By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

Texas runs its high school state championships this week in Austin at the University of Texas. We’ll briefly preview the teams & swimmers to watch in both divisions.

The top two finishers at each of Texas’s 8 regional meets qualify for state ‘automatically.’ They’re listed in the “automatic qualifiers” document below. The next 8 swimmers or relays in each event make the state meet as “call ups,” listed in those documents below.

5A (Small Schools)

• Defending champs: Montgomery girls & Georgetown boys
• Automatic Qualifiers
• Call-Ups

Ana Herceg, Pflugerville Weiss

A sophomore last year, Herceg finished second behind standout Kaitlynn Sims in the 500 free, but actually upset Sims for the 200 free title in a 5A state record 1:46.39. This year, Herceg comes in as the top seed in both distance freestyles, and has a chance to take over Sims’ mantle – and perhaps chase her 500 free record.

Ava Longi, Lyndon Baines Johnson / JoJo Daspit, Montgomery

A pair of seniors should battle for the sprint titles on the girls side. Longi was second in the 50 last year (23.38) behind senior Amelia Liu. Meanwhile Daspit won the 100 (50.41) over Liu and Longi (51.00). This year, Longi carries in top seeds in both (23.38/50.83).

Kaitlyn Owens, A&M Consolidated

Junior Owens could put herself in the mix with Longi and Daspit in the 50 free, but her big event is going to be the 100 back, where she’s the top seed by 2.4 seconds. Her career-best of 53.72 would beat the current 5A state record of 54.13 set in 2015. With a drop, she could eventually challenge Lucie Nordmann’s overall state record of 52.48.

Corby Furrer, Georgetown

Georgetown dominated last year, winning the meet by 82 points and sweeping the free relays. But Furrer is the only returner who was on both of those relays last year. He had two thrillers individually: then a junior, Furrer won the 500 free by 0.15 seconds and was second in the 200 free by 0.01 seconds. He has a shot to sweep both this season, but the field looks equally tough. Furrer had an excellent Winter Juniors, though, and his new career-bests (1:37.85/4:26.42) could challenge 5A state records (1:37.19/4:25.71).

Elijah Sohn, Aledo

Sohn held off Furrer at the end of the 200 free last year, going 1:38.83 for the win. He went 1:37.65 back in December, and should challenge the state record there along with Furrer. Sohn is also a real factor in the 100 free, where he was third last year (46.22) behind two seniors. Sohn went 45.03 at Winter Juniors in December.

Jed Michael Jones, Lucas Lovejoy

Last year’s 200 IM champ (1:49.89), Jones comes in seeded just third, but that isn’t to be taken too seriously – he cut about two seconds at state last year. Maybe more intriguing is Jones’ shot at a double. He was 3rd in the 500 free last year in 4:34.36, and returns as one of the chief threats to Furrer in that event, provided he has another big state meet drop.

Max Hardt, Friendswood

Last year’s state runner-up in the 100 breast in 56.77, Hardt went 55.70 back in December at Winter Juniors. That time would challenge the 5A state record of 55.67 set in 2017. That record is under assault from all angles, though, as returning A finalists Mark Eberhard (56.18 this year) and Alex Lynch (56.24 this year) have both been fast this high school season.

6A (Big Schools)

• Defending champs: Southlake Carroll girls & Southlake Carroll boys
• Automatic Qualifiers
• Call-Ups

Emma Sticklen, Taylor

A two-event champ last year as a junior, Sticklen has a shot at two state records in her senior campaign. Sticklen was 51.88 in the 100 fly last year to break the 6A and overall state records, besting Lillie Nordmann by two tenths. Both return for another showdown this week. Sticklen was also 53.01 to win the 100 back by a second and a half last year, coming within six tenths of a Lucie Nordmann state 6A and overall record.

Lillie Nordmann, The Woodlands

The younger Nordmann, also a junior, is the returning champ in the 200 free, where she’s chasing a state record that has stood since the super-suit era of 2009. Samantha Tucker was 1:44.64 that year; Nordmann was 1:45.55 at this meet a year ago. She comes in as the top seed by two seconds. Nordmann should also battle Sticklen for the 100 fly title and record – Nordmann was 52.08 for runner-up honors last year.

Kit Kat Zenick, Southlake Carroll

Last year, the junior Zenick swam the 50 free and 100 fly, but this year, she’ll avoid the Sticklen-Nordmann logjam in the fly by taking on the 100 free. Zenick has a shot at a sprint sweep as well as state records. She was 22.81 last year for second in the 50 free, behind 6A record-setter Emma Stephenson. Zenick went 22.40 in December, so watch for her to challenge both that record and the Texas overall record of 22.32 from Julia Cook. Zenick is also the top seed in the 100 free, and her lifetime-best 48.81 would rattle the state 6A (48.53) and overall (48.44) records.

Dalton Lowe, Spring

Lowe won the 100 fly last year (48.18), but he’s got his sights on much bigger targets this year. First, he has a real shot to break the 6A and overall state records in that event – they’re set at 47.07, but Lowe went 47.09 at Winter Juniors in December. Lowe could also add a second title. He’s the fastest returner in the 50 free after going 20.20 last year.

Seth Reno, Clear Falls

Lowe’s biggest challenger in the 50 is probably Reno, the Clear Falls junior who doesn’t appear on last year’s state results. Reno went lifetime-bests of 20.38 and 45.07 in the sprints this high school season, making big drops in both, including from 47.7 in the 100 as of last fall. Though Jimmy Feigen’s state records (19.4/43.0) are a tough sell in those events, Reno could be looking at an out-of-nowhere sprint sweep.

Matthew Tannenberger, Conroe The Woodlands

The senior Tannenberger has swapped the 200 IM (where he was 10th last year) for the 200 free, and could threaten to sweep the distance races. He was 4:27.64 for third in the 500 last year, finishing behind two seniors. At 4:24.56 this year, he’s the top incoming seed by two and a half seconds. Meanwhile his new 200 free entry is the meet’s fastest by half a second (1:37.53) and better than last year’s runner-up and top returner Victor Tremblay‘s 1:38.01.

Vincent Ribeiro, Round Rock

Round Rock senior Ribeiro is the defending champ in the 200 IM after going 1:47.98 last year. He was 1:47.01 at Winter Juniors. Meanwhile Ribeiro was the runner-up in the 100 breast last year (55.76) behind a graduated senior, and his new career-best 55.66 should put him in the hunt there. Keep an eye out, though, for Mitchell Mason (54.78 at Winter Juniors) and Jaden Luo (55.40 this high school season), who were 7th and 8th in the A final last year but have been much faster this season. Alex Sanchez was fifth in 56.21 last year, and has been 55.97 this season.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Sticklen & Nordmann Renew 100 Fly Showdown At Texas High School State

By Tomas Rodriguez on SwimSwam

According to Japan’s national broadcaster NHK, Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government has begun work to improve water quality at a venue of this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tokyo’s government revealed a plan to install a triple-layer underwater screen to block E. coli bacteria in addition to pouring a large amount of sand mixed together with clams and other shells into the water to cover mud accumulated on the seabed. Tokyo officials say an estimated 720 tons of sand were dumped into the water off the coast of the park on Saturday, and plan to pour a total of 19,800 tons of sand into the water by the end of March.

Though Odaiba Marine Park‘s water quality and temperature have been a recurring concern ahead of next summer’s Games.

In a Q&A hosted last week by NBC Olympics on Reddit, Olympian Haley Anderson addressed a question regarding open water conditions for the upcoming Tokyo Games. Anderson indicated that athletes have voiced concerns that have “gone unheard.”

Last August, athletes including three-time Olympic medalist Ous Mellouli voiced their concerns after participating in an Olympic open water test event in Odaiba Marine Park, Japan. “That was the warmest race I’ve ever done,” Mellouli said at the time. “It felt good for the first 2km then I got super overheated.” Japanese swimmer Yumi Kida added that the water was “a little stinky” and that clarity was poor.

In August, too, the International Triathlon Union’s Paratriathlon World Cup in Tokyo saw its swimming leg canceled due to poor water quality at the city’s Odaiba Marine Park. The E. coli bacteria found in a test conducted was reportedly two times higher than the limit set by the ITU.

We reported back in 2017 how tests conducted on 21 days mirroring the scheduled dates of the Games revealed that day-to-day water quality at Odaiba varies significantly depending on weather conditions, particularly on whether or not it had rained

In the summer of 2017, water tests conducted revealed that day-to-day water quality at Odaiba varied significantly depending on weather conditions, particularly on whether or not it had rained.

Of the samples collected over the test period, just 10 days saw the marathon swimming water quality standards meet those specified by FINA, while only 6 days saw the triathlon quality standards meet those specified by the International Triathlon Union (ITU).

Tokyo 2020 organizers have pledged to keep the water clean and safe ongoing, however, time is running out for the water quality to be improved by August short of six months until the Games kick-off.

In late 2018, Tokyo officials announced that they had been able to use underwater triple-layer screens to improve the water’s quality.

This year, the Committee installed a single-layer screen for last August’s open-water test event, and plan to apply a triple-layer screen next summer at the Olympics.

These screens are designed to keep disease-causing agents like E. coli away from the swimmers.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Water Cleanup Tasks Begin At Odaiba Marine Park Ahead Of Next Summer’s Games

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Texas A&M (4x) (results)
• Live results
• Live Video – SEC Network
• Championship Central

Though the Texas A&M women (who joined the conference in 2012) have won the last 4 titles in a row, they have some big shoes to fill from graduations. This year, the Tennessee Volunteers look like they’ll be very tough to beat. The Tennessee women could earn their first women’s SEC title in program history.

Erika Brown is one of the front-runners for Tennessee. She won all of her events last season and has a good chance to accomplish that feat again. Brown is already within striking range of a couple of NCAA Records this season.Meghan Small is extremely versatile and has 2 individual SEC titles to her name. They also return every member of their relays from last season except for one.

Though A&M is now without last season’s seniors, including SEC Champion Sydney Pickrem, they still return several finalists. Anna Belousova is the defending champion in the breaststrokes. Jing Quah and Haley Yelle should also bring in a lot of points for the Aggies.

Last season, the Florida women performed significantly better than in 2018, jumping all the way from 7th to 2nd in the team standings. They also return most of their top scorers. They should bring in plenty of points in the distance events, as is typical for the Gators. The freshman class performed very well last season. They have a lot of event title potential from their sophomores with the likes of Leah Braswell and Vanessa Pearl. Now in her senior season, Sherridon Dressel will also be challenging for gold. The Gators will be fighting for their first title since 2009.

Based on the way things have gone so far this season, Georgia is also in the title conversation. FreshmanZoie Hartman is a title threat in all 3 of her primary events. Courtney Harnish is a defending champion for the Bulldogs, and they’re deep in the butterflies, led by Dakota Luther. Before the Aggies won their first title in 2016, the Bulldogs had won 6 titles in a row.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday:

• Women’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Medley Relay
• Men’s 3-meter diving
• 800 Free Relay

Wednesday:

• 500 Free
• 200 IM
• 50 Free
• Men’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Free Relay

Thursday:

• 400 IM
• 100 Fly
• Women’s 3-meter diving
• 200 Free

Friday:

• 200 Fly
• 100 Back
• 100 Breast
• Men’s Platform diving
• 400 Medley Relay

Saturday:

• 1650 Free
• 200 Back
• 100 Free
• 200 Breast
• Women’s Platform diving
• 400 Free Relay

STARS

Alabama

Rhyan White (sophomore backstroker), Kensey McMahon (sophomore freestyler), Flora Molnar (junior sprinter), Alexis Preski (senior fly/IM/freestyler) – As freshmen, White and McMahon were among the team’s top scorers in 2019. McMahon is a returning mile medalist, while White leads the SEC in the 200 back this season. Molnar has championship final potential in the sprints. The team will compete in its first championship under Coley Stickels.

Arkansas

Anna Hopkin (senior sprinter),Peyton Palsha (junior freestyler), Brooke Schultz (redshirt junior diver), Maha Amer (sophomore diver) – Hopkin is gunning for the sprint titles and is tied as the fastest 50 freestyler in the SEC this season. Schultz and Amer should rack up big points on the boards.

Auburn

Claire Fisch (senior sprinter), Julie Meynen (senior sprinter), Sonnele Oeztuerk (senior backstroker), Emily Hetzer (sophomore freestyler), Jewels Harris(junior butterflier), Allison Maillard(senior diver) – SEC Champions Tetzloff and Falconer have graduated, but Auburn still returns finalists Hetzer, Oeztuerk, Meynen, and Fisch. Hetzer is in position to challenge for podium finishes in the distance events. Maillard was a finalist in all 3 diving events last season.

Florida

Leah Braswell (sophomore freestyle/IMer), Vanessa Pearl (sophomore breaststroke/IMer), Taylor Ault (junior freestyler), Sherridon Dressel (senior backstroker), Kelly Fertel (senior IMer), Talia Bates (freshman sprinter), Brooke Madden (senior diver)– The Gators return all of their top scorers. SEC Champion Braswell and bronze medalist Dressel should bring in a big points haul. Pearl has a great shot at the IM titles. Freshman Bates should help them out a lot in the sprint department, especially on relays, though she’s dealing with an undisclosed injury and may not be available.

Georgia

Courtney Harnish (junior freestyler), Dakota Luther(sophomore butterflier), Veronica Burchill(senior sprinter), Sophia Carnevale (senior breaststroker), Gabi Fa’amausili (junior sprinter), Zoie Hartman(freshman breaststroker) – Luther should bring in a ton of fly points, even in the absence of the transferred Olivia Carter. Burchill has been a key player for UGA in the sprints and relays throughout her NCAA career and is one of 3 returning 70-point scorers. Harnish is another reigning champion and a threat to win multiple events. Freshman Hartman leads the SEC in both breaststrokes this season.

Kentucky

Ali Galyer (senior free/backstroker), Izzy Gati (sophomore butterflier),Caitlin Brooks(freshman backstroker), Bailey Bonnett (junior breaststroker), Asia Seidt(senior IM/backstroker) – Seidt, an SEC Champion, and Galyer, an SEC runner-up, should continue to bring in huge points in the backstrokes. Seidt is a threat to win all of her individual events. Freshman Brooks, a U.S. Nationals runner-up, will add even more to their backstroke depth.

LSU

Katarina Milutinovich(freshman back/freestyler), Niamh Robinson (freshman breaststroker), Cassie Kalisz (junior backstroker), Summer Stanfield (freshman IM/freestyler), Olivia Taylor(freshman sprinter), Olivia Pasculin(senior breaststroker), Aimee Wilson(sophomore diver) – LSU graduated a lot of its top scorers last season, but their freshman class has a lot of scoring potential. Milutinovich will be a key player on their relays. Robinson is ranked in the SEC top 10 in both breaststrokes, while Kalisz is #10 in the 100 back. Wilson should rack up plenty of diving points.

Missouri

Sarah Thompson(junior sprinter), Sarah Rousseau (sophomore diver), Hayley Hynes(senior sprinter), Audrey Guyett (sophomore backstroker), Meredith Rees (freshman free/backstroker), Amy Feddersen (freshman free/backstroker) – Missouri also graduated a handful top scorers from last season, but returning finalist Hynes leads the SEC in the 100 back this season. Thompson was a multi-event finalist last season. They have solid freshman scoring potential in Rees and Feddersen

South Carolina 

Albury Higgs (senior breaststroker), Christina Lappin (senior sprinter), Emily Cornell (senior free/backstroker), Melinda Novoszath (sophomore free/butterflier) – The Gamecocks will have to make up for graduating Emma Barksdale, but they do have a couple of returning finalists. Higgs is a returning 200 breast finalist, while Cornell is a returning 200 back finalist.

Tennessee

Erika Brown (senior sprinter), Meghan Small(senior everything), Sinclair Larson (sophomore back/IM/freestyler), Stanzi Moseley(senior freestyler), Tess Cieplucha(senior IMer), Nikol Popov (junior breaststroker), Amanda Nunan (junior freestyler) – Brown was the SEC Champion in all of her events last season. She’s poised to accomplish that again, but will battle Hopkin in the sprints. Small is another SEC Champion for the Volunteers. The senior class is loaded for the Volunteers as they race for their first ever women’s SEC title.

Texas A&M

Anna Belousova (senior breaststroker), Jing Quah(junior butterflier), Katie Portz(senior freestyler), Taylor Pike(junior butterflier), Haley Yelle (junior freestyler), Emma Stephenson (freshman fly/freestyler) – Texas A&M will have to make up for the loss of quite a few finalists to graduation, including SEC Champions Pickrem and Rasmus. Belousova is the defending champion in both breaststrokes. Yelle and Quah are also among their returning finalists.

Vanderbilt

Tonner DeBeer(sophomore sprinter), Lara Hernandez-Tome (junior fly/freestyler), Taylor Ward (freshman freestyler), Kristen Nutter (freshman back/butterflier) – Vandy returns their only individual scorer from last season in Hernandez-Tome. Freshman Ward is close to scoring range in the distance freestyles. DeBeer has scoring potential after just missing the 100 fly C final last season.

SHOWDOWNS

Sprint Freestyles: Tennessee’s Erika Brown and Arkansas’ Anna Hopkin will go head-to-head in the sprints. In the 50 free, Brown is the SEC Record holder and was briefly the NCAA Record holder last season. She’s been within 4 hundredths of her best this season, and is currently tied with Hopkin in the SEC rankings. Missouri’s Sarah Thompson and Auburn’s Claire Fisch are also medal favorites. Brown is also the SEC Record holder in the 100. Hopkin has broke into the 46-mid range this season, but Brown came very close to breaking 46 at midseason.

100 Back: This event includes 6 returning finalists from last season. Kentucky’s Asia Seidt, the 2018 champion in this race, was the runner-up last season by a hundredth over Florida’s Sherridon Dressel. Missouri’s Haley Hynes is the only woman in the SEC to have broken 51 this season. Alabama’s Rhyan White has been 51-low with a time that would’ve placed 2nd last season. Kentucky’s

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

2020 KONAMI OPEN

• Saturday, February 15th & Sunday, February 16th
• Tatsumi International Swimming Centre, Tokyo, Japan
• LCM
• SwimSwam Preview #1
• Start Lists

The final meet within the trio of Japanese ‘K’ competitions is set to take place this weekend in Tokyo, as the 2020 Konami Open kicks off on Saturday, February 15th.

Situated after both the Kosuke Kitajima Cup and the Kirara Cup, the Konami Open holds extra significance in this Olympic year, giving both veterans and rising swimming stars within Japan additional chances to fine-tune their racing craft before the all-important Japan Swim.

Set for April, the Japan Swim represents the nation’s Olympic Trials and the sole qualification opportunity for athletes to qualify for a home nation-hosted 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

However, this Konami Open also represents a lucrative earning opportunity as well. As we reported, organizers of the 36th Konami Open have sweetened the pot big-time in terms of incentives, offering up a whopping 30 million yen prize to anyone who breaks a World Record at the meet. That equates to approximately $275,000 for anyone who fires off the fastest time ever in an event, across men’s or women’s races.

Also up for grabs is a prize worth 5 million yen (approximately $50,000 USD) for any Japanese swimmer who produces a new national record at the meet.

Although invited, multi-short course World Record holder Daiya Seto‘s name does not appear on the start lists, which can be good or bad for domestic rival Kosuke Hagino. Hagino is entered in both the 200m and 400m IM events.

On the one hand, having Seto to chase could be motivation for Hagino to race his way to better times than the 1:59.35 and 4:16.86 he’s put up in the short and long IM events, respectively, this season. However, on the other hand, not having Seto in the water may give Hagino the boost he needs to shine alone and stake a claim on Olympic qualification with statement swims here.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Hagino Heads Up Japanese Money Chase At Konami Open

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Team Denmark and the Danish Sports Federation have asked Anti-Doping Denmark to look into a possible breach of WADA rules during the period when Paulus Wildeboer was the National Team Head Coach.

Wildeboer, who died in 2014 after battling prostate cancer, was head of the Danish national program from 2008-2013, having taken over for Mark Regan, who served from 2001-2008.

Team Denmark published the news on its website, citing an investigation done on the program by the Chamber Attorney dating back to 2001. This investigation, which was initiated based on the DR (Danish Radio) documentary “Swimming stars – Under the surface”, resulted in the resignation of longtime Danish Swimming Union director Pia Holmen. This came due to the release of information that Regan began a policy where athletes were weighed publicly at the national training center.

The report from the Chamber Attorney questions Wildeboer’s use and delivery of foreign medicine to swimmers, and it was found that some of this medication could lead to a positive drug test.

“This case needs to be investigated in-depth,” said Team Denmark president Frank Jensen in a report on their website. “That is why Team Denmark, together with the Danish Sports Federation, has approached Anti Doping Denmark. They are now in the process of assessing whether there is a basis for starting a closer examination of any breach of the WADA Code. It is shocking that no action was taken when that knowledge was passed to Team Denmark.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Anti Doping Denmark Investigating Possible WADA Breach During Wildeboer Era

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

In Practice + Pancakes, SwimSwam takes you across the country and through a practice day in the life of swimming’s best athletes. It breaks down training sessions, sub sets, and what every team is doing to be at their best. But why are they doing things that way? In Beyond the Pancakes, we dive inside the minds of coaches and athletes, getting a first hand look at why they do the things they do, and where their minds are pointed on the compass of evolution as a swimmer.

While in Lexington, SwimSwam sat down with Kentucky head coach Lars Jorgensen to speak with him about the team culture he’s built during his tenure at Kentucky. Jorgensen puts a heavy emphasis on a “total development” culture, focusing on building his team as athletes, students, and overall people. In Jorgensen’s words, “everyone in our program is going to have to go pro in anything besides swimming”. He wants his athletes to be competitive, especially in a conference like the SEC, but he also wants them to have success when they’re 25, when they’re 30, and beyond.

While recruiting top athletes is a near surefire way to get to the top of the rankings, it’s also easier said than done. Jorgensen admits Kentucky has room for growth in that area, but believes that on the development side, UK Swimming and Diving is as good at turning 3-star recruits into 5-star recruits as any other program in the nation. A shining example of Kentucky development was the 2016 NCAA Champion in the 200 back, Danielle Galyer, who also won the Elite 90 award at those same championships, which goes to the athlete with the highest GPA at the meet.

See Practice + Pancakes #1 with University of Kentucky Here

See Practice + Pancakes #2 with University of Kentucky Here

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Beyond the Pancakes: Building a “Total Development” Team Culture

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Texas A&M (4x) (results)
• Live results
• Live Video – SEC Network
• Championship Central

Though the Texas A&M women (who joined the conference in 2012) have won the last 4 titles in a row, they have some big shoes to fill from graduations. This year, the Tennessee Volunteers look like they’ll be very tough to beat. The Tennessee women could earn their first women’s SEC title in program history.

Erika Brown is one of the front-runners for Tennessee. She won all of her events last season and has a good chance to accomplish that feat again. Brown is already within striking range of a couple of NCAA Records this season.Meghan Small is extremely versatile and has 2 individual SEC titles to her name. They also return every member of their relays from last season except for one.

Though A&M is now without last season’s seniors, including SEC Champion Sydney Pickrem, they still return several finalists. Anna Belousova is the defending champion in the breaststrokes. Jing Quah and Haley Yelle should also bring in a lot of points for the Aggies.

Last season, the Florida women performed significantly better than in 2018, jumping all the way from 7th to 2nd in the team standings. They also return most of their top scorers. They should bring in plenty of points in the distance events, as is typical for the Gators. The freshman class performed very well last season. They have a lot of event title potential from their sophomores with the likes of Leah Braswell and Vanessa Pearl. Now in her senior season, Sherridon Dressel will also be challenging for gold. The Gators will be fighting for their first title since 2009.

Based on the way things have gone so far this season, Georgia is also in the title conversation. FreshmanZoie Hartman is a title threat in all 3 of her primary events. Courtney Harnish is a defending champion for the Bulldogs, and they’re deep in the butterflies, led by Dakota Luther. Before the Aggies won their first title in 2016, the Bulldogs had won 6 titles in a row.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday:

• Women’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Medley Relay
• Men’s 3-meter diving
• 800 Free Relay

Wednesday:

• 500 Free
• 200 IM
• 50 Free
• Men’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Free Relay

Thursday:

• 400 IM
• 100 Fly
• Women’s 3-meter diving
• 200 Free

Friday:

• 200 Fly
• 100 Back
• 100 Breast
• Men’s Platform diving
• 400 Medley Relay

Saturday:

• 1650 Free
• 200 Back
• 100 Free
• 200 Breast
• Women’s Platform diving
• 400 Free Relay

STARS

Alabama

Rhyan White (sophomore backstroker), Kensey McMahon (sophomore freestyler), Flora Molnar (junior sprinter), Alexis Preski (senior fly/IM/freestyler) – As freshmen, White and McMahon were among the team’s top scorers in 2019. McMahon is a returning mile medalist, while White leads the SEC in the 200 back this season. Molnar has championship final potential in the sprints. The team will compete in its first championship under Coley Stickels.

Arkansas

Anna Hopkin (senior sprinter),Peyton Palsha (junior freestyler), Brooke Schultz (redshirt junior diver), Maha Amer (sophomore diver) – Hopkin is gunning for the sprint titles and is tied as the fastest 50 freestyler in the SEC this season. Schultz and Amer should rack up big points on the boards.

Auburn

Claire Fisch (senior sprinter), Julie Meynen (senior sprinter), Sonnele Oeztuerk (senior backstroker), Emily Hetzer (sophomore freestyler), Jewels Harris(junior butterflier), Allison Maillard(senior diver) – SEC Champions Tetzloff and Falconer have graduated, but Auburn still returns finalists Hetzer, Oeztuerk, Meynen, and Fisch. Hetzer is in position to challenge for podium finishes in the distance events. Maillard was a finalist in all 3 diving events last season.

Florida

Leah Braswell (sophomore freestyle/IMer), Vanessa Pearl (sophomore breaststroke/IMer), Taylor Ault (junior freestyler), Sherridon Dressel (senior backstroker), Kelly Fertel (senior IMer), Talia Bates (freshman sprinter), Brooke Madden (senior diver)– The Gators return all of their top scorers. SEC Champion Braswell and bronze medalist Dressel should bring in a big points haul. Pearl has a great shot at the IM titles. Freshman Bates should help them out a lot in the sprint department, especially on relays, though she’s dealing with an undisclosed injury and may not be available.

Georgia

Courtney Harnish (junior freestyler), Dakota Luther(sophomore butterflier), Veronica Burchill(senior sprinter), Sophia Carnevale (senior breaststroker), Gabi Fa’amausili (junior sprinter), Zoie Hartman(freshman breaststroker) – Luther should bring in a ton of fly points, even in the absence of the transferred Olivia Carter. Burchill has been a key player for UGA in the sprints and relays throughout her NCAA career and is one of 3 returning 70-point scorers. Harnish is another reigning champion and a threat to win multiple events. Freshman Hartman leads the SEC in both breaststrokes this season.

Kentucky

Ali Galyer (senior free/backstroker), Izzy Gati (sophomore butterflier),Caitlin Brooks(freshman backstroker), Bailey Bonnett (junior breaststroker), Asia Seidt(senior IM/backstroker) – Seidt, an SEC Champion, and Galyer, an SEC runner-up, should continue to bring in huge points in the backstrokes. Seidt is a threat to win all of her individual events. Freshman Brooks, a U.S. Nationals runner-up, will add even more to their backstroke depth.

LSU

Katarina Milutinovich(freshman back/freestyler), Niamh Robinson (freshman breaststroker), Cassie Kalisz (junior backstroker), Summer Stanfield (freshman IM/freestyler), Olivia Taylor(freshman sprinter), Olivia Pasculin(senior breaststroker), Aimee Wilson(sophomore diver) – LSU graduated a lot of its top scorers last season, but their freshman class has a lot of scoring potential. Milutinovich will be a key player on their relays. Robinson is ranked in the SEC top 10 in both breaststrokes, while Kalisz is #10 in the 100 back. Wilson should rack up plenty of diving points.

Missouri

Sarah Thompson(junior sprinter), Sarah Rousseau (sophomore diver), Hayley Hynes(senior sprinter), Audrey Guyett (sophomore backstroker), Meredith Rees (freshman free/backstroker), Amy Feddersen (freshman free/backstroker) – Missouri also graduated a handful top scorers from last season, but returning finalist Hynes leads the SEC in the 100 back this season. Thompson was a multi-event finalist last season. They have solid freshman scoring potential in Rees and Feddersen

South Carolina 

Albury Higgs (senior breaststroker), Christina Lappin (senior sprinter), Emily Cornell (senior free/backstroker), Melinda Novoszath (sophomore free/butterflier) – The Gamecocks will have to make up for graduating Emma Barksdale, but they do have a couple of returning finalists. Higgs is a returning 200 breast finalist, while Cornell is a returning 200 back finalist.

Tennessee

Erika Brown (senior sprinter), Meghan Small(senior everything), Sinclair Larson (sophomore back/IM/freestyler), Stanzi Moseley(senior freestyler), Tess Cieplucha(senior IMer), Nikol Popov (junior breaststroker), Amanda Nunan (junior freestyler) – Brown was the SEC Champion in all of her events last season. She’s poised to accomplish that again, but will battle Hopkin in the sprints. Small is another SEC Champion for the Volunteers. The senior class is loaded for the Volunteers as they race for their first ever women’s SEC title.

Texas A&M

Anna Belousova (senior breaststroker), Jing Quah(junior butterflier), Katie Portz(senior freestyler), Taylor Pike(junior butterflier), Haley Yelle (junior freestyler), Emma Stephenson (freshman fly/freestyler) – Texas A&M will have to make up for the loss of quite a few finalists to graduation, including SEC Champions Pickrem and Rasmus. Belousova is the defending champion in both breaststrokes. Yelle and Quah are also among their returning finalists.

Vanderbilt

Tonner DeBeer(sophomore sprinter), Lara Hernandez-Tome (junior fly/freestyler), Taylor Ward (freshman freestyler), Kristen Nutter (freshman back/butterflier) – Vandy returns their only individual scorer from last season in Hernandez-Tome. Freshman Ward is close to scoring range in the distance freestyles. DeBeer has scoring potential after just missing the 100 fly C final last season.

SHOWDOWNS

Sprint Freestyles: Tennessee’s Erika Brown and Arkansas’ Anna Hopkin will go head-to-head in the sprints. In the 50 free, Brown is the SEC Record holder and was briefly the NCAA Record holder last season. She’s been within 4 hundredths of her best this season, and is currently tied with Hopkin in the SEC rankings. Missouri’s Sarah Thompson and Auburn’s Claire Fisch are also medal favorites. Brown is also the SEC Record holder in the 100. Hopkin has broke into the 46-mid range this season, but Brown came very close to breaking 46 at midseason.

100 Back: This event includes 6 returning finalists from last season. Kentucky’s Asia Seidt, the 2018 champion in this race, was the runner-up last season by a hundredth over Florida’s Sherridon Dressel. Missouri’s Haley Hynes is the only woman in the SEC to have broken 51 this season. Alabama’s Rhyan White has been 51-low with a time that would’ve placed 2nd last season. Kentucky’s

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Ben Phifer from Peachtree City, Georgia has committed to swim at Yale University next fall. He will join Adam Zapatka and Conner Kang in the Bulldogs’ class of 2024.

“I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to Yale University. I have to thank all of my coaches from Swim Atlanta, SCAT and Starrs Mill for helping me get to this point. I am looking forward to all the academic and athletic opportunities that lie ahead. Go Bulldogs!”

A two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Phifer is a senior at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville. He swims year-round with SwimAtlanta and specializes mainly in breaststroke, IM and freestyle. Phifer recently competed at the 2020 Georgia High School 1-5A State Swimming & Diving Meet where he added another two state titles to the 4×50 medley relay win he contributed to last year. This year he was on the winning 200 medley relay (25.24 breaststroke split) and 400 free relay (47.85 anchor). He also came in second place in the 100 breast (56.12) and he was 3rd in the 200 IM (1:53.68).

In December, Phifer competed at 2019 Winter Juniors East in the 50/100/200 breast and also at Georgia LSC Short Course Senior Championships, where he placed 4th in the 200 breast. The meet produced lifetime bests for Phifer in the 50 free, 100 back, 50/200 breast, and 200 IM (but he lowered the IM PB at the 2020 GHSA A-5A State Meet).

Yale placed 5th of 8 teams at the 2019 Ivy League Men’s Championships last season, just 1.5 points behind 4th-place Columbia. Phifer would have scored for the Bulldogs in the C finals of the 100 breast and 200 breast. It took 1:49.0 to get a second swim in the 200 IM.

Top SCY times:

• 100 breast – 56.12
• 200 breast – 2:04.16
• 200 IM – 1:53.68
• 50 free – 21.83
• 100 free – 48.88

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.

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

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Read the full story on SwimSwam: 3x Georgia A-5A State Champion Ben Phifer Commits to Yale Class of 2024

By Torrey Hart on SwimSwam

Twelve-time Olympic medalist Natalie Couglin will be inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame this year. 

The Vallejo, CA native attended Carondelet High School (in Concord, CA), and in 1998 became the first swimmer to qualify for Summer Nationals in all events. She also broke two individual national high school records in the 200 IM  (1:58.45) and the 100 back (52.86).

Coughlin went on to win 12 NCAA titles with Cal from 2001-2004 and was named NCAA Swimmer of the Year for three consecutive years. She was a two-time recipient of the swimming and diving Honda Sports Award, and Sports Illustrated named her College Female Athlete of the Year.

As a post-grad, Coughlin qualified for the Olympics in 2004, 2008 and 2012. She won five individual Olympic medals and seven as a member of relays, setting multiple world records along the way.

The 37-year-old, who returned from a nearly three-year hiatus to race in the International Swimming League last season after having her first child in 2018, was inducted into the Cal Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in 2018.

Among the other inductees in the 2020 BASHOF class are former Oakland Athletics left fielder Rickey Henderson – who holds the MLB record for steals, runs and leadoff home runs – and former longtime San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who retired last year after leading the team to three World Series titles. Former San Francisco 49er Bryant Young and world champion sailor Paul Cayard will also be inducted in 2020.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Natalie Coughlin Selected to Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

2020 BUCS Long Course Swimming Championships

• February 14th-16th, 2020
• Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield, England
• LCM (50m) Course
• Event Channel
• Event Schedule
• Entry Lists (Draft)
• Live Stream

The 2020 British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) long course swimming championships kick off on Friday evening at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, England.

The meet will include a ton of stars, including the 2019 World Championship bronze medalist in the 200 free Duncan Scott, and Olympic silver medalist in the women’s 200 IM Siobhan-Marie O’Connor.

A full live stream of the 2020 meet will be available via the SwimSwam Facebook page. For the first time, we will be expanding our coverage to live recaps of all 3 finals sessions of the meet, which will include embedded live stream.

• Follow SwimSwam on Facebook here to watch the live stream.

Session Start Times – 2020 BUCS Swimming Championships

Paris is included above as Marie Wattel, a French Record holder, now trains at Loughborough and will race in the meet.

Full Preview to Come.

Athletes to watch

• Women’s
  • Marie Wattle
  • Em Clarke
  • Abbie Wood
  • Kat Greenslade
  • Emily Barclay
  • Siobhan-Marie O’Connor
  • Jocelyn Ulyett
• Men’s
  • Craig Benson
  • Mx Litchfield
  • Ross Murdoch
  • James Wilby
  • Duncan Scott
  • Jay Lelliot
  • Joe Litchfield
  • Scott McLay
• Para
  • Joshua Grob
  • Harry Wellington
  • Grace Ella Cooper Holmes
  • Phelipe Rodrigues
  • Takayuki Suzuki

Read the full story on SwimSwam: WATCH: Live Stream 2020 BUCS Long Course Swimming Championships

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

Michael Phelps, who’s already been on record suggesting that the United States Olympic Committee (now United States Olympian and Paralympic Committee), needs to do more to help athletes who are struggling with depression, has more to say on the topic in light of William Moreau’s lawsuit alleging that he was fired by USOPC for questioning how it handled sexual assaults and mental health treatments.

According to an article in the Washington Post, when the Post asked Phelps how USOPC leadership responded after he went public about his battle with depression while swimming, he responded with silence, indicating that’s what he had heard from the USOPC.

“How long should I stay silent? I can sit here and be silent for as long as you want, because that’s what I got.”

In the Post article, Phelps echoed statements he’s made before, saying that USOPC offers no resources for dealing with depression and suicidal ideations and that he suspects that periodic depression may affect up to 70% of Olympians.

Not only does USOPC not help athletes in this regard, Phelps says, but to the contrary, he was concerned that had he disclosed his struggles with depression while an active swimmer, that information would not have remained confidential. “At his height as a competitor, Phelps feared if he confessed the need for help to a USOC official, it would spread all over the organization,” says the Post.

“I don’t know of anything they’ve done to help us mental health-wise,” Phelps says. “There are a lot of us who feel the same exact way, and we’re pretty hurt that they choose not to do anything about it. . . . I believe they only care about us when we’re swimming well or competing well.”

Moreau, who previously was USOPC’s vice president of sports medicine, has alleged in his lawsuit that “USOC is not following standards of care relating to the management of suicidal athletes.” USOPC executives have disputed Moreau’s account, including why he was let go from the organization.

Regardless of the merits of Moreau’s specific claims, it is clear that mental health continues to be an issue for athletes, especially swimmers. In just the past year, high-level swimmers like Ashley Neidigh, Jack LeVant, and Tom Shields have opened up about their mental health struggles, joining the ranks of elite of swimmers who had previously spoken about the topic, including Phelps, Ian Thorpe, and Allison Schmitt, just to name a few.

USA Swimming does seem to be taking steps to help address athletes’ mental health concerns, including partnering with Talkspace to offer mental service to all National Team athletes.

If you or someone you know has had suicidal thoughts or exhibited any of the warning signs, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website here (suicidepreventionlifeline.org) if you’re in the US.

You can find a list of international hotlines here.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: In Light of New Lawsuit, Phelps Talks USOPC’s Lack of Mental Health Resources

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

High school sports coaches across the country receive varying levels of support from their schools’ administrations. Some administrators fully support athletics, others fight them, while still other administrators walk a delicate line between trying to solve ‘bigger issues’ that face their communities and their desires to give more support to programs like swimming & diving.

In Granbury, Texas, however, the administration is ‘all in’ on the swimming and diving programs.

The school is best known in swimming circles as the alma mater of five time Olympic gold medalist and former World Record holder Dana Vollmer. She only competed for the school as a senior in 2005, but made a big impact, crushing state records in the 50 free (22.93 – breaking the state record by 4-tenths of a second), the 200 free (1:45.55 – breaking the state record by 1.3 seconds) and 100 fly (52.70 – breaking the state record by a second and a half). Her older brother, Nick Vollmer, served as the program’s head coach until 2014.

But when Nick Vollmer left coaching to become a videogame writer (that’s a true story) in California, which also took him closer to his sister, Jason Pullano took over the program almost immediately out of college, with very little coaching experience.

In almost 6 years since, Pullano has built a national reputation in coaching circles as one of the most innovative and engaged high school coaches in the country, and his high school’s administration, led by principal Jeremy Ross, has responded in kind.

Pullano was pulling together videos from around the local community to wish his athletes good luck as they head off to the Texas 5A High School State Championship meet this weekend in Austin, when he received the submission below from his school’s administration.

May you all one day have someone who supports you as much as Jeremy Ross and the Granbury administration support the Granbury High School swimming & diving teams.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Get You a Principal Like Jeremy Ross at Granbury High School (SWIMMING VIDEO)

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Fresno, California’s Austin Lane has announced his intention to swim for the University of Pittsburgh beginning in the fall of 2021:

“I began my college search in pursuit of a place that would surround me with the resources I would need to be the most prosperous student athlete I could be, and am proud to say I have finished it with so much more. The University of Pittsburgh provides me a family of teammates, staff, and coaches that will not just make me a great swimmer and student, but a greater man. I can confidently say that Pitt will be nothing short of a place I can call home, and will make my time at the university an experience I will be able to positively draw from throughout the entirety of my adult life. My announcement is more than a commitment to Pitt, it is a commitment to excellence, and excellence I hope to build upon alongside my new family.”

Lane comes from strong swimming stock. His mother (née Tanya Williams) was a world-class swimmer at Notre Dame. She was ranked ninth in the world in the 400 IM and was the youngest member of the U.S. team at the 1986 World Games in Madrid. His father swam at Harvard. The pair met in high school while swimming under Mark Schubert at Mission Bay. His older brother, Hunter Lane, swims at Cal Poly and his younger brother, Sean Lane, is a freshman at Clovis West High School, where Austin is a junior.

In two years of high school swimming thus far, Lane is undefeated in the 100 back at CIF Central Section Division 1 Championship. He won in 51.19 as a freshman and in 50.71 last May as a sophomore. He has finished third in the 100 fly twice, first with 51.99 in 2018 and then with 50.19 last season.

Lane swims year-round at Fresno Dolphins Swim Team under coach Rick Klatt, who was a member of the world record-setting 800 free relay at the 1973 World Championships in Belgrade. A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Lane finished 10th in the 100 back and 11th in the 200 back at 2019 Winter Juniors West. He also competed in the 100 fly and 200 IM. He told SwimSwam:

“I attribute my success as an athlete to the endless support I receive from my parents, coach, and teammates as not only fellow and previous swimmers, but more importantly as role models and mentors who have guided me through the forever challenging balance of school and swimming to help me live a life I am proud to call mine.”

Top Times:

• 50 back – 22.83
• 100 back – 48.33
• 200 back – 1:46.39
• 100 fly – 49.06
• 50 free – 21.29
• 100 free – 46.98
• 200 IM – 1:51.12

Lane would have scored for Pitt in the C final of the 200 back at 2019 ACC Championships. He is just a tick outside of scoring range in the 100 back and 100 fly where it took 48.01 and 47.14, respectively, to get second swims.

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.

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}

Read the full story on SwimSwam: California HS Section Champ Austin Lane Verbally Commits to Pitt for 2020-21

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

Michael Phelps, ha rilasciato un’intervista al Washington Post dove esprime la sua opinione su come vengano trattati i problemi di salute mentale dal Comitato Olimpico e Paralimpico degli Stati Uniti (da qui in poi USOPC per brevità).

Abbiamo già avuto modo di leggere i pensiero sull’argomento dell’atleta più vincente di tutti i tempi (leggi qui le precedenti dichiarazioni)

Ora Phelps è ancora più critico, rilevando il silenzio dell’USOPC su questi problemi.

Dichiara nell’intervista:

“Per quanto tempo devo rimanere in silenzio? Posso stare seduto qui e stare in silenzio per tutto il tempo che vuoi, perché è quello che ho ottenuto”.

Nell’articolo del Post, Phelps afferma che l’USOPC non offre risorse per affrontare la depressione e le idee suicide. Sospetta che la depressione periodica colpisce fino al 70% degli olimpionici.

Phelps, inoltre, dichiara che ha taciuto la sua depressione durante la sua carriera. Temeva che quelle informazioni sarebbero diventate di dominio pubblico.

“Al suo apice come atleta, Phelps temeva che se avesse confessato la necessità di aiuto a un funzionario dell’USOC, la cosa si sarebbe diffusa in tutta l’organizzazione”, dice il Post.

Continua Phelps:

“Non hanno fatto nulla per aiutarci in materia di salute mentale”. Credo che si preoccupino di noi solo quando nuotiamo bene o quando siamo in competizione”.

IL CASO MOREAU

William Moreau, ex vicepresidente dell’ USOPC per la medicina dello sport, ha intentato un procedimento contro l’USOC.

• per i particolari sulla causa clicca qui (in inglese)

Moreau sostiene che l’USOC non sta seguendo gli standard di cura relativi alla gestione degli atleti con istinti suicidi. I dirigenti dell’USOPC hanno contestato le affermazioni di Moreau.

Indipendentemente dai meriti delle affermazioni specifiche di Moreau, è chiaro che la salute mentale continua ad essere un problema per gli atleti, soprattutto per i nuotatori.

Proprio l’anno scorso, nuotatori di alto livello come Ashley Neidigh, Jack LeVant e Tom Shields si sono aperti sulle loro lotte per la salute mentale, unendosi alle fila dell’elite dei nuotatori che avevano parlato dell’argomento in precedenza, tra cui Phelps, Ian Thorpe e Allison Schmitt, solo per citarne alcuni.

USA Swimming sembra stia prendendo provvedimenti per aiutare ad affrontare i problemi di salute mentale degli atleti. Tra questi la collaborazione con Talkspace per offrire un sostegno a tutti gli atleti della squadra nazionale.

SE TU O QUALCUNO CHE CONOSCI HA PENSIERI SUICIDI, PUOI CONTATTARE IL TELEFONO AMICO ITALIA AL NUMERO 199 284284. PUOI TROVARE LA LISTA DELLE FONDAZIONI INTERNAZIONALI DI PREVENZIONE AL SUICIDIO QUI

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Michael Phelps “USOPC Non Sostiene La Salute Mentale Degli Atleti”

By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

Overflow Pools, Benefits & Challenges:

The majority of top aquatic facilities now include two or four-sided ‘overflow pool’ or ‘wet deck’ design. What is now standard in pools across the world has its origins in the swimming events of the March 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Australian market leader Anti Wave takes a look at the characteristics, its benefits and challenges.

Benefits of Overflow Pools

When compared to traditional-type non-overflow or ‘skimmer’ pools, overflow pools provide a more professional, aesthetically pleasing pool deck environment, allowing higher filtration rates and enhanced water filtration.

With an overflow pool deck, the entry is at water level, while the water is directed across the pool surface and over into the overflow gratings and channels, which minimizes the turbulence.

For competition swimming facilities this leads to minimal turbulence caused by swimmers returning back into the Swim lanes. Non-overflow pools are not as effective at turbulence dispersal, as the waves are reflected into the pool walls, causing refracting turbulence.

Overflow pools provide a more professional pool experience for swimmers and provide a faster pool for competition and training.

Overflow Pool Challenges

The ability of swimmers to execute successful flip turns can be affected due to the lack of raised wall sections at the turning point. Injuries have been known to occur due to swimmers feet.

Overflow Pools are by design a ‘wet deck’ pool environment.  Coaches and staff who are in nearest proximity to the swimmers can receive large splashes of water by each turning swimmer.

The overflow pool design also require the installation of End Walls or Block Stands in order to raise the blocks to the required regulation height, over the overflow grating channels.

Anti Wave Overflow Pool Solutions:

To meet the demands of the overflow pool, Anti Wave has a range of innovative performance solutions available in their product range.

1. Overflow Pool Gratings

Anti Wave can supply a range of overflow pool gratings with two main varieties – Transgrate or LongiGrate.

TransGrate is recommended where curves are present that require a straight or curved installation.

LongiGrate are installed in straight edged pools, where a higher level of structural support is required over the gratings channel, such as where deck equipment is to be placed over the gratings.

For details, click here

2. FRP Modular EndWall

Anti Wave FRP Modular EndWall provides a safe and efficient means of managing competition and training swimming in an overflow or wet deck pool environment.  The EndWall enables the installation of starting blocks and timing equipment into the overflow pool. It is produced from Fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP).  Advanced thermoplastics overflow gratings are located on the EndWall top and front and can be easily removed to ensure quick and easy cleaning below, with the EndWall in place. The modular FRP design provides excellent value for money and simple, and quick installation.

3. FRP Pultruded HiTec EndWall

Anti Wave HiTec Pultruded EndWall is the latest and most popular EndWall model for top training and competition facilities.  The EndWall features cutting edge, non-corrosive pultruded FRP construction, allowing precise tolerances and dimensions, suitable for FINA/LEN events. The Pultruded EndWall has been selected top FINA facilities and events around the world. Features include removable gratings on the top and front sides, and molded non-slip top surface, with provisions for Starting Blocks.

For EndWall details, click here

4. FRP Moveable Bulkhead

Anti Wave FRP Moveable Bulkheads set the international standard for Bulkhead pool configuration and programmability, produced since 1983. Anti Wave has developed a high-precision corrosion resistant bulkhead that successfully meets all FINA regulations.  Anti Wave Bulkheads feature durable non-corrosive FRP production to ensure precision tolerances and a clean and aesthetic design that is complementary to the overflow pool deck.  The Bulkhead provides for the installation of starting blocks in the overflow pool environment and allows for multiple activities to be carried out in the pool simultaneously.

For details, click here

5. Overflow BlockStands

FRP BlockStands provide for starting block installation and allow Starting blocks to be raised to regulation height.

For details, click here

6. Starting Blocks

Anti Wave has a range of blocks to suit the needs of each facility; from the economical Anti Block featuring fixed track start Wedge, up to the International FINA Standard SuperBlock 800 featuring the Moveable Track Start System, used at top competition & training Facilities around the world.

For details, click here

Anti Wave International:

Anti Wave aquatic products are the result of over 45 years of industry-leading innovation and development, installation and use around the world.  Anti Wave products are designed and tested in Australia and have been exported to over 150 countries since the 1972 Munich Olympic Summer Games.

For more information visit http://www.anti.to

^{Courtesy: Anti Wave, a SwimSwam partner.} 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Anti Wave – Performance Innovation since 1972

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

CAMPIONATI UNIVERSITARI 2020 (BUCS)

• British Universities & Colleges Sport Championships 
• 14-16 Febbraio 2020
• Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield, England
• Vasca Lunga (50m)
• Event Channel
• Programma gare
• Entry Lists provvisoria
• Live Stream

I Campionati Universitari britannici 2020 (British Universities & Colleges Sport Championships – BUCS) si svolgeranno questo week end a Sheffield, Inghilterra.

Come ogni anno, la manifestazione avrà ai blocchi di partenza molte stelle del nuoto britannico. Tra queste, la medaglia di bronzo ai Campionati del Mondo del 2019 nei 200 metri stile libero Duncan Scott, e la medaglia d’argento olimpica nei 200 metri misti femminili Siobhan-Marie O’Connor.

Nell’ultima edizione gareggiò anche Adam Peaty, anche se, non essendo uno studente universitario, partecipò soltanto alle batterie.

La diretta live stream di tutte le finali sarà disponibile tramite la pagina Facebook di SwimSwam. Per la prima volta, SwimSwam offrirà la diretta video in aggiunta al recap scritto.

• Seguite SwimSwam su Facebook qui per guardare il live stream.

Le finali di venerdì e sabato inizieranno alle ore 19:00 italiane, mentre quelle di domenica 16 Febbraio prenderanno il via alle ore 15:30 italiane.

Atleti presenti

DONNE

• Marie Wattle
• Em Clarke
• Abbie Wood
• Kat Greenslade
• Emily Barclay
• Siobhan-Marie O’Connor
• Jocelyn Ulyett

UOMINI

• Craig Benson
• Max Litchfield
• Ross Murdoch
• James Wilby
• Duncan Scott
• Jay Lelliot
• Joe Litchfield
• Scott McLay

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Campionati Universitari Inglesi (BUCS) Live Stream Su SwimSwam

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

Le Olimpiadi di Tokyo 2020 si avvicinano sempre di più. Si inizia finalmente a lavorare per migliorare la qualità dell’acqua in una delle sedi dei Giochi Olimpici. In particolare, gli interventi interessano la location delle gare delle acque libere, l’Odaiba Marine Park

Secondo la rete nazionale NHK  il governo di Tokyo ha installato uno schermo subacqueo a triplo strato per bloccare il batterio E. coli.

I funzionari hanno condiviso con i media un intervento eseguito la settimana scorsa. In particolare, nella giornata di sabato, sono state versate in acqua circa 720 tonnellate di sabbia e conchiglie per coprire il fango accumulato sul fondo del mare.

Il versamento arriverà ad un totale di 19.800 tonnellate di sabbia entro la fine di marzo.

La qualità dell’acqua e la sua temperatura, stanno preoccupando gli atleti che prenderanno parte alle gare in acque libere.

La settimana scorsa, Haley Anderson dichiarava di temere che i funzionari non stessero lavorando per la salute degli atleti.

• leggi qui il nostro approfondimento

Lo scorso agosto alcuni atleti, avevano già espresso le loro preoccupazioni dopo aver partecipato a una prova olimpica in mare aperto nel Parco Marino di Odaiba, Giappone.

• leggi qui il nostro articolo

Gli organizzatori di Tokyo 2020 si sono impegnati già due anni fa a far gareggiare gli atleti in un’acqua pulita e sicura. Finora non sono stati registrati sensibili miglioramenti. Il tempo a disposizione per migliorare la qualità dell’acqua si sta però esaurendo.

Alla fine del 2018, veniva annunciato che si sarebbero utilizzati schermi a triplo strato subacquei per migliorare la qualità dell’acqua.

Quest’anno, il Comitato ha installato un solo schermo ad un solo strato. Si prevede di applicarne uno a tre strati le prossime Olimpiadi. Questi schermi sono progettati per tenere lontani dai nuotatori gli agenti patogeni come l’E. coli.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Tokyo 2020: Iniziate Le Attività Per Migliorare Le Acque Libere

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 SEC MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Florida (7x) (results)
• Live results
• Live Video – SEC Network
• Championship Central

Last season at the SEC Championships, the Gators came out on top of the team battle for the 7th time in a row, but the meet was closer than it had been in recent years. We once again have 5 teams who could fight for the title this year. While Florida is gunning for 8 straight, we could see Missouri, Texas A&M, Tennessee, or Georgia on top as well.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday:

• Women’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Medley Relay
• Men’s 3-meter diving
• 800 Free Relay

Wednesday:

• 500 Free
• 200 IM
• 50 Free
• Men’s 1-meter diving
• 200 Free Relay

Thursday:

• 400 IM
• 100 Fly
• Women’s 3-meter diving
• 200 Free

Friday:

• 200 Fly
• 100 Back
• 100 Breast
• Men’s Platform diving
• 400 Medley Relay

Saturday:

• 1650 Free
• 200 Back
• 100 Free
• 200 Breast
• Women’s Platform diving
• 400 Free Relay

STARS

Alabama– Zane Waddell(senior sprinter), Kyle Maas (senior IMer), Derek Maas (freshman IMer), Liam Bell (freshman breaststroker) Nicholas Perera (sophomore IMer), Jonathan Berneburg (sophomore sprinter), Kevin Li (sophomore diver) – SEC Champion Waddell is Bama’s top returning scorer. They have some big shoes to fill now that Bams and Howard have graduated, but they’re bringing back some scorers in the 20-point range with Kyle Maas, Perera, Berneburg, and Li. Freshmen Bell and Derek Maas have big scoring potential.

Auburn– Santiago Grassi (senior butterflier), Spencer Rowe (junior breaststroker), Conner Pruitt (sophomore diver), Aryan Makhija (sophomore freestyler), David Crossland (senior backstroker), Lleyton Smith (freshman backstroker) – The Tigers lost a handful of their top scorers to graduation or transfer, but return finalist Grassi and 27-point-scorer Rowe. Makhija has big scoring potential in the mile after finishing in the top 10 last season. Freshman Smith holds a top 10 ranking in the 100 back in the SEC.

Florida– Khader Baqlah (senior freestyler), Robert Finke (sophomore freestyler), Kieran Smith (sophomore IMer), Grant Sanders (senior IMer), Michael Taylor (sophomore backstroker) – Florida has a powerhouse group returning a ton of points and return all but two of their stars from last season. One of those is Trey Freeman, who has chosen to take a redshirt this year. Backstroker Taylor, however, will rejoin them after taking a redshirt last season. Champions Finke, Smith, and Baqlah return as the Gators vie for their 8th-straight title.

Georgia – Greg Reed (junior freestyler), Clayton Forde (senior free/fly/IMer), Andrew Abruzzo (sophomore free/IMer), Kevin Miller (senior freestyler), Walker Higgins (senior freestyler), Camden Murphy (junior butterflier), Ian Grum (freshman back/IMer) – The Bulldogs return nearly all of their top scorers from last season, but Javier Acevedo is taking an Olympic redshirt. Camden Murphy, a returning SEC Champion, should bring in a lot of butterfly points. They should get plenty of distance points as well between Higgins, Reed, Miller, and Abruzzo

Kentucky – Chase Lane (sophomore diver), Mingli Zhang (sophomore diver), Glenn Brown (senior IMer), Mason Wilby (sophomore fly/back/freestyler), John Mitchell (junior freestyler), Peter Wetzlar (senior freestyler) – Lane and Zhang were both diving finalists last season. Wetzlar returns after scoring in the 100 free final. Wetzlar is ranked in the top 10 in the SEC sprints this season. Brown and Wilby also hold a top 10 ranking.

LSU – Juan Celaya Hernandez (senior diver), Karl Luht (senior backstroker), Matt Klotz(senior backstroker), Luca Pfyffer (junior breaststroker), Brooks Curry (freshman sprinter) – Celaya Hernandez returns as the 1-meter champion with big potential for diving points. Luht has big scoring potential as he narrowly missed a couple of finals last season. Freshman Curry is ranked in the SEC top 10 for the 100 freestyle this season.

Missouri – Daniel Hein (senior backstroker), Nick Alexander (senior back/IMer), Jack Dahlgren (sophomore freestyle/backstroker), Carter Grimes (junior fly/back/IMer), Danny Kovac (sophomore fly/breast/IMer), Micah Slaton (senior butterflier) – Missouri only lost one major scorer to graduation. Alexander and Hein are the team’s top returning scorers. Alexander has a shot to bring home the 200 IM title in his final season. Dahlgren and Kovac were multi-event championship finalists as freshmen.

South Carolina – Rafael Davila(junior freestyler), Itay Goldfaden(senior breaststroker), Lionel Khoo (senior breaststroker), Anton Down-Jenkins (sophomore diver) – The Gamecocks had top scorers Bekemeyer and SEC Champion Minuth graduate after 2019, but still have strong scoring potential in the distance freestyles with mile medalist Davila. They also return 100 breast champion Goldfaden.

Tennessee – Matthew Garcia (senior backstroker), Matt Wade (sophomore diver), Taylor Abbott (senior freestyler), William Hallam (junior diver), Michael Houlie (sophomore breaststroker), Marc Hinawi (senior fly/freestyler) – The Volunteers will have to make up for the loss of Decoursey and SEC Champions Reilman and Zeng. Backstroke finalist Garcia returns along with diving finalist Wade after scoring 50 plus points last year.

Texas A&M – Shaine Casas (sophomore back/IMer), Benjamin Walker (senior breaststroke), Adam Koster (senior sprinter), Mike Thibert (senior sprinter), Kurtis Matthews (junior diver), Mark Theall (junior freestyler), Andres Puente (freshman breaststroker) – Almost of the Aggies’ top swimming scorers from last season return aside from Jose Martinez. Walker is the defending 200 breast champion. Casas is a huge threat to win the backstrokes and 200 IM. Freshman Puente is currently #2 in the SEC for the 100 breast and the fastest man in the 200 breast.

SHOWDOWNS

500 Free: This event features several men who could take the title. Last season’s champion, Fynn Minuth, has graduated. Runner-up Trey Freeman is a redshirt but Khader Baqlah of Florida returns after finishing 3rd last season. Teammate Bobby Finke, the mile and 400 IM champion, won the B final last season in a time that would have placed 5th, so he’s a threat here. Texas A&M’s Mark Theall leads the SEC this season with his best time from midseason. Georgia’s Walker Higgins was a close 4th behind Baqlah in 2019. All of these men have been under 4:14 except Finke.

100 back: Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas looks like the man to beat. He’s already been faster than the SEC Meet Record this year. However, Alabama’s Zane Waddell will look to defend his title. Waddell was just hundredths shy of the record last year. They’re the only men in the SEC with career bests under 45, but Missouri’s Daniel Hein could challenge as he’s been 45-low.

200 Free: Over half the finalists from last season have graduated, but Florida’s Khader Baqlah, who won this event in 2018, returns after taking 3rd. We’ll also see returning finalists Mark Theall (Texas A&M), and Jack Dahlgren (Missouri). Theall again leads the way so far with his time from midseason.

SELECTIONS

We could be looking at another 5-team battle for the top, with the Gators trying to grab their 8th-straight win. Swimulator shows Georgia taking a slight lead over Texas A&M, though it doesn’t account for diving points. Missouri is also pretty close in the rankings. The top 3 are all within 100 points of each other. Florida is ranked at 5th, but they typically make big improvements from their in-season times to conference. Diving will probably play a big role in the team outcome this season.

SWIMULATOR

SWIMSWAM PICKS

We have to take some things into consideration when looking at the Swimulator rankings, which are based on the fastest times posted this season ahead of the meet. Considering the diving points that will factor into this team battle, the divers may push Texas A&M ahead of the pack. Relays are also likely to shake up from their midseason standings, especially for the Gators, who tend to improve a lot from their in-season times to conference.

For example, the Gators are ranked just 7th in the 800 free relay ahead of conference, while they’re one of the favorites to defend their title at SECs. They also have several likely finalists and defending champions ranked well below their potential. They are, however, without a couple of key relay players from last season. Based on the way A&M has been performing this year, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them earn their first men’s title, but realistically any of the top 5 Swimulator scorers could come out on top this year.

1. Texas A&M
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Missouri
5. Tennessee
6. Alabama
7. LSU
8. Auburn
9. Kentucky
10. South Carolina

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2020 Men’s SEC Championships Fan Guide: A&M Seeking First SEC Men’s Title

By Giusy Cisale on SwimSwam

Ruta Meilutyte aveva annunciato l’anno scorso, a soli 22 anni, di ritirarsi dal nuoto agonistico.

L’annuncio del ritiro dal nuoto della ranista lituana, oro olimpico, arrivava a qualche settimana dalla notizia della possibile sospensione per violazione delle norme Antidoping.

• leggi l’approfondimento sui test mancati qui

Oggi, il Doping Panel FINA, ha reso pubblica la decisione completa sul caso Meilutyte.

• potete leggere la decisione integrale qui

La violazione riguardante la giovane atleta riguardava l’aver mancato i test antidoping per tre volte in un anno. Per questa violazione, rischiava la sospensione dall’attività agonistica di due anni.

Dopo la notifica da parte della FINA della violazione, Ruta Meilutyte rispondeva con una lettera, datata 17 Aprile 2019.

Nella lettera scriveva:

“Cari tutti,
Come ho detto prima, mi assumo la piena responsabilità per i test mancati. Sono stata ad Adams per gli ultimi 7 anni della mia carriera. Mi sono sempre presa la responsabilità, come atleta, di promuovere lo sport pulito. Non sono mai risultata positiva a nessun test. L’anno scorso ho viaggiato molto – i miei due test mancati sono avvenuti nell’aprile 2018 e nel marzo 2018, mentre viaggiavo da un paese all’altro. Agosto 2018 – Avevo del tempo libero dopo le principali competizioni estive, ero in viaggio in Lituania e non sono riuscito ad aggiornare correttamente gli spostamenti. Vi chiedo gentilmente di considerare la mia situazione.

Se mi viene concessa una sospensione di 12 mesi, potrei ancora perseguire il mio obiettivo di partecipare alle Olimpiadi di Tokyo 2020, che probabilmente saranno le mie ultime Olimpiadi. Vi sarei grata se potessi ancora avere l’opportunità di andare a Tokyo. Grazie.
Ruta”

Nonostante le sue richieste,Ruta Meilutyte è stata sanzionata con due anni di sospensione, che termineranno il 20 Luglio 2021.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Meilutyte Chiese A FINA 1 Anno Sospensione Per Gareggiare a Tokyo

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

FINA has announced a 2-year suspension for Olympic gold medalist Ruta Meilutyte, which is back-dated to July of 2019 for missing 3 anti-doping control tests in a 12-month period. The suspension dates to July 21, 2019, the day of the anti-doping hearing, and will end on July 20, 2021.

The announcement of the suspension comes nearly 8 months after the FINA Anti-Doping Panel heard the case, and the suspension is back-dated to the date of the hearing rather than the date of the last missed test or last competition.

During the hearing, Meliutyte took full responsibility for the missed tests, saying that she was taking time off from swimming and travelling in Lithuania and simply failed to update her whereabouts correctly. She requested that she be given a 12-month suspension that would allow her to return before the Tokyo Olympics, which she says are “probably going to be my last Olympics.”

“I would be grateful if I could still have the opportunity to go to Tokyo.”

In a follow-up letter, Meilutyte said that “I had simply been inattentive with ADAMS system for the last year because I was in the process of retiring from the sport.” ADAMS is the system where athletes inform testing authorities of their whereabouts. That follow-up letter did express a possible interest in returning to swimming in the future via asking a question of how the suspension would be viewed in light of her retirement.

FINA ruled that there was no flexibility where “a pattern of last-minute whereabouts changes or other conduct raises a serious suspicion that the Athlete was trying to avoid being available for Testing.”

This statement is significant because the hearing happened in July – 2 months after Meilutyte announced her retirement from swimming. Meilutyte said that she was battling severe depression that was driven in part by the pressure to continue her success after the 2012 Olympics. Her then-coach Dave Salo, based out of American university USC, said that she took a ‘leave of absence’ from swimming after the 2018 World Short Course Swimming Championships, which was her last meet on record.

According to World Anti-Doping Code rules, Meilutyte would have to make herself available for testing for the balance of her 2-year suspension (public information indicates that she didn’t serve any of that suspension) before being eligible to compete in International Events or National Events.

The 22-year old Meilutyte burst onto the international swimming scene at the 2012 Olympic Games when she was 15-years old, winning gold and breaking the World Record in the women’s 100 meter breaststroke. At the time training in the UK under Jon Rudd, she was the youngest Lithuanian to ever represent the country at a modern Olympic Games. She had mixed success in the remainder of her career, facing a number of injuries, with highlights including winning a 2013 long course World Championship gold medal in the 100 breaststroke.

Ruta Meilutyte‘s Initial Statement to the court:

As I mentioned before, I take full responsibility for the missed tests. I’ve been on Adams for the last 7 years of my swimming career and always took a
responsibility as an athlete to promote clean sport, never got a positive test. Last year I was traveling a lot ‐ my two missed tests happened on April 2018
and March 2018 as I was traveling from one country to another. August 2018 ‐ I was having time off after main summer competitions, I was travelingin Lithuania and I failed to update the whereabouts correctly. I kindly ask you to consider my situation. If 12 month suspension is given to me ‐ I could stillpursue my goal to compete at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which is probably going to be my last olympics [sic]. I would be grateful if I could still have the opportunityto go to Tokyo. Thank you.

Ruta

Ruta Meilutyte‘s Follow-Up Statement to the court:

Dear Johan Lefebvre,
Thank you for the letter from Mr. Fox.

In response to his letter- I have no further arguments against this case, like I’ve said before, I take full responsibility for missing the tests, I had simply
been inattentive with ADAMS system for the last year because I was in process of retiring from the sport. I didn’t do my whereabouts as diligently as before, I was traveling a lot. As for the hearing in Switzerland, I had assumed that I will just be attending it through a video chat, I understand that was not made clear by me. I accept the composition of this FINA Doping panel to make decisions on my case.

I also have a question. I have come to a decision to retire from the sport of swimming. I am still on Adams system, but I would like to leave it now because I am not swimming anymore, I don’t want to miss any more tests. If I receive suspension when I’m officially retired, does the time of suspension count, or do I need to be on Wada Adams system in the period of the suspension? (if that makes sense) Because the Anti-doping of Lithuania have told me that if
I retire and leave Adams system now my suspension time won’t be counted unless I register to Wada Adams system again and officially become a
swimmer again. Is this true?

Thank you, I hope you understood my question.

Best regards,
Ruta Meilutyte”

FINA Decision on suspension reduction:

In accordance with DC 10.3.2 for violations of DC 2.4 the period of
ineligibility shall be two years, subject to reduction down to a minimum of one year, depending on the Athlete’s degree of Fault. The flexibility between two years and one year of ineligibility in this rule is not available to Athletes where a pattern of last-minute whereabouts changes or other conduct raises a serious suspicion that the Athlete was trying to avoid being available for
Testing. It is the FINA Doping Panel’s position that the athlete was very slack with the management of the information relevant to her whereabouts, but that no evidence pointed to any pattern, nor did the Athlete, who has the burden of presenting evidence to the Panel to obtain a reduced sanction, provide any explanation which the Panel could consider as rebutting a pattern which could nallow it to envisage a reduced sanction.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Ruta Meilutyte Was Given a 2-Year Suspension by FINA in July 2019