By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

Set of the Week is courtesy of FINIS, a SwimSwam partner.

This week’s set of the week comes from Kat Wickham, former swimmer at the University of Utah (SKO Utes).

This week’s set was designed for recovery. 2000 yards to shake it out and get that lactic acid out of your body.

1 x 400 warmup

2 x 300 pull

3 x 200 kick with fins

4 x 100 perfect technique

*Wear foam pull buoy and Agility Paddles for pulling and Long Floating Fins for kick with fins.

For more tips and inspiration, visit the FINIS Community page today!

About FINIS, Inc.

John Mix and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Pablo Morales founded FINIS in Northern California in 1993 with a mission to simplify swimming for athletes, coaches, beginners and lifelong swimmers around the world. Today, FINIS fulfills that mission through innovation, high-quality products and a commitment to education. FINIS products are currently available in over 80 countries. With a focus on innovation and the fine details of swimming, FINIS will continue to develop products that help more people enjoy the water.

Set of the Week is courtesy of FINIS, Inc., a SwimSwam partner.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: FINIS Set of the Week: Shake It Out

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
• Meet Central
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream

We are in for a very stacked finals session here on day two of the 2022 European Junior Championships.

The session starts off with the boys’ and girls’ 200 free races, where we will see event headliner David Popovici compete in front of a home crowd in Bucharest, Romania. He recently dropped a massive 1:43.21 swim at the 2022 World Championships, and the big question headed into tonight is whether he will be able to near or better that time. In the girls’ version of the event, Hungary’s Nikoletta Padar is the top seed by over a second, clocking a time of 1:58.86. She will be the heavy favorite to win in finals.

In 50 back events, there are two dominant forces primed to capture their first European Junior title of the meet. In the girls’ 50 back, Frenchwoman Mary-Ambre Moluh is fresh off breaking the championship record in the semis with a time of 27.75, and looks to improve upon that in finals. In the boys’ 50 back, it’s going to be Poland’s Ksawery Masiuk against the clock as he attempts to continue his streak of success after winning bronze at Worlds.

Estonian record holder Eneli Jefimova is the favorite to win the girls’s 50 breast, while Koen de Groot of the Netherlands and Uros Zivanovic of Serbia will be engaged in a tight battle in the boy’s 50 breast. In the girls’ 1500 free, European Junior Record holder Merve Tuncel will make her finals debut.

Other events that will be contested include the semifinals of the girls’ 100 fly and 50 free, and the boys’ 200 IM. The session will conclude with the mixed 4×100 free relay, where Popovici will get another opportunity to clock a 100 free time. He swam a 48.66 leading off Romania’s relay in the morning, which helped them get into the finals.

GIRLS’ 200 FREESTYLE – FINAL

• World Record: 1:52.98 — Federica Pellegrini, ITA (2009)
• European Record: 1:52.98 — Federica Pellegrini, ITA (2009)
• World Junior Record: 1:54.79 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2022)
• European Junior Record: 1:56.78
• European Junior Championship Record: 1:57.51 – Isabel Gose, GER (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Nikoletta Padar (HUN) – 1:59.38

Podium:

1. Nikoletta Padar, HUN — 1:58.43
2. Giulia Vetrano, ITA — 1:59.60
3. Merve Tuncel, TUR — 2:00.02

Nikoletta Padar successfully defended her title in the girls’ 200 time, leading from start to finish in this race and finishing first in a time of 1:58.43. She was just over half a second off her best time of 1:57.91 that she set in April 2022, but she was faster than the 1:58.90 time that she swam at the World Championships a week ago.

Italy’s Giulia Vetrano was the only other girl under two minutes in the field, finishing second with a 1:59.60. She was also just a few tenths off her personal best of 1:59.33 set last year. Turkey’s Merve Tuncel improved upon her fifth place finish from last year to take bronze.

BOYS’ 200 FREESTYLE – FINAL

• World Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• European Record: 1:42.00 — Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• World Junior Record: 1:43.21 – David Popovici, ROU (2022)
• European Junior Record: 1:43.21 – David Popovici, ROU (2022)
• European Junior Championship Record: 1:45.26 – David Popovici, ROU (2021)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: David Popovici (ROU) – 1:45.95

Podium:

1. David Popovici, ROU — 1:45.45
2. Lorenzo Galossi, ITA — 1:47.71
3. Jacob Whittle, GBR — 1:47.85

World Champion David Popovici added another European Junior title to his name, winning the boys’ 200 freestyle final in a time of 1:45.45. He was well off the 1:43.21 he went in Budapest, but his time was still fast enough t0 beat the field by 2.26 seconds.

Popovici split 24.25/26.49 on his first 50 to open in 50.74. His third 50 was the slowest at 27.58, before he sped up to close the race in a 27.13 final 50.

16-year-old  and top seed headed into finals Lorenzo Galossi took silver, improving upon his lifetime best of 1:47.73 by 0.02 seconds to set a new Italian age group record. He flipped in 53.21 at the 100-meter mark, but then split 27.03/27.47 coming home to take second (his third 50 was the fastest of the field).

Great Britain’s Jacob Whittle finished just 0.14 seconds to win bronze in a time of 1:47.85, surpassing his old best time of 1:48.10. He opened in a very quick 51.40 and was less than a second behind Popovici at the 100-meter mark, but then split 28.22/28.23 in his closing 100 to fade to third, finishing 2.4 seconds behind Popovici.

GIRLS’ 50 BACKSTROKE – FINAL

• World Record: 26.98 — Liu Xiang, CHN (2018)
• European Record: 27.10 — Kira Toussaint, NED (2021)
• World Junior Record: 27.49 – Minna Atherton, AUS (2016)
• European Junior Record: 27.51 – Daria Vaskina, RUS (2019)
• European Junior Championship Record: 27.75 – Mary-Ambre Moluh, FRA (2022)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Carmen Weiler Sastre (ESP) – 28.42

Podium:

1. Mary-Ambre Moluh, FRA — 27.74
2. Lora Komoroczy, HUN — 28.31
3. Roos Vanotterdijk, BEL — 28.62

Mary-Ambre Moluh, as expected, won this race. She had a 0.57 advantage over the rest of the field, finishing in a new championship record time of 27.74. This is a 0.01 second improvement from the old championship record time of 27.75 that she set in the semifinals yesterday. Moluh’s lifetime best still stands at 27.63, which she set in May 2022.

Hungarian swimmer Lora Komoroczy was second, shedding 0.09 seconds off her best time to swim a 28.31. Roos Vanotterdijk, who broke the Belgian record in the semifinals yesterday with a 28.50, was slightly slower today but still was fast enough to win bronze.

BOYS’ 50 BACKSTROKE – FINAL

• World Record: 23.71 — Hunter Armstrong, USA (2022)
• European Record: 23.80 — Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2021)
• World Junior Record: 24.00 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• European Junior Record: 24.00 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• European Junior Championship Record: 24.52 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Aleksei Tkachev (RUS) – 25.14

Podium:

1. Ksawery Masiuk, POL — 24.65
2. Jonathon Marshall, GBR — 25.21
3. Aron Szekely, HUN — 25.36

Just like the girls’ version of the event, the boys’ 50 back results were very predictable, with Worlds bronze medalist Ksawery Masiuk taking victory by over half a second. His time of 24.65 was just 0.17 seconds slower than the 24.48 he swam at Worlds semifinals, which stands as his best time.

U.S. trained Florida commit Jonathon Marshall won silver with a new best time, 0.09 seconds faster than his old mark of 25.30 from semifinals yesterday. Aron Szekely of Hungary just out-touched fourth place finisher Inbar Danziger by 0.01 to get himself on the podium for bronze.

GIRLS’ 100 BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 55.48 — Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• European Record: 55.48 — Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• World Junior Record: 56.43 — Claire Curzan, USA (2021)
• European Junior Record: 56.46 — Target Time
• European Junior Championship Record: 57.39 — Anastasiya Shkurdai, BYS (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Lana Pudar (BSH) — 57.56

Top 8:

1. Roos Vanotterdijk, BEL — 59.15
2. Lana Pudar, BSH — 59.28
3. Julia Ullmann, SUI — 59.62
4. Paola Borrelli, ITA — 59.77
5. Lisa-Marie Finger, GER — 1:00.41
6. Anna Porcari, ITA — 1:00.44
7. Tabatha Avetand, FRA — 1:00.57
8. Kristine Norby, DEN — 1:00.70

Reigning European Junior Champion Lana Pudar won the first girls’ 100 fly semifinal in 59.28. She was the only swimmer under the 28-second mark at 50 meters, opening in 27.82 before coming home in 31.46. while Swiss swimmer Julia Ullmann swam a near-best time of 59.62 to take second behind her, closing in 31.33 to clock the fastest back half split in the race. They were the only two swimmers in their heat to get under the one-minute threshold.

In the second semifinal, the top seed from prelims Roos Vanotterdijk won in a time of 59.15 coming off of bronze in the 50 back. Her time was the fastest out of all the semis. She was only leading by 0.01 seconds at the 50-meter mark, going out in 28.03, but she had the fastest back half of the entire field with her 31.12 last 50. Paola Borrelli was the fourth girl in semifinals to get under a minute, finishing second behind Vanotterdijk with a 59.77.

BOYS’ 200 IM – SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 1:54.00 — Ryan Lochte, USA (2011)
• European Record: 1:55.18 — Laszlo Cseh, HUN (2009)
• World Junior Record: 1:56.99 — Hubert Kos, HUN (2021)
• European Junior Record: 1:56.99 — Hubert Kos, HUN (2021)
• European Junior Championship Record: 1:59.17 — Tom Dean, GBR (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Berke Saka (TUR) — 2:00.04

Top 8:

1. Yigir Oktar, TUR — 2:02.21
2. Danill Pancerevas, LIT — 2:02.82
3. George Smith, GBR — 2:02.93
4. Michal Piela, POL – 2:02.02
5. Simone Spediacci, ITA — 2:03.46
6. Zsombor Bujodoso, HUN — 2:03.66
7. Luka Mladenovic, AUS — 2:03.79
8. Vasileios Sofikitis, GRE — 2:04.02

In the first semifinal of the boys’ 200 IM, the lead changed four times between Great Britain’s George Smith and Turkey’s Yigit Oktar. Smith was leading after fly, before Oktar took over on backstroke. Smith was back on top during the breaststroke leg, but Oktar passed him in freestyle to win the race in 2:02.21. Smith ended up fading to third with a time of 2:02.93, behind second-place finisher Danill Pancerevas, who came home in a lightning-fast 27.72 to go from fifth to second in the last 50 meters of the face.

Michal Piela, who was sixth at the 100-meter mark, had a solid 35.14/28.43 back half to come back and win the second semifinal in 2:03.03. Simone Spediacci and Zsombor Bujodoso were also under the 2:o4 barrier, finishing second and third with times of 2:03.46 and 2:03.66 respectively.

GIRLS’ 50 BREASTSTROKE – FINAL

• World Record: 29.30 – Benedetta Pilato, ITA (2021)
• European Record: 29.30 – Benedetta Pilato, ITA (2021)

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Board has been unaffected by the allegations and ongoing investigation of longtime member Teri McKeever.

McKeever is currently an At-Large Representative on the CSCAA Board of Directors, having been re-elected to the position in May 2021.

The CSCAA told SwimSwam that the Board “has not been impacted by the accusations” against McKeever, and did not elaborate on whether or not she still is carrying an active role on the Board amid the ongoing investigation.

“The CSCAA is fortunate to have a comprehensive and talented board representing our full membership,” the organization said.

McKeever, who has been the head coach of the Cal women’s swimming team for the last 29 seasons, was accused of verbally and emotionally abusing her athletes “for decades” in late May as a number of current and former Golden Bears spoke out against her.

The allegations have continued to come out since they first surfaced, and McKeever was placed on administrative leave by Cal on May 25.

The school then hired an independent law firm to investigate McKeever.

McKeever is a four-time CSCAA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year award winner, most recently in 2019.

The objective of the CSCAA Board of Directors is to provide strategic oversight of the association in its efforts to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of the sport at the collegiate level. Including McKeever, the BOD is currently comprised of 11 members.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: CSCAA Board “Not Impacted” By Teri McKeever Accusations, Investigation

By Anya Pelshaw on SwimSwam

The most recognizable voice in the swimming community in the United States for the last few decadesSam Kendricks has died after a battle with cancer.

Kendricks has been the announcer for USA Swimming’s national and junior national level meets for the last two decades. He is well known for his catchphrase “boomshakalaka” which he would communicate after a big swim.

Kendricks began his announcing career in 1983 when the double dual meet between UCLA, Texas, and Florida needed a last-minute announcer. Kendricks was an undergraduate student at Texas at the time.

Kendricks ended up working under head coach Eddie Reese at Texas as an assistant in the 1980s. Reese spoke of Kendricks’ passing saying, “Sam could make exciting swimming for the record breakers and the ones 100m behind in the mile. He always took care of all of us.”

Kendricks was the announcer for every Big 12 Championship meet since 1994 when the conference went from the Big Eight to the Big 12. Notably, Texas has been in the Big 12 when Kendricks has done the announcing.

In August 2021, Kendricks wasdiagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. He went through surgery and radiation treatments. A Facebook page called “BoomshakalakaSam2.0” was created back in January 2022.

Throughout the spring, Kendricks gave occasional updates. In March, Kendricks said he had undergone immunotherapy and had started chemotherapy. Kendricks updated again mid-June saying he has “undergone four rounds of chemo, ten rounds of radiation and three blood transfusions.” He was originally planning on participating in a clinical trial in Seattle this summer, but due to tight admission criteria, he was unable to attend.

Earlier today, an update was given announcing Kendricks has died. The update stated:

“It is with sadness that I let you know our friendSam Kendricks peacefully passed away today at home in Los Alamos, NM at the age of 59 from Merkel Cell Carcinoma with his loving wife Shay at his side. Sam would have turned 60 on July 31.

I have many stories and memories of Sam over the last 35 years that I will never forget and know many of you have known him for much longer and have many as well. I hope that you will take time to share some of those memories with everyone on this page.

Shay would like to thank all of you for the support you have given to Sam and her over these past months and has requested some privacy during this time. Below is a note from Shay.”

Shay Kendricks, Sam’s wife said,

“For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” ~ Khalil GibranIt breaks my heart to have to share this news. This morning my husband,Sam Kendricks, departed this realm of existence for the next. He did not wish to leave us so soon, but his body grew weary.Sam was lighthearted and fun unless the situation required seriousness. He specifically asked that he not have a traditional funeral.While I don’t have any plans for a service yet, I will be organizing a celebration of life service for later this summer in Los Alamos and again in Austin at the University of Texas in the fall.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the J. Robert Oppenheimer House Fund of the Los Alamos Historical Society: https://losalamoshistory.networkforgood.com/…/107843…. The donations support the work of conserving the Oppenheimer home for future generations. Sam was passionate about the home and the history it holds.” 

In May 2022, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) awardedSam Kendricks theRichard E. Steadman Award. The award is given annually to a swimming or diving coach of a high school, club, or college/university team that has “done the most to spread happiness in Coach Steadman’s beloved sport of swimming and diving.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Longtime Swimming Announcer Sam Kendricks Dies After Battling Cancer

By Kathleen Kemp on SwimSwam

NOVA Virginia Aquatics swimmer and incoming South Carolina freshman Claire Dafoe has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Claire was involved in an incident while weightlifting where a 45-pound plate fell off a teammate’s bar onto her foot. A visit to the ER and multiple follow-up appointments for x-rays and MRIs with an orthopedist showed no evidence of broken bones in either her foot or ankle. The orthopedist diagnosed her with a sprained ankle and recommended that she begin physical therapy.

Still in considerable pain after multiple weeks of therapy, Claire sought a second opinion from another orthopedist, who told her to “suck it up and push through the pain”. With upcoming regional and state meets for the high school senior, Claire continued therapy while getting back in the pool, enduring the pain in her foot. She competed a full schedule in both meets (200/500 free, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay), only dropping the 200 medley relay at states in order to rest her foot for her individual 200 and 500 frees. 

After her state meet, an MRI showed a bone plate irregularity with prominent subchondral marrow edema from a fracture, and was placed in a cast for 4 weeks. Now three months after the original injury, she was becoming frustrated with the lack of improvement in her condition. This prompted her to visit a third orthopedist for an ultrasound of her foot and nerve study, from which the results would diagnose her with CRPS. She was advised to seek therapy immediately, which led her family to the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. After being evaluated on May 4th, her 18th birthday, the doctors confirmed her diagnosis and scheduled her for admittance on June 6th. Due to positive COVID tests in the family, her treatment was postponed for 7 weeks and her new admittance date is now July 25th. 

Her 1-2 week holistic in-patient treatment will require surgery and therapy to reset her sympathetic nervous system, which should help significantly decrease her symptoms. After her stay at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, under the care of Dr. Cucchiaro, she will continue outpatient therapy at home and at university. 

Claire hopes that spreading awareness for CRPS will encourage athletes who suspect they have an injury to seek care, as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reducing long term effects. She hopes that people will support their teammates through their injuries by validating their experience, which was important to Claire as she struggled with mental health and self harm in the past year due to her prolonged injury. 

Claire has a positive outlook on returning to the sport post-treatment, as it has been difficult for her to spend so much time away from the pool. While missing the sport, it has only made her appreciate it more and she is excited to work hard and get back to training at the elite level she was at before her injury: “I’m really confident that at The University of South Carolina with Jeff Poppell, I will be able to whip back into shape and hopefully reach my dream of qualifying for NCAA’s. I know that my recovery after my treatment will be a very long, and difficult process but I know with all of my heart that I will be okay and I will keep pushing through.”

In her most recent meet, Claire placed 2nd in the 500 and 7th in the 200 free competing for Cosby High School at the VHSL Class 6A State Championship. She swims year-round with NOVA Virginia Aquatics and will continue her career collegiately at the University of South Carolina in the fall. 

CRPS, known fully as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, is a syndrome characterized by a continuing (spontaneous and/or evoked) regional pain that is seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual course of pain after trauma or other lesion (RSDSA). CRPS has acute (recent, short-term) and chronic (lasting greater than six months) forms. CRPS used to be known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia(NINDS). CRPS is often misdiagnosed, as it is rare: only 5 in 100,00 children per year are affected (NORD). 

Resources for CRPS:

• RSDSA 
• International Research Foundation for RSD / CRPS 
• Ferocious Fighters | Facebook
• Ferocious Fighters 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: South Carolina Commit Claire Dafoe Diagnosed With CRPS

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Kenyan swimmer Swaleh Talib has let his displeasure with the way the country’s national swimming federation has been operating be known.

After failing to meet multiple deadlines for elections, the Kenyan Swimming Federation (KSF) received an indefinite suspension from FINA in May, and then at the recently-concluded World Championships in Budapest, a three-member ‘stabilization committee’ was appointed to run the federation for the remainder of the year.

The KSF’s difficulties at the top have had a trickle-down effect on the athletes, particularly so in the ability to compete at major championship meets.

The KSF hosted its national trials for the Commonwealth Games in Kasarani Nairobi, Kenya, on May 6-9, where the top four male and top four female swimmers based on FINA points would be named to the team for the Commonwealth Games, which will begin in Birmingham, England, later this month.

Talib, who attends the University of Stirling in Scotland, was among the men to meet that criterion.

However, the Kenyan Olympic Committee then released budget cuts which resulted in the Commonwealth team being cut in half, with only the top two male and two female swimmers able to head to Birmingham.

Emily Muteti, Imara Bella Thorpe, Ridhwan Mohammed and Monyo Maina were the four swimmers that remained on the Commonwealth roster, while Talib was among those knocked out.

With the top names opting not to compete at the World Championships, where Kenya’s swimmers could only race as neutrals due to the suspension, Talib turned his focus there, and went on to race the men’s 50 free and 100 free in Budapest.

Previously, SwimSwam reported that there was a controversy surrounding the selection of Kenyan athletes to the Commonwealth team who trained abroad, which Talib says is not the case. It was simply the budget cuts that removed him, and a few others, from the roster.

The 22-year-old also said that certain KSF stakeholders were lobbying for all four swimmers on the women’s team to compete at the Commonwealth Games in hopes of winning a medal, but not the men.

“It is unfair for stakeholders to be fighting for only the female team to attend and not the initial team of eight swimmers, including the men,” he said.

“There are certain stakeholders who are making the election process harder to achieve and making it harder for the working group to accomplish certain goals to get the suspension lifted. If the same stakeholders gain a position in the federation it will be a disaster and it will be the death of Kenyan swimming.”

The new stabilization committee, head up by former South African Swimming Federation President Jace Naidoo, is slated to conduct a proper election for the KSF board of directors in the coming months.

“At this point, I have been one of the swimmers most affected by the situation and it’s not fair for me to be silent about it anymore,” Talib added.

“I only want a better future for the upcoming swimmers in Kenya and stop them from having to go through what the past generation of swimmers have gone through.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kenyan Swimmer Speaks Out On FINA Ban: “It’s Not Fair For Me To Be Silent Anymore”

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
• Meet Central
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream

Rising star David Popovici continued to impress on Day 2 of the 2022 European Junior Championships in Bucharest on Wednesday, winning a repeat title in the boys’ 200 freestyle before leading off Romania’s mixed free relay with a blistering split.

Popovici, taking on his seventh race in just the fourth session of the meet, led off the Romanian relay with a 100 free time of 47.34, the third-fastest of his career and quicker than his winning time from the World Championships two weeks ago.

The 17-year-old set a personal best time of 47.13 in the semi-finals at Worlds in Budapest, lowering his World Junior Record and becoming the ninth-fastest swimmer in history, and then in the final he did enough to win gold in 47.58 over France’s Maxime Grousset (47.64).

Swim races are generally thought of as being in a vacuum, where each athlete’s result is entirely dependent on what they do in the water and no one else in the heat. But in reality, the wake of the swimmers around you, particularly in the sprint events, can hinder one’s time, which may have come into effect here.

Though he was at or near the front of the race the entire way, Popovici raced head-to-head with the fastest 100 freestylers in the world in the final in Budapest, while in tonight’s race, he had clean water.

Only three other swimmers broke 50 seconds on the lead-off leg of the relay, with Poland’s Ksawery Masiuk the next-fastest in an impressive best of 48.37.

In terms of splitting, Popovici flipped in 23.11 at the 50 before storming home in 24.23, marking one of the fastest back-half splits we’ve ever seen.

Leading off Tuesday night’s boys’ 400 free relay, he was out in 23.35 before closing in 24.19, which is believed to be the second-fastest closing split in history and the fastest from a swim that wasn’t a negative split.

Russia’s Andrei Minakov split 24.34/24.11 in a prelim swim at the Russian National Championships last year, and prior to that, Michael Phelps had the quickest back-half ever after splitting 23.31/24.20 leading off the men’s 400 free relay at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Along with his PB from the Worlds semis, Popovici’s only other performance faster than tonight’s lead-off came in the final of last year’s Euro Juniors where he won gold in 47.30.

Popovici Split Analysis

After cracking the 48-second barrier for the first time one year ago to the day at the 2021 Euro Juniors in Rome (July 6), Popovici has now been 47-point on nine different occasions.

Earlier in the session, Popovici won the 200 free for the second straight time in 1:45.45, having won the World Championship title last month in a WJR of 1:43.21.

The Romanian mixed 400 free relay went on to win the silver medal, while Popovici also led off the boys’ 400 free relay to gold the night prior.

Speaking on the 200 free, Popovici said he wasn’t too worried about his final time, and really soaked in the atmosphere racing in front of his home crowd.

“Today it wasn’t about time, I just wanted to enjoy this swim, I took the breath towards the crowd side  to see the people waving their flags and jumping in joy and it was great,” he said.

“Even if I had multiple swims daily, this atmosphere really helps me to recover and feel fresh. Now I’m kind of recognizing what Kristof Milak could feel while racing at home in Budapest at the Worlds.”

Moving forward, Popovici, a Bucharest native, will begin his pursuit of a repeat gold in the 50 free on Thursday morning, while the heats of the 100 free will kick off on Saturday.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Popovici Faster Than Worlds 100 Free Final Leading Off Mixed Relay At Euro Juniors

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
• Meet Central
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream

The top 3 nations within the European Junior Championsips medal table saw a shakeup after day 2.

Yesterday it was Italy atop the standings, with Spain right behind. However, when tonight’s action was all said and done, we now have Hungary leading the championships in terms of medals, with Poland in the runner-up spot. Romania remained in the 3rd spot on both days.

Helping Hungary’s cause was Nikoletta Padar, with the 16-year-old taking the girls’ 200m free in a time of 1:58.43. She successfully defended her title from the 2021 European Junior Championships, with tonight’s effort nearly a second faster.

Poland got a big boost with twins Krzysztof and Michal Chmielewski taking the top 2 spots in the boys’ 200m fly. The former topped the podium in a super swift mark of 1:55.49, while the latter secured silver for the nation in 1:56.88.

Ksawery Masiuk also dominated for Poland, winning the men’s 50m back in a time of 24.65, the only sub-25 second time of the field.

Romania’s David Popovici impressed yet again, posting a big-time 1:45.45 200m freestyle result to beat the field by over 2 seconds en route to clinching gold in the same event he won at this year’s senior World Championships.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Poland Gets A Medal Table Boost On Day 2 Of 2022 European Junior Championships

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
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When all was said and done on day 2 of these European Junior Championships a total of 4 individual events saw the 2021 champion repeat as gold medalist for this year’s edition.

The repeat-a-thon kicked off with host nation hero David Popovici taking his 2nd consecutive title in the boys’ 200m freestyle.

Producing a time of 1:45.45, 17-year-old Popovici of Romania beat the field by over 2 seconds to check in with a mark half a second faster than he was last year. This title pairs with his senior World Championships title won just over 10 days ago in Budapest. There, he scored a result of 1:43.21 for a new World Junior Record.

On his performance here, the Romanian rocket said, “Today it wasn’t about time, I just wanted to enjoy this swim, I took the breath towards the crowd side to see the people waving their flags and jumping in joy and it was great.

“Even if I had multiple swims daily, this atmosphere really helps me to recover and feel fresh. Now I kind of recognize what Kristof Milak could feel while racing at home in Budapest at the Worlds…”

Popovici could potentially also repeat in the 100m and 50m freestyle races, entering these championships as the top-seeded swimmer in each.

Hungary’s Nikoletta Padar was the next racer to carry over her 2021 win to Bucharest. The 16-year-old defended her 200m free gold, taking the top spot tonight in 1:58.43.

Padar was also in Budapest where she placed 18th in the 200m free out of the heats (1:58.90).

On topping the podium here, Padar said, “I expected to claim a win here and to be in the lead during the whole race, just wanted to do a better time. It’s just a good feeling that you are destined to win, and you deliver, now my focus is on our relays.”

The boys’ 200m butterfly was another event on tonight’s agenda that saw a repeat winner. Poland’s Krzysztof Chmielewski sealed the deal in a mark of 1:55.49 as the only swimmer of the field to dip under the 1:56 threshold, beating twin brother Michel who snagged silver just like last time.

“I expected to claim a win here and to be in the lead during the whole race, just wanted to do a better
time. It’s just a good feeling that you are destined to win, and you deliver, now my focus is on our
relays”, Chmielewski said of his victory.

Finally, the girls’ 1500m freestyle saw Turkish ace Merve Tuncel get it done for gold just like she did in 2021. Here she punched a winning result of 16:13.68, well off her 15:55.23 stunner from last year, but enough to repeat as European Junior champion.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Title Defense Was Order Of The Day At European Junior Championships

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
• Meet Central
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream

The most notable individual swim on Day 2 of the European Junior Championships was David Popovici‘s boys’ 200 free race in front of his home crowd in Bucharest, Romania. Although his time of 1:45.45 wasn’t as fast as the 1:43.21 World Junior Record he set at World Championships, it was still good enough to win by over two seconds.

“Today it wasn’t about time,” Popovici said. “I just wanted to enjoy this swim, I took the breath towards the crowd side to see the people waving their flags and jumping in joy and it was great.”

Popovici compared his experiences while racing the 200 free at home to those of Kristof Milak, who broke the 200 fly world record and won the 100 fly title in his home country of Hungary at the World Championships. “Now I kind of recognize what Kristof Milak could feel while racing at home in Budapest at the Worlds…” he said.

He also accredited the atmosphere of the crowd as to why he had energy to go fast leading off the 4×100 mixed medley relay, where he clocked a time of 47.34— his third fastest ever and quicker than the 47.56 he went to win at Worlds.

“Even if I had multiple swims daily, this atmosphere really helps me to recover and feel fresh.”

Girls’ 200 free winner Nikoletta Padar spoke about her individual race, saying that she “expected to claim a win here and to be in the lead during the whole race,” and “just wanted to do a better time.”

“It’s just a good feeling that you are destined to win, and you deliver, now my focus is on our relays.” Padar said. She recorded the fastest girls’ split of the field in the mixed 4×100 free relay, going 54.28 to help Hungary take gold in the event. Later in the meet, she will race the 100 free individually and will likely be on a few more Hungarian relays.

Padar’s teammate, Dora Molnar, talked about her experience anchoring Hungary’s relay in a time of 54.49. The Hungarians were trailing Romania in the relay up until the last 50 meters of the race.

“I love to be the anchor and push as hard as possible” Molnar said. “I was in pain towards the end, but my heart brought me forward, tried to close out everything, the rivals, the noise and focus on my swim and it worked.”

Merve Tuncel, who had to deal with a grueling double session, took bronze in the 200 free and gold in the 1500 free. Last year, she broke the European Junior Record in the latter event with a time of 15:55.23. Today, she won in 16:13.38.

“It is hard to swim the 1500m free final and the 200m free final in the same session,” Tuncel said of the double. “After the 200m I was a bit nervous if I could do my favourite event well but when I started it, I was calm and I was able to do what I was expected to do. I’m happy to get two medals in one day.”

“It is my last year among the juniors, so it was really nice to win this race.” The 17-year-old Tuncel said. LEN, the governing body for European Aquatics, defines a junior girl as a swimmer aged 14-17 in by December 31st in the year of the competition.

One of the major records broken today was in the girls’ 50 back, when Mary-Ambre Moluh claimed gold in a meet record time of 27.74. She shed 0.01 of a second off her previous mark of 27.75 from the semifinals yesterday.

“This is my first big junior meet, and a final is always a complicated thing, I was a bit nervous before it, but now I’m happy with the gold, the first one here for France, which is great,” Moluh said. “I wanted to do a bit better time and there are a lot of things I have to do better even in this 50m back, so I want to work on this for sure.”

Moluh bypassed the World Championships in order to focus on this European Junior Championship meet. Her best time of 27.63 in the 50 back, which she set in May 2022, still stands.

The boys’ 50 back winner, Ksawery Masiuk, spoke about the challenges of racing multiple meets back-to-back. He recently competed at the World Championships, where he took bronze in the 50 back in a time of 24.49. Today, he clocked a 24.65 to win gold. He also led off Poland’s mixed 4×100 free relay in a massive best time of 48.37 to help his country win bronze.

“The World Championships were my main event, here I just tried to keep up some speed and I’m happy with the time after all, and also with my swim in the relay yesterday where I did 48sec.” Masiuk said. You know, at this age it’s really hard mentally to do race after race in such a short period of time – it’s challenging to be ready some ten days after a World Championships. So I’m happy to get this gold.”

In the boys’ 200 fly, twin brothers Krzysztof and Michal Chmielewski pulled off a 1-2 finish. “I don’t know why I’m faster than Michal, maybe he needs to train even harder,” Krzysztof said. “It was an easy race for me, for us, we are happy to stand on the podium again.”

Ukranian swimmer Volodymyr Lisovets took gold in the boys’ 50 breast. He said after his race that he was separated from his family in his home country to train in both Poland and Germany prior to the race. In Feburary 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and there is still an ongoing war between the two countries.

“I worked hard for this win, and I want to thank to my family and coach for all their support and also for those who let me train in Poland and in Germany during these months.” Lisovets said. “This victory is for the people of Ukraine… It is really tough to be far away from my family, but they are in safe back home and I hope we can see each other soon.”

Eneli Jefimova took the girls’ 50 breast in a time of 30.44. She is the Estonian record holder in the event, setting that mark with a 30.08 from the prelims of the World Championships.

“I’m happy, of course, though this time is very far from my personal best, but in this event the win mattered.” Jefimova said. “This meet is too close to the World Championships and to be honest, I don’t have the same speed I had two weeks ago.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Popovici On Racing At Home: “Now I Recognize What Milak Could Feel” (Flash Quotes)

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

On Wednesday, Canadian swimmer Mary-Sophie Harvey shared via Instagram that she was drugged on the last night of the FINA World Championships, which took place in Budapest, Hungary from June 18 to 25, 2022. She also posted photos of bruises that she said she received while she was unconscious, although she said that she had other bruises that she didn’t feel comfortable sharing.

Harvey said that she was completely unconscious for four to six hours following the drugging, and that she did not know how she was drugged at the time that it happened. She stated that she was with her teammates when the incident occurred.

SwimSwam has reached to Harvey, Swimming Canada, and FINA for further details regarding what happened and any new protections that might be put in place for athletes.

Update: Swimming Canada has responded to SwimSwam’s inquiry with a statement addressing the issue. They claimed that they were still looking into the situation at hand, but to their knowledge, athletes left the team hotel following team Canada’s final meeting to celebrate on the final night of the World Championships.

“First of all, health and safety of our team members is first and foremost on teams. Our team management and medical staff are always looking out for team members, aware of their whereabouts and fully engaged with any issues.

We are aware there was an incident the night before departure from Budapest. As soon as team staff became aware, Mary received excellent medical treatment from our team physician on site, and was cleared to travel home.

Staff have been in contact with Mary since her return and we are offering her support. We continue to gather information on the situation, and the file has been forwarded to our independent Safe Sport officer.”

Sources tell SwimSwam that the incident happened at a party, where both swimmers and non-swimmers were in attendance.

Read her Instagram post here:

Warning: this post includes details about drugging and violence.

On the last night of the World Championships, I got drugged.

At the time I wasn’t aware of what got inside of me, I just remember waking up the next morning completely lost; with our team manager and doctor at my bedside. I remember celebrating my competition while also being reasonable and aware of my next objective, which is Commonwealth Games. But then, I don’t remember anything. there’s this four-to-six-hour window where I can’t recall a single thing. I’ve heard bits and pieces by people and I’ve experienced judgement too.

The only thing I can say is this: I’ve never felt more ashamed.

The next day, I travelled back home and had dinner with my family. I remember my mom saying: “you seem different.” Little did she know, I felt that way too. It felt like the body I was in, wasn’t mine (it still feels this way). I got home and found a dozen bruises on my body. Some of my friends told me afterwards that they had to cary me while I was unconscious and it probably explained why.

It didn’t make me feel any better.

I called one of my good friends knowing her mom was a doctor, so they could guide me a little. I ended up going to the hospital, where I was met with doctors & psychologists. They tested & treated me the best way they could. They told me it happens more often [than] we think and that I was lucky in a way, to get out of this with a rib sprain and a small concussion.

It did help me cure some of the fears I had but sadly not all of them.

Sadly, these events happen more than we think it does. There’s been a dangerous increasing number of cases reported throughout the years but it is still not being talked about enough. The resources for victims are still difficult to find & the judgement from outsiders are still very much present. To anyone reading this, please be careful. I thought I was safe, that it would never happen to me, especially while being surrounded by friends. But it did…and I wish someone and educated me on the matter prior to that night.

I’m still scared to think about the unknowns of that night.

I’m still trying to find the “happy Mary” that found happiness prior to this event.

I’m still in a way, ashamed of what happened, and I think I always will be…

But I won’t let this event define me.

Thank you to the people that helped me while I was vulnerable and for those who’ve reached out since then. I apologize to anyone that has been trying to contact me or seen me, but felt something was off. I’m still learning to cope with everything and find myself again. Thank you for understanding.

Mary

Harvey competed in the 200 IM at the World Championships, qualifying for the finals and finishing 8th in a time of 2:12.77. She set a best time of 2:10.22 in the semifinals of the event. She also earned a bronze medal as the leadoff leg of Canada’s 800 free relay in prelims.

This year’s Worlds was her first World Championships meet since 2017, which she competed at as a 17-year old. Her competition schedule at the World Championships had concluded by the time she was drugged.

The 22-year old was a member of the Canadian team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She won four medals at the 2019 Pan American Games and three medals at the 2015 World Junior Swimming Championships.

At the Commonwealth Games, Harvey is also qualified to swim the 200 IM. As of now, she is still scheduled to compete at the event.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Canadian Swimmer Mary-Sophie Harvey Says She Was Drugged At World Championships

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges, Garrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Lilly King Overcomes COVID to Win First World Title in 200 Breast (Podcast)

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

2022 EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, July 5th – Sunday, July 10th
• Otopeni Olympic Swimming Complex, Bucharest, Romania
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10 a.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
  • Finals: 5 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET
• Meet Central
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream

On day three of the 2022 European Junior Championships, there will be loads of finals and semifinals action.

The session will be headlined by stars like Lana Pudar, who is the defending champion in the girls’ 100 fly and looks to take another title tonight. However, the top seed coming into finals is Belgium’s Roos Vanotterdijk.

Other notable names competing include Romania’s David Popovici, who has already won the boys’ 200 free and will take on the 50 free semifinals, where he comes in with the fastest time from prelims at 22.46. This meet marks his first time competing in the event at a major international meet, as he did not swim the 50 at worlds.

Another big name that has already been crowned champion competing tonight is Ksawery Masiuk. He looks to back up his 50 back title with a win in the 200 back, but tonight he will have to get through semifinals first. He has the fastest time from prelims at 1:59.41, and was the only boy under two minutes. His Polish teammate, Krzysztof Chmielewski, is the top seed in the boys’ 1500 free final at 15:12.31. He also won 200 fly gold earlier in the meet.

Other races from this session include the girls’ 200 back, 200 breast, and 50 free semifinals, the boys’ 200 back, 200 breast, and 100 fly semifinals, the boys’ 200 IM finals, and the girls’ 4×200 free relay.

GIRLS’ 200 BACKSTROKE — SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 2:03.35 — Regan Smith, USA (2019)
• European Record: 2:04.94 — Anastasia Fesikova, RUS (2009)
• World Junior Record: 2:03.35 — Regan Smith, USA (2019)
• European Junior Record: 2:06.62 — Target Time
• European Junior Championship Record: 2:08.97 — Polina Egorkova, RUS (2017)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Laura Bernat (POL) — 2:10.14

Top 8:

1. Dora Molnar, HUN — 2:11.24
2. Laura Bernat, POL — 2:11.65
3. Holly McGill, GBR — 2:12.67
4. Evie Dilley, GBR — 2:12.81
5. Estella Tonraht Nollgen, ESP — 2:13.60
6. Sudem Denizli, TUR — 2:13.89
7. Aissia Prisecariu, ROM — 2:14.64
8. Valentina Giannini, ITA — 2:14.82

Defending European Champion Laura Bernat was challenged by Sudem Denizli for the first half of the first semifinal as Denizli split 1:04.26 at the 100-meter mark compared to Bernat’s 1:04.35. However, Bernat pulled away from the rest of the field in the second half to win in a time of 2:11.65. Denizli faded to third, while Holly McGill overtook her for second place.

Dora Molnar, the top seed out of prelims, dominated the second semifinal. She led from start to finish in a time of 2:11.24. it was a bit off her prelims time of 2:10.78, but it was still fast enough to win her race by a whole 1.57 seconds. Her and Bernat look to be the ones to beat come time for semifinals.

BOYS’ 200 IM – FINAL

• World Record: 1:54.00 — Ryan Lochte, USA (2011)
• European Record: 1:55.18 — Laszlo Cseh, HUN (2009)
• World Junior Record: 1:56.99 — Hubert Kos, HUN (2021)
• European Junior Record: 1:56.99 — Hubert Kos, HUN (2021)
• European Junior Championship Record: 1:59.17 — Tom Dean, GBR (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Berke Saka (TUR) — 2:00.04

Podium:

1. Yigit Oktar, TUR — 2:00.68
2. Simone Spediacci, ITA — 2:02.65
3. Michal Piela, POL — 2:02.77

Unlike the semifinals, when Yigit Oktar was in a tight battle with George Smith and Danil Pancerevas, he absolutely dominated the 200 IM come time for finals. He won by 1.97 seconds in a time of 2:00.68, which is just over half a second off Berke Baka’s Turkish record of 2:00.04. His time was also just 0.07 seconds off his own personal best of 2:00.61.

Oktar split 26.25/30.42/35.48/28.53 in his race, having the fastest leg of the field in all four strokes. Simone Spediacci took second in a time of 2:02.65, and Michal Piela, who was fifth for the first 150 meters of the race, came home in 28.91 (the only other sub-29 split aside from Oktar) to take third.

GIRLS’ 50 FREESTYLE – FINAL

• World Record: 23.67 — Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2017)
• European Record: 23.67 — Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2017)
• World Junior Record: 24.17 — Claire Curzan, USA (2021)
• European Junior Record: 24.87 — Daria Tatarnikova, RUS (2021)
• European Junior Championship Record: 24.87 — Daria Tatarnikova, RUS (2021)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Daria Tatarnikova (RUS) — 24.87

Podium:

1. Nina Jazy, GER — 25.22
2. Bianca Costea, ROU — 25.34
3. Sara Curtis, ITA — 25.39

Nina Jazy, who swam the fastest time in the semifinals, backed it up with a finals win. Her time of 25.22 was a new personal best, taking 0.07 seconds off the 25.27 time she clocked in semis. Bianca Costea swam a time of 25.34 for silver, which ties her personal best from 2019 and is 0.06 away from the Romanian national record held by Tamara Costache.

Bronze medalist Sara Curtis also went a best time, improving upon the 25.67 she swam in April 2022.

BOYS’ 50 FREESTYLE – SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 20.91 — Cesar Cielo, BRA (2009)
• European Record: 20.94 — Fred Bosquet, FRA (2009)
• World Junior Record: 21.75 — Michael Andrew, USA (2017)
• European Junior Record: 21.83  — Artem Selin, GER (2019)
• European Junior Championship Record: 21.83  — Artem Selin, GER (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: David Popovici, ROU — 22.22

Top 8:

1. David Popovici, ROU — 22.17
2. Alexander Painter, GBR — 22.61
3. Nans Mazellier, FRA — 22.66
4. Jere Hribar, CRO — 22.70
5. Szymon Misiak, POL — 22.84
6. Martin Kartavi, ISR — 22.85
7. Mottea Robba, FRA — 22.91
8. Bjoren Laskerud, NOR/Elia Codardini, ITA — 22.93

Defending European Junior Champion David Popovici had a substantial lead over the rest of the field in the first semifinals, winning by 0.49 seconds. He swam a new best time of 22.17, which is faster than the 22.22 that he clocked to win European Juniors last year. The Romanian record in the event is a 21.98 set by three-time Olympian Norbert Trandafir.

The second semifinal was much closer, with Alexander Painter winning with a time of 22.61 and Jere Hiribar finishing 0.09 seconds behind for second.

Bjoren Laskerud and Elia Codardini tied for eighth in semis with a time of 22.93, so there will be a swim-off between the two later in the session.

GIRLS’ 200 BREASTSTROKE — SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 2:18.95 — Tatiana Shoenmaker, RSA (2021)
• European Record: 2:19.11 — Rikke Moeller Pedersen, DEN (2013)
• World Junior Record: 2:19.64 — Vikotria Gunes, TUR (2015)
• European Junior Record: 2:19.64  — Vikotria Gunes, TUR (2015)
• European Junior Championship Record: 2:21.07 — Evgeniia Chikunova, RUS (2019)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Justine Delmas, FRA — 2:25.54

Top 8:

1. Justine Delmas, FRA — 2:27.00
2. Sienna Robinson, GBR — 2:27.52
3. Defne Coskun, TUR — 2:27.56
4. Eneli Jefimova, EST — 2:28.44
5. Kamila Isayeva, UKR — 2:29.65
6. Emma Carrasco, ESP — 2:29.75
7. Martina Bukvic, SRB — 2:31.03
8. Charlotte Bianchi, GBR — 2;31.04

After going 2:29.55 in prelims, Defne Coskun had a statement semifinals swim, clocking a 2:27.56 to win semifinal one by 2.19 seconds. The time was a near personal best for her, just over two tenths off the 2:27.33 she set in March 2022. Emma Carrasco, who led Coskun at the 50 meter mark, finished second with a time of 2;29.75.

In the second semifinal, defending champion Justine Delmas and Sienna Robinson were engaged in a tight battle, and Robinson had the narrow lead for the first 150 meters of the race. Delmas pulled ahead in the closing stages to win in 2:27.00, and Robinson was second with a time of 2:27.52. 50 breast champion Eneli Jefimova had the fastest last 50 of the field, coming home in 37.28 to take third in this semifinal.

BOYS’ 200 BREASTSTROKE — SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 2:05.95 — Zac Stubblety-Cook, AUS (2022)
• European Record: 2:06.12 — Anton Chupkov, RUS (2019)
• World Junior Record: 2:09.39 — Qin Haiyang, CHN 2017)
• European Junior Record: 2:09.64 — Target Time
• European Junior Championship Record: 2:10.69 — Anton Cupkov, RUS (2015)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Aleksas Savickas (LIT) — 2:13.35

Top 8:

1. Lucien Vergnes, FRA — 2:13.36
2. Geroge Smith, GBR — 2:14.86
3. Luka Mladenovic, AUT — 2:14.87
4. David Kzymenko, UKR — 2:14.96
5. Luca Jassen, NED — 2:15.70
6. Steijn Louter, NED — 2:15.79
7. Harvey Freeman, GBR — 2:16.10
8. Ralf Roose, EST — 2;16.25

In the first semifinal of the boys’ 200 breast, Dutch teammates Luca Janssen and Steijn Louter finished just 0.09 seconds apart with times of 2:15.70 and 2:15.79 respectively. They were in first and second position for the majority of the race.

Lucien Vergnes pulled away from the rest of the field in the second semifinal, clocking a time of 2:13.36 to swim the fastest time in the semis. George Smith, who is just coming off of a finals swim in the 200 IM, took second in 2:14.86 while Luka Mladenovic was third just 0.01 seconds behind.

BOYS’ 200 BACKSTROKE — SEMIFINAL

• World Record: 1:51.92 — Aaron Peirsol, USA (2009)
• European Record: 1:53.23 — Evgeny Rylov, RUS (2021)
• World Junior Record: 1:55.14 — Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2017)
• European Junior Record: 2:09.64 — 1:55.14 — Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2017)
• European Junior Championship Record: 1:55.83 — Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• 2021 European Junior Champion: Ksawery Masiuk (POL) — 1:58.41

Top 8:

1. Oleksandr Zheltykaov, UKR — 1:58.30
2. Ksawery Masiuk, POL — 1:58.47
3. Apostolos Siskos, GRE — 1:59.18
4. Filip Kosinski, POL — 1:59.35
5. Simon Clusman, FRA — 1;59.39
6. Alexandre Desangles, FRA — 1:59.46
7. Alex Kovats, HUN — 2:00.06
8. Levente Balogh, HUn — 2:00.35

Unlike the prelims, where only one boy was under the two-minute threshold, the first semifinals race already has two. There was a tight race between Apostolos Siskos and

By Yanyan Li on SwimSwam

An individual involved at the 2022 FINA World Championships believes they may have been drugged at a post-meet afterparty after the competition concluded in Budapest.

The individual told SwimSwam they aren’t 100 percent sure they were drugged because they were not tested, but had similar symptoms to those of Canadian swimmer Mary-Sophie Harvey, who revealed she had been drugged on Wednesday.

The individual has requested anonymity.

According to the source, they attended an event hosted by former Hungarian swimmer David Verraszto at a bar called The Gigi’s in Budapest.  There was an official Instagram post made about the event, which also named Verraszto as a host.

The event was swimming centric, but was open to the public via an admission fee.

SwimSwam has reached out to both Evelyn and David Verraszto about the event.

Update: The Verrasztos both responded and denied that David was the host, claiming that he was not present at the event and instead attending a completion in Zagreb, Croatia. Neither of them have heard reports about any drugging incidents. David said that he was familiar with the bar that hosted the event. The Instagram post advertising the event has since then been deleted.

The caption in the Instagram post advertising the event stated that it was a place to “meet and party together with multiple Olympic champions and Hungarian stars”. Admission was restricted for individuals over 18 years of age, and a fee was required for entry.

Multiple sources have told SwimSwam that this party was attended by both swimmers and non-swimmers.

While the sourced doesn’t know it for a fact that they were drugged, they said it it was likely the case given what Harvey had said, and because they didn’t think they drank that much prior to experiencing symptoms. Similar to Harvey, those symptoms included waking up after being unconscious, having multiple bruises, and needing to be carried by other people. The source said that all of their bruises were on one arm.

The source also said that at some point in the night, money that was on their person disappeared, but could not say what happened to it.

In an Instagram posts, Harvey spoke out about being completely unconscious for four to six hours after she was drugged, and posted pictures of numerous bruises that she received. Swimming Canada has told SwimSwam that they have been investigating the issue, and that a file on the situation has been filed to their independent SafeSport officer.

When asked about details regarding the alleged drugging incident, FINA told SwimSwam in a statement that they were in contact with Swimming Canada and the Local Organizing Committee.  FINA also brought up the fact that in 2021, they had adopted widespread measures aimed at protecting athletes, and that an Independent Investigation Officer will be assigned to investigate the matter further.

SwimSwam has since then asked FINA about what specific measures would be implemented in this particular drugging situation, and they responded by attaching their policy document on their rules on athlete protection from harassment and abuse.

FINA was not aware of what happened to Harvey until SwimSwam contacted them about it on Wednesday afternoon. They said that they have not heard any other reports about similar drugging incidents at this World Championships meet, or in 2017, when there was another FINA World Championships hosted in Budapest.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Another Individual At Post-Worlds Party in Budapest May Have Been Drugged

By Gold Medal Mel Stewart on SwimSwam

Sporti, a SwimOutlet brand, is among the top selling suits in the United States. Priced affordably, swimmers, swim-parents and master swimmers have been buying Sporti for years. This summer SwimOutlet has relaunched Sporti with new one-of-a-kind designs from their Artists Series.

The relaunch began June 1, and included new messaging and aesthetic designs to reflect Sporti’s pillars of community, diversity, accessibility, approachability, sustainability, and fun.

“This will be the first time Sporti is venturing into the world of collaboration, so it was imperative we found partners that shared our brand values,” said Sporti president Winnie So.“Each partner was involved in every step of the design process–from inspiration, to color choice, to silhouette selection, ensuring the resulting collection conveyed the message they wanted to share with the world.”

Sporti first launched the Stef Corgel x Sporti Collection, featuring references to Corgel’s SoCal roots.

For Pride Month, Sporti also launched a collection with bold and colorful artist Tyler Wallach, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the It Gets Better Project. Later collaborations will feature artists Mat Chavez, Damian Orellana, and She is This. Olympians, including Emma Weyant, Shaine Casas, Alex Walsh and Gretchen Walsh will also collaborate with Sporti. The relaunch will feature new collections into 2023, with a special emphasis on the collaborations with college athletes made possible by the recent NIL ruling.

The second series, dropped now, features aLiLscribble’s designs. The San Antonio-based artist, also known as Alannah Tiller, created three designs that play with patterns and texture: Polka Dot Desert, Summer Heat, and Divide. In each of the designs, she said she emphasized her minimal line work, where people understand the general design but that “you can decide what you want to get from it.”

“Your creativity isn’t limited to a canvas. I draw inspiration from everywhere; pop culture, online, the people and objects in my everyday life,” Tiller said. “They stimulate a response. And through the use of bold imagery, color, form and crisp line work, my art amplifies these otherwise mundane objects into something unique and beautiful.”

Each design reflects the artist’s Texas roots, and combines organic shapes with natural colors and southern landscapes. Tiller’s work also reflects solidarity, strength, and diversity. In addition, Tiller said the entire collaboration was a collection of her work throughout the years, from her first experiments with minimal design to her current signature style.

This was also Tiller’s first time working with swimsuits.

“This was such an exciting challenge and I’ve definitely learned a lot from it,” Tiller said.“I’m used to working on flat surfaces but I love when I get an unconventional canvas. It allows you to see your work and that object in a whole new way.”

Tiller also said she hopes that people take away the idea that they can add color and design to any space or medium, including pools.

See aLiLscribble on Instagram:

A portion of the proceeds from each collaboration goes to a different charity, and the charity for this collection is Tankproof. Tankproof is a Black-owned nonprofit that provides access to community, education, and other essentials for under-served communities. The nonprofit also specializes in providing quality swim instruction.

SwimOutlet.com

SwimOutlet Instagram

SwimOutlet has been a SwimSwam partner since 2012.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimOutlet Rebrands Sporti Swimwear with a Series of New Collaborations

By Riley Overend on SwimSwam

SEC swimming could soon become absolutely stacked.

A source told SwimSwam that Virginia, North Carolina, Florida State, and Clemson are negotiating to join the SEC as ESPN attempts to void their 20-year television deal with the ACC.

SOURCE: North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, and Virginia are all negotiating to join the SEC. ESPN is trying to void their TV deal with the ACC.

— Braden Keith (@Braden_Keith) July 7, 2022

According to the source, money is a major factor along with recruiting clashes. Florida reportedly doesn’t want Miami to join, Tennessee doesn’t want UNC, and Kentucky doesn’t want Louisville. Louisville brings in the second-most revenue among public ACC schools. Miami’s revenue isn’t public, but it’s estimated that they are near the top as well — plus they bring a hometown team in a huge market.

The source said that the conversations are still in early stages, but as we’ve seen recently, things can change quickly. USC and UCLA’s surprising jump from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten went from rumor to official news in less than a day. If these early talks eventually become official, this next major shift in conference realignment would send another powerhouse swimming program to the SEC.

The Virginia women are two-time defending national champions, led by a trio who medaled at the 2022 World Championships last month. Texas, which made plans to move from the Big 12 to the SEC last summer, has seen its men’s team capture five of the last seven NCAA championships. If both programs were in the SEC this past season, the conference would have laid claim to three of the top-five finishers on the women’s side and two of the top five on the men’s side.

The SEC hasn’t boasted a national champion since 2016, when the Georgia women claimed the crown. The last NCAA champion from an SEC men’s squad came back in 2009 (Auburn). That could change once the dust is settled in conference realignment.

At this year’s ACC Championships, the North Carolina women placed fourth while the men placed seventh. The Florida State women placed eighth and the men placed sixth at the same meet. Clemson cut swimming a decade ago.

On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated reported on a potential broadcasting partnership developing between the ACC and Pac-12. That news came the same day as a separate report that the Big 12 was looking to poach six Pac-12 schools. The big question remains: Who’s going to get left behind in the process?

At this point, anything is possible.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Source: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson in Talks to Join SEC

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2022 Speedo Southern Sectionals

• July 7-10, 2022
• Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center, Austin, TX
• LCM
• Live Results
• Also on Meet Mobile as “2022 ST TXLA Speedo Southern Sectionals”

The sectionals meets may be not the primary meets of the summer for many of the best swimmers in the country, but that doesn’t mean they lack speed. That’s especially true when some U.S. National Team swimmers show up at these meets and take the opportunity to complete in some events they didn’t get a chance to swim at Trials.

Case in point #1 – Carson Foster. The 20 year-old is only a few weeks removed from winning three medals at the World Championships, and he mentioned on our podcast recently that he would be going after some fast times in his “off events” here this week.

But for a versatile swimmer like Foster, “off event” is a very relative term. Foster blasted a 1:53.67 in the 200 fly tonight in Austin, making him the 3rd-fastest performer ever among US men, and also giving him a time that would’ve been within a whisker of the 1:53.61 it took Japan’s Tomoru Honda to earn bronze in this event at Worlds.

All-Time Top US Performers, 200 Fly

1. Michael Phelps, 1:51.51 – 2009
2. Tyler Clary, 1:53.65 – 2009
3. Carson Foster, 1:53.67 – 2022
4. Luca Urlando, 1:53.84 – 2019
5. Gil Stovall, 1:53.86 – 2008
6. Trenton Julian, 1:542.22 – 2002

Foster’s time tonight was faster than the season or lifetime best of either of the men who represented the USA in this event in Budapest, Trenton Julian and Luca Urlando. Julian finished 16th in the semis at Worlds, while Urlando finished 5th in the final with a time of 1:54.92.

That’s nearly a five second improvement on the day for Forster, whose best time before this morning was a 1:58.47 from the 2017 Junior Nationals. Foster clocked a new best with a 1:56.44 in prelims this morning before knocking another chunk off of his best time tonight.

Case in point #2 – and in fact the original headliner for this article before Foster’s swim – Shaine Casas. He captured bronze in the 200 back in Budapest just a few weeks ago, and swam the 100 free tonight after not swimming that event at Trials. Not only did he easily win tonight with a new lifetime best of 48.23, but that time would’ve put him fourth at the US International Trials back in April, touching just 0.02s ahead of Hunter Armstrong and Drew Kibler.

While Casas may have a little clearer water tonight that he would at a bigger meet, it wasn’t as if he was wholly lacking in competition. Longhorn sprint star Daniel Krueger took 2nd in 49.16, followed by Brett Pinfold (49.67) and Matt Brownstead (49.87).

Casas’ previous lifetime best of 48.91 came last June at the Texas A&M Senior Circuit meet, just days after he barely missed the Olympic Team in several events. That was also not too long before before he announced that he was forgoing the rest of his eligibility at Texas A&M and heading across the state to join the University of Texas post-grad group as a pro.

The 200 breast wasn’t lacking in star power, either, as three of the top four finishers at the US Trials were competing in Austin tonight. The win went to veteran Will Licon, who touched first with a 2:09.76 after finishing 4th at Trials with a 2:11.03. The next two spots tonight went to men who competed in this event at Worlds, with rising Texas senior Caspar Corbeau, who competes for the Netherlands, taking 2nd with a 2:10.38 and US post-grad Charlie Swanson touching 3rd with a 2:12.47.Jake Foster was the only other man under 2:18, taking 4th with a time of 2:13.19.

The final event of the night went Luke Hobson, who recently completed his freshman year at Texas and joined Foster and two other Longhorns in the 200 free final at Trials. Tonight, Hobson knocked over seven seconds off of his lifetime best in the event and won by nearly ten seconds with a time of 8:09.65.

Unsurprisingly, the women’s side was dominated the Texas Longhorns current team. Kelly Pash was the only woman under 55 in the 100 free, clocking a new lifetime best with a 54.71. Pash didn’t swim at Trials, but that time would’ve finished 9th in prelims, putting her just a tick away from making the A-final. Pash’s teammate Kyla Leibel was the only other woman under 56, clocking a 55.50.

Pash nearly doubled, but ended up taking 2nd to a potential future teammate in Dakota Luther, 2:09.25 to 2:09.35. Luther, who swam for Georgia the last four seasons, recently entered the transfer portal and explained that she was looking into graduate options at the University of Texas.

Channing Hanley, who just completed her freshman campaign with the Longhorns, won the 200 breast in a tight race with Rice’s Ella Flowers. Hanley held the lead early on, and held off a pair of 40-low splits from Flowers on the back half to win 2:34.75 to 2:34.90.

The 800 free also turned into an incredibly close race. Current Longhorn Erica Sullivan held off a late charge from 16 year-old Jillian Cox of Texas Longhorn Aquatics, and just got the touch at the wall, 8:34.38 to 8:34.42.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Carson Foster Now #3 US 200 Fly Performer With 1:53.67 at Southern Sectionals

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

Tickets are now on sale for the revival of the Duel in the Pool competition, which will pit a team from Australia against a team from the United States in a head-to-head battle for cross-continental swimming supremacy.

With details about the competitors still sparse (Katie Ledecky has already pulled her name), Swimming Australia is promoting ticket sales for the event that will run from August 19-21 in Sydney.

On August 19, Bondi beach will host the open water relay, where admission will be free. The action will then move to Sydney Olympic Park, where tickets range from $20 for a single session adult general admission ticket to $30 for a single session premium reserved adult ticket.

Ticket Prices:

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Tickets Go on Sale for 2022 Duel in the Pool Between Australia and United States

By Riley Overend on SwimSwam

In a recent interview, Australian swimmer James Magnussen reflected on how he’s grown to become grateful for narrowly missing out on the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2012 Olympics. 

Magnussen came into the race as the favorite after becoming the first Australian man to win the event at the World Championships in 2011, but he touched the wall .01 seconds behind Nathan Adrian at the London Games the following year. 

“It did affect my life, but for the positive,” Magnussen told SEN 1170 Breakfast radio in Australia. “I think my life was headed in a certain direction at 20 years of age. I had all this publicity, all this press, and everyone was pumping my wheels. It affected me in a negative way and I look back and I was headed down a path that would have been less than desirable. 

“It humbled me a lot (losing out on gold) and that gave me a really different perspective on life, the media, and how people were treating me,” he added. “I had a lot of ‘yes’ people in my life and around.”

After a disappointing 2012 Games that marked Australia’s worst Olympic showing in two decades, Magnussen caught criticism for pranking teammates and having a “big head.” The following year, he rebounded at the 2013 World Championships by winning his second straight title in the 100 free. 

Now 31 years old, Magnussen has had a decade to digest the defeat and gain a new perspective. Not only did the loss motivate him professionally until his retirement in 2019, it seems to also have served as a life lesson outside the pool. 

“It had a profoundly positive effect on my life not only in swimming but certainly in my life after sport,” he said. “I’m appreciative of what that moment did for me and the path it set me on.

“I look back on it and I ticked off everything in the swimming world except for that Olympic gold. Not everyone gets a fairytale but all in all, I’m very appreciative of that moment. Everything happens for a reason, and I think I needed that.”

Magnussen ended his career with three Olympic medals, one silver and two bronzes. His 47.10 in the 100 free from the 2012 Australian Swimming Championships remains the 10th-fastest time ever. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: James Magnussen Now ‘Appreciative’ of Olympic Gold Medal Loss to Nathan Adrian

By Riley Overend on SwimSwam

2022 Southern Zone South Sectional Championships

• July 7-10
• Plantation Aquatic Complex
  • Plantation, Florida
• LCM
• Results on Meet Mobile: “Southern Zone South Sectional Championships”

The 2022 Southern Zone South Sectional Championships kicked off with 10 events on Thursday in Plantation, Florida. 

In the first final of the afternoon, 19-year-old Anna Auld won the women’s 800-meter free by nearly 20 seconds with a 8:51.08. The rising University of Florida sophomore was just .11 seconds off her personal best. In the men’s 800 free, Philip Moldovanu dropped nearly six seconds from his previous best to place first in 8:26.75. The 19-year-old Moldovanu swims for George Washington and Wahoos of Wellington.

In the women’s 50 fly, 24-year-old Kelsie Campbell (28.73) held off 20-year-old Florida International University teammate Mia Zahab (28.97) to reach the wall first. NC State commit Mitchell Ledford triumphed in the men’s 50 fly with a 24.50, just .04 seconds off his personal best from April. The 17-year-old Ledford was representing Treasure Coast Swimming. 

In the women’s 50 back, 17-year-old Ann Wohlgemuth (31.04) edged 15-year-old Aly Bozzuto (31.15) for the top time. A Planet Swim Aquatics member, Wohlgemuth is committed to Florida State. In the men’s 50 back, Stanford commit Joshua Zuchowski posted a 27.09 to pick up the victory. The 18-year-old Flood Aquatics Swim Team member was just under a second slower than his personal best from April’s International Team Trials. 

After earning a runner-up finish just a couple events prior, Bozzuto came out on top in the women’s 50 breast with a 33.77 — a new personal best by .4 seconds. The Flood Aquatics Swim Team member’s time ranks as the third-fastest among 15-year-old girls this season. In the men’s 50 breast, 19-year-old Kito Campbell (28.65) snuck past Julio Horrego (28.66) in the closest race of the day. Campbell, who was representing Azura Florida Aquatics, was slightly slower than his Jamaican national record of 28.36 from April. 

The first round of finals wrapped up with a pair of 800 free relays. The Planet Swim Aquatics quartet of Mary Agnes Smith, Anna Moore, Penny Zarczynski, and Olivia Moore won the women’s edition in 8:41.49. Olivia Moore’s 2:08.97 anchor proved to be the fastest leg of the relay, and Anna Moore had the other sub-2:10 split with a 2:09.88. On the men’s side, Azura Florida Aquatics placed first in the 800 free relay thanks to its team of Elias Segovia (1:57.73), Sauod Alshamroukh (1:58.19), Matheo Mateos (1:55.05), and Gabriel Araya (1:55.46).

Men’s Standings After Day 1

1. Azura Florida Aquatics, 145
2. South Florida Aquatic Club, 87.5
3. Saint Andrew’s Aquatics, 81
4. Academy Aquatic Club, 73.5
5. Plantation Swim Team, 49
6. Planet Swim Aquatics, 43
7. Metro Aquatic Club of Miami, 41
8. Flood Aquatics Swim Team, 36
9. Gulf Coast Swim Team 31
10. Eagle Aquatics 21

Women’s Standings After Day 1

1. Planet Swim Aquatics, 125
2. South Florida Aquatic Club, 93
3. Azura Florida Aquatics, 77
4. Flood Aquatics Swim Team, 62
5. Academy Aquatic Club, 57
6. Berkeley Aquatics, 48
7. Golden Panther Aquatics, 38
8. Pine Crest Swimming, 36
9. Hurricane Aquatics, 35.5
10. Saint Andrew’s Aquatics, 33

Read the full story on SwimSwam: 15-Year-Old Aly Bozzuto Wins 50 Breast on First Day of 2022 Plantation Sectionals