By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

22-year-old Calyvn Justus just put his fastest SCM 100 freestyle to date, logging a 48.38 while competing at the KZNA Provincial Championships in Durban. A key factor contributing to his domestic gold was perhaps the fact that the 2016 Olympian has spent the last 6 weeks training with Trojan Swim Club under storied coach Dave Salo.

“Calvyn has spent the past 6 weeks training with Trojan Swim Club. At this time he is away for holidays and expects to return to training with Trojan Swim Club in January,” Salo confirmed to SwimSwam this week.

A prolific vlogger, Justus documented his experience as a first-time Olympian at the Rio Games. The former Seagulls swimmer was on the South African men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, along with Myles Brown, Sebastien Rousseau and Dylan Bosch, earning 10th place.

Justus was also a member of the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at this year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, with South Africa finishing 6th. Individually, Justus placed 20th after heats of the men’s 100m free where notched a prelims time of 50.06.

Among those athletes representing Trojan Swim Club at both U.S. Summer and Winter Nationals this year were Maddie Wright, Haley Anderson, Mark Jurek, Conor Dwyer, Kyle Grissom, Carsten Vissering and Jesse Novak.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: South African Olympian Calvyn Justus Joins Trojan Swim Club

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

If you don’t like the career you’re in, you might want to work in the swimming community and be a part of our big swimming family! Go here to see 1932 Swim Jobs.

HEAD SWIM COACH AT THE BRITISH SCHOOL JAKARTA, INDONESIA

The swimming programme at the British School Jakarta is an integral part both of the School’s competitive sports programme and the after school activities offered to students. It has 700+ students participating at all levels, from Learn to Swim, recreational and competitive squad swimmers. Our teams compete successfully at local, national and international competitions throughout the year. The Head Coach would manage a team of 6 full time swim coaches who work both in the swim programme (early mornings and after school) and also in the delivery of aquatics across the curriculum from Foundation stage to Year 13.

ASSISTANT COACH

Assistant Coaching position with the Foothills Swim Team in Lakewood, Colorado Foothills Swim Team is actively seeking a highly motivated and committed coach to fill the role of Assistant Coach to begin in the spring of 2019. Foothills Swim Team is a year-round competitive swimming program offering instruction, training, and competition for young people ages 5 and up. We have over 180 USA registered swimmers and practice at three locations: Carmody Recreation center (50 meters by 25 yards), Lilley Gulch recreation center (6-lane 25 Meter), and Ridge Recreation Center (10-lane 25 yards).

AGE GROUP COACH/ASSISTANT AGE GROUP COACH: PALM DESERT SWIM CLUB

The Palm Desert Swim Club, a year-round swim club of 130 swimmers, located in Palm Desert, CA is seeking an Age Group Coach and Assistant Age Group Coach for our intermediate and developmental level groups. The ideal candidate will have a passion for coaching, teaching and be able to work with children of all ages. Applicants should have at least 1-2 yrs experience as a swim coach and/or as a competitive swimmer and the desire to continue to learn and progress as a coach and professional. This is a position with significant growth potential, beginning with on deck coaching duties of 90-mins to 2hrs per weekday evenings and about one weekend meet per month. Generous salary for the qualified applicant. The Palm Desert Swim Club has an overwhelmingly positive club culture that will make any new coach feel welcome from day one.

HEAD COACH & PROGRAM DIRECTOR: NORTHEASTERN SWIM TEAM

NST, founded in 2014, is an established swim club in the beautiful community of Decorah, Iowa. With constant growth over the last four years, NST has an average of 90 swimmers per season.  Swimmers have achieved over 700 state qualifying times as well as AAA and AAAA time standards.  NST has had numerous state champions, 14 swimmers qualify for Midwest All Stars, and 12 swimmers qualify for Central Regional Zones.

SBSC HEAD COACH POSITION

The Santa Barbara Swim Club (SBSC) is searching for an enthusiastic Head Coach who will define, influence and lead the overall direction of the club program. We are a non-profit, board-governed, coach-led swim team in Santa Barbara, California operating out of the Los Banos and UCSB pool facilities. The Head Coach will be responsible for all aspects of operating a year-round competitive swim and Master’s program.

AQUATICS SUPERVISOR

Join our aquatics team at the beautiful Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center in Brookline boasting three pools and space for athletics, health, wellness and camp activities for the public. The Aquatics Supervisor, under the direction of the Aquatics Director and Assistant Director, will act as Head Lifeguard and supervisor on deck, responsible for the day to day supervision of the part-time aquatics staff including skills assessments, staff orientations, substitute staffing, in-service training and ongoing safety skill drills.

SPORT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR – MISSOURI VALLEY SWIMMING

The sports development director will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive program to improve the competitive results of all age groups in the LSC and LSC representation at championship meets beyond the LSC.  The sports development director will be responsible for the development and implementation of a program to promote and grow swim programs across the LSC.

DEL AMIGO SWIM TEAM – ASSISTANT COACH POSITION

Del Amigo Swim Team is a recreational swim team based in Danville. Our roster includes 250 athletes, ages 4-18. We have an open Assistant Coaching position for the 2019 season, April thru mid August.  Our focus is on development of proper techniques and skills for each age group levels.  The right candidate will have good people and organizational skills; enjoy mentoring youth; have enthusiasm for the sport; strong knowledge about swim and stroke development with a focus on fostering character and sportsmanship.

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Johnson Ranch Sports Club, located in Roseville, is looking for an assistant coach to join the coaching staff of their Recreational Summer Swim Team, Johnson Ranch Barracudas. The Barracudas are seeking an energetic and passionate coach to be an Assistant. The team is about 290 kids (ages 5-18), ranging of all different skill levels. We want to develop swimmers to their fullest capabilities while also teaching life balance, sportsmanship and dedication to the rewarding sport of competitive swimming.

PART TIME LIFEGUARD

Duties include, but are not limited to working and communicating effectively with children, the general public and other staff members; promote a positive, friendly and energetic attitude; follow oral and written instructions; have the ability to assist and protect the life and well-being of each and every patron by implementing the latest safety procedures, policies, rules, regulations and ordinances set forth by both the American Red Cross and City of El Segundo.

HEAD COACH – ROCK ISLAND COUNTY SWIM CLUB

The Rock Island County Orcas Swim Club is seeking an experienced Head Coach. We are a USA Swimming sanctioned, year-round competitive swim team. We practice at Rock Island High School – 1400 25th Avenue, Rock Island, IL – and act as a feeder program for the Rock Island High School swim teams. As we work to rebuild our swim club, we are looking for a highly driven, high-energy individual to lead approximately 30 swimmers of all ability levels and increase its numbers. The Head Coach will provide direct leadership, instruction, and motivation for all swim team members. He/She will manage the Rock Island County Orca Swim Club in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Illinois Swimming LSC and USA Swimming.

ELITE SWIM COACH (AGE GROUP COACH)

The YMCA of the North Shore SHARKS is a YMCA/USA Swim Team located on the North Shore of Boston. We are a 6 site team with over 400 competitive swimmers from age 5 -18 of varying levels. We are currently seeking a FULL TIME Age Group Coach. Candidates should have 2-5 years of experience, be a well-organized, energetic age group coach with a great understanding of swimmer development and stroke technique, a “self-starter” with a strong work ethic / moral values, a team player with excellent oral and written communication skills.

ASSISTANT SWIM COACH

We are looking to fill an assistant coaching position for the 2019 season which runs from April thru August, with some additional strategic meetings and planning that may need to occur outside those periods. The right candidate will have good people and organizational skills; enjoy mentoring youth; have enthusiasm for the sport; strong knowledge about swim and stroke techniques with a focus on developing character and sportsmanship.

SWIM INSTRUCTORS / SWIM COACHES / COLLEGE STUDENTS, GRADS – SUMMER POSITION

Our camp motto “There’s no place like it.” — every area of camp, staff member, administrator are held to that tag line. The lanyard instructor, swim instructor, soccer coach, “gameologist” specialist should all think there area is the best in camp and prepare each day to teach with that level of passion and energy.

POOL SUPERVISOR / POOL DIRECTOR – SUMMER POSITION

Our camp motto “There’s no place like it.” — every area of camp, staff member, administrator are held to that tag line. The lanyard instructor, swim instructor, soccer coach, “gameologist” specialist should all think there area is the best in camp and prepare each day to teach with that level of passion and energy.

RECREATION COORDINATOR – AQUATICS

This position performs a variety of professional aquatic duties including safeguarding the activities of the patrons of the Avon Recreation Center and assisting the Aquatics Supervisor with managing the aquatics division

PRE-COMPETITIVE HEAD COACH

The Metro Atlanta Aquatic Club, LLC (MAAC) is looking for an hourly head coach for our pre-competitive level group. The pre-competitive group is divided into 2 levels – pre-competitive 1 and pre-competitive 2.  Both of these groups consist of swimmers between ages 5-10 who are newer to the sport of swimming. Our swimmers are learning the basics of competition strokes – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle – and are working on swimming basics like starts, turns, streamline, kicking, etc.

HEAD COACH – CARLILE SWIMMING TEAM

Carlile Swimming provides swimming programs for all ages, from babies to Olympians. We have been pioneering new teaching and training methods for more than half a century and we are recognised worldwide as a leader in all aspects of aquatic education. Carlile Swimming employs over 600 staff across 9 swim schools and 4 competitive training sites. Every week we help 25,000+ kids become safer and more confident in and around the water.

HEAD COACH – NORTH WHIDBEY AQUATIC CLUB

North Whidbey Aquatic Club (NWAC) is a parent-governed, coach-run year-round competitive swim team located in Oak Harbor, WA. Our members include swimmers of all abilities and ages.

CAYMAN ISLANDS – ASSISTANT SWIM COACH

The primary coaching responsibility for this position will be preparing the 10 to 13 year old swimmers for the senior and high performance groups.  Swimmers will need to be introduced to and begin implementing complex training concepts. The pre-senior ‘Gold Group’ has six 2 hour swimming sessions per week and three 30 min dryland sessions per week.  The position will require the coach to plan and guide all 9 sessions.

HUNTSVILLE SWIM ASSOCIATION SITE DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ASSISTANT

Huntsville Swim Association (HSA) in Huntsville, Alabama, is looking to fill the position of Site Director and Senior Assistant Coach.  The position is a full-time, salaried position that also offers Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Retirement benefits.  The ideal candidate will have at least a bachelor’s degree, strong administrative skills, a passion for developing swimmers of all levels, a positive approach to coaching, and a strong desire to grow and learn professionally.  Previous coaching experience is highly preferred.

ASSISTANT COACH- RALEIGH SWIMMING ASSOCIATION

Raleigh Swimming Association is seeking an Assistant Coach to work on a part-time basis, primarily with our 10 & under athletes. This is an hourly position; compensation is commensurate with experience. Opportunities are available to work between 5 and 9 pm on weekdays and 11 am and 1 pm on Saturdays.

YMCA AQUATICS DIRECTOR

At the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, we believe that every child should know the life-saving skills of swimming and that every community resident should have the opportunity to experience the joy and well-being that water activities can bring. To accomplish this, our Aquatics Director will work side-by-side with their staff, their colleagues and our community to create a welcoming pool environment for all; develop high-quality programming; and establish partnerships with other area organizations with a focus on water safety and education.

HEAD COACH – AGE GROUP ELITE – NEW POOL ON THE WAY!

Trident Aquatics, located near Tulsa, Oklahoma, is searching for a full time head coach to lead our athletes towards greatness.  Trident is a relatively small club and deliberately roster-capped to provide very individualized attention to our swimmers. We embrace a continuously learning culture and take advantage of emerging technology in our sport. We are coach-owned, and empower coaches to create the culture and standards within our program. Our athletes range in age from 12 to 19, and we have placed swimmers at Sectionals, Futures, Jr. National, National and the Olympic Trials. 

BLUE TIDE AQUATICS HEAD COACH

Blue Tide Aquatics has an opening for a positive, experienced, enthusiastic head coach for our year-round competitive swim team.  We are a non-profit, board-governed, coach charged swim team located in Kingwood, Texas operating out of the Humble ISD natatoriums. Blue Tide Aquatics goal is to compete at the highest state levels in our age group program and at a Regional/National level with our High School swimming program.

CAYMAN ISLANDS – ASSISTANT SWIM COACH

The primary coaching responsibility for this position will be preparing the 10 to 13 year old swimmers for the senior and high performance groups.  Swimmers will need to be introduced to and begin implementing complex training concepts. The pre-senior ‘Gold Group’ has six 2 hour swimming sessions per week and three 30 min dryland sessions per week.  The position will require the coach to plan and guide all 9 sessions.

ASSISTANT SWIM COACH

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina is looking for you to join our coaching staff on Cape Fear Aquatic Club in Wilmington, North Carolina. Cape Fear Aquatic Club is seeking a strong and energetic leader to serve as an Assistant Coach for our growing USA swim team.  Cape Fear Aquatic Club’s current membership is comprised of about 90 athletes (ages 6-18), spanning all competitive levels. Cape Fear Aquatic Club’s Mission is to develop swimmers to their fullest capabilities while also teaching life balance, sportsmanship and dedication to the rewarding sport of competitive swimming.

BRAND MANAGER – RYTE SPORT

As the Brand Manager you will be involved in multiple facets of the company as they pertain to customer service, social media, marketing, ambassador/influencer program development, and web merchandising. This position has an operational piece along with business development piece.

ALTO SWIM CLUB – AGE GROUP COACH

Alto Swim Club is seeking an age group coach to work with swimmers ages 12 & younger. Alto trains at multiple facilities in the Palo Alto area, including the Avery

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Ariel Wooden, a sprint freestyler from club team Brea Aquatics, has committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten. Wooden will join their incoming class of 2023.

“I could not be more thrilled to be swimming for the Universtiy of Iowa class of 2023! When I went to visit the campus I absolutely fell in love with the team and coaching staff. They welcomed me with open arms and could not have been more helpful through my decision making process. I’d like to thank all of my friends and family and Coach Jim Johnson for always being supportive of me. I can’t wait to start my journey as a baby Hawkeye next fall! Go hawks!”

TOP TIMES

• 50y free – 23.71
• 100y free – 51.03
• 200y free – 1:51.76

Photo: Ariel Wooden

Wooden is a senior at Ayala High School, which is located in the greater Los Angeles area. At the 2018 CIF – Central Section DII Championships, representing Ayala, Wooden was a finalist in both of her individual races, placing 4th in the 50 free and 6th in the 100 free. She also anchored both of Ayala’s 200-distance relays, which both scored in the A final. Moving on to the CIF State Championships, Wooden touched 19th in prelims of both the 50 and 100 free, falling just short of scoring. She again anchored two relays, which also finished not far off of making the finals.

Iowa’s only sub-23 and sub-50 sprinter last year was Hannah Burvill, who is now a junior. Wooden will add sprint free to their roster when she joins up next fall.

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: Brea Aquatics Sprinter Ariel Wooden Commits to Iowa Hawkeyes

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

The 2018 Swim Cup Lausanne is broadcasting live on Thursday, December 20 and Friday, December 21. You can follow along with all the action below:

Start Times Around the World

From our meet preview:

The 3rd Lausanne Swim Cup kicks off on Thursday, December 20th with a stacked field despite the 2018 Short Course World Championships having just concluded in Hangzhou. Dutch triple gold medalist at those Championships, Ranomi Kromiwidjojo is expected to descend up on the Mon Repos pool, as is FINA’s Swimmer of the Year, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary.

Swiss National Record holder Jeremy Desplanches is signed up for Lausanne, as is German Olympian Marco Koch, with all the stars vying for their piece of the 80,000CHF (~$80,500 USD) prize money pie.

The competition schedule for the two-day affair is as follows, with events under 200 meters having A& B finals, while all other races have A finals only:

Thursday – 400 Freestyle, 50 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Backstroke, 200 Medley, 50 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Butterfly

Friday – 400 Medley, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 100 4N, 50 Breaststroke, 50 Freestyle

Read the full story on SwimSwam: WATCH: Swim Cup Lausanne Live Stream

By Adrian Mancebo on SwimSwam

Uno de los íconos de la natación mundial, la estadounidense Missy Franklin, ha anunciado que se retira a los 23 años. Franklin ganó en su carrera 5 medallas de oro olímpicas y 11 oros en campeonatos del mundo.

Franklin ha comunicado su retirada en sus redes sociales y en un carta publicada por EspnW. En la carta, Franklin hace un repaso a los mejores momentos de su carrera (especialmente 2012-2013, cuando fue una de las nadadoras más dominantes del mundo) y a los peores, que empezaron en 2014 con una serie de lesiones.

This was perhaps the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write. There are so many words to say and I thank you all for letting me share them with you, and for your continued support. Today, I announce my retirement from competitive swimming. https://t.co/P3wLMnOWck

— Missy Franklin (@missyfranklin) December 19, 2018

En su comunicado en twitter Franklin decía: “Esta es quizá la carta más dura que he escrito nunca. Hay muchas palabras que decir y les doy las gracias por dejarme compartirlas con ustedes, y por su apoyo continuado. Hoy, anuncio mi retirada de la natación competitiva“.

“Con lágrimas en los ojos pero un corazón lleno comienzo a escribir esta carta“, escribe Franklin. “Cuesta saber dónde empezar, pero me siento segura de como acabará, y eso es todo lo que puedo pedir“.

Melissa Franklin saltó a la élite de la natación en 2010, a los 15 años. Se clasificó para los campeonatos Pan Pacíficos y ganó 2 medallas de plata en los mundiales de piscina corta. En el mundial de Shanghai 2011, consiguió 3 oros. En los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012 consiguió 4 oros y 1 bronce. Missy siguió mejorando en 2013, cuando se llevó un botín de récord en el Campeonato del mundo en Barcelona: 6 medallas de oro.

Unas molestias en el hombro limitaron el rendimiento de Franklin en los Pan Pacíficos de 2014, y aunque hizo una histórica temporada de la NCAA en 2015, consiguiendo 3 títulos individuales y el récord americano de 200 yardas libre, en los mundiales de Kazán solo consiguió 1 plata y 1 bronce individuales. En 2016 se clasificó para los Juegos Olímpicos de Rio, donde tan solo consiguió el oro en el relevo 4x200m libre nadando las series preliminares.

Franklin ha hablado de los problemas que tuvo a partir de 2012, incluyendo “dolor de hombro siempre que entrenaba o competía, depresión, ansiedad e insomnio“. La nadadora también escribe: “2016 fue el año en el que empecé a aceptar que algo iba mal en mi cuerpo y que no estaba funcionando de la manera que debía hacerlo“.

Franklin fue operada del hombro a principios de 2017 y a continuación empezó a entrenar en la University of California. Más tarde se mudó a Georgia para iniciar su regreso a la natación, pero en 2018 no pudo clasificarse para el equipo nacional en los campeonatos de natación de Estados Unidos. Tras su decepcionante actuación en los nacionales, SwimSwam la pudo entrevistar, y Missy habló honestamente sobre su carrera y se mostró optimista y sonriente:

Franklin también cuenta las ganas que tiene de empezar una nueva etapa en su vida: “Me empecé a dar cuenta de que el mayor sueño de mi vida, más que un oro olímpico, ha sido convertirme en madre“. Además comenta que quiere poder sostener a sus futuros hijos sin el dolor crónico que ha experimentado en el hombro durante los últimos años. “La natación ha sido una parte enorme de mi vida desde que tengo memoria, pero no es toda mi vida. Todavía tengo sueños y aspiraciones que planeo llevar a cabo cada día de mi vida“.

Missy, que recientemente se ha comprometido con el también nadadorHayes Johnson, no solo será recordada por sus récords y éxitos depotivos, sinó por el carisma que desprende y por su constante sonrisa que no pierde ni siquiera en los momentos más duros.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: La campeona olímpica Missy Franklin se retira

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

To see all of our 2018 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here. 

2018 Swammy Awards

This month, we’re recounting the top performers and performances of the year 2018. Keep track of all of our Swammy Award winners here, with links out to full Swammy Award stories and honorable mentions.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimSwam’s Official 2018 Swammy Award Index

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

On the heels of the International Swimming League (ISL) Summit, FINA has released a statement correcting what it calls “inaccuracies” – chief among them, FINA denies that it threatened athletes with competition bans and that it requested $50 million from the ISL to approve their meet.

“Following meetings in London this week involving the International Swimming League (ISL), FINA is pleased to correct a number of inaccuracies and to clarify its position in several key areas,” the press release reads.

Most notably, FINA addresses “alleged athlete bans,” denying that the organization threatened bans: “FINA merely stated that results achieved in competitions for which approval and sanction were not duly sought and obtained would not be recognised,” FINA says.

According to our reporting, that could technically be true – but an October 30 email from FINA to national federations at least implied bans were a possibility by referencing a FINA general rule that calls for bans connected to unapproved competitions or bodies.

USA Swimming told us that FINA sent a letter on October 30 informing USA Swimming that the Energy for Swim 2018 meet was not approved. In the letter, USA Swimming said, FINA referenced two specific pieces of its rulebook: BL 12.3, which governs the concept of FINA approval, and GR 4.5, which spells out the specific sanctions for competing in an unauthorized meet. The sanction is a ban of one to two years.

The second big note in the FINA statement is a denial that FINA requested $50 million from the ISL. Three athletes filed a lawsuit against FINA based on the rules that could ban athletes for competing in unrecognized competition, and the press release announcing the suit claimed that FINA “demanded” a payment of $50 million to approve the ISL events. FINA, in its release, claims that the ISL were the ones to offer $50 million.

We’ve reached out to FINA for clarification on the Oct. 30 email and on the $50 million fee/offer, but haven’t yet received a response. The full FINA press release is below, followed by some further context on the FINA-ISL dispute:

Following meetings in London this week involving the International Swimming League (ISL), FINA is pleased to correct a number of inaccuracies and to clarify its position in several key areas:

FINA welcomes comments by all athletes with regard to the constant improvement in the quality of FINA events, notably our World Championships. FINA is at the service of all aquatics competitors and such comments are a source of motivation for which we are grateful.

There is always scope for improvement in FINA’s engagement with athletes; for instance the proposals to change the FINA Constitution at the first available opportunity (the 2019 FINA General Congress in Gwangju, Korea) will include the direct election of the Athletes Committee, by the athletes participating in FINA events. The chair of the Athletes Committee is already a member of the FINA Bureau. He or she will become a voting member. Furthermore, Athletes Committee members will have voting rights at the General Congress.

“Supporting swimmers has been my life’s work,” said FINA President Dr Julio C. Maglione. “Fortunately, besides my personal contacts with our Stars, we also have formal mechanisms for incorporating athlete feedback. And we will look for new ways to make even further improvements, because this is our way”.

The allegation that FINA would have requested a $50 million fee from the ISL is incorrect. This was the ISL’s initial proposal.

FINA’s careful financial management has already seen it ensure a winning model for the future of aquatics that includes massively increased prize purses for athletes, up more than 500% in ten years. FINA’s approach has demonstrated prudence, including the establishment of necessary reserves to withstand the unforeseen cancellation of a major event, thus guaranteeing sustainability.

FINA’s approach has also demonstrated a substantial ambition, with significant increases in development funds now available: FINA aims to increase the number of member federations having athletes qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (with either an A or a B standard time). This initiative notably includes direct financial support to promising swimmers, in order that they may benefit from scholarship programmes.

As to the issue of alleged athlete bans resulting from participation in unsanctioned events, FINA merely stated that results achieved in competitions for which approval and sanction were not duly sought and obtained would not be recognised. No approval was duly sought for the event announced in Turin. The decision to cancel it was made by the Italian Swimming Federation and ISL, which was presented merely as a sponsor.

Context

The statement comes in a year that has been marked with back and forth maneuvering and posturing between the two entities. FINA, the international governing body for swimming, has made clear it does not recognize the ISL, a new body with a vision for a swimming series centered on athlete compensation and spectator enjoyment. The ISL says it spent more than a year trying to get its meet approved, but FINA wouldn’t recognize it. ISL officials then created their own meet (not attached in name to the ISL, but hosted by the Italian Swimming Federation) that would follow the same format, but a late FINA rule interpretation essentially outlawed the meet. Three professional swimmers have since filed a lawsuit against FINA, seeking to overturn the federation’s rules that disallow athletes from competing in unapproved competitions.

You can check out the following links for further context:

• FINA rule interpretation could outlaw Energy for Swim meet
• Athletes could face 1-to-2-year bans if Energy for Swim isn’t approved
• Law expert’s paper suggests FINA bans won’t hold up legally
• 2018 Energy for Swim meet cancelled after negotiations break down
• ISL Head: We will use all legal means available after Energy for Swim postponement
• Katinka Hosszu, Michael Andrew, Tom Shields file lawsuit against FINA

Read the full story on SwimSwam: FINA Denies That It Threatened Bans, Solicited Money From ISL

By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Lausanne Swim Cup 2018

• 20. und 21. Dezember
• Swimming Pool Mon Repos, Lausanne, Switzerland
• SCM – 25- Bahn
  
• Meet Site
• Live Stream
• Ergebnisse

Ein relativ großes Aufgebot deutscher Schwimmer ist zum Jahresabschluss noch nach Lausanne gereist.

Marco Koch konnte das Finale über 200 m Brust gewinnen, in 2:03,36 – damit verbesserte er den von ihm gehaltenen Veranstaltungsrekord.

Auch heute war die 17-jährigeKayla Sanchez aus Kanada wieder sehr schnell unterwegs: Sie siegte über 100 m Lagen in 57,80 Sekunden vor Katinka Hosszu in 58,24 Sekunden. Jessica Steiger belegte den 4. Platz in 1:00,63 Minuten. Sanchez nahm mit ihrer Zeit der Iron Lady auch den Veranstaltungsrekord ab und erhielt 934 Punkte für ihre Leistung – dies war wichtig in der Abrechnung des Sonderbonuses. Die Schwimmer-/-innen mit den acht besten Leistungen erhalten ein Sonderpreisgeld:

• #1 CHF 4000
• #2 CHF 3000
• #3 CHF 2500
• #4 CHF 2000
• #5 CHF 1500
• #6-10 CHF 1000 each

Frankreichs Charlotte Bonnet stellt einen neuen Veranstaltungsrekord über 50 m Brust in 30,32 Sekunden auf. Sie war ebenfalls über die 200 m Freistil die schnellste Dame in 1:52,36 Minuten, ebenfalls ein neuer Meet Record – und mit 949 Punkten eine Anwärterin auf den 4000 CHF Bonus.

Auch Ranomi Kromowidjojo ließ sich trotz der langen Saison nicht lumpen und sprintete über die 50 m Freistil in 23,71 Sekunden zum Sieg – vor Kayla Sanchez (24,20), Charlotte Bonnet (24,27). Jessica Steiger belegt den 6. Platz in 25,02 Sekunden. Über 200 m Brust holt sie sich Silber in 2:23,33 Minuten ab. Hier siegte Kierra Smith (CAN) in 2:20,62.

Auch Jeremy Stravius schmetterte zu einem Meet Record. Der 30-Jährige siegt über 100 m Schmetterling in 50,59 Sekunden. Eric Friese (Potsdamer SV) schlägt nach 51,73 Sekunden an (4.). Ebenfalls auf dem ersten Podiumsplatz stand Stravius über die 50 m Freistil in 21,57 Sekunden, Christoph Fildebrandt kam auf den siebten Platz in 22,02 Sekunden.

Weitere Resultate:

• Katinka Hosszu, die FINA Schwimmerin des Jahres 2018, siegt über 400 m lagen in 4:33,03 Minuten.
• Penny Oleksiak (CAN) gewinnt die 100 m Schmetterling in 57,34 Sekunden, Alexandra Wenk wird Vierte in 59,13 Sekunden.
• Taylor  Ruck (CAN) holt sich den Topplatz auf dem Podium über 100 m Rücken (57,26 Sekunen), Jenny Mensing erreicht den 5. Platz (1:00,20), Johanna Roas schlägt mit der fünftschnellsten Zeit in 1:00,77 Minuten an.
• Danny Schmidt (SG Frankfurt, Jahrgang 2001) wird Fünfter über 400 m lagen in 4:22,12 Minuten.
• Melvin Imoudou (Potsdamer SV, Jahrgang 1999) wird Siebter über 50 m Brust in 27,60 Sekunden, Alexander Kühling von der SG Bayer Neunter in 28,15 Sekunden und Maurin Lampart (SG Bayer) Neunter in 28,12 Sekunden.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Marco Koch siegt beim Swim Cup Lausanne

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

British world and Olympic champion breaststroker Adam Peaty took a bold shot at the international swimming federation, telling BBC Sport that FINA knows it can’t ban its athletes without losing support.

“I don’t care, ban me if you’ve got to,” Peaty said in the BBC report, which you can read here. “I’m not bothered because at the end of the day they know they can’t.

“They can’t get away with it because you’ll lose all of the respect from the athletes and you can’t bully them.”

Peaty’s pointed comments came after the ISL Summit, a meeting between athletes and organizers of the International Swimming League (ISL), which wants to organize a series of swim meets, but has had conflicts with FINA in getting the meets approved.

Peaty also commented on FINA’s launching of the Champions Swim Series, considered by some to be a response to the ISL format. Peaty called the decision “embarrassing and offensive.”

“£4m in prize money is nothing in terms of what they’ll make off that league – they’ll make much more,” he said in the BBC report. “We need transparency and 50-50 split of the profits.

“I love my sport to the moon and back but the main reason people quit swimming all over the world is because there isn’t enough funding.

“I want to secure the future for the kids who are going to be winning Olympics in 20 years and hopefully making a living out of it.”

Australian coach Jacco Verhaeren also made waves this week, calling the new FINA series an “ad hoc” event and a “random” addition to the yearly meet schedule. “Most athletes and coaches have locked their plans in all the way to the Tokyo Olympics,” he said to The Australian.

The day after Peaty’s statements, FINA sent out a press release denying it had threatened bans for athletes, though SwimSwam was told that in an Oct. 30 email, FINA specifically referenced one of its general rules calling for bans of 1-to-2 years for FINA members who have relationships with a “non-affiliated body,” while making clear the ISL and the loosely-connected Energy for Swim 2018 event was not authorized.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Peaty to FINA: ‘Ban Me… They Know They Can’t’

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

To see all of our 2018 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here. 

2018 CANADIAN FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: TAYLOR RUCK

Taylor Ruck has been in and out of the spotlight the last few years, showing flashes of brilliance followed by puzzlingly flat swims. Alas, ups and downs are the very essence of a budding star, and 2018 was a resounding year for the 18-year-old.

Photo credit: Ian MacNicol

From 2017, where Ruck did not swim well at the Canadian Trials and missed Worlds, only to have a great week at World Juniors, Ruck made herself known in 2018. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a meet of vast importance for Commonwealth countries, Ruck was better than the rest in a gold medal and Commonwealth record performance in the 200 free (1:54.81), while also winning five silvers and two bronzes to make her the most decorated female Canadian athlete ever at a Commonwealth games and tying Emily Seebohm, Susie O’Neill, and Ralph Hutton for the most medals at a single Commonwealth Games (eight).

Ruck elevated her game late into the summer with perhaps her most impressive feat to date: taking down a 200 free Pan Pacs field that included the great Katie Ledecky, the Olympic record holder Allison Schmitt, and a fellow rising star in Japan’s Rikako Ikee. Ruck swam to a 1:54.44, leading from wire to wire, to break the meet record and her own Commonwealth and Canadian records. Additionally, Ruck won a silver medal in the 200 back (2:06.41), a bronze in the 100 free (52.72), both just off of Canadian records, and placed 4th in the 50 free. On relays, Ruck helped Canada to bronze in the 4×100 and 4×200 free relays, and despite them placing 4th in the 4×100 medley relay, Ruck unloaded a 51.72 anchor split.

As Tokyo 2020 draws closer, Ruck has emerged at the forefront of a Canadian wave that will look to shock at the Olympics and re-arrange the swimming world order.

HONORABLE MENTIONS 

In no particular order

• Kylie Masse, courtesy of Rafael Domeyko

  Kylie Masse: Masse, the former 100 back world record holder and the first woman to take down Gemma Spofforth’s super suited WR from 2009, took golds in the 100 and 200 back in meet record fashion at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She also defeated two of the best backstrokers in history, Emily Seebohm and Kathleen Baker, in her gold medal swim in the 100 back at the 2018 Pan Pacs.

• Kayla Sanchez: Sanchez was on two silver medal relays at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and is proving to be a vital relay swimmer in Canada‘s growing presence on the world stage, swimming on two more silver medal relays for Team Canada at Pan Pacs. Perhaps she’s reaching the level of individual player, recently having smashed Canadian records in SCM in the 100 free (51.45), 100 IM (58.24), and 200 IM (2:04.64). The 100 free and 200 IM registered new World Junior records, while the 100 free is better than any North American, ever, and her 200 IM is the quickest swim done by a swimmer for a Commonwealth nation.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2018 Swammy Awards: Canadian Female Athlete of the Year Taylor Ruck

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

Since the arrival of Jeremy Kipp and his staff to Northwestern, the men’s and women’s teams have noticed a difference in culture. Not to mention that now they’re 1 team instead of 2.

Once you step on campus, you can tell that the now combined swimming program means business. They work hard as a team, in and out of the pool, even if all of their schedules don’t line up all of the time. The men and women chose their fall class schedules still thinking they would be separate teams, so Kipp and his staff had to honor their old practice schedules and keep most water workouts fairly separate. However, after morning workouts, the whole team eats breakfast together as one in the brand new state of the art athletic facility on campus, which is also the building they lift in.

Athletes expressed it has been an adjustment combining the men and women’s programs, especially in terms of finding an identity both as a women’s or men’s team as well as a combined team. Sophomore Becky Kamau explained that developing both cultures was important in that Big 10’s and NCAA’s are both separate meets, so you had to function on all cylinders without half of your teammates there. However, for growth purposes and developing as elite athletes, training all together seems to be working well for the wildcats. The goals have been set high, and with similar goals for men’s and women’s teams, double the support from their teammates is never a bad thing.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Northwestern to Make B1G Moves with Combined Programs (Video Report)

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

Swimming Times, a print magazine run by sport governing body Swim England, will publish its final issue in January of 2019, ending  a 95-year history in the sport. The first issue was printed in 1923 – making it the oldest publication in the sport.

“Swimming Times has an amazing legacy,” the magazine said in an email to its subscribers. “The first issue was printed in 1923 and, for the past 95 years, it has evolved into a much-loved magazine and been at the forefront of covering everything aquatics.

“But times are changing. The growth of the digital market and social media platforms has hit the print industry as readers instantly find the information they require from other sources.”

This decision comes a year after deciding to redesign the magazine and push it to bi-monthly publication.

Swim England says that it will be increasing the content on its website as a result.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: After 95 Years, Swimming Times Magazine Will Shutter in 2019

By Andrew Mering on SwimSwam

Now that all the major mid season invites are complete, pretty much every team in the country has had a meet that they’ve taken seriously. This means that we can get some useful information by comparing team’s times so far. The easiest way to do this is with our Swimulator. Swimulator runs a projection of a meet using best times from this season respecting reasonable event choices and the three event limit (no diving). So far I’ve looked at the national meet for both men and women, but it’s time to start looking at conferences.

• D1 Men, D1 Women
• D3 Men and Women National Rankings
• Big 10
• SEC Men, SEC Women
• ACC

Next up: the Pac 12. Last year the Stanford women took a comfortable 1776.5-1487 win over Cal. Cal won the men’s meet easily 971-769 over Stanford. This year a repeat performance seems likely for both teams. A win this year would be the second in a row for the Cal men, and a third straight for the Stanford women

Women

Stanford lead the current Swimulator projection with 1412 points, 287 points ahead of 2nd place Cal’s 1125. This is actually much larger than Stanford’s lead at this point last season when they held a 66.5 point advantage over Cal (1336.5-1270). At conference Stanford put up 186.5 more swimming points than the Bears and 123 more diving points to win handily.

Stanford’s point increase of 202 swimming points at conference from mid season last year was helped by a few factors. Simone Manuel didn’t swim during the first half of the season so she scored 0 points in the mid season projection. She scored 92 at Pac 12’s. Stanford also didn’t have a time in the 800 free relay mid season, so the 64 points Stanford got from that event were all net gain from their mid season projection. Those two things alone accounted for 156 of their 202 points gained. They don’t have a Simone Manuel coming back this year and they have a time in all 5 relays, so a better baseline for their improvement from last season is the remaining 46 points they gained, a more modest total.

As to who actually wins this meet, how much Stanford gains or loses is unlikely to matter. Yes, they probably won’t pick up 200 points again, but they are so far ahead of Cal that, barring a catastrophic Ella Eastin and Taylor Ruck tandem bicycle accident, they won’t be caught. Stanford return more diving points than Cal and were noticeably flatter than Cal at their mid season meet-increasing the chances Stanford drop more from their seeds when they taper.

Cal should pick up some points. In January they’re adding Isabel Ivey the high point winner from this month’s Juniors East. Amy Bilquist should get healthy and improve her projected 51 points -she scored 80 last year. Cal’s problem is that they are already projected to score really well in most of their areas of strength and they’re still far behind. They have the top time in 4 of the 5 relays and are 2nd in the 5th one. Abbey Weitzeil, Katie McLaughlin, Keaton Blovad, and Robin Neumann are already projected to score 80+ points. Not much room to gain there. I don’t see a way the rest of their roster can find 200 more points.

Both teams will likely treat this meet as a nationals qualification/rehearsal meet rather than as an actual goal meet. They’re ranked #1 and #2 in the country. They have their sights on bigger things.

The more interesting battle is for 3rd. USC lead the 3 third place contenders with 1087 projected points ahead of Arizona’s 951.5, and Arizona St’s 688. Last year’s 3rd place team, Arizona State returns 171 diving points, more than USC’s 131 and Arizona’s 78.

USC are ahead of where they were at this point last season when they had 1003 projected points. The reason the other teams can expect to be competitive with the Trojans is that USC actually scored 185.5 points fewer at conference than projected at mid season whereas Arizona St gained 87. USC swam more than one suited meet in the fall season, so it’s a reasonable assumption that their seed times are pretty good again this year and they will drop a few places when other teams taper.

Arizona St are a bit further behind USC than they were at this point last year, but they should get a boost in the second half when former NCAA 500 record holder Cierra Runge is finally allowed to compete. Still, Arizona St’s diving advantage is smaller this year, so a repeat 3rd place finish might be tough.

Arizona are also lurking. They have 26 fewer points than they were projected to at this point last year. Last year they under performed their projection by 125 points. If they can just hold serve this year and USC drop off again, 3rd could be theirs.

Women’s Data

Men

The men’s meet appear’s on track to look similar to the women’s meet, but with a team swap at the top. Cal project to 799.5 swimming points, 150 more than Stanford’s 649.5. Cal also return 82 diving points. All of Stanford’s scoring divers graduated last year though freshman Connor Casey has looked pretty good. Cal picked up over 100 points at this meet last year vs projection while Stanford gained only 52, so history favors the Bears as well. Cal have the top seed in 13 of the the 18 swimming events including all 5 relays.

There is some room for Stanford to make up ground. Abrahm Devine is seeded to score only 34 points. While he only scored 40 at this meet last year, he did score 46 at nationals, so the potential exists. Grant Shoults was out most of the fall and projects to 0 points. He scored 42 here last year.

Cal are a consensus top 2 team in the country. Them being big favorites in their conference is unsurprising. If Stanford have a great weekend and Cal are off, maybe this will be close, but it’s hard to see Stanford actually pulling out a win. Stanford are too much of a distance focused team. Their top 4 events by projected points are the 1650, the 500, the 200 breast, and the 400 IM. This isn’t a team with tons of great sprinters waiting to upset Cal’s relays.

Arizona look well positioned to compete for the 3rd spot after most of USC’s diving points graduated last year. They have a 69 point advantage in swimming points, but the Wildcats dropped 100 points off their projected points total at Pac 12’s last year. They will need to avoid doing that again to beat the Trojans this year. USC dropped only 8.5 points from their mid season projected total last year.

Men’s Data

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Pac 12 Mid-Season Analysis: No Surprises at the Top

By Adrian Mancebo on SwimSwam

Cinco nadadores representaron a Venezuela en el Campeonato mundial de curso corto 2018, que se celebró en Hangzhou (China) del 11 al 16 de diciembre. El equipo nacional estuvo formado porIsabella Paez, Mercedes Toledo, Jeserik Pinto, Carlos Claverie y Cristian Quintero. El espaldista Robinson Molina también estaba convocado para ir al mundial, pero finalmente no puedo viajar a China por problemas con la Visa.

Los nadadores venezolanos batieron en este campeonato un total de 6 récords nacionales. Todos los récords fueron conseguidos por mujeres. La lista de récords batidos es la siguiente:

• Jeserik Pinto en 50m espalda. Nuevo récord: 27.99
• Jeserik Pinto en 50m mariposa. Nuevo récord: 26.52
• Mercedes Toledo en 50m braza. Nuevo récord: 31.19
• Mercedes Toledo en 100m braza. Nuevo récord: 1:08.30
• Isabella Paez en 100m mariposa. Nuevo récord: 59.69
• Isabella Paez en 200m mariposa. Nuevo récord: 2:11.23

Jeserik Pinto, de 28 años, logró dos nuevos récords nacionales en 50m espalda y 50m mariposa, donde se clasificó en los puestos 30 y 25, respectivamente. Sin embargo, la velocista no pudo con el récord nacional de 50m libre que tiene Arlene Semeco desde 2008, clasificando en el puesto 24 con una marca de 25.17.

La bracista Mercedes Toledo compitió en los 50 y 100m braza, batiendo el récord nacional en ambos y clasificándose en los puestos 28 y 30, respectivamente.

Isabella Paez, quien entrena en Virginia Tech con el entrenador español Sergio López, también firmó una gran competición, con dos nuevos récords nacionales en las pruebas de mariposa. En la distancia de 100m, Paez acabó en el puesto 25, y en los 200m, prueba en la que este verano se proclamó campeona de los Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, fue 15ª.

Cristian Quintero y Carlos Claverie no lograron batir sus propias plusmarcas nacionales. Claverie compitió en los 50,100 y 200m braza, logrando su mejor resultado en la prueba de 200, quedando en el puesto 22 con 2:07.83. Quintero nadó los 50, 100 y 200m libre, con un mejor puesto 19º en la prueba de 200 con un tiempo de 1:45.24. En los 100m libre, Quintero se quedó cerca del récord nacional de Francisco Sánchez, con un tiempo de 48.14.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Se batieron 6 récords venezolanos en el campeonato del mundo

By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Gegenüber dem Deutschlandfunk hat der in dieser Woche von seinem Amt zurückgetretene Bundestrainer Henning Lambertz erklärt, dass auch Meinungsverschiedenheiten mit dem Leistungssportdirektor Thomas Kurschilgen zu seinem Rücktritt geführt haben. In dem Interview sagte Lambertz: “Der neue Sportdirektor hat andere Ideen und Strategien als ich. Ich denke, derjenige, der verantwortlich ist für das Abschneiden, sollte auch die Möglichkeit besitzen, die Entscheidungen zu treffen.“ Kurschilgen hätte ein Team Tokio, das aus Stützpunkttrainer und anderen Experte bestanden hätte, so oder so eingeführt. Dies wäre nach Lambertz Meinung einer Entmachtung gleichgekommen.

Aber er sei auch froh, sich nun mehr um seine Familie kümmern zu könne – in einer ersten Stellungnahme des DSV hatte Lambertz “persönliche Gründe als Rücktrittsgrund” genannt. Im Moment werde er das Training mit Marco Koch weiterführen, den Weltmeister von 2015 über 200 m Brust betreut er am Standort Frankfurt. Für die Zukunft sieht er sich al Trainer an einem der Stützpunkte, “am liebsten in Nordrhein-Westfalen”.

Henning Lambertz betont aber weiterhin das gute Verhältnis, da er immer zu der am 8. Dezember zurückgetretenen DSV Präsidentin Gabi Dörries, hatte. Sie sei eine  “gute Ansprechpartnerin, Freundin und Mentorin“ gewesen. „Wir haben Telefonate begonnen und gesagt, jetzt reden nur Henning und Gabi miteinander und nicht Präsidentin und Chefbundestrainer.“ Er könne sich auch nicht vorstellen, wie es ohne sie weitergeht. Seiner Meinung nach sieht steht der DSV am “Scheideweg”.

Leistungssportdirektor Thomas Kurschilgen verkündete einen Tag nach dem Rücktritt von Henning Lambertz, dass ein “Team Tokio 2020” installiert würde, das sich aus Bundesstützpunkttrainern und den persönlichen Trainern der leistungsstärksten Schwimmern zusammensetzen solle. Dies ähnelt dem amerikanischen Modell für die großen internationalen Wettkämpfe. Es solle auch einen “Leading Coach” geben, der der in enger Rückkopplung mit dem Direktor Leistungssport die sportfachlichen Prozesse führt.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Lambertz zum Rücktritt: Auch Meinungsverschiedenheiten ausschlaggebend

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Disclaimer: Blueseventy Swim of the Week is not meant to be a conclusive selection of the best overall swim of the week, but rather one Featured Swim to be explored in deeper detail. The blueSeventy Swim is an opportunity to take a closer look at the context of one of the many fast swims this week, perhaps a swim that slipped through the cracks as others grabbed the headlines, or a race we didn’t get to examine as closely in the flood of weekly meets.

When one thinks of IM streaks, the first names to come to mind are Michael Phelps (winner of four straight Olympic 200 IM titles from 2004 to 2016) and Ryan Lochte (winner of four straight long course world titles from 2009 to 2015). But Perhaps the unheralded third member of the IM dynasty trio is Daiya Seto, who has now won three straight short course world titles in the 400 IM.

Seto obliterated the field in the 400 IM at last week’s Short Course World Championships in Hangzhou, China. His 3:56.43 topped the field by more than six seconds, and is a tenth off his own Asian and Japanese record of 3:56.33. That 2014 swim remains the #2 swim all-time in the event, behind only Ryan Lochte‘s 3:55.50 from the 2010 World Championships.

Seto took home two golds in Hangzhou, his best haul from any World Championships in his career, long course or short course. He boosts his all-time medal count to 5 golds and 12 total medals in short course.

WE MAKE SWIMMERS.

There isn’t a second that goes by when the team at blueseventy aren’t thinking about you. How you eat, breathe, train, play, win, lose, suffer and celebrate. How swimming is every part of what makes you tick. Aptly named because 70% of the earth is covered in water, blueseventy is a world leader in the pool and open water. Since 1993, we design, test, refine and craft products using superior materials and revolutionary details that equate to comfort, freedom from restriction and ultimately a competitive advantage in the water. This is where we thrive. There is no substitute and no way around it. We’re all for the swim.

Visit blueseventy.com/pages/swim to learn more.

Instagram: @blueseventy

Twitter: @blueseventy

Facebook: facebook.com/blueseventy

blueseventy is a SwimSwam partner.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Blueseventy Swim of the Week: Seto Takes Over SC IM Throne

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side, or you can find the poll embedded at the bottom of this post.

Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers whether SEC champ Hugo Gonzalez would appear in the NCAA this season or not:

RESULTS

Question: Will Hugo Gonzalez swim in the NCAA this season?

• No – 39.5%
• Yes, for Cal – 38.8%
• Yes, for Florida – 14.0%
• Yes, for another team – 7.7%

Former Auburn standout Hugo Gonzalez spoke to Spanish media earlier this month, suggesting he was working to compete in the NCAA again this season and naming Cal and Florida as his favorite destinations. Still, 39.5% of SwimSwam voters said they didn’t expect him to swim in the NCAA this season, while another 38.8% said he would be swimming for Cal by the end of the season.

The Spanish superstar Gonzalez had a stellar SEC meet for Auburn last year, but struggled mightily at NCAAs. He transferred away from Auburn when head coach Brett Hawke resigned, and originally committed to follow assistant coach Sergio Lopez to Virginia Tech. But Gonzalez ultimately chose to return to Spain this season.

There’s some question as to how the NCAA would interpret Gonzalez’s departure from Virginia Tech. If his move from Auburn to VT is considered a transfer, then his move from VT to another school would be considered another transfer, and he’d have to sit out a full year, gaining eligibility in January of 2020. However, if he didn’t attend practice or class at Virginia Tech before deciding to return home, a re-emergence in the NCAA might not require the yearlong sit-out.

39.5% believe Gonzalez won’t be competing in the NCAA this season, whether he chooses to remain in Spain or simply doesn’t gain eligibility in time. But another 38.8% said he would compete for Cal – that would tighten up an NCAA team title battle that looks pretty close on the swimming side, though Texas has Cal well beaten in diving.

Surprisingly, 7.7% expected Gonzalez to show up with another team not mentioned in his interview – perhaps assuming Cal and Florida are low on scholarship money and that Gonzalez would find a new target school, or that he would have to return to Virginia Tech to remain eligible.

Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks voters whether swim teams should practice on Christmas eve:

ABOUT A3 PERFORMANCE

The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimSwam Pulse: 39% Expect No Hugo This Season, 38% Predict Him To Cal

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

Hugo Gonzalez, one of the biggest breakout stars in the NCAA last season, is set to join the University of California as a student this coming January, according to the news site Nataccion. You can read their original reporting on Gonzalez here. This comes following a recent report that Gonzalez was looking at transferring to either Cal of Florida for next semester. SwimSwam has reached out to learn whether Gonzalez will be immediately eligible to compete for Cal in the 2nd semester of this year, but we haven’t yet received a response.

Gonzalez originally came to the U.S. to compete with Auburn University last season. Following Sergio Lopez‘ announcement that he would be taking over as head coach at Virginia Tech, Gonzalez also announced he would be transferring to VT to stay with Lopez. However, Gonzalez then announced in September that he would be returning to Spain to train instead of attending VT.

Gonzalez is a Spanish Record-holder, World Junior Record-holder, 2016 Olympic semifinalist, and 2018 European Championships finalist. In his freshmen season with Auburn, Gonzalez was the SEC champion in the 400 IM (3:35.76), runner-up in the 200 IM (1:40.67), and 3rd place finisher in the 200 back (1:40.82). He was slightly off those performances at NCAAs last year, only scoring in the 200 IM, where he came in 10th.

If Gonzalez is cleared to compete next semester, it will be a pretty big shake-up to what already looks to be a fierce battle for the NCAA title. Cal would be picking up the 3rd fastest SCY 400 IM’er in history, and the 7th fastest 200 IM’er in the NCAA last year (4th fastest returner from last year). Gonzalez also has scoring potential in the 200 back. On top of that, Hugo has a 200 free best time of 1:34.79, which should provide a boost to the Cal 800 free relay, which is likely their worst of the five relays, at least at this point in the season.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Report: Hugo Gonzalez to Transfer to Cal Next Semester

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

LSU Swimmer Matthew Klotz has been named the 2018 International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) Sportsman of the Year. Klotz, in his 3rd season with the Tigers, broke the Deaf World Record in the long course 50 free (23.14) and 50 back (25.95) at the 2018 US National Championships. That’s in addition to several American Records he broke this year, including most recently in November in the 50 yard free (19.77).

He was one of 4 swimmers who were named finalists for Sportsperson of the Year honors. Russian Andrei Zhivaev was a finalist for Sportsman of the Year, while Russians Mariia Rezhylo and Viktoria Terenteva were named finalists for Sportswoman of the Year.

Winners and finalists, Courtesy ICSD:

Men’s Category

WINNER with 51 points: Matthew KLOTZ (Swimming)
Born 24 May 1996, Matthew Klotz of the USA Matthew Klotz broke the Deaf World Record in the 50 Meters Freestyle on July 25, 2018. His recorded time was 23.14. Matthew continues to break Deaf World Records and Deaflympic Records, even in non-Deaflympic years. USADSF submits nomination of Matt Klotz as an outstanding, stellar athlete who continues to perform amazing feats in the sport of Swimming.

FINALIST with 29 points: Hosein Nouri DASHLEJEH (Wrestling)
Born 06 April 1990, Hosein Nouri Dashlejeh of Iran is a champion during 5th World Deaf Senior Freestyle Wrestling Championships in 2018.

FINALIST with 26 points: Rastislav JELINEK (Athletics)
Born 08 March 2001, Rastislav Jelinek of Slovakia is a champion 4th European Deaf Athletics Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria where he won three gold medals in a sprint at 100m, 200m and Jumping to the distance with European Deaf Records Championships of 2018 (100m – 11.23, 200m – 22.72, Long jump – 7.03)

FINALIST with 25 points: Andrei ZHIVAEV (Swimming)
Born 30 June 1998, Andrei Zhivaev of Russia is a champion during 2018 European Deaf Swimming Championships (Lublin, Poland) with 1st place (Gold): Freestyle 50m, Freestyle 100m, Freestyle 200m, Butterfly 50m, Freestyle relay 4x100m, Freestyle relay 4x200m, Medley 4x100m)

FINALIST with 14 points: Vladyslav IALOVEGA (Bowling)
Born 17 July 1993, Vladyslav Ialovega of Ukraine is a champion during 2018 European Deaf Bowling Championships (Munich, Germany): 1 place – Men-Doubles with record (2 games 1400 scores, 6 games 2649 scores); 1 place – Men-Trios with records (3 games 2009 scores, 6 games 3944 scores); 1 place -Men-Teams with record (3 games 3130 scores) and 2 place – Masters Men with record (1 game 289 scores, 3 games 750 scores).

FINALIST with 11 points: Alexandros PAPADATOS (Wrestling)
Born 31.07.1993, Alexandros PAPADATOS of Greece won third place in freestyle wrestling and fifth place in Greco-Roman wrestling 130kg category in 2018 World Deaf Wrestling Championships in Russia.

Women’s Category:

WINNER with 38 points: Katrin NEUDOLT (Athletics)
Born 11 May 1989, Katrin Neudolt of Austria won gold medal at the European Deaf Badminton Championships – Women Singles. First deaf Athlete recognized as a professional athlete by Austrian Government. Employed at the Austrian “Heeressportverband” (department of the Austrian Armed Forces) in which the professional athletes get pay for practice, are insured and are exempted from “work” for international tournaments.
Austrian Badminton State Championships (non-disabled) 2nd place after come back because of a surgery. Katrin Neudolt is a role model for many young Austrian athletes. She is doing very much for the Deaf community and sensitize hearing people.

FINALIST with 35 points: Mariia Rezhylo (Swimming)
Born 03.10.1998, Mariia Rezhylo of Ukraine is a champion during 2018 European Deaf Swimming Championships (Lublin, Poland): 1 place for 50m Freestyle with European Deaf Championship Record; 2 place – 100m Freestyle, 1 place – 50m Breaststroke with World Deaf Record; 1 place – 50m Butterfly and 100m Butterfly; 2 place – 4x100m Freestyle, 4x100m Medley, 4x100m Freestyle Mixed, 4x100m Medley Mixed and 3 place – 4x200m Freestyle.

FINALIST with 30 points: Noseybeh SHAHBAZI (Taekwondo)
Born 16.07.1991, Noseybeh Shahbazi of Iran is a champion during the 2018 Women National Taekwondo Championships in Tehran with gold medal.

FINALIST with 29 points: Cassidy Perry (Basketball)
Born 22.05.1997, Cassidy Perry of USA played for Team USA in the 2018 U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships, averaging 18.2 points per game, and scored 28 in the gold medal game as she made 14 of 20 shots from the field. Because of her performance, the ICSD Technical Director, Jurgen Endress, named Cassidy the Most Valuable Player of the Women’s 2018 U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships.

FINALIST with 24 points: Viktoria Terenteva (Swimming)
Born 22.03.1999, Viktoria Terenteva of Russia is a champion during the 2018 European Deaf Swimming Championships (Lublin, Poland) with gold medals: Freestyle 100m, Freestyle 200m, Freestyle 400m, Freestyle 800m, Freestyle relay 4x100m, Freestyle relay 4x200m, Medley 4x100m.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: LSU Swimmer Matthew Klotz Named ICSD Sportsman of the Year

By Loretta Race on SwimSwam

Although experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) completed its audit of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) last week, a critical denial of information is resulting in the RUSADA looking at potentially more sanctions less than 2 years out from Tokyo.

As a refresher, the scheduled audit was completed in accordance to prior conditions that were established so that RUSADA would restore its compliance status to the WADA code. The audit, which lasted two days, was required as stated in both RUSADA‘s Roadmap to Compliance and WADA‘s Executive Committee decision made back on September 20, 2018.

WADA had set a December 31st deadline to meet the condition or once again be found non-compliant. If non-compliant, RUSADA would face even tough sanctions.

Per The Telegraph, the WADA inspection team last week was denied access to raw data in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Access to this data was denied due to Russia’s saying the inspection team’s equipment to be used for data extraction ‘had not been certified under Russian law.’

Now, WADA‘s inspection team will form a report for the Independent Compliance Review Committee, who is scheduled to meet on January 14th with the purpose of reconsidering RUSADA‘s code compliance status.

WADA told Reuters that, “there were no more visits planned but that the team of experts would remain on standby ready to proceed with full data extraction should the matter be resolved.”

“Let’s hope WADA doesn’t get played again and immediately declares them non-compliant,” United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief executive Travis Tygart told Reuters upon the news of data denial.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Russia Denies WADA Search Team Access To Lab Data