By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Ryan Bookstein, a senior at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, has announced his verbal commitment to Towson University’s class of 2023. He will join Drew Munson in the Tigers’ class of 2023.

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at Towson University! The team dynamics and coaching staff made my decision an easy one to make.”

Bookstein swims year-round for Nation’s Capital Swim Club. He specializes in mid-distance and distance events for freestyle, breaststroke, and IM, both in high school and in club swimming. At the 2018 Eastern Zone Long Course Championship in August, Bookstein swam to first place in the 200 breast (2:30.72) and A-finaled in the 100 breast (1:11.00 for 4th); 400 free (4:17.27 for 5th); and 200 IM (2:17.97 for 7th). All events were personal bests.

Bookstein had a big long course season with impressive year-over-year drops in his events. Throughout the summer he improved his 1500 free by 36.2 seconds, 200 IM by 16, 800 free by 12.5, 400 free by 11.6, 200 free by 5.1, 200 breast by 5.1, 100 free by 2.6, and 100 breast by 2.1. While he is still out of scoring range in SCY at the CAA conference level (the CAA only scores 2 finals), a few time drops like he experienced this summer would put him right in the mix.

Top SCY times:

• 200 free: 1:46.48
• 500 free: 4:44.02
• 1000 free: 9:45.81
• 200 breast: 2:11.52
• 400 IM: 4:15.48

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: NCAP’s Ryan Bookstein Announces Verbal Commitment to Towson

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Mason, Ohio’s McKenzie Grau has verbally committed to Ohio University for the class of 2023.

“I’m incredibly excited to announce that I will be pursuing my college swimming career at Ohio University in Athens. Thank you to my family, coaches and friends that have helped me pursue this goal along the way. Go Bobcats!

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Daniel Pry, who hails from Redlands in Southern California, has announced his verbal commitment to the University of California, Santa Barbara for 2019-20. He’ll join the class of 2023 with fellow commit Kennan Hotchkiss, Dominic Falcon, Teagan Preston, and Benjamin Wolf.

“Extremely excited to announce I’ll be continuing my academic and athletic career at UCSB! Thank you to all my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me along the way! Super excited to join such a great team with such great coaches! Go Gauchos!!!”

Pry is a senior at Redlands High School; he swims year-round with Redlands Swim Team. He finished 7th in the 100 back (51.19) and 9th in the 200 IM (1:53.97) at 2018 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Championships in May and earned PBs in both events during prelims. He also went best times in the 50 back (23.87) leading off the runner-up 200 medley relay and in the 100 free (48.89) leading off the 400 free relay at the Section meet.

In club swimming, Pry wrapped up a strong long course season at Santa Clara Futures. There he finaled in the 100m back (5th), 200m back (4th) and 400 IM (19th) and took home new PBs in all three events, including a Winter Nationals cut in the 100 back (58.49). He swam the same portfolio of events at Winter Juniors West last December, adding the 500 free to the mix.

Pry’s best times would have scored in the B finals of the 100/200 back and 400 IM. He would have been a C finalist in the 200 IM.

Top SCY times:

• 200 back – 1:50.75
• 100 back – 50.88
• 50 back – 23.87
• 400 IM – 4:01.22
• 200 IM – 1:53.29

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: Gauchos Add Verbal Commitment from Backstroker Daniel Pry

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Sometimes, there are too many meets to focus on in one week of the NCAA season. With all of the racing going on across the country this week, zone in on a few big ones that should produce fast swimming, great races, and more intrigue.

We’ll be previewing each week with at least a few great meets, typically on Mondays, through the rest of the fall semester and then again on through January. Let us know in the comments about other meets we didn’t talk about here, and why we should pay attention to them!

TEXAS V. TEXAS A&M

• Date – 11/2
• Hosts – Texas

Why you should pay attention: It’s the biggest and baddest showdown in the Lone Star state. This year, as the A&M women rebuild and the Texas women look really strong, it might not be too tight, but look for Aggie star Sydney Pickrem to shine nonetheless. Last year, the Longhorn women won by 3 points, but the big news was on the men’s side, as the Aggie men took down Texas for the first time in 55 years. Before that, A&M’s men had not won since 1962, the year current A&M head coach Jay Holmes was born. NCAAs are always the meet that Texas really is focusing on, but this is a storied rivalry meet that always produces fireworks.

FLORIDA V. FLORIDA STATE

• Date – 11/2
• Hosts – Florida State

Why you should pay attention: It’s certainly rivalry week! The Florida women are looking more and more revived after a slump couple seasons, and the Gator men’s freshman class has shown up more than any other rookie group in the country.

ASU V. USC

• Date – 11/2
• Hosts – USC

Why you should pay attention: We haven’t seen much of the USC men this season, while the women have either been suited up or without their stars for most of their meets so far. This is setting up to be a good Pac-12 showdown– we haven’t seen Cameron Craig suit up for the Sun Devils yet, and his presence (or lack thereof) will definitely impact how good of a meet this will be for the men.

LOUISVILLE V. VIRGINIA

• Date – 11/2-11/3
• Hosts – Louisville

Why you should pay attention: A high-caliber ACC match-up, we’ll get to see UVA in its second-straight two-day dual meet. The men overpowered Auburn this past weekend but the Tiger women showed up and handed it to the Cavaliers (who were without top sprinter Morgan Hill).

MICHIGAN ST V. KENYON

• Date – 11/3
• Hosts – Michigan State

Why you should pay attention: Last year, the Spartans just barely got by DIII powerhouse Kenyon, with the Kenyon women exhibitioning their way to a loss in the final relay. This is typically a close meet, with DI Michigan State, part of power 5 conference Big Ten, having a lot at stake here.

CAL V. WASHINGTON STATE

• Date – 11/3
• Hosts – Washington State

Why you should pay attention: Amy Bilquist swam the 100 back three weeks ago against Utah, but that’s been her only swim of the season. She’s been seen with a brace on her foot and crutches on social media, so it’s unknown if she’ll be racing much this semester or if she’s taking a rest until the back half of the season. We haven’t even seen freshman backstroker Alex Sumner race, either. But, Katie McLaughlin and Abbey Weitzeil have been fantastic thus far in the year, so that’s something to look forward to.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2018 Monday Preview #4: Which NCAA Meets to Pay Attention to This Week

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

2018 BOLZANO CUP

• Bolzano, Italy
• November 3-4, 2018
• Live stream

The 2018 Bolzano Cup is scheduled for this weekend, which will draw some of Italy’s top swimmers as well as an American contingent.

Notably, this meet will be a comeback for Nicolo Martinenghi. The Italian teenager and national record holder has missed several meets this year due to a groin injury, including the 2018 European Championships. As Italy has shown remarkable growth of late as a swimming nation, Martinenghi’s health and speed has become incredibly valuable. He’s spent most of 2018 rehabbing and resting, but he is expected to be back in the pool for this meet.

Martinenghi will likely find a worthy opponent in countrymate Fabio Scozzoli, the European record holder in the 50 SCM breast. Scozzoli has won fifteen Bolzano Cup titles in his career, and will be eyeing German swimmer Thomas Rupprath’s record eighteen titles.

Americans Lia Neal and Kendyl Stewart are both expected to attend the meet, too. Both women are training with Team Elite in San Diego. Brazilian Olympian Matheus Santana is also expected to compete this weekend.

There is a $1,000 prize for event winners at this competition. The meet will also be live streamed, with the link here.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Martinenghi’s Comeback, American Pair Expected at Bolzano Cup

By Sanuj Srivastava on SwimSwam

All India Inter University Aquatic Championship 2018-19

All India Inter University Aquatic Men Championship 2018-19

Venue:  Jain International Residence School, Kanakpura

Date: 28th October to 31st October 2018

DAY 1 EVENTS

• Freestyle: 400m
• Backstroke: 50m
• Breaststroke: 200m
• Butterfly: 100m
• Freestyle4 X 200m

DAY 2 EVENTS

• Freestyle: 200m
• Backstroke: 200m
• Butterfly: 50m
• Medley: 400m.
• FreestyleRelay: 4 X 100m

Final Results

–Day 1

–Day 2

–Day Three Start List of AIIU Men Meet 2018

All India Inter University Aquatic Women Championship 2018-19

All India Inter University Aquatic Women Championship 2018-19 2 Se 4 November Ko Banglore Institute Of Technology, Banglore Me Scheduled Hai. Official Website Par Sari Universities Ki Entries Aa Chuki Hai Jiski Link Niche Di Gayi Hai.

–Entries For All India Inter University Aquatic Women Championship 2018-19

Indian Swimming or International Swimming Ke News Janne Ke Liye Facebook Par Swimswam Hindi Ko Like Karna Na Bhule:- SwimSwamhindi

Join Us:-

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Read the full story on SwimSwam: All India Inter University Men 2018 – Results

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Kevin Vargas of La Mirada Armada has verbally committed to the Florida Gators for 2019. Vargas is a distance swimmer with versatility extending to butterfly, breaststroke and IM.

Extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Florida! Huge thank you to my amazing family and coaches that have helped me get to this point! Go Gators!

TOP TIMES

• 200y free – 1:41.21
• 500y free – 4:26.87
• 1000y free – 9:11.78
• 1650y free – 15:21.87
• 200y breast – 2:00.97
• 200y fly – 1:50.00
• 200y IM – 1:50.01
• 400y IM – 3:51.02

Vargas had a great summer in 2018, hitting long course PBs in the 400 free (3:57.57), 800 free (8:09.16), 200m breast (2:18.22), 200m fly (2:01.21), 200 IM (2:06.11), and 400 IM (4:18.58). Of all of those, his 200 fly and 400 IM performances were really impressive. He finished 3rd in the 400 IM and 4th in the 800 free at the 2018 Speedo Jr Nationals.

Vargas is the kind of distance free/200 stroke/400 IMer combo swimmer that has traditionally done very well at Florida. Current freshmen Kieran Smith, Bobby Finke, and Trey Freeman fit that mold to a certain extent and will make great training partners for him.

At the 2018 SEC Championships, Vargas would’ve been just off scoring in the mile, and he’s not far from scoring speed in the 400 IM. He joins Lucas Kravchenko, Nick Fox and Tyler Watson in Florida’s class of 2023.

View this post on Instagram

Extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Florida! Huge thank you to my amazing family and coaches that have helped me get to this point! Go Gators!

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

USC has picked up Neptune Swimming’s David Mertz, an in-state pickup for the Trojans. He will be part of their class of 2023.

I am blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of Southern California. I want to thank my family and the USC staff and team for helping me make this decision! Fight on

TOP TIMES

• 200y free – 1:41.34
• 500y free – 4:29.76
• 1000y free – 9:16.39
• 1650y free – 15:28.37

Mertz finished 33rd at the 2018 Speedo Jr Nationals in the 1500 free. At the 2018 CIF North Coast Section Championships, Mertz placed 6th in the 500 free and 11th in the 200 free. This past winter, Mertz raced to a 14th place finish at the 2017 Speedo Winter Champinoships – West.

Mertz will join freshmen distance swimmers Alexei Sancov, Victor Johansson and Owen Kao in USC’s distance group. The Trojans had zero A finalists at the 2018 Pac 12 Champs in the 500 and 1650 free, but Johansson, Sancov and Kao currently rank 1st, 3rd, and 5th in the country in the 500 free this season. Mertz will be part of a growing distance group in LA.

View this post on Instagram

I am blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of Southern California. I want to thank my family and the USC staff and team for helping me make this decision! Fight on #sc23

A post shared by dave (@david_mertz) on Oct 28, 2018 at 5:30pm PDT

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: Neptune Distance Specialist David Mertz Verbals to USC

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

Among Australia’s 20-strong line-up named for the 2018 FINA Short Course World Championships in Hangzhou, China is 26-year-old Emily Seebohm, the never-say-die swimmer who has been on the Dolphins National Team since she was 14 years of age.

At the Aussie Short Course Championships last week, Seebohm collected an impressive 5 individual titles, including the 50m/100m/200m backstroke races, as well as the 100m/200m IM events. With her dominant performances in Melbourne, Seebohm now has 31 Australian short course national titles under her belt, more than any other Australian swimmer in history.

Seebohm has been a mainstay on the FINA World Cup circuit in recent years, which has increased her short course racing frequency among her peers and sharpened her skills in that format. She holds her nation’s standards in the SCM 50m/100m/200m backstroke, as well as the 200m IM.

The Brisbane Grammar athlete had a mixed bag of performances at the 2016 edition of the Short Course World Championships, finishing off the podium in 4th in the 100m back  and also ettled for 4th in the 200m IM. But she came back for bronze in the 200m back distance and earned silver in the 100m IM to bring hardware home to Australia.

Seebohm revealed in early 2017 that she had been suffering from endometriosis, a condition for which she underwent surgery in February of last year. She said at the time that she had been experiencing significant pain and simply ‘wasn’t herself’ and the disease impacted her performances throughout 2016.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Emily Seebohm Snatches Historic 31st Short Course National Title

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu has been confirmed as a participant for Energy for Swim 2018.

The Italian Swimming Federation announced they will organize ENERGY FOR SWIM 2018 in collaboration with the City of Torino December 20-21.

ENERGY FOR SWIM 2018 is an individual competition by invitation of national and foreign athletes.

ENERGY FOR SWIM 2018 is being billed as both a traditional 25-meter swim meet under the rules of LEN and FINA mixed with a full-scale entertainment event.

ENERGY STANDARD GROUP, the sponsor, will provide an exciting and media friendly format for the event and an opportunity for athletes to compete for points and prize money.

Olympic champion Sarah Sjostrom has already announced she will participate on Instagram, in spite of skipping Short Course Worlds earlier this month.  Swim stars Chad Le Clos (RSA), Cameron Van Der Burgh (RSA), Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), Ben Proud (GBR), Misha Romanchuk (UKR) and Georgia Davies (GBR) have committed to compete as well.  More swim stars are expected to announce in the coming days and weeks.

Much of the world’s swimming talented competed at ENERGY FOR SWIM 2017.  See highlights here:

See the full release courtesy of the Italian Swimming Federation:

The Italian Swimming Federation, in collaboration with the City of Torino, will organize ENERGY FOR SWIM 2018, that will be held in 20-21 December 2018 on Aquatic Stadium.

The contest will be attended by the greatest champions of swimming for two unforgettable days of entertainment and consists of a competition in a 25-metre pool according to all the rules of LEN and FINA.

The event includes all the individual events of the World Championship (except 800 and 1500) and the relayes 4×100 freestyle, 4×100 medley, 4×100 mixed freestyle and 50 freestyle skins.

ENERGY FOR SWIM 2018 is an individual competition by invitation of national and foreign athletes that will be split in four groups and not representing the national teams of the country of their origin.

The format provides a points ranking and prize money for the athletes in each events.

The contest aims to enhance the image of the performance of partecipating athletes to be a real showcase after the World Championship in short course that will end in Hangzhou (CHN) a few days earlier.

The event will be sponsored by the Energy Standard Group.

SwimSwam is an Energy Standard Group partner. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Olympic Champion Katinka Hosszu to Compete at Energy for Swim 2018 (Video)

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

NORTHWESTERN V. UIC, ILLINOIS, U CHICAGO

• October 26th, 2o18
• Evanston, IL
• Results

Northwestern’s women took down all three teams visiting Evanston on Friday, while the men defeated UIC and U Chicago.

WOMEN’S MEET

The NU women won 28 out of 32 events en route to victories over UIC, Illinois, and DIII U Chicago.

Sophomores Calypso Sheridan and Sophie Angus were key for the Wildcats. Sheridan lit it up in the 400 IM, clocking a 4:17.98 as the only finisher under 4:25. That time ranks her 19th in the NCAA so far in the season. Sheridan also provided a 25.35 backstroke lead-off for the Wildcat’s 200 medley relay, which got a 28.02 breast split from Angus, a 24.18 fly split from freshman Miriam Guevara, and a 23.43 anchor from junior Malorie Han to combine for a 1:40.98.

Angus earned wins in both breaststrokes. In the 100, she was 1:02.61 to lead a 1-2 finish with freshman Tara Vovk (1:03.61). Then, she posted a 2:16.83 to dominate the 200 breast, with no other swimmer breaking 2:24.

Wildcat freshman Jasmine Hellmer added two wins of her own, going 55.72 to take the 100 fly and 2:02.14 to win the 200 fly.

Illinois’s Kristin Anderson took wins in the sprint free races, hitting a 23.69/51.30 combo.

MEN’S MEET

The NU men kicked things off with a 1-2 finish in the 200 medley relay, with their A and B teams tightly bunched at 1:31.54 and 1:31.89, respectively.

Freshman twins Ryan and Patrick Gridley were a big part of NU’s successful day. Ryan won the 200 free (1:39.93) and 200 back (1:50.65), led off NU’s B medley in a field-best 23.01, and was 46.00 leading off their A 400 free relay. Patrick was 2nd in the 100 back (50.17) and 200 back behind his brother (1:50.97).

Freshman Andrew Zhang had strong swims, too. He beat Patrick Gridley to the wall in the 100 back (49.73), and most notably, split a field-best 44.69 on their A 400 free relay. Northwestern had four 44-second splits on their 400 free relay last year at Big Tens, a relay that finished last at that meet. Zhang’s 44.6 split in October, thus, is remarkable for them.

NU was largely powered by underclassmen at this meet. Sophomore DJ Hwang threw down two wins, sweeping the distance free events. He was 9:27.79 to take the 1000 by ten seconds, then won the 500 free in 4:34.24.

SCORES

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Northwestern Defeats UIC, Illinois, U Chicago at Home

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

University of Missouri head coach Greg Rhodenbaugh has been placed on administrative leave while the school investigates “team management allegations.” The school announced the move in a press release today.

The school’s release says that Rhodenbaugh is on leave “while the University investigates allegations related to team management issues within the Tiger programs.” Associate Head Coach Andrew Grevers will take over as interim head coach while Rhodenbaugh is away. The release indicates the investigation came as a result of accusations by student-athletes:

“We recently were made aware of serious team management allegations by our student-athletes, and it is appropriate that Coach Rhodenbaugh be placed on paid administrative leave while the University conducts a full investigation,” said athletics director Jim Sterk.

We’ve asked the school for further detail about the specifics of the allegations, but have not yet received a response.

Rhodenbaugh has been coaching Missouri for the past nine seasons. He’s a USA Swimming National Team coach for two athletes. Grevers has been with the Missouri program since Rhodenbaugh took over, starting as an assistant coach and being promoted to associate head coach before last season. Missouri is set to compete against Kentucky this weekend, and will host the Mizzou Invite starting on November 15.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Missouri Coach Greg Rhodenbaugh Placed On Administrative Leave

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Dominic Falcon has announced his verbal commitment to the University of California, Santa Barbara for 2019-20. He’ll join fellow commits Daniel Pry, Kennan Hotchkiss, Teagan Preston, and Benjamin Wolf in the class of 2023.

“I chose UCSB for the fun team atmosphere, fantastic academic opportunities, and amazing coaching staff. Right when I stepped on campus, I easily envisioned myself succeeding and loving life as a Gaucho.”

Falcon is a senior at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California. After placing 2nd in the 200 free and the 500 free as a freshman at the 2016 CIF-Southern Section Division 4 Championships, he won section titles in both events as a sophomore and again as a junior. In club swimming he represents Irvine Novaquatics. He had an outstanding summer, making huge time drops in just about everything. Beginning with June Age Group Championships, he improved in off events such as:

• 50 free LCM (-7/10 second year-over-year)
• 100 free LCM (-1.6 seconds)
• 100 back LCM (-3.8)
• 100 breast LCM (-7.0)
• 200 breast LCM (-19.1)

At SMOC and Los Angeles Invite, he went lifetime bests in the:

• 800 free LCM (-10.1 for Winter Juniors cut of 8:30.93 )
• 100 fly LCM (-3.1 for 57.41)
• 200 fly LCM (-1.9 for Summer Juniors cut of 2:04.72)
• 200 IM LCM (-7.8 for Winter Nationals cut of 2:07.51)

Finally, at 2018 Speedo Junior Nationals in his home pool, he improved in the:

• 200 free LCM (-2.4 for Winter Juniors cut of 1:54.52)
• 400 free LCM (-3.1 for Winter Juniors cut of 4:05.12)
• 400 IM LCM (-6.9 for U.S. Open cut of 4:27.69)

While his summer performances suggest he might have some SCY time drops in his future, he would already be helpful to the Gauchos at the conference level in the 400 IM (A final), 200/500 free and 200 fly (B finals), and 200 IM (C final).

Top SCY times:

• 500 free – 4:31.89
• 200 free – 1:40.95
• 200 fly – 1:50.28
• 400 IM – 3:55.94
• 200 IM – 1:54.28

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: Another Verbal Commitment for UCSB: 4x CIF-SS D4 Champ Dominic Falcon

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Auburn Athletics

AUBURN, Ala.– Fresh off swimming on four winning relays, winning the 50 free and taking second in the 100 free, junior Claire Fisch has been named the SEC’s Women’s Co-Swimmer of the Week.

A junior transfer from Arizona State, Fisch won the 50 free in 22.73 as Auburn traveled to No. 7 Virginia and knocked off the defending ACC Champions in their home pool last Friday.

Fisch also brought home a second-place finish in the 100 free in 50.16 as Auburn won 11 of 16 swimming events in the road victory.

A sprint freestyle specialist, Fisch’s winning time in the 50 free was a NCAA B cut and is currently the 15th-fastest time in the country. Her 50.16 in the 100 free is currently seventh-best in the SEC.

On the relays, the Riverside, Calif., native anchored the 200 and 400 medley relays and swam the second leg on both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Auburn’s winning time of 3:18.50 in the 400 free relay from the dual meet win is currently second-fastest in the nation, the 1:39.08 in the 200 medley relay is currently fifth-fastest in the nation, and its 1:31.06 in the 200 free relay and 3:37.23 in the 400 medley relay are both sixth-fastest in the nation.

Tennessee’s Erika Brown shared the award with Fisch.

Auburn, which is currently ranked No. 17 in the latest CSCAA Top 25, travels to Knoxville, Tenn., for a dual meet against the No. 24 Volunteers on Friday, Nov. 9. The meet is set to begin at Noon CT from the Jones Aquatic Center.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Auburn’s Fisch Named SEC Co-Swimmer of the Week

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Florida Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–Vanessa Pearl was named the SEC Freshman of the Week by the league office on Tuesday. This is her third honor in four weeks.

Pearl’s swim of 4:13.02 in the 400 IM was the second-fastest time in the NCAA for the week and seventh-best mark on the season. Her time was a personal-best and was an NCAA B Cut. Pearl’s time in the 100 Breast was the third-best in the SEC for the week, ninth best in the NCAA. Her time of 1:01.77 was an NCAA B Cut in the 100 Breast. Her time of 2:14.79 in the 200 Breast was the ninth-best swim for the week in the NCAA and was the fourth best in the SEC. She was also a member of the 200 medley relay team that posted the fourth-best time in the NCAA for the week and ninth best on the season in the NCAA. The relay swim was the second-best mark in the SEC this season. All of Pearl’s times were the fastest times by an SEC freshman for the week.

Full List of Week 4 Award Winners:
Women’s Swimmer: Claire Fisch, Auburn; Erika Brown, Tennessee
Women’s Diver: Lizzie Cui
Women’s Freshman: Vanessa Pearl, Florida

Kacper Stokowski earned the SEC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday, as the league announced its weekly honors.

Stokowski’s time of 46.76 in the 100 Back was the fastest time in the NCAA for the week and the second fastest on the season in the NCAA. His time in the 100 Free was the fastest by an SEC freshman and the second-fastest swim by a freshman in the NCAA for the week. He was a member of the 400 Free relay team that posted the third-best time in the NCAA, with a 2:56.83. As a member of the 200 Medley Relay team, he contributed to the fifth-best time in the NCAA on the year and second best time in the SEC on the week.

Full List of Week 4 Award Winners:
Men’s Swimmer: Robert Howard, Alabama
Men’s Diver: Colin Zeng, Tennessee
Men’s Freshman: Kacper Stokowski, Florida

The Gators return to the pool on Friday, Nov. 2, for the Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown with in-state rival Florida State.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Florida’s Stokowski, Pearl Earn SEC Freshman of the Week Nods

By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

This Freestyle Drill progression was submitted by Abbie Fish from Ritter Sports Performance. Coach Abbie uses this Freestyle progression to focus on the 5 fundamental movements that make up a great Freestyle Stroke: Body Alignment, Kick, Rotation, Pull, and Recovery. Each drill in this sequence isolates one of these movements, while adding in a new movement—one at a time.

Let’s check it out:

FR Arm Lead Drill focuses on great body position while kicking on your side. What is great about this drill is you can start teaching swimmers to execute a “quick breath” when performing it. This drill is the first portion of our sequence, as it forces swimmers to produce their speed down the pool with their legs–while maintaining a great body line. Keep in mind: You can perform this drill with either hand in front. We normally have swimmers do it on both sides.

FR Head Lead Drill focuses on good body position, a great Freestyle kick, and now–a swimmer’s rotation. Keep in mind: this drill can be done with or without the swimmer rotating. If you see a swimmer that is failing to achieve a great body line, start using this drill without rotation and add it in.

While performing this drill, you want the swimmers to over-exaggerate their rotation. So their chin and shoulder meets on one side, before they rotate to the other side. It’s really important to keep the rotation fast, while moving the hips and shoulder simultaneously. Be sure to check their head positioning as well—especially, through their “quick” breaths!

6K/1 Stroke Drill focuses on good body position, a great Freestyle kick, rotation, and now–adds in the pull. While performing this drill swimmers will still be kicking on their side, but counting 6-full kicks before they execute 1-stroke—switching them to their opposite side, where they count out 6-full kicks again.

Be sure to look out for “arm-throwers”, swimmers who lift their head up too much, and swimmers who have a tendency to cross-over on entry—all of these issues will be very prominent during this drill.

6K/3 Stroke Drill focuses on good body position, a great Freestyle kick, rotation, and now—continual strokes. Just like the 6K/1 Stroke Drill, the 6K/3 Stroke Drill allows a swimmer to take 3 continual strokes in-between the 6-kick pause segments to progress to their Freestyle stroke further.

This drill is great as it still forces a swimmer to rotate to each side, while allowing a swimmer to take multiple full strokes in a row.

4-Tap Drill is the final drill in this sequence and adds in an emphasis on the Freestyle recovery. During the 4-Tap drill, a swimmer will tap their hips, shoulder, head, and finally, enter the water up top to initiate their next pull. This drill forces a swimmer to be on their side and to have a high elbow during the recovery!

Additional Notes:

• All of these drills can be done with fins (if a swimmer’s kick isn’t very strong)
• If you have a swimmer that performs one of these drills really well, have he or she demonstrate it to your group. This will help you out!
• Upon mastering these drills, we look into the finer, technical points of each of these movements and how we can maximize a swimmer’s speed, while minimizing their drag!

Still looking for MORE tips to IMPROVE your Freestyle–try our “How to Swim a FASTER Freestyle in 90-Days” course from RITTER Sports Performance. During these 90-days, Coach Abbie will take you through a daily drill set that will add NO MORE than 10 minutes to your already scheduled workouts! You are guarateed to swim FASTER and MORE technically sound at the end of those 90-Days! [CLICK HERE] to learn more!

Abbie Fish has been in the competitive swimming realm for over 20 years. At the age of five, she started competing and soon after her passion for the sport of swimming ignited. From qualifying (in 6 six events) for the Olympic Trials to working at USA Swimming’s headquarters, Abbie has been on all sides of the sport. She is a University of Georgia “Double Dawg”–where she swam and graduated with M.S. and B.S. degrees. Abbie now spends her time in the Florida Keys, where she coaches online with RitterSP and manages a pool. Abbie continues to further her knowledge about stroke mechanics and analyzing swimming technique by working with swimmers, coaches, and different mentors around the world. Abbie truly believes anyone with the heart to train can benefit from technical advice!

About RITTER Sports Performance:
RITTER Sports Performance helps swimmers go faster and coaches get better, worldwide. Through our online resources on strength training, stroke technique, swim-training, race analysis or nutritional coaching–RITTER is ready to help take your swimming to the next level. Are you?

CONNECT WITH RITTER SPORTS PERFORMANCE:

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RITTER Sports Performance is a SwimSwam partner.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Freestyle Progression with Ritter Sports Performance

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Leanna Wall is the latest verbal commitment to the Purdue Boilermakers. The sprinter who trains with the Mason Manta Rays in Ohio will join the program starting next fall.

I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to pursue my academics & athletics at Purdue University!!! Thank you to my coaches, friends, & family along the way! I am ecstatic to be a part of such an amazing program! Go Boilermakers!

TOP TIMES

• 50y free split – 23.03
• 100y free – 50.55
• 200y free – 1:49.54
• 500y free – 4:59.22
• 200y back – 2:01.44
• 200y IM – 2:06.18

Wall is primarily a 50/100 freestyler, with potential in backstroke and IM. She’s also been 56.39 in the 100 fly. Wall won the 100 free at the 2018 Ohio HS Southwest District Championships, and she was 3rd in the 200 free. There, she swam a 23.03 anchor leg on Mason High School’s winning 200 free relay and led off their 400 free relay to a win with a 51.60.

Purdue just graduated its top freestyler in Kaersten Meitz, so Wall will be an immediate boost to their roster to address that gap.

Wall joins IN backstroker Erin Verbrugge, South African national team member Kate Beavon, IN freestyler Kendra Bowen, and IL butterfly/IM specialist Mallory Jump in Purdue’s class of 2023.

Congratulations, Leanna Wall!

“I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to pursue my academics & athletics at Purdue University!!! Thank you to my coaches, friends, & family along the way! I am ecstatic to be a part of such an amazing program! Go Boilermakers!

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Caeleb Dressel, Michael Andrew, Kathleen Baker and Leah Smith are among the multi-event stars headlining Team USA’s roster for the 2018 Short Course World Championships.

New pros Dressel and Baker, no longer tethered to a college meet schedule, will take on four and five individual events, respectively. Andrew, the summer’s breakout star for the United States, leads all male swimmers with five individual entries, while Smith will enter four races in Hangzhou, China.

Short Course Worlds is typically a unique Team USA lineup, with many of the top names declining spots, either to continue racing a college dual meet schedule or for other reasons. The lineup features a number of top names, but some very notable ones are also absent: five-time Olympic champ Katie Ledecky will not attend, nor will 7-time world champ Simone Manuel, two-time world champ Chase Kalisz or double Olympic champ Lilly King.

Here’s the full list of names from the U.S. 2019 World Championships roster who are not on the short course Worlds roster: Nathan Adrian, Townley Haas, Andrew Seliskar, Conor Dwyer, Jordan Wilimovsky, Chase Kalisz, Grant Shoults, Abrahm DeVine, Jay Litherland, Zach Apple, Jack LeVant, Simone Manuel, Margo Geer, Abbey Weitzeil, Katie Ledecky, Allison Schmitt, Gabby DeLoof, Hali Flickinger, Lilly King, Micah Sumrall, Ally McHugh, Ashley Twichell, Regan Smith, Katie McLaughlin, Katie Drabot, Brooke Forde.

The lineup features 17 women and 18 men. USA Swimming selected its lineup from the overall 2018-2019 U.S. National Team, which was determined by the results of several long course meets over the summer. You can see full selection criteria here. Short Course Worlds will take place in Hangzhou, China from December 11-16.

You can see the full roster below, or by following this link.

Women (17):

• Haley Anderson
• Kathleen Baker
• Lisa Bratton
• Erika Brown
• Veronica Burchill
• Mallory Comerford
• Kelsi Dahlia
• Bethany Galat
• Molly Hannis
• Madison Kennedy
• Annie Lazor
• Melanie Margalis
• Katie Meili
• Lia Neal
• Leah Smith
• Olivia Smoliga
• Kendyl Stewart

Men (18):

• Michael Andrew
• Gunnar Bentz
• Michael Chadwick
• Jack Conger
• Kyle DeCoursey
• Caeleb Dressel
• Matt Grevers
• Zane Grothe
• Zach Harting
• Ryan Held
• Michael Jensen
• Ryan Murphy
• Jacob Pebley
• Blake Pieroni
• Josh Prenot
• Kieran Smith
• Andrew Wilson
• Justin Wright

Head Coaches:

• Women’s team: Brian Smith (Athens Bulldog)
• Men’s team: Dave Salo (Trojan Swim Club)

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Dressel, Andrew, Baker, Smith Head US Short Course Worlds Roster

By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

A new documentary short called “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim,” directed by Mysterex, premieres in January 2019 and chronicles the journey of British hip-hop artist Ed Accura as he learns to swim.

The film addresses stereotypes and myths that have been perpetuated about black people and swimming, and how those factors play into Accura’s own anxiety and “borderline trauma.”

“I had my very first EVER swimming experience last Sunday and I really can’t believe It’s taken my whole life time to get me to this stage,” Accura told SwimSwam. “The swimming scene is an intricate part of the story and so I’m limited on what I can divulge at this stage, but let’s just say, I didn’t drown. It’s all in the film.”

First proposed by the UK-based swim lesson provider Swimming Nature, the short also discusses some of the social reasons behind why drowning affects black communities at such a disproportionate rate. There’s generally a dearth of UK-based data on race and swimming, but a 2017 study by Sport England found that white children in Britain are three times more likely to know how to swim than children of color. A 2014 CDC study found that black children aged 5-19 in America drown at a rate over five times greater than that of white children.

You can listen to an excerpt of the film’s soundtrack below – the lyrics are intended to be tongue-in-cheek, according to Accura. He expects a trailer for the film to be released in mid-November.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Documentary Short ‘A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim’ Premieres Jan. ’19