canadian Female Swimmer of the Year Kylie Masse

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By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

2017 CANADIAN FEMALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: KYLIE MASSE

The Canadian women have received a lot of good press these last two years or so, but this time, it’s not about the teenagers.

2017 World Champion Kylie Masse is the Canadian female swimmer of the year, and for good reason. It was Masse, after all, who took down the supersuited 100 back world record this summer in Budapest. Not 2012 Olympic darling Missy Franklin, not Iron Lady Katinka Hosszu, not Aussie star Emily Seebohm. Gemma Spofforth’s 58.12 WR always seemed just within reach, and in August, Masse was the one to surpass it with a 58.10 in the final in Budapest.

Additionally, Masse set new Canadian records in both the 50 and 200 long course meter backstrokes in 2017.

Swimming for the University of Toronto, Masse was crowned champion in all three backstroke races at the 2017 U Sport Championships in February.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

In no particular order

  • SYDNEY PICKREM– Pickrem was a force in the 400 IM at the 2017 World Championships, landing on the podium with a bronze medal. Her time of 4:32.88 was just off of the Canadian record and just tenths back of silver medalist Mireia Belmonte. She also set a new Canadian record in the 200 IM semifinals in Budapest with a 2:09.17.
  • TAYLOR RUCK– Though she wasn’t at the 2017 Budapest World Championships, Ruck won one individual gold, one individual silver, and five relay golds at the 2017 World Junior Championships. Four of those five relays set new World Junior records. Ruck also has impressed in the last month of 2017, tying the Canadian 200 free record in long course and breaking the Canadian 200 back record in short course.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2017 Swammy Awards: Canadian Female Swimmer of the Year Kylie Masse

Laszlo Cseh Misses Podium at Euro SC Champs for 2nd Time in Career

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

Hungarian swimmer Laszlo Cseh might be known as the best male swimmer we’ve ever seen – if he hadn’t run head-on into the best male swimmer we’ve ever seen (Michael Phelps) and another who on the basis of accomplishments has a strong case for top 3 (Ryan Lochte) – both of whom are about the same age as the 32-year old Cseh.

In spite of the battles he faced throughout his career against his two American counterparts, Cseh has amassed an incredible resume of international success. He has 6 Olympic medals (albeit none of them gold), 13 World Championships in long course, and an incredible 48 European Championship medals (33 of which were titles). His 19 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze record at the European Short Course Championships is the best-ever among male swimmers, just 3 behind Martina Moravcova for 1st among all swimmers in the event’s history.

At last week’s European Short Course Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, Cseh began to show the signs of age that inevitably catch up to all athletes, and, dare I say, all humans.

Cseh didn’t earn any medals at the European Short Course Championships, marking just the 2nd time in his 15-year international career that he finished without a place on a podium. He’s only raced at Short Course Worlds twice, in 2010 and 2012, and has 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals to show for it.He’s finished among the medalists at all 4 of the Olympic games that he’s attended.

The same is true for all 8 long course World Championships he’s been at, including silver in the 200 fly in Budapest this summer, starting with a silver in the 400 IM behind Michael Phelps at the 2003 Championships in Barcelona.

Cseh has won medals at each of the last 7 European Championship meets in long course (in fact, he’s won a gold medal at each of the last 7), and until this year, had medaled 9 of the 10 European Short Course Championships in which he’d raced dating back to 2003 (he also missed in 2013).

It wasn’t all bad news for Cseh in Copenhagen, though. He still swam a best time and broke a National Record in the 50 fly at the meet, swimming a 22.88 in the semi-final.

The Hungarian great isn’t done yet – his silver at Worlds showed that he’s still a contender for international podiums – but he’s always been primarily a long course swimmer. He probably can’t go full-bore for meets twice a year anymore, having to instead save his focus for the one big one. At 32, he has maybe lost the youth to combine with overwhelming talent on the European stage to muscle his way on to a podium in short course meters.

The sun has not yet set on Cseh, but it could be the waning hours of the brilliant evening. The question becomes can Cseh hang on long enough to make a run in 2019 in South Korea at the World Championships, or a year later at the Tokyo Olympics – or will next year’s relatively less-emphatic European Championships be the end of his era?

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Laszlo Cseh Misses Podium at Euro SC Champs for 2nd Time in Career

Kate Beavon and Aryan Makhija Win Titles on Last Day of SA Champs

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By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

2017 KZNA PREMIER CHAMPS & COMMONWEALTH TRIALS

  • December 16th-22nd, 2017
  • Durban, South Africa
  • LCM (50m)
  • 2018 Commonwealth Games Trials
  • Commonwealth Games Standards
  • Live Results: Meet Mobile, search “KZNA Premier Champs & Commonwealth Trials”

Day 7 Qualifiers 

  • None

There were only two events on the final day of the 2017 South African Championships/Commonwealth Games Trials, the women’s 1500 free and men’s 800 free.

Since neither event is raced at the Commonwealth Games, though, there were no additional qualifiers for the meet. Rather, winners today were national champions, with no further CG implications.

In the women’s 1500, 17-year-old Kate Beavon was the clear winner, going 17:19.83 to decimate the field. Second went to Abi Medler, another 17-year-old, over twenty seconds back at 17:40.86, while Jordan-Jenna Rolfe, 16, touched third at 17:40.86.

The men’s race was much closer, with the podium finishers all very close to one another.

17-year-old Aryan Makhija got to the wall first in 8:22.54, and Luke Erwee, also 17, was right behind him at 8:23.31. Third went to another 17-year-old, Chad Michau, not far back at 8:25.09. Erwee charged home hard, coming back in a 1:00.91 on his final 100 to Makhija’s 1:02.00, but the former had built enough over the first 700 meters that he was able to hold Erwee off.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kate Beavon and Aryan Makhija Win Titles on Last Day of SA Champs

Michael Andrew Misses World Junior Record in 50 Free by 6 Days

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2017 LAUSANNE Swim CUP

American 18-year old Michael Andrew missed becoming the first official World Junior Record holder in the 50 free in short course meters not by tenths or hundredths, but by days. Swimming at the Lausanne Swim Cup in Switzerland last week, Andrew swam a 21.31 for his first win of the meet. That cleared the FINA-set standard for the first official World Junior Record by .01 seconds.

He was beat to the punch, however, by Russian 17-year old Kliment Kolesnikov, who swam a 21.24 on a relay leadoff on December 13th, 6 days earlier, at the European Short Course Championships. That swim is pending ratification by FINA – which has proven to be challenging in World Junior Records, because there is less consistency in doping control and form submission. Kolesnikov likely would have been tested at the European Championships as a gold medalist, however.

Kolesnikov, who on Friday in St. Petersburg broke a senior World Record, won 4 golds and 1 silver medal at those European Championships. That includes in the 200 free relay where he swam his record-breaking leadoff.

Andrew holds the World Junior Record in the 50 free, having swum 21.75 in both the heats and finals at this summer’s World Junior Championships. Kolesnikov didn’t race at that meet, but does hold the 100 and 200 back World Junior Records.

Andrew is already tied as the 6th-fastest American ever in the 50 short course meters free (which is not a popular pool length for American swimmers). He swam a 21.27 on a mixed medley relay leadoff at this year’s Singapore stop of the FINA World Cup Series. While USA Swimming has included the time in its all-time rankings, by FINA rules, it isn’t eligible for a World Junior Record being part of a mixed-gender relay.

Top 10 All-Time Americans in 50 SCM Freestyle, as of December 22nd, 2017:

  1. Anthony Ervin, 20.85 (2012)
  2. Josh Schneider, 20.88 (2010)
  3. Nathan Adrian, 20.95 (2015)
  4. Michael Chadwick, 21.16 (2015)
  5. Jimmy Feigen, 21.20 (2013)
  6. Cullen Jones (2013)/Michael Andrew (2017), 21.27
  7. Nick Brunelli, 21.28 (2011)
  8. Paul Powers, 21.31 (2016)
  9. Matt Grevers, 21.38 (2011)

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Michael Andrew Misses World Junior Record in 50 Free by 6 Days

Class of 2019 Henry Schutte Verbally Commits to Virginia

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

High school junior Henry Schutte has joined a small wave of class of 2019 commits that have made their verbal commitments in the last week. He has verbally committed to swim for Todd DeSorbo and the new coaching staff at the University of Virginia, beginning in the fall of 2019.

Schutte swims for the Rapids Area Y Swimmers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and had a big breakout swim at the USA Swimming Winter Junior Championships – East two weeks ago. While he didn’t finish in any A finals individually, he won the B final in the 50 free in a new best time of 20.12, swam a best time in the 100 free (44.61), and most excitingly split 19.37 on the anchor leg of his team’s 200 medley relay. While that relay finished just 39th, Schutte’s anchor leg was the fastest split of the field.

Schutte only swam 3 individual events at Winter Juniors (50 free, 100 free, 100 back), emphasizing his specialty as a sprint freestyler. As we all recalibrate with perspective on times for earlier commits, Schutte still has time to develop a 3rd event before he arrives in Charlottesville.

Even if that doesn’t happen, he will still provide immense value for the Cavaliers. Virginia’s fastest 50 freestyler this year, sophomore Ryan Baker, swam a 20.03 at the Georgia Fall Invitational. Baker is about a second better than Schutte in the 100 free this season (43.60), but Schutte’s times are already within range of what would contend for relay spots there as well at Virginia.

With this commitment, DeSorbo, who came to Virginia from NC State, is already beginning to remake the Virginia program from the ground-floor: sprints and relays. That’s the same place where NC State started when they built their program from national anonymity to a consistent top-5 finisher at the NCAA Championships. More specifically, DeSorbo was in charge of the NC State sprint group.

Schutte attends Forest Hills Central High School, where last season he was the Michigan Division I champion in both the 50 and 100 yard freestyles.

Schutte’s best times, yards (flat starts):

  • 50 free – 20.12
  • 100 free – 44.61
  • 200 free – 1:41.99
  • 500 free – 4:44.50
  • 100 back – 52.37
  • 100 fly – 53.57

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Class of 2019 Henry Schutte Verbally Commits to Virginia

Western Connecticut State University to Add Men’s Swimming for 2018

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By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

The athletic department at Western Connecticut State University has announced the addition of four new varsity programs, with men’s swimming and diving among the new teams. Western Connecticut State is an NCAA Division III school.

WestConn already has a women’s program, which has been coached by Jill Scott for nearly two decades. Scott is now in her 18th season as the WestConn head coach. According to the press release on the WestConn website, which is in full below, Scott will integrate the men’s team into a combined program.

Besides men’s swimming, WestConn will welcome new men’s and women’s cross country and men’s golf programs. All four new teams are expected to start their first seasons beginning in fall of 2018.

DANBURY, CT – Western Connecticut State University will be adding NCAA men’s and women’s cross country, men’s golf and men’s swimming and diving as Division III varsity intercollegiate programs and will play a full schedule in the fall of 2018-19, announced Director of Athletics Lori R. Mazza today.  The addition of these four programs brings WestConn’s varsity athletics sponsorship up to 18 programs and is the first expansion since the University re-established the field hockey program in 2005.  “We are very excited about the expansion of our department,” added Mazza.  “The offerings selected reflect the interest within our region and our ongoing commitment to recruit student-athletes with added opportunities for students who want to be a part of their collegiate experience.

The university is in the process of designing a cross country course on the school’s Westside campus.  Additionally, to establish a home golf course, discussions between WestConn administrators and managers of several public and private courses are ongoing. 

The men’s swimming and diving team will compete in the O’Neill Center Natatorium in conjunction with the women’s program.  Jill Cook has been the head coach of the women’s program for the past 18 seasons and intends to take the helm of the men’s program next season.  The swim season for both typically runs from October to February.

Mazza and the university will immediately begin efforts to hire part-time head coaches for the men’s and women’s cross country and men’s golf programs.

Mazza noted that The Little East Conference (LEC) sponsors championships for men’s and women’s cross country with the possibility of men’s golf, pending LEC approval.  Additionally, the WestConn men’s swimming and diving program will initially compete as an independent while seeking a more permanent conference affiliation.

Dr. Keith Betts, Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs, stated, “Working with AD Lori Mazza and our athletic coaching staff to expand the ‘footprint’ of student-athletes at our institution is very exciting for all of the university’s constituents.  Additionally, this expansion will also bolster our recruiting efforts not only within Connecticut, but also throughout New York and New Jersey as students from these states can now qualify for the significantly lower Connecticut in-state tuition.”

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Western Connecticut State University to Add Men’s Swimming for 2018

Russe Kolesnikov schwimmt neuen Weltrekord über 100 m Rücken

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By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Der erst 17 Jahre alte Kliment Kolesnikov hat einen neuen Weltrekord über 100 m Rücken (25 m Bahn) in 48,90 Sekunden aufgestellt. Der Amerikaner Matt Grevers hatte den alten Rekord im Dezember 2015 erreicht, er brauchte 48,92 Sekunden für die Strecke.

Kolesnikov schwamm die neue  Bestmarke beim Salnikov Cup in St. Petersburg, Russland. Der Wettbewerb findet am 22./23.12. statt.

Bereits bei den Kurzbahneuropameisterschaften 2017 hatte der Russe in 48,99 Sekunden einen neuen Juniorenweltrekord aufgestellt. Insgesamt ist er in den letzten 5 Wochen fünfmal unter der Juniorenbestmarke geblieben.

Während Grevers bei seiner Weltbestleistung die ersten 50 m in 23,56, die zweite Strecke in 25,36 Sekunden bestritt, erreichte Kolesnikov diese Zwischenzeiten: 24,0, 24,81 Sekunden.

Die neue Bestmarke des 17-Jährigen ist gleichzeitig Juniorenweltrekord, Europarekord und russischer Rekord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Russe Kolesnikov schwimmt neuen Weltrekord über 100 m Rücken


2017-2018 Men’s NCAA Power Rankings: Post-Invite Edition

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By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

As in previous years, SwimSwam’s Power Rankings are somewhere between the CSCAA-style dual meet rankings and a pure prediction of NCAA finish order.  SwimSwam’s rankings take into account how a team looks at the moment, while keeping the end of the season in mind through things like a team’s previous trajectory and NCAA scoring potential.  These rankings are by nature subjective, and a jumping-off point for discussion.  If you disagree with any team’s ranking, feel free to make your case in a respectful way in our comments section.

Winter invites have wrapped, and it’s time to count down our top 20 men’s swimming & diving teams in the NCAA, with an eye on the ultimate NCAA finish order.

See also:

We’re introducing a new format for our Power Rankings this season: a committee system where we average out the top 20 ballots of multiple SwimSwam writers to come up with our official ranking order. While this should help readers glean which teams are consensus picks at their rank and where in the order things get fuzzy and more subjective, bear in mind that these rankings are not an opportunity to personally attack any specific writer.

With that said, onto our third rankings for the 2017-2018 season:

(Also receiving votes: Notre Dame, Arizona, Miami)

#20: Grand Canyon Antelopes (Previous Rank: N/A)

Mark Nikolaev blew up for the NCAA’s best 100 back time. With a great breaststroker (Youssef El Kamash) in an NCAA thin on breaststrokers, Grand Canyon could score in both medleys and potentially finish top-20 in their first year of Division I eligibility. -JA

#19: Minnesota Golden Gophers (Previous Rank: #19)

They didn’t really have anybody to race at their home invite, but Conner McHugh (1:54.1 breast) and Bowe Becker (43.0 free) look as good as expected -JA

#18: South Carolina Gamecocks (Previous Rank: #17)

They’re likely getting Brandonn Almeida onto their active roster for the postseason, yet the Gamecocks still move down? South Carolina hasn’t shown much relay ability and their distance crew hasn’t really popped anything huge yet. There’s room for this rank to go up dramatically, though, because that group is going to come through in February/March. -JA

#17:  Missouri Tigers (Previous Rank: N/A)

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge coach Greg RhodenbaughHe loses Chadwick, Schwingenschlogl and Sansoucie and still puts together medley relays ranked 4th and 9th nationwide. Mikel Schreuders looks legit and the sophomore class is loaded. -JA

#16: Louisville Cardinals (Previous Rank: #13)

Marcelo Acosta is swimming like an elite distance man – could he be a surprise factor in what could be another wild NCAA mile? -JA

#15: Purdue Boilermakers (Previous Rank: #15)

Purdue isn’t flashy, but it’s hard to argue with the formula: a top-tier breaststroker in a wide open event discipline and reliably elite divers. -JA

#14: Tennessee Volunteers (Previous Rank: #16)

Kyle Decoursey continues his rapid trajectory – he’s almost an 18-second sprinter at this point (19.1 at the Tennessee invite). Plus, all five relays are in scoring position, headed by the 3rd-fastest 200 medley relay in the nation. -JA

#13: Auburn Tigers (Previous Rank: #14)

Sprint free relays look great. Freshman Hugo Gonzalez currently has the 2nd-fastest 200 back and the 3rd-fastest 200 IM in the nation to go with the NCAA’s top 400 IM time. That’s what you call an impact rookie. -JA

#12: Texas A&M Aggies (Previous Rank: #12)

Don’t look now, but these medley relays feel pretty stout. Brock Bonetti and Mauro Castillo could stake the team to a half-race lead against almost anyone in the NCAA. -JA

#11: Georgia Bulldogs (Previous Rank: #9)

They’d be a lot lower if we were basing these rankings solely on performance so far this season, but we’re assuming Gunnar Bentz will be back for the second semester and that the Bulldogs didn’t come close to showing their hand at their home invite. -RG

#10: Arizona State Sun Devils (Previous Rank: #10)

The paragon of consistency in these rankings have been the Sun Devils – #10 in all three rankings so far. Coach Bob Bowman has been building his program around relay-distance freestyle types in recruiting and it’s paying off: all three ASU relays are in NCAA scoring position with a sophomore 1:33.2 (Cameron Craig) and a freshman 1:33.6 (Grant House) in the 200 free. -JA

#9: Alabama Crimson Tide (Previous Rank: #8)

With the versatile Laurent Bams becoming a breaststroker overnight, Alabama has four relays ranking in the top 6 nationally. Robert Howard is on a roll with 19.1/41.9/1:33.7 speed and range at the Georgia Tech Invite. -JA

#8: Michigan Wolverines (Previous Rank: #11)

Their sprint relays have been sneaky good despite a lack of “big” names. -RG

This is a great sprint crew with Paul Powers (19.2/42.7), James Peek (19.3), James Jones (42.9) and freshman Gustavo Borges (19.4/43.4) combining for some outstanding relays. Add in the dominant distance swimmers and this team is loaded in all freestyle events. -JA

#7: USC Trojans (Previous Rank: #7)

Santo Condorelli really came alive at the Texas Invite. All three free relays rank in the top 9 nationally and the medleys should get better with the additions of Carsten Vissering (studying abroad in Australia) and Robert Glinta (who appeared to save his mid-season rest for the Short Course European Championships). -JA

#6:  Indiana Hoosiers (Previous Rank: #5)

The Hoosiers are a tenth out of the best 400 medley relay in the nation, have the fastest 100 breaststroker in the NCAA (Ian Finnerty is the only sub-52 at this point) and that’s not even mentioning Blake Pieroniwho leads a deep, deep field of NCAA mid-sprint monsters in the 200 freestyle. -JA

#5: Stanford Cardinal (Previous Rank: #6)

Stanford has put a premium on distance freestyle and it’s working. Grant Shoults leads the nation in the 500 free and he and True Sweetser sit 2-3 in the mile. Don’t sleep on last summer’s breakout IMer Abrahm DeVineeither. -JA

#4: Florida Gators (Previous Rank: #3)

Florida swam a handful of its best relays at the Purdue Invite without Caeleb Dressel, who had to leave the meet early for a personal matter. Khader Baqlah looks great, having swum lifetime-bests in the 200 free (1:33.3) and 500 free (4:16.8) this winter. -JA

#3: NC State Wolfpack (Previous Rank: #4)

The Wolfpack is starting to assemble its many versatile relay chess pieces into the most formidable combinations. The lowest-ranked relays for now are 5th (800 free, 400 medley) and the other three are ranked #2 nationwide. -JA

#2: California Golden Bears (Previous Rank: #1)

Really hard choice between Cal and Texas. Part of me wants to call it a tie at this point, but I feel like that would be a cop out. Cal’s relays looked great at the Georgia Invite. -SP

In my mind, they should be a clear-cut #2, but having the top national rank in 4 of 5 relays makes this a legitimate question. -JA

#1: Texas Longhorns (Previous Rank: #2)

Austin Katz lit up the pool at the Texas Invite, the veterans generally solid times despite presumably not being rested much, and the medley relays looked like they’ve still got enough to stay alive. But, Cal looked very very good too. -RG

The 200 free talent is predictably insane, based on stellar recruiting the past few years. Take a look at these splits from the Texas Invite 800 free relays: 1:32.5, 1:33.1, 1:33.6, 1:33.7, 1:34.5, 1:35.4, 1:35.6, plus leadoff legs of 1:34.2, 1:35.2 and 1:35.6. -JA

FULL RANKING BALLOTS

JaredBradenRobertSpencer
#1TexasTexasCaliforniaCalifornia
#2CaliforniaCalTexasTexas
#3NC StateFloridaFloridaNC State
#4FloridaNC StateNC StateFlorida
#5StanfordStanfordStanfordIndiana
#6IndianaIndianaIndianaStanford
#7AlabamaUSCUSCUSC
#8MichiganMichiganMichiganMichigan
#9Arizona StateGeorgiaAlabamaAlabama
#10USCTexas A&MAuburnTexas A&M
#11GeorgiaAlabamaArizona StateArizona State
#12Texas A&MArizona StateGeorgiaGeorgia
#13AuburnAuburnTennessee

LEN initiiert neue Programme, damit mehr Kinder schwimmen lernen

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By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Bei einem Treffen während der Kurzbahneuropameisterschaften in Kopenhagen, hat die LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation), die europäische Wassersportorganisation, einige Beschlüsse gefasst. Zum Beispiel wird ein Ausschuss gegründet, der sich zukünftig mit dem Turmspringen befasst und die Athletenkommisson soll unter der Leitung von Camelia Potec (Olympiasiegerin 200 m Freistil 2004 in Athen für Rumänien) ausgebaut werden.

Die Großereignisse des nächsten Jahres, wie die Europameisterschaften in Glasgow, laufen in der Vorbereitung plangemäß, alle Zwischentermine wurden bisher eingehalten.

Die Europameisterschaften im nächsten August in Glasgow sind nicht nur die Meisterschaften der Wassersportler, gleichzeitig werden auch Wettbewerbe im Turnen, Radfahren, Rudern, Triathlon und Golf abgehalten und am selben Termin finden in Berlin die Europameisterschaften der Leichtathleten statt.

 

Der Präsident der LEN, Paolo Barelli, ist überzeugt, dass dieses Sportereignis ein großer Erfolg werden und zukünftig wieder stattfinden wird.

Weiterhin wurden in Kopenhagen Pläne über einen Europa Cup in allen Wassersportdisziplinen diskutiert, bisher gab es diese Veranstaltung für die Wasserballer. Die LEN möchte gerne mehr anspruchsvolle Wettbewerbe in Europa abhalten.

Auch über die Dopingproblematik wurde diskutiert, das medizinische Komitee soll verstärkt unterstützt werden, um in den kommenden Jahres ein wirkungsvolles Anti-Dopingprogramm zu entwickeln.

Die Sicherheit im Wasser war im Rahmen des “Learn to swim” Programms ein Thema in Kopenhagen. Das Programm soll im neuen Jahr starten. Wie in Deutschland, können in Europa immer weniger Kinder sicher schwimmen. Der Tod durch Ertrinken ist weltweit die zehnthäufigste Todesursache, in Europa ertrinken jährlich 35.000 Menschen.

Ähnlich wie in Deutschland, können auch in Großbritannien 45% der Kinder unter 11 Jahren keine 25 m schwimmen.

Die LEN empfiehlt, dass alle Kinder unter 8 Jahren in Schwimmprogramme eingebunden werden soll, so dass sie mindestens 200 m schwimmen können. Ebenfalls sollen es Richtlinien für Schwimmbäder, Lehrer und Rettungsschwimmer geben.

In den nächsten Monaten wird die LEN mit den Präsidenten der nationalen Schwimmorganisationen ein Treffen über die Details der Initiative abhalten und mit den Verantwortlichen über die weiteren Schritte diskutieren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: LEN initiiert neue Programme, damit mehr Kinder schwimmen lernen

5 Tipps vom Schwimmtrainer, die dich stärker machen werden

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By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Der Schwimmsport gibt uns viel mehr als nur die Fähigkeit, sich schneller als normale Menschen durch das Wasser zu bewegen – wir lernen auch viel fürs Leben. Einige wichtige Ratschläge, die uns Trainer gerne geben, lernen wir vielleicht erst später richtig schätzen und sie werden uns unser ganzes Leben begleiten:

Wir müssen nicht der beste Schwimmer der Welt oder unseres Landes sein, um viel durch den Sport zu erreichen und viel für unser weiteres Leben mitzunehmen, Erkenntnisse, die uns in unseren Beziehungen mit anderen Menschen helfen, unserem Beruf und auch unserem Anspruch an körperliche Fitness.

 Hier nun fünf Tipps vom Trainer – die euch garantiert euer ganzen Leben begleiten und helfen werden:

1. Zurück zur Basis.

Wenn man an einem Punkt nicht mehr meint, weiterzukommen und sich zu verbessern, dann wird vielleicht auf neue Hilfsmittel zurückgegriffen, die auf einfache Art und Weise Erfolg bringen sollen – ein neuer toller Schwimmanzug, ein brandaktuelles Nahrungsergänzungsmittel oder eine ausgefallene, geheimnisvolle neue Technik.

Vergiss es. Es gibt keine Abkürzungen zum Erfolg. Die Versuchung ist immer groß, aber wir besinnen uns besser auf die grundlegenden Dinge: Technik. Kontinuität in dem was du tust. Gesundes Essen. Ausreichend erholsamen Schlaf.

Am Ende des Tages gibt es keinen Aufzug zum Erfolg – leider müssen wir die Treppe nehmen. Und es sind die vielleicht nicht so angenehmen Grundlagen, die Leistungen verbessern und steigern.

 2. Du bist zäher als du glaubst.

Erfahrungen können unser bester Verbündetere sein oder sie können uns in einer Komfortzone gefangen halten, die wir nur ungerne verlassen möchten.

Wie oft bist du mit Trainingsplänen konfrontiert worden, die auf den ersten Blick nicht zu schaffen waren für dich – wenn du aber dann nicht nur in der Lage gewesen bist, alle Serien zu beenden, sondern auch noch richtig gut warst?

In solchen Momenten bekommst du eine Idee davon, was du schaffen kannst.

Man arbeitet nicht nur hart und trotzt Widrigkeiten, um gute Ergebnisse zu erzielen – auch die Zufriedenheit und der Stolz, etwas geschafft zu haben, zeichnet uns aus. Das scheinbar Unmögliche zu schaffen, viele offenbar kleine Schritte zu machen und immer nach vorne zu blicken – das ist eine Lehre fürs Leben. Harte Arbeit bringt uns voran – und wenn es oft nur kleine Erfolge sind, so haben wir doch unser Bestes gegeben und uns nicht unterkriegen lassen.

Zusammenfassend kann man sagen:

Widrigkeiten halten den Champion nicht auf, sie treiben ihn an. 

 3. Konzentriere dich auf dich selber.

Viele Schwimminteressierte von euch wird die Szene mitbekomen haben, wie Chad Le Clos vor dem 200 m Schmetterlingsfinale versucht hat, Michael Phelps aus der Fassung zu bringen. Wie er im Ready Room eine Art Boxkampf aufführte direkt vor seinem größten Rivalen und Phelps mit finsterem Gesichtsausdruck dies alles zu ignorieren versuchte. (Tatsächlich war er so tief in seiner Konzentration, dass er es gar nicht bemerkt hat.)

Der Versuch von Le Clos, Phelps aus der Ruhe zu bringen bzw. seine Konzentration zu stören, ist nicht unbedingt ungewöhnlich in dem Bereich, in dem die Gladiatoren vor dem großen Finale erstmalig aufeinandertreffen.

Aber vielleicht hätte Chad sich besser auf sich selbst und seine anstehende Titelverteidigung konzentrieren sollen anstatt Faxen zu machen und zu versuchen, den besten Schwimmer aller Zeiten „aus der Fassung zu bringen“. Vielleicht wäre das Ergebnis dann anders gewesen.

Denk mal drüber nach:

Es ist wichtig, ehrgeizig zu sein und den Gewinnerinstinkt zu haben. Das solltest du im Training und im Wettkampf haben. Aber wenn es für dich wichtiger wird, was jemand anders macht, dann verlierst du den Fokus auf deine eigene Vorbereitung, dein eigenes wichtiges Rennen.

 4. Akzeptiere harte Arbeit.

Irgendwann einmal haben wir mitbekommen, dass harte Arbeit ätzend ist. Dass wir das Schwimmtraining eben einfach “aushalten” müssen. Aber – eigentlich ist es eine Einstellungssache – harte Arbeit anzunehmen auf dem Weg zum Erfolg, aber nicht nur als notwendiges Übel, sondern als Hilfe auf dem Weg zum Erfolg.

Klar, in dem Moment, wo die Muskeln schmerzen, der ganz Körper nach Sauerstoff schreit, dann braucht der Schwimmer viel Kraft und Widerstandsfähigkeit, um sein Training weiter durchzuziehen – aber das Wissen, dass einen jeder Zug besser macht – bringt dann doch eine tiefe Zufriedenheit, wenn man die täglichen Herausforderungen geschafft hat. Und dazu gehört auch die Leidenschaft, mit der man seinen Sport (oder den Beruf) ausübt.

Dazu gehört auch, aussagekräftige Ziele zu haben – die das definieren, was du im Sport erreichen möchtet. Und nicht nur im Wettkampf, sondern ebenfalls im Training. 

Harte Arbeit anzunehmen als Mittel auf dem Weg, Ziele zu erreichen und Erfolg zu haben, ist unumgänglich – aber nicht als notwendiges Übel, sondern als Mittel zum Erfolg – man muss die harte Arbeit annehmen, sie sogar “umarmen”.  

5. “Champions werden im Training gemacht.”

 Jeder möchte Ergebnisse sehen. Die Ergebnisse bei Wettkämpfen bringen den Ruhm, die Rekorde, Medaillen und die Aufmerksamkeit. Wer möchte das nicht?

Aber es ist die tägliche Schinderei, morgens früh aufstehen und zum Training gehen, das Training ordentlich und komplett schwimmen, auch wenn der Trainer mal nicht hinguckt – es sind die vielen kleinen Dinge, die Details, die in der Gesamtheit Spitzenleistungen hervorbringen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 5 Tipps vom Schwimmtrainer, die dich stärker machen werden

Teil 3 Videoserie:”Die Reise von MP” mit Michael Phelps und Bob Bowman

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By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Erfolg ist kein Ziel, sondern eine Reise. Michael Phelps, der erfolgreichste Sportler aller Zeiten und sein Trainer Bob Bowman, Cheftrainer des Arizona State Swimming und Diving Teams, berichten über mehr als Schwimmtechniken und Trainingsmethoden, sie teilen Geschichten, Ratschläge und auch Geheimnisse über ihre Reise zum Erfolg. Präsentiert von  MP Michael Phelps.

EPISODE DREI: In der 3. Episode geht um das Setzen von Prioritäten. 

Trainer Bowman eklärt: “Wenn die Athleten an die Uni kommen, dann müssen sie sehr viele Bereiche koordinieren, ihr Studium, ihr Schwimmtraining und ihr soziales Leben. Aber eigentlich können sie nur in zwei von diesen Punkten gut sein und das sollte der Sport und das Studium sein.  Es kommt darauf an, Prioritäten zu setzen, denn es ist möglich, in mehreren Bereichen gut zu sein. Junge Menschen können so viel erreichen und bewältigen.” Er sieht einen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Studium, also den Geist zu trainieren und dem Schwimmen, also körperlich sehr fit zu sein.

 

EPISODE EINS: Den richtigen Trainer finden 

Episode ZWEI: Ziele setzen 

 

Folge MP Michael Phelps auf Facebook 

Folge MP Michael Phelps auf Instagram

Folge MP Michael Phelps auf Twitter

Über MP

Im Frühjahr 2015 gestartet, ist MP designed von Aqua Sphere,  eine gemeinsame Vision, um innovative Produkte zu entwickeln, die eine breite Zielgruppe von Schwimmern über den Schwimmlebenszyklus ansprechen sollen. Durch die Kombination von Aqua Sphere‘s globaler Produkt-designkompetenz und einem weltweiten Vertriebsnetz mit der Erfahrung von Michael Phelps und Bob Bowman auf dem höchsten Leistungsniveau,  bietet die Marke MP  technische Schwimmprodukte, die wirksam  selbstentwickelte Technologien mit leistungssteigernden Designs verbinden

 

Über AQUA SPHERE

1998 in Genua (Italien) gegründet, ist Aqua Sphere der führende Hersteller von Schwimmsportausrüstung für Leistungs- und Freizeitschwimmen, Aqua-Fitness und Triathlon. Mit der Markteinführung der bahnbrechenden Seal Mask, der ersten Schwimm-Maske der Welt, hat die Firma einen Branchenstandard gesetzt. Heute treibt sie mit einer kompletten Palette erstklassiger Produkte, wie Schwimmbrillen, Schwimmbekleidung, Triathlonwetsuits, Fußbekleidung sowie Schwimmfitness- und Trainingszubehör aus italienischer Produktion, weiterhin Innovationen voran. Die Produkte sind bei vielen Prominenten und namenhaften Athleten geschätzt und beliebt, auch bei Michael Phelps, dem erfolgreichsten Olympioniken aller Zeiten, mit dem Aqua Sphere zusammenarbeitet, um eine globale Partnerschaft aufzubauen. Mit der Muttergesellschaft Aqua Lung, unterstützt durch ein internationales Vertriebsnetz, ist Aqua Sphere zu einem globalen Unternehmen gewachsen, das mit seiner internationalen Präsenz in mehr als 90 Ländern für einmalige Designs sowie Entwicklungs- und Herstellungs-Knowhow steht. Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie auf www.aquasphereswim.com, http://www.facebook.com/aquasphereswim, oder http:/www.twitter.com/aquasphereswim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Teil 3 Videoserie:”Die Reise von MP” mit Michael Phelps und Bob Bowman

13-Year Old Aleksandra Sabitova Breaks Russian Jr Record in 100 Fly

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2017 Vladimir Salnikov Swim Cup

On day 1 of the 2017 Vladimir Salnikov Swim Cup, a World Record in the 100 meter backstroke by 17-year old Kliment Kolesnikov was the clear shot-stopper of the meet. He swam 48.90, which improved the Russian Record of 48.95 set in 2010 by Stanislav Donets, and also undercut Matt Grevers’ World Record of 48.92 from 2015.

But he wasn’t the only young Russian swimmer that wowed on the first day of the annual winter meet. 13-year old Aleksandra Sabitova, who in April went under 1 minute in the 100 fly in long course, won the short course final on Friday in 56.84. That swim broke the Russian Junior Record, which is recognized for swimmers aged 16 and under. The old record of 58.93 was set in 2012 by Svetlana Chimrova at 58.93. Exactly a second behind her was Belarusian 14-year old Anastasiya Shkurdai in 57.84.

Sabitova’s swim is less than half-a-second from Chimrova’s senior Russian Record of 56.39, and ranks the young swimmer 13th in the world.

2017-2018 SCM WOMEN 100 FLY

2Katinka
HOSSZU
HUN55.5208/07
3Rikako
IKEE
JPN55.64*WJR12/21
4Marie
WATTEL
FRA55.9712/17
5Emilie
BECKMANN
DEN56.2212/17
View Top 27»

Hers was only the 2nd-best female swim by power points, however, measured on proximity to World Records. Veronika Andrusenko (formerly Veronika Popova) swam a 1:53.60 in the 200 free final, for a 927-point swim. Her Russian Record in the event is 1:52.46.

The home team from St. Petersburg leads the medals table after day one with 17 of all colors, followed by Moscow with 10.

Other Day 1 Winners

  • Kirill Prigoda won the men’s 50 breaststroke (25.94) and 200 breaststroke (2:03.62) in the same day.
  • Kolesnikov also took away a win in the 100 free in 46.58, beating out his Muscovite teammate Andrey Zhilkin (47.51). Russian Record holder Vlad Morozov isn’t swimming at this meet.
  • Natalia Ivaneeva won the women’s 100 breaststroke in 1:05.52, beating out teenager Daria Chikunova (1:06.10).
  • 17-year old Maksim Stupin won the men’s 200 IM in 1:57.11, holding off a hard charge from Dmitry Shcherbakov and Egor Suchkov. Shcherbakov had a 1.3 second lead over Shcherbakov and a 2 second lead over Suchkov at the halfway mark, but both nearly ran him down to finish in 1:57.23 and 1:57.26, respectively.
  • Anastasia Fesikova won the women’s 50 backstroke in 26.72.
  • Alexander Kharlanov dominated the men’s 200 fly in 1:51.90. He was more than 2 seconds ahead of runner-up Andrew Pribytko (1:53.14).
  • Aleksandr Krasnykh from Tarstan won the men’s 400 free by a similar margin in 3:40.38.
  • Dutch swimmer Kim Busch, one of the few foreigners at the meet, won the women’s 50 free in 24.25. She beat out Russia’s Rozaliya Nasretdinova (24.32) for the win.
  • Anastasia Kirpichnikova won a women’s 800 free field of just 7, finishing in 8:26.71. That was almost 6 seconds ahead of the next-closest finisher.
  • Anastasia Avdeeva won the women’s 200 backstroke in 2:05.59 – just half-a-second slower than her lifetime best from Russia’s Short Course Nationals in late November.
  • Oleg Kostin won the men’s 50 fly in 22.90, beating out a trio of Belarusians led by Yauhen Tsurkin (22.93).

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 13-Year Old Aleksandra Sabitova Breaks Russian Jr Record in 100 Fly

The 12 Days of Christmas: A Swimming Tradition

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

The sport of swimming can become monotonous at times – hours of staring at a black line, without much change in scenery, stroke-after-stroke-after-stroke. This can be especially true in the doldrums of the heart of winter training, when tapers and championships are still months away, and coaches think that their swimmers have nothing better to do over the holidays than go home from practice and go into a self-induced coma for 20 hours before coming back and doing it all over again the next day.

So anytime coaches can add a little flair or creativity to the workouts, even if it might be a bit corny or cliche, the variety can add some fun to the work.

Enter the ’12 Days of Christmas.” Riffing off the popular holiday song, coaches put together workouts that usually theme some kind of building from 1 to 12 or 12 to 1.

While rarely as lovely as 3 french hens (which sounds like a reasonable post-practice snack), or 5 gold rings (Olympic dreams), some of these are rather creative and fun. The premise of these workouts is usually that on each round, you go back through and repeat all of the rounds prior.

We’ve picked out a few that we’ve seen this holiday season below to get your creative juices going before those last few practices leading into Christmas on Monday. (Point of fact: the 12 days of Christmas  begin with Christmas or the day after, rather than end with it, so you’ve got another 2 weeks to use these ideas. Most people read that wrong).

Greater Tampa Swimming

Hint: right-click image and “Open Image in new tab” to enlarge

This one is fun mostly for aesthetic reasons. Because when you lay out the workout as GTSA has done on the left, it looks like a Christmas tree.

Tynemouth ASC Newcastle, England

Tynemouth, a club in England led by Chris Reekie, completed their set in just under 1 hour and 25 minutes (in short course meters), with no rest in between the days. Theirs included both dryland and wetland compoments.

  1. 12minutes Plank on Elbows
  2. 12×50’s Fly swim
  3. 30 In + Outs
  4. 9x100m IM’S
  5. 40 Tumble Turns
  6. 7×150’s Backstroke Swim
  7. 42 Press Ups
  8. 5×200’s Threshold Free
  9. 36 Burpees
  10. 30 Seconds Deep Water kick
  11. 22 sit ups
  12. 300 IM swim

East Kilbride Amateur Swimming Club, East Kilbride, Scotland

Thomas Fenwick thought that his swimmers would endure their pre-holiday workouts a little better to song – so he actually phrased his whole set in the form of lyrics to the original.

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: The 12 Days of Christmas: A Swimming Tradition

CSCAA Shakes Up Top 3 Spots in Final DIII Ranking of 2017

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By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) released its final TYR Top-25 poll of 2017 early last week, featuring some reshuffling amongst the top three teams on both the men’s and women’s side. The polls are voted on by CSCAA member-coaches, with a focus on head-t0-head-competition, rather than NCAA score-ability.

For the men, the only teams to claim a spot in the CSCAA top 3 this year remain there. While Kenyon claimed the preseason #1 spot, it fell to third in the November edition, but has climbed back up to second following strong performances and mid- and late-November invitationals. Denison maintains the #1 spot for the second edition in a row following its commanding performance at the Miami Invitational in early December, while Emory took 4th.

In the women’s rankings, Denison jumped NYU and Johns Hopkins following a third-place finish at the Miami Invitational, while Kenyon just edged out Emory based mostly on its speedy swims at the Total Performance Invite.

Click here to view the 2017-2018 ranking archive, as well as regional rankings. You can also view the Swimulator’s DIII midseason NCAA Championship scoring simulation here.

CSCAA December 19th Rankings

Division III Men
Division III Women
RankPrevTeamPointsRankPrevTeamPoints
11Denison27212Kenyon248
23Kenyon26121Emory240
32Emory25736Denison230
44MIT24244Johns Hopkins219
55Johns Hopkins23253Williams207
66NYU21565NYU194
77WashU20677Chicago187
88Chicago20388MIT182
99Claremont-Mudd-Scripps177910WashU179
1013Carnegie Mellon160108Carnegie Mellon163
1110Pomona-Pitzer1571113Washington & Lee143
1216Amherst1561216Calvin133
1311Tufts1471319Pomona-Pitzer118
1417Calvin12714NRTufts106
1515Rowan1231512Amherst104
1618TCNJ1071622Case Western Reserve99
1720UW-Stevens Point991715Claremont-Mudd-Scripps97
1812Williams941814Saint Thomas93
1914Carthage761921RPI54
20NRTrinity (TX)602020Ursinus51
2123WPI512118Bates42
2221Coast Guard462224SUNY Geneseo40
23NRRose-Hulman342311Conn College31
2424DePauw2324NRTrinity (TX)30
2522Stevens2225NRRowan17

Read the full story on SwimSwam: CSCAA Shakes Up Top 3 Spots in Final DIII Ranking of 2017


Swim Across America Raises Record $4.8 Million in 2017

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By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

Swim Across America, which raises money to fund cancer research across the United States through primarily open water benefit swims, reported Friday that it granted a record $4.8 million to its beneficiaries in 2017. An additional $100,00 will be granted through pool swims.

Overall, the organization has raised more than $65 million.

Next year, the program will host 18 swims, including new additions in Denver, CO, and Richmond, VA.

Swim Across America hosts safe and fun swims, which cost about $50,000-$100,000 to organize in some cases, and then donates 70-85% of gross revenue to the designated beneficiary. For open water swims, the organization partners with a beneficiary connected to the local community, and encourages doctors from each beneficiary to participate in or volunteer at the local swim.

Many Olympians have also participated in the swims, and some, along with collegiate swimmers, act as “angel swimmers” who swim side-by-side with participants.

While there are about 20 facilities who have benefitted from swims nationwide, there are nine designated Swim Across America research labs:

 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Swim Across America Raises Record $4.8 Million in 2017

Kliment Kolesnikov Sets First SCM 200 Free World Junior Record

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By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

2017 VLADIMIR SALNIKOV SWIM CUP

After taking down World Junior Records (WJRs) all month and even a senior Word Record in the 100 back just yesterday, 17-year-old KlimentKolesnikov has broken yet another WJR, this time setting the first official record of its type in the 200m free.

He cruised to a 1:45.39 in his morning swim at the 2017 Vladimir Salnikov Swim Cup Saturday, taking the top seed heading into finals by only .17, but ended up winning the race by nearly three seconds over 25-year-old Viacheslav Andrusenko‘s 1:44.63.

Kolesnikov’s 1:41.75 bests the “benchmark” WJR of 1:41.95, established in 2015, but is yet to be ratified by Fina.

En route to his record-setting swim, Kolesnikov split 23.54/26.33/25.95/25.93.

Though he’s still a ways away from the Russian senior record (1:40.08), Kolesnikov’s swim puts him at #5 in the world this year.

2017-2018 SCM MEN 200 FREE

DanasLTU
RAPSYS
12/14
1.40.85
2Dominik
KOZMA
HUN1.41.0308/07
3Kacper
MAJCHRZAK
POL1.41.6208/07
4Chad
LE CLOS
RSA1.41.6708/07
5Kliment
Kolesnikov
RUS1:41.7512/23
View Top 27»

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kliment Kolesnikov Sets First SCM 200 Free World Junior Record

2017 Swammy Awards: Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year

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By Hannah Hecht on SwimSwam

To see all of our 2017 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here.

2017 FEMALE OPEN WATER SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: ANA MARCELA CUNHA

Ana Marcela Cunha has been a huge name on the international open water scene for nearly a decade, making her major international debut as a 16-year-old 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she finished 10th in the 10km. Since then, she has gathered multiple South American Games and world titles.

Ana Marcela Cunha. Photo: Satiro Sodré/SSPress/CBDA

Rio in 2016 was a bit of disappointment for Cunha, who went into her home Olympic marathon 10k as a favorite, but came out 10th.

However, this year was the highlight of Cunha’s career thus far; she collected a perfect three individual medals at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest. Those three medals (gold in the 25k, bronze in the 5k, and a tied bronze in the 10k) brought Cunha to 9 career World Championships open water medals, tying her with Dutch legend Edith van Dijk for the most ever by a woman. Both swimmers have a career total of three FINA World Championships golds, two silvers, and four bronzes.

This is all particularly impressive given the adversity that Cunha has faced in the past year. She had her spleen removed just a few days after the 2016 Olympics and only returned to serious training in January. Then, just seven weeks before Worlds, Cunha switched coaches, returning to Fernando Possenti, who she had previously trained with between 2013 and 2015.

Cunha continued to impress after world championships this year, winning the 10k at Brazilian Open Water Championships and finishing sixth in the mixed-gender field, ahead of many of Brazil’s top male open water swimmers.

HONORABLE MENTION

Aurélie Muller. Photo: Tim Binning.

  • Aurélie Muller– In one of the more controversial races of Rio 2016, Muller touched second was ultimately disqualified for obstructing third swimmer Rachele Bruni‘s finish in the Olympic 10k marathon swim (video here). This year in Budapest, Muller avenged her heartbreaking Rio swim by taking the 10k world title. Her finish this time around was both smooth and uncontroversial, a 2:00:13.7 that was three seconds ahead of second place. The swim resulted in Muller’s second-ever world title, defending her 10k win at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2017 Swammy Awards: Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year

2017 Swammy Awards: C.A. Male Swimmer of the Year Mauro Castillo Luna

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By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

To see all of our 2017 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here. 

2017 CENTRAL AMERICAN MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: MAURO CASTILLO LUNA, MEXICO

Since grabbing a surprise third-place finish in the 200 breast at the 2017 NCAA Championships, Mauro Castillo Luna has been instrumental in Texas A&M’s hot streak.

After popping a 1:52.01 SCY 200 breast in March, he just last week went 2:07.59 in the SCM race at the Mexican National Championships, breaking the Mexican record.

In August, Castillo also boosted his Mexican teammates to a Mexican record in the 4×100 medley relay at the 2017 World University Games, dropping a 1:00.92 breast split.

Despite the a speedy field at the 2017 Art Adamson Invitational in November, Castillo picked up wins in the 100 and 200 breast, took second in the 100 fly, and third in the 200IM. His 52.34 and 1:54.14 in 100 and 200 breast were well over a second ahead of 2nd-place Aggie teammate Jonathan Tybur (53.7 and 1:55.63), and his 46.66 100 fly was a lifetime best.

However, the most uplifting performance of his career may have come the weekend prior to Art Adamson, when he led his team to an upset over the Texas Longhorns. He got the meet off to quick start with his 24.29 breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay, and followed that up with a win in the 100 breast (53.70) that would put his team in the lead for good. He also threw down a then nation-leading 1:55.93 200 breast, and just for good measure, nabbed the win in the 200IM (1:47.54).

SwimSwam’s Jared Anderson compared Castillo’s November 9th performance to that of a “transcendent quarterback,” in a way that the NCAA dual meet format rarely allows.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

In no particular order

  • Long Gutierrez, Mexico: As a senior at Cal in his final NCAA Championships in March, Gutierrez made the B-final in the 200 free, going 1:33.50. In his first international meet as a post-grad, he broke Mexican records in the LCM 100 free and 50 fly, going 49.79 and 24.29 at the 2017 World University Games. He also anchored the Mexican record-setting 4×100 free and 4×100 medley relays, going 49.85 and 50.69.
  • Marcelo Acosta, El Salvador: For the University of Louisville, Acosta (14:33.68) cruised to 2-plus second win over NC State’s Anton Ipsen (14:35.89) in the 1650 at March’s ACC Championships, but ended up 10th at NCAAs. Since then, he’s solidified his sweep of Salvadorian records in the 100 LCM free through the 1500. He went 52.27 for the 100 record at Central American and Caribbean Games, went 1:50.35 for the 200 record at the Atlanta PSS stop in June, already owned the 400 record from the 2016 Olympics, and nabbed the 800 and 1500 records (7:55.70 and 15:04.79) at the 2017 FINA World Swimming Championships in July.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2017 Swammy Awards: C.A. Male Swimmer of the Year Mauro Castillo Luna

13-Year Old Aleksandra Sabitova Breaks Another Russian Junior Record

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By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2017 VLADIMIR SALNIKOV SWIM CUP

Day 2 of the 2017 Vladimir Salnikov Swim Cup saw more records being broken by 13-year old Aleksandra Sabitova and 17-year old Kliment Kolesnikov.

Sabitova’s record came in the form of a Russian Junior National Record. In the 200 fly, Sabitova swam 2:06.79, which broke the old record of 2:11.12 set by Anastasia Guzhenkova in 2013. Guzhenkova has gravitated more toward the freestyle events as she’s matured, and this summer at 20 years old was on Russia’s winning 400 free relay at the World University Games.  The senior Russian Record is a 2:04.36, set by Svetlana Chimrova in November.

That record pairs with Sabitova’s 56.84 in the 100 fly from day 1 of this meet, which was also a Russian Junior Record.

Note: Russian Junior Records are for girls aged 16 and under and boys aged 18 and under.

Also breaking a Russian, and World, Junior Record was Kliment Kolesnikov in the 200 free final. He swam 1:41.75 early in the session, which won the race by 3 seconds. That broke not only the Russian Junior Record of 1:43.58 set by Mikhail Vekovischev in 2016, but also made him the first swimmer under the FINA-set standard for the new World Junior Records being recognized in short course meters.

Watch Kolesnikov’s WJR in the 200 free:

He also won the men’s 50 backstroke in 23.18, which is about three-tenths slower than his 22.83 best from the European Championships last week. Russia hasn’t updated their records recently, but he’s now been faster than his recognized Russian Junior Record from 2016 on 7 different occasions in the last 5 weeks.

Kolesnikov skipped the 200 back, which is the event in which he placed 4th at this summer’s long course World Championship meet. In that race, Grigory Tarasevich won in 1:51.19, holding off hard finishes from Mikita Tsmyh (1:51.42) and Dmitrii Maltcev (1:51.53).

Other Day 2 Winners

  • Dutch swimmer Kim Busch won the women’s 100 free in 53.33, just out-racing the Russian record holder Veronika Popova (53.40). Her countrymate, 18-year old Nyls Korstanje, won the men’s 50 free later in the session in 21.62. That’s just short of his Dutch age group record of 21.35 set at the European Championships.
  • Popova later won the women’s 400 free by almost 11 seconds, touching 1st in 4:01.87.
  • Natalia Ivaneeva won the women’s 50 breaststroke in 30.18. She won the 100 breaststroke on day 1 of the meet.
  • Kiril Prigoda won the men’s 100 breastsroke in 57.03, with Ilya Shymanovich finishing 2nd in 57.65. For Prigoda, that completed a breaststroke sweep of the meet. 2016 Olympic champion in the 200 Dmitry Balandin of Kazakhstan took 3rd in 58.78, just missing his own national record in the event.
  • Viktoria Andreeva won the women’s 200 IM in 2:10.07. That’s a second short of her season-best time set in November.
  • Alexander Kharlanov won the men’s 100 fly in 50.71. Belarusian Yauhen Tsurkin finished 2nd in 50.98.
  • Russian National Team captain Anastasia Fesikova won the women’s 100 backstroke by a full second, touching in 57.50. That’s the second-best time of her career and best since 2011 in the event for the 27-year old.
  • Daria Chikunova won the women’s 200 breaststroke in 2:22.03.
  • Iaroslav Potapov won the men’s 1500 free in 14:41.72.
  • Ekaterina Shapanikova won the women’s 50 fly in 26.10.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 13-Year Old Aleksandra Sabitova Breaks Another Russian Junior Record

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