By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

In October of last year, Australian Olympian Taylor McKeown found herself in the middle of an environmental scandal of sorts, with the breaststroking specialist accused of riding a jet ski too close to a pod of whales.

The incident occurred off of Point Cartwright near Mooloolaba Beech off the Sunshine Coast, with video of the silver medalist and 2 friends, included in our original report here.

Per Australian law, jet skis are not permitted to be within 300 meters of whales. Penalties for violating this distance include fines up to $15,000, but the Sunshine Coast reports that McKeown has been fined $630 for the incident.

A representative of the Department of Environment and Science department said that the fine was issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. (The Sunshine Coast)

At the time of the original story, McKeown denied allegations, stating “Anyone who knows me knows my passion for wildlife. Having professionals look at it is the best thing that can happen. We were literally floating in the water. They got closer and we sat there motionless. If whales approach that’s their decision.” (Sunshine Coast)

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Olympian Taylor McKeown Fined For Whale Incident

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

2016 Olympic bronze medalist Hilary Caldwell has called it a career, per a release from Swimming Canada.

The 27-year-old Canadian had a very impressive international career, winning one medal at each of the Olympics, LC World Championships, SC World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games. She was the bronze medalist in Rio in her speciality, the 200 backstroke, and earned bronze at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona in the same event. She won the 2015 Pan American title in the 200 back on home soil in Toronto, and also won bronze in the event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

After contemplating retirement after the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Caldwell went to train on the Gold Coast with Australian coach Michael Bohl at Griffith University with the support of HPC-Victoria Head Coach Ryan Mallette. Heading into last month’s Commonwealth Games, she had already made the decision it would be her last competition.

“I got out of the pool and the first person gave me a hug,” said Caldwell, who finished 5th in the 200 backstroke.“I got quite emotional, a lot more than I thought I would.

“I’m good with it but it’s weird. It has been my whole life, 20-plus years and it’s done. It will be a change, but I think a good one.”

For the first time in years she’ll have some free time on her hands, and she’s looking forward to it. “I’m kind of excited,” said the White Rock, B.C., native.“I haven’t had a free summer to do whatever I want in about 13 years. I have a lot of friends I owe visits to.”

Swimming Canada High Performance Director John Atkinson, her coach Mallette, and her longtime teammate and two-time Olympic medalist Ryan Cochrane all had kind words on Caldwell’s incredible career.

“I would like to congratulate Hilary on her swimming career,” said Atkinson.“She has been a great competitor who was very focused on maximizing her performance. Winning world championship and Olympic medals was a great achievement and we all wish her well in her life post swimming.”

“Hilary was not necessarily the most talented athlete that we ever had but she was definitely the most determined,” said Mallette.“If you set a goal in front of her she was able to pursue that with a vigor no other athlete I ever worked with had.”

“You get athletes who are really good when they’re 12 to 16, it comes a little easier and they get a taste of success early,” said Cochrane.“Hilary was not one of those swimmers. She had to overcome so much. Everybody didn’t believe in her when she was younger . . . but it was always inspiring to see a woman who overcame a lot of obstacles to get to be one of the best in the world.”

For Caldwell, winning an Olympic medal was the pinnacle of her career. “An Olympic medal is something I dreamed about since I was a kid,” she said.“It took me a while before I was really OK with that performance because it wasn’t the time I wanted. It took me a while to get to the point it doesn’t matter what the time was in the Olympic final, it’s about the place. That one is pretty special.”

On what she will miss in the sport most: “The people,” said Caldwell. “Everybody kind of laughs at me on the Canadian team. I know everyone on deck.I’m chatty. I love meeting people. I love what swimming has enabled me to do. I have couches to crash on all over the world and friends all over the world.”

You can read the full article from Swimming Canada here.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2016 Olympic Medalist Hilary Caldwell Announces Retirement

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Yuri Suguiyama has made his first addition to his coaching staff with the Wisconsin Badgers, bringing on former team captain Kristy Brager. Suguiyama was named the new Head Coach of the Badgers in April after serving as the assistant at Cal for the past six seasons. He made the announcement of hiring Brager on Wednesday.

“I couldn’t be more excited to get back to where I consider home,” Brager said.“In my talks with Yuri, it feels like a really good connection. I’m excited about his vision and his passion for the program and the amazing new facility that’s coming up”.

“To be a part of making this program better has been my dream since I started coaching.”

“From the minute I accepted the job, I thought of Kristy as someone who would be a great fit on our staff,” Suguiyama said.“As I got to know her, I found that her character, values and work ethic make her exactly the type of person I want impacting our student-athletes every day.

“She’s a highly-accomplished, well-respected coach who has created success at every stop of her career, and I’m thrilled for her to get back to Madison. For me, it’s an exciting opportunity to work with a great coach and a fantastic person.”

Since graduating from Wisconsin in 2008, Brager has had a full decade of coaching experience under her belt, serving with Iowa, George Mason and most recently Michigan. In her two years with the Wolverines, the women won back-to-back Big Ten team titles and also had their best NCAA finish in 22 years at 4th place this past season.

Her biggest impact with Michigan came in breaststroke, as seven of the program’s ten fastest 100-yard times ever recorded came during her tenure, and Miranda Tucker set school records in both distances under Brager.

A native of Green Bay, Brager twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors with the Badgers and was named captain in her senior year.

“Beyond all of her great coaching experience, Kristy is someone who specifically understands what it takes to be successful here in Madison and knows the pride of what it means to excel as a Badger,” Suguiyama said.“I can’t wait for her to get to work with our team.”

Additionally, Wisconsin also announced that assistant coaches Neil Caskey and Anton Slobounov will remain on staff.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kristy Brager To Join Wisconsin Badgers As Assistant Coach

By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

Late in April, the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) published its fourth annual Anti-Doping Rule Violations Report, which stated that there were 1,595 doping rule violations across 112 sports and athletes from 117 nationalities in 2016.

In total, WADA-accredited labs collected 229,514 samples in 2016.

Click here to view the full 60-page report. 

Of the nearly-1600 anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs), 1,326 were can be credited directly to adverse analytical findings (AKA the presence of a prohibited substance) and the remainder were from investigations and evidence-based intelligence into 248 violations committed by athletes, and 21 by support staff. For comparison, in 2015, there were 1,929 ADRVs; in 2014 there were 1.693; and in 2013 there were 1,953.

Interestingly, a whopping 79 percent of the ADRVs were from male athletes.

As for individual sports, Track and Field produced the highest number of ADRVs with 205, followed by bodybuilding (183), cycling (165), weightlifting (116) and soccer (79). Powerlifting (70), wrestling (64), rugby (56), aquatics (35) and boxing 35) followed.

As a country, Italy had the most athletes produce ADRVs with 147. France followed with 86, then United States with 76, and Australia with 75.

Russia, whose participation in widespread state-sponsored doping led to its restriction at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, tied India for 6th with 69 ADRVs.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: WADA Reports 1,595 Doping Violations in 2016 – Lowest on Record

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Carla Gildersleeve from Franklin, Indiana has announced her verbal commitment to Indiana University’s class of 2023, where she will suit up with future teammates Ashley Turak, Emily Weiss, Grace Pangburn, and Ryley Ober.

“Extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to Indiana University! Thank you to everyone for the continued support! Go Hoosiers! #redrevolution #goIU #neverdaunted”

The Franklin Community High School junior swims year-round for Franklin Regional Swim Team and specializes mainly in fly and free. She was runner-up in the 100 fly (53.75) and fourth in the 200 free (1:49.15 in prelims) at the 2018 IHSAA Girls Swimming/Diving Championship in February. She led off Franklin Community’s 4th-place 200 free relay (23.83) as well as their 8th-place 400 free relay (51.49). All four times were personal bests. Swimming for FRST at Winter Juniors East, she competed in the 100/200 free, 100/200 fly, and 200 IM and finished 12th in the 200 fly with a new PB.

“The recruiting process was exciting and rigorous. I had the opportunity to visit some of the best universities! Indiana University offered the education of my dreams, facilities that are incredible and amazing coaches. I am lucky to call IU my second home!”

Top SCY times:

• 200 fly – 1:58.22
• 100 fly – 53.75
• 200 free – 1:49.15
• 100 free – 51.23
• 200 IM – 2:02.32

Extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to Indiana University! Thank you to everyone for the continued support! Go Hoosiers! #redrevolution#goIU#neverdauntedpic.twitter.com/4cuU7atO8y

— Carla Gildersleeve (@CarlaGilderslee) May 4, 2018

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: Indiana Keeps Another Big Talent In-state: FRST’s Carla Gildersleeve

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: New Mexico Athletics

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico women’s swimming and diving team added three more recruits for the 2018-2019 campaign, bringing next year’s class to 12 student-athletes. The new signees include three swimmers, which brings the Lobos’ class to 10 swimmers and two divers.

Bryndís Bolladóttir

Bryndís Bolladóttir is a swimmer from Akureyri, Iceland. Bolladóttir went to school at the Borgarholtsskóli Elite Athlete Program. The swimmer was a two-time semi-finalist at the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival. Bolladóttir swam at the BAKU European games in 2015 and at the Small Nation Games 2017. She won gold at the Small Nation Games in the 4×100 freestyle as well as a bronze in the 200 butterfly. Bolladóttir has also competed at the Nordic Championships from 2013 through 2017, winning three bronze medals and has won National Icelandic titles in the 200 butterfly and the 800 freestyle.

Bolladóttir’s best times include a 56.92 in the 100 SCM freestyle, a 2:03.63 in the 200 SCM freestyle, a 4:18.54 in the 400 SCM freestyle and a 1:03.93 in the 100 LCM butterfly.

When asked why she chose UNM, Bolladóttir said, “UNM feels like home already!”

Katie Pollock

Katie Pollock attends Lockport High School in Lockport, N.Y., where she holds seven school and four pool records. The swimmer won the Niagara Frontier League five years in a row and qualified for state five times, placing top-10 in all of her years at the event. She has had success in the Section 6 competition as well, winning the event four times and being named Swimmer of the Meet in 2017. Finally, Pollock competed at the 2016 Speedo Winter Juniors.

Pollock’s top times include a 2:06.82 in the 200-yard individual medley, a 1:05.32 in the 100-yard breaststroke, a 57.21 in the 100-yard butterfly, a 51.55 in the 100-yard freestyle and a 23.73 in the 50-yard freestyle.

“UNM is a place where I can be challenged in both the pool and academics,” said Pollock. “It gives me the ability to enjoy learning and compete in the sport I love. I’m thrilled to see what the future holds for me at such a bright school with a great team!”

Grace Carey

Grace Carey, a walk-on from Houston, Texas, attends Langham Creek High School, where she serves at captain of her high school water polo team as well as captain of her high school and club swim teams. Carey’s top times include a 54.67 in the 100-yard freestyle, a 59.41 in the 100-yard backstroke, a 1:57.06 in the 200-yard freestyle and the 4:46.08 in the 400-yard individual medley.

Carey has a diverse group of accomplishments because of her dual sport experience. The swimmer holds two long course records for her club team while holding all 12 of her high school’s water polo records. She was selected to Houston’s Junior Olympic Water Polo teams in 2016 and 2017 and is a member of the National Honor Society at her high school.

“I chose UNM because of the awesome, supportive and caring atmosphere of the team,” said Carey. “The coaches see my potential despite my limited club swim experience. I will do my best to live up to their expectations. The power of the pack is in the Lobo, and the power of the Lobo is in the pack.”

See below to read about UNM’s other nine signees for the 2018-2019 campaign:

Hedda Øritsland

Hedda Øritsland joins the Lobos from Bærums Verk, Norway where she has attended NTG and the Norwegian College for Top Athletes. Øritsland’s top times include a 54.79 in the 100 SCM freestyle, a 26.51 in the 50 SCM butterfly, a 25.45 in the 50 SCM freestyle, a 59.96 in the 100 SCM butterfly and a 1:02.33 in the 100 SCM individual medley.

Øritsland is a three time Nordic champion in the 100 SCM freestyle (2017), the 50 SCM butterfly (2017) and the 100 SCM butterfly (2016). She is the five-time senior national record holder in relay and a two-time junior national record holder. The swimmer is also a member of the Norwegian National Swimming Team, making junior appearances from December 2013 through July of 2014 and senior appearances from December 2016 to July 2017.

The Norwegian has sports experience outside of swimming, as well, earning medals at the Norwegian Canoe Sprint Championships and also competing in the Nordic Canoe Sprint Championships in 2015.

“I chose UNM because of their excellent academic program and the swim team with great teammates and coaches,” said Øritsland. “I believe they can guide me to achieve my goals and dream both in the classroom and in the pool.”

Antonia Haupt

Antonia Haupt comes to New Mexico from Berlin, Germany, where she went to high school at Schul-und Leistungssportzentru m Berlin while also competing at the University of Potsdam. Her best times include a 4:45.14 in the 400 SCM individual medley, a 2:12.01 in the 200 SCM butterfly, a 1:00.75 in the 100 SCM butterfly, a 25.98 in the 50 SCM freestyle and a 27.79 in the SCM butterfly.

Haupt took third place at the 2016 German Championships in the 200 SCM butterfly and the German Junior Champion in the same event. She has also earned multiple other medals at the German Junior Championships over the years.

“I chose UNM because it was the first school with whom I came in contact with at all and I liked it from the beginning,” said Haupt. “I feel well cared. The coach and the girls from the team I stay in contact with are really nice and I can imagine this great team becoming a second family. They help and support me with everything.”

Raine Gavino

Gavino, originally from the Philippines, broke eight Junior National records in her home country, almost exclusively in breaststroke. Her most recent record was in the 16-18 age group in the 50-meter breaststroke. Gavino also swam in the FINA Junior World Championships in the summer of 2017. Her top 100 LCM breaststroke time is 1:13.14, while her top 200 LCM breaststroke time is 2:36.55.

“I chose to become a Lobo because of their prestigious business program and the positive environment of the swim team, which I believe will allow me to grow both as a swimmer and as a person,” Gavino said about her commitment to UNM. Click here to see SwimSwam’s article on Raine Gavino.

Mari Aoki

Mari Aoki is a swimmer from Bozeman, Montana, and attends Hellgate High School. Aoki’s top times include a 4:22.74 in the 400-yard individual medley, a 2:04.56 in the 200-yard individual medley, a 2:00.98 in the 200-yard backstroke, a 1:52.43 in the 200-yard freestyle and a 2:20.43 in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Aoki holds the Montana High School Swimming state record in the 200-yard individual medley and is a Montana Swimming Senior Athlete Representative. The swimmer qualified for the 2017 Winter Junior Nationals in the 200-yard backstroke and the 400-yard individual medley. She was also a 2017 Futures Championships A-Finalist in the same two events.

Aoki has proved to be a top student, as well, making USA Swimming’s Scholastic All-America teams in 2016 and 2017, is a former Academic All-State honoree and is a National Honor Society member at her high school.

“I chose UNM because I feel that it is a place where I can succeed and reach my potential both athletically and academically,” said Aoki. “They have an excellent engineering program and an extremely supportive team. I am excited to learn and grow as a person here.”

Priscila De la Peña

Priscila de la Peña, originally from Torreón, Mexico, competed at the high school level at both Colegio Americano de Torreón and the Bolles School. The swimmer’s top events include the 200 LCM butterfly (top-time of 2:18.56), the 100 LCM butterfly (top-time of 1:03.43) and the 400 LCM freestyle (top-time 4:31.22).

De la Peña placed first in the 400 individual medley relays at the Junior Central American and Caribbean Games along with the Mexican Nationals in both the 100 and 200 butterflies. She also placed third overall in combined scores at the Winter Junior Nationals. De la Peña is a member of the National Honor Society at her high school and was named Student of the Year during her sophomore year.

“I chose UNM mainly because of its friendly atmosphere and beautiful campus,” said de la Peña. “Everyone welcomed me with open arms, and they were all so caring and nice.”

Lauren Candland

Lauren Candland is from Catharpin, Virginia, and swims at Battlefield High School, making varsity all four years while serving as captain in her senior year. Candland placed top-three in conferences and top-20 in regionals all four years while earning an All-American consideration time in the 200-yard medley relay in the breaststroke leg. The swimmer’s best times include a 30.17 in the 50-yard breaststroke, a 1:05.56 in the 100-yard breaststroke, a 2:26.03 in the 200-yard breaststroke and a 2:15.35 in the 200-yard individual medley.

She swam at the club level on Nation’s Capital Swim Club for coaches Mark Faherty and Jeremy Linn during her junior and senior year. While at the club, Candland made Sectionals, Futures, International Swim Coach Association and National Club Swimming Association cuts.

Outside of the pool, Candland is involved in her community through volunteering while also working part-time at her favorite ice cream shop.

“I chose UNM because of the amazing academics that will help me prepare for a career in criminology and because of the great coaching staff and team that made me feel right at home,” said Candland. “I can’t wait to swim and learn as a Lobo next year. Go Lobos!”

Jordan Hartley

Jordan Hartley is a swimmer from Wenatchee, Washington. Her best career times include a 5:10.00 in the 500-yard freestyle, a 1:55.44 in the 200-yard freestyle, a 2:08.26 in the 200-yard butterfly and a 2:25.99 in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Hartley holds three records at Wenatchee High School, including the 200-yard freestyle while being a part of the school records for the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays. She has qualified for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Championships four times while making the A-Finals six times at the event. Hartley is a 4.0 student, her high school’s valedictorian, a National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Academic All-American and a state qualifier in track and field.

“As soon as I stepped on campus, the Lobo swim and dive team felt like family,” said Hartley. “The amazing coaching staff will allow me to reach my dreams and aspirations, both in the pool and the classroom as a part of the exercise science and honors programs.”

Jocelyn Gallais

Jocelyn Gallais attends Martin Collegiate High School and is from Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada. Gallais competes in the one-meter, three-meter and tower dives, qualifying for the Canadian Junior Nationals from 2012 through 2018 while also qualifying for the Canadian Senior Nationals in the one-meter in 2017.

In addition to her diving experience, Gallais competed provincially and nationally in hockey and softball.

“I am excited to be attending the University of New Mexico,” said Gallais. “I was initially drawn to the academic programs offered and I cannot wait to start training with Julie and the rest of the diving team.”

Daphne Scheck

Scheck is from Spring, Texas, and currently attends Oak Ridge High School. Scheck competes for the Conroe Diving Club and her primary dive is the one-meter dive.

“She is a caring individual who loves to help people when she can,” said head diving coach Julie Weddle. “She did a lot of community service after the major flooding hit Houston. She is looking forward to becoming a Lobo as she already feels part of the family. She is excited to begin her journey and to be a successful student athlete.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: New Mexico Signs Three for 2018-19 Class, Bringing Total to 12

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

The University of Virginia women’s swimming and diving team is amassing quite a class for the fall of 2019. The latest verbal commitment comes from California diver Charlotte Bowen, and adds to a stellar list of athletes that includes fellow diver Jennifer Bell and swimmers Caroline Kulp, Ella Collins, Ella Nelson, Emma Wheal, Kate Douglass, Katie Cronin, Lexi Cuomo, and Maddie Donohoe.

“I’m so excited to represent the University of Virginia women’s swimming and diving team for the class of 2023! UVA is the perfect balance of outstanding academics and elite athletics! I can’t wait to be a part of it! Go hoos

By Wendy Mayer on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Pac-12 Conference

SAN FRANCISCO– The Pac-12 Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has voted to award Arizona women’s swimming student-athlete Sarah Shimomura with the Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award for 2017-18. Shimomura received the award for displaying exemplary sportsmanship and teamwork in the face of adversity.

Early this season, Shimomura was walking home from practice when an ambulance struck her while she was in a crosswalk. The incident fractured her femur and pelvis in three separate places. Surgery was required in order to place her femur and pelvis back into place, including placing a metal rod into her femur, two metal screws into the top of her femur, and one metal screw above her knee.

Shimomura continued to go to practice to support her teammates and coaches during her recovery, despite not being able to get in the water. When she was finally cleared to swim, she was unable to use her legs and could only swim with her arms, a term called “pulling” in the swimming world.

Unfortunately, she received news that her femur had formed an incredibly rare condition, known as a non-union. Non-union means the femur was not touching and growing properly. This also meant she would have to have another surgery, news she received just before the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas.

The surgery took place on Saturday, November 25th and the team left for the meet on Tuesday, November 28th. Determined to be with her team at the meet, Shimomura was on the flight three days after having surgery in order to support her Wildcats.

Shimomura continues her recovery and her journey back to swimming with the hopes of being able to compete next year.

The Sportsmanship Award is selected by members of the Pac-12 SAAC and is based on good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in participation of intercollegiate athletics, as well as a demonstration of good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Nominees must have demonstrated the values of respect and integrity through a specific action. The student-athlete must have consistently demonstrated the values of respect and integrity in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. Conference award winners are then nominated for the NCAA Division I Sportsmanship Award.

Previous Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award winners:
2004    Grayling Love, Arizona State
2005    Channing Frye, Arizona; Cara Chlebicki, California
2006    Eric Nygard, Washington State; Anna Key, California
2007    Mitch Canham, Oregon State; Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana, Stanford
2008    Michael Capbarat, California; Arianna Lambie, Stanford
2009    Stenn Parton, USC; Lindsey Kelley, Arizona
2010    Ben Ashmore, Arizona State; Stanford women’s rowing team
2011    Jeff Gudaitis, Washington; Katie Matusik, Arizona
2012    Bryson Beirne, Arizona; Brittany Hart, Oregon
2013    Kylie Sharp, Washington
2014    University of Colorado Student-Athletes
2015    UCLA women’s gymnastics team
2016    Riley Sorenson, Washington State
2017    Anna Rosen, Washington State
2018    Sarah Shimomura, Arizona

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Arizona’s Shimomura Awarded 2018 Pac-12 Sportsmanship Award

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: NC State Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS– Former member of the NC State swimming team Soren Dahl is a 2018 recipient of the Jim McKay Scholarship, as announced by the NCAA Wednesday.

Created in 2008 to honor the legacy of  pioneer sports journalist Jim McKay, the NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship Committee chooses the two recipients of the $10,000 scholarships for postgraduate study. The scholarships recognize student-athletes’ academic achievement and potential to make a major contribution to the sports communications industry.

A 2016 Olympian for his native Denmark, the communications and political science double major plans on pursuing a master’s degree in communications. Following the conclusion of his athletic eligibility, Dahl served as a student assistant coach, an athletic marketing volunteer and a public relations and marketing intern for a gym.

Dahl’s accomplishments inside the pool were equally as impressive; along with being an Olympian he was also an NCAA Champion in the 800 freestyle relay in 2017 and the 400 freestyle relay in 2016. He earned All-America honors 11 times and was an ACC Champion eight times.

From 2015-2017 he was named to the All-ACC Academic Team while also being honored as a CSCAA Scholar All-American from 2015-17.

The full NCAA announcement regarding the scholarships is available here. Belmont women’s basketball player Kylee Smith was the second recipient.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NC State’s Dahl Awarded Jim McKay Scholarship

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Though they haven’t yet been ratified, FINA has released preliminary qualifying times for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo – time standards that made their biggest leaps in freestyle events.

You can read more about the official Olympic qualifying procedures here. We’ve republished the preliminary 2020 qualifying times below, along with a look at the percentage change in each A and B cut time. Ultimately, events varied from no change between the 2016 and 2020 Olympics to a 2.5% drop in qualifying time.

Currently, the A times appear to be the 14th-place times from prelims of the 2016 Rio Olympics in all events but the men’s 800 and women’s 1500, which weren’t swum in Rio. That’s a change from the 2016 standards, which were based on the 16th-place prelims time from the 2012 Olympics.

That means some of these events are pretty significantly faster. In fact, based on the results of the 2017 U.S. National Championships, Team USA would have only been able to enter one man in the Olympic 1500 based on these time standards – only national champ True Sweetser cracked the A cut, and a nation can only enter two swimmers if both of them hit A times.

Also, as you look at these times, remember that there are pathways for athletes to make the Olympics without hitting one of these times. Nations without an Olympic swimming qualifier can enter up to one man and one woman under the universality system.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison with the 2016 Rio cuts:

Men’s A Times

Men’s B Times

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2016 Olympic gold medalist Lilly King will drive the pace car to open the 5th annual IndyCar Grand Prix on Saturday, May 12th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 85-lap, 207.315 mile road course race is a lead-in event for the Indianapolis 500, the IndyCar circuit’s premier race, which will be held on May 27th.

King receives the ceremonial honor of driving the pace car that leads the starting field to the green flag that officially starts the race.

“I’m super-excited to be able to drive the Pace Car for the INDYCAR Grand Prix,” King said. “As a homegrown Hoosier, there is nothing cooler than being able to drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

King was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana and currently competes for Indiana University. She’s a 6-time NCAA Champion, having swept the 100 and 200 yard breaststrokes in each of her 3 seasons of college swimming so far, and is a 12-time CSCAA All-American. She’s also a 3-time Big Ten Swimmer of the Year.

Internationally, King won gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in the 100 breaststroke individually and as part of Indiana’s 400 medley relay. She’s the current long course World Record holder in the 50 and 100 meter breaststrokes; the American Record holder in the 50 breaststroke short course; and the fastest-ever in the 100 and 200 yard breaststrokes.

Last year, the honor was given to former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis, who was born in Atlanta but spent his entire 14-year NFL career in Indianapolis. He was a 6-time Pro Bowl selection in his career.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Lilly King to Drive Pace Car at 2018 IndyCar Grand Prix

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

Storied coach David Marshspoke with SwimSwam last year regarding his Team Elite West outfit based out of San Diego, California, a squad composed of a wide range of talented swimmers from around the world. Since that time, the Team Elite group has grown and established its presence on both coasts, attracting more national and international talent to the squad.

Along with Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte giving the club a try earlier this year, American World Championships medalist Hellen Moffitt has joined the Team Elite East squad, while USA National Teamer Kendyl Stewart now trains with Team Elite West. Olympic medalist Kathleen Baker has also returned to the Team Elite group for summer training.

The West team also hosts a ‘Project Rising Star’, which is a collaboration with the Israeli Swimming Association to help develop the talent of key athletes such as David Bamburg and Andi Murez.

Things are also evolving on the coaching side, as former University of Arizona Head Coach Rick DeMont is, on occasion, on-deck in San Diego. “He coaches for a week or so at a time,” is how Marsh describes the commitment thus far. DeMont is not yet listed on the Team Elite website’s coaches page.

DeMont was with the Arizona program for 30 years, including 4 as Head Coach, before resigning in 2017.

The crew with @TeamEliteAqua is starting to taking shape- time to get in Race Shape!

By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

The U.S. debut of arena’s new Powerskin Carbon-Air Diamond White Limited Edition marks yet another bold statement in the global three-diamond brand’s long line of innovative, game-changing swimwear products.

With a history of standout suits in both technology and style, the Italian-designed new addition to its carbon legacy is at once daring, bold, symbolic, and eye-catching, and is sure to make waves this summer in pools around the USA.

Besides its strong visual expression, the Powerskin Carbon-Air combines arena’s revolutionary carbon technology with an ultra-lightweight fabric to produce an ultra-high performance suit that’s so comfortable it wears like a second skin. Horizontal carbon bands deliver the company’s trademark Intelligent Compression, locking down to provide lateral support & control when and where it’s needed, while its fabric & design give the swimmer complete freedom of movement and make it exceptionally easy to put on.  In the women’s version, SmartStretch shoulder straps also reduce tension on the shoulders, offering a unique form of “intelligent stretching” and further enhancing comfort.

arena‘s Carbon legacy began back in 2012 with the launch of the Powerskin Carbon-Pro, an aqua-marvel  that integrated a Carbon Fiber “cage” into its high-performance fabric, giving birth to the concept of Intelligent Compression and a technology capable of delivering elite-level compression that lasts multiple-times longer than any other elite racing suit on the market.

Rebecca Soni (courtesy of Arena)

American Rebecca Soni was among the first to debut the first ever limited edition “White Hot” Carbon Pro and put this new technology to the test as she blazed her way to the first-ever sub-2:20 women’s 200 breast in winning the first of her two gold medals at London’s Olympic Games.

Two years later came the Carbon-Air and the Powerskin Carbon-Flex, with its patented V-Flex System extending the Carbon benefits through strategic seam placement to give greater flexibility around the hips, glutes, and shoulders. And in 2016 the new Powerskin Carbon-Ultra made its mark at the Rio Olympics with its Ultra Link System, which optimizes the athlete’s physiology by connecting key muscle groups and isolating upper and lower body movements.

What better way, for the brand that introduced color into the world of elite technical racing, to celebrate this relentless spirit of design and innovation than to truly challenge the norms with the world’s first solid white elite racing suit.  The Diamond White Carbon Air is destined to shake up the world of swimming in its own special way. Who else could it be but arena?

Swimming gear news is courtesy of arena, a SwimSwam Partner.  

Read the full story on SwimSwam: The World’s First White Technical Race Suit For Swimmers

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

Ha debuttato sul mercato americano il nuovo Powerskin Carbon-Air Diamond White Limited Edition di Arena

Questo particolarissimo capo segna l’ennesima affermazione nella lunga serie di innovativi costumi da competizione del marchio a tre diamanti.

Le caratteristiche del nuovo Arena Carbon Air White Limited Edition

Design italiano coniugato con l’alta tecnologia rendono questo capo audace, simbolico e accattivante. Siamo certi che sarà il costume più ricercato della prossima estate

Il forte impatto visivo del Powerskin Carbon-Air si associa alla tecnologia al carbonio, per dar avita ad un costume da altissime prestazioni che si indossa come una seconda pelle.

Le fasce di carbonio orizzontali forniscono il marchio di fabbrica Intelligent Compression, che fornisce supporto laterale e controllo quando e dove è necessario. Il suo tessuto ed il design conferiscono al nuotatore totale libertà di movimento e lo rendono eccezionalmente facile da indossare. Nella versione da donna, le spalline SmartStretch riducono anche la tensione sulle spalle. Offrono così una forma unica di “stretching intelligente” ed ulteriore comfort.

La Storia dell’Arena Carbon Air

Il Carbon di Arena ha una storia che risale al 2012, anno in cui fu lanciato il Powerskin Carbon-Pro.  Con il Carbon Pro si è dato vita al concetto di Compressione Intelligente. Fibra di carbonio integrata in un costume ad alte prestazioni. Una meraviglia tecnologica capace di offrire una compressione di livello d’elite che dura due volte di più rispetto a qualsiasi altro costume sul mercato.

L’americana Rebecca Soni è stata tra le prime a debuttare con la prima edizione in edizione limitata del “White Hot” Carbon Pro.

Ha messo alla prova questa nuova tecnologia, aprendo la strada al primo 200 rana femminile sotto i 2:20 (con tanto di medaglia d’oro alle Olimpiadi di Londra).

Due anni dopo arrivarono Carbon-Air ed il Powerskin Carbon-Flex. Il suo sistema brevettato V-Flex estendeva i benefici del carbonio attraverso una posizione strategica delle giunture. Questo dava maggiore flessibilità attorno ai fianchi, glutei e spalle. 

Nel 2016 il nuovo Powerskin Carbon-Ultra lascia il segno alle Olimpiadi di Rio. Il suo sistema Ultra Link, ottimizza la fisiologia dell’atleta. Connette i principali gruppi muscolari isolando i movimenti della parte superiore e inferiore del corpo.

Dopo aver introdotto i primi costumi da gara caratterizzati da esplosioni di colori, Arena lancia il primo costume da competizione  bianco al mondo!

Il Carbon Air Bianco è destinato a scuotere il mondo del nuoto in un modo speciale. Chi altro potrebbe farlo se non Arena ?

Per gentile concessione di Arena, un partner SwimSwam.  

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Arena Lancia Il Primo Costume Da Gara Bianco al Mondo

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

By Elizabeth Wickham

It’s natural for parents to make comparisons with their child and other swimmers, whether it’s a sibling or teammate. We use comparisons to evaluate progress. We may think by comparing our swimmers to their peers, we’ll encourage our kids to try harder. With the best of intentions, we want to motivate our kids to be more competitive—but watch out—it might backfire. When we compare our kids, we may cause more harm than good.

Here’s a list of why comparing kids is a bad idea and what we should do instead:

One

Every child has different interests and desires. We can’t force our kids to have the same desires and drive as someone else.

Two

Comparisons may make kids think they aren’t good enough and they can’t make you happy.

Three

Children may feel discouraged and frustrated and want to give up if they believe they aren’t as talented as their siblings or teammates.

Four

Constant comparisons may make your child jealous and promote rivalry rather than friendships and good sportsmanship.

Five

Kids grow and mature at different rates and comparing 11-12 years olds makes no sense when one child may be years ahead developmentally than others the same age.

Six

Always encourage effort and recognize your child’s improvements—without making comparisons to others.

Seven

Unconditional support and love are more effective in encouraging your child than unwanted and damaging comparisons with others.

Have you seen parents compare swimmers on the pool deck? How do you think comparisons work out?

Elizabeth Wickham volunteered for 14 years on her kids’ club team as board member, fundraiser, newsletter editor and “Mrs. meet manager.” She’s a writer with a bachelor of arts degree in editorial journalism from the University of Washington with a long career in public relations, marketing and advertising. Her stories have appeared in newspapers and magazines including the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Parenting and Ladybug. You can read more parenting tips on her blog.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 7 Swim Parent Tips to Stop Comparing Swimmers

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

UNC collegiate club swimmer and former Germantown Academy standout Ryan Torie has been permanently banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, appearing on USA Swimming’s banned list this week.

Torie appeared on the list yesterday, with his ban officially taking effect back on April 17. While the majority of the banned list is coaches, Torie appears to have been an athlete member of USA Swimming. He was a 2016 high school grad from Germantown Academy, where he broke a handful of notable pool records. He verbally committed to swim at the NCAA level for UNC, but never appeared on the roster or logged an official swim with the team.

A representative for UNC told us that no one by the name of Ryan Torie ever swam for UNC, but had no information on what happened between Torie being listed as an incoming freshman in August 2016 and not making his way to the roster for the 2016-2017 season.

Torie’s name does appear in results of the 2018 Collegiate Club Swim & Dive National Championships, held from April 6-8. That’s just over a week before his ban began. Torie swam for UNC’s club team.

Torie’s ban is listed as a violation of the SafeSport Code. Though it’s now the U.S. Center for SafeSport that investigates and bans coaches and athletes for those violations, the Center says it doesn’t speak about individual cases. We’ve been unable to find any news or legal documents involving Torie, so we at this point know only that he is banned, without detail as to why. The Center’s database of disciplinary records only says “criminal disposition – involving a minor” with Torie’s ban.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Collegiate Club Swimmer Ryan Torie Added To SafeSport Banned List

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Big Ten Conference

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference office announced its annual postgraduate scholarship recipients on Thursday. Two students competing in intercollegiate athletics from each of the 14 Big Ten institutions who plan to continue their education at a graduate degree program were each awarded a $7,500 scholarship, based on primarily academic achievements.

This year’s recipients span 14 different sports and will continue their education in a variety of different disciplines, including accounting, advertising and public relations, aerospace engineering, biochemistry, biology, biology-vertebrate physiology, business, environmental sciences, human biology, kinesiology, mechanical engineering, neurobiology, neuroscience, nutrition science, physiology, psychology, recreation and sociology.

Six of the recipients have earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor from their respective schools this spring including Nicole Choquette (Illinois), Kristen Confroy (Maryland), Erin Finn (Michigan), Alexander Leto (Maryland), Patrick Ransford (Michigan) and Michael Rexrode (Rutgers). Three of the recipients have been named Big Ten Sportsmanship honorees in their respective sports during this academic year: Maryland’s Kristen Confroy in women’s basketball, Indiana’s Jack Griffith in men’s soccer and Nebraska’s Chris Weber in football. Matthew McCutcheon of Penn State wrestling was part of a National Championship Team. Nebraska’s Chris Weber was awarded the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Scholarship in February 2018.

Each Big Ten institution developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding the scholarship. Students must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point-average, demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program. The scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student’s postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. In order to retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection. The complete list of 2017-18 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship recipients can be found below.

Illinois
Nicole Choquette, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Tony Zea, Men’s Track & Field

Indiana
Jack Griffith, Men’s Soccer
Sam Lisy, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Iowa
Sarah Kurtz, Softball
Jon Wisnieski, Football

Maryland
Kristen Confroy, Women’s Basketball
Alexander Leto, Men’s Track & Field

Michigan
Erin Finn, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Patrick Ransford, Men’s Swimming & Diving

Michigan State
Michael Dube, Men’s Tennis
Morgan Johnson, Women’s Track & Field

Minnesota
Joel Gagnon, Men’s Gymnastics
Lindsey Smits, Women’s Track & Field

Nebraska
Allison Peterson, Women’s Soccer
Chris Weber, Football

Northwestern
Jason Ipsarides, Wrestling
Lyndsey Lafitte, Women’s Lacrosse

Ohio State
Zhesi Li, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Brayden Seal, Men’s Swimming & Diving

Penn State
McKayla Mawn, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Matthew McCutcheon, Wrestling

Purdue
Chris Bals, Men’s Swimming & Diving
Hanna House, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Rutgers
Michael Rexrode, Men’s Lacrosse
Addison Walkowiak, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Wisconsin
Tim Guthrie, Men’s Track & Field
Lianna Mack, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 8 Swimmers/Divers Among 28 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Winners

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

While nations such as Australia, Canada and South Africa are announcing their rosters for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games set for Argentina in October, British Swimming has revealed it will not be nominating any swimmers to participate in the Games.

Per the statement released today, May 10th, British Swimming says, “The decision to not attend the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 is based on the timing of event.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: British Swimming Opts Out Of 2018 Youth Olympic Games

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

The National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) has entered a partnership with PlayVS, an online gaming provider, as they will sanction esports and plan to introduce it to high schools in the U.S. beginning in the fall.

PlayVS will work directly with the NFHS and the NFHS Network in introducing esports to high schools, and they plan to have an initial rollout in at least 15 states. After regular season games between schools play out on the PlayVS platform, state championship games will be played before a live spectator audience and streamed on the NFHS Network.

“PlayVS’ philosophy on high school-based sports and focus on participation perfectly aligns with the NFHS and its member state associations,” said Mark Koski, CEO of the NFHS Network. “We looked at many potential esports partners, and PlayVS was the clear choice thanks, in part, to its overall education-based concept, mission and vision.

“As schools look to provide participation opportunities for high school students, esports is a great option on two fronts,” Koski said. “First, esports may involve students who haven’t been involved in a sport or activity in the past. Second, the costs to implement esports are minimal compared to starting a traditional sport, which can be extensive with equipment and facilities.”

Nearly 200 colleges in the U.S. are currently offering esports, including the University of Utah who added it a year ago.

Notably, first-person shooter games have been excluded, via Polygon.com. “First-person shooter games we believe do not fit within the education mindset that we are hoping to bring to this activity,” said Koski.

Read all about how it will work on the NFHS website here.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NFHS Partners With PlayVS, Will Introduce Esports In The Fall