By SwimSwam Contributors on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Molly McMahon

Why do I swim? This is the question I have asked myself as I transition away from the competitive life of swimming and reflect on my swim journey.

At 7, it was for the donut Fridays and to meet new friends.

At 9, it was for the January bus trips, mid meet shopping sprees and late night hotel room parties.

At 12, it was to try to be part of the “fast kids” to qualify for the 12 and under state meet.

At 15, it was to be a part of a group when entering high school so I would always have someone to eat lunch with and feel like I belonged.

At 18, it was because a college coach believed in my abilities to swim for his team at the collegiate level and I wanted to be as prepared as possible

At 20, it was to encourage and motivate myself and my teammates to be the best WE could be, working towards both individual and team goals.

At 22, it was to finish my competitive swim career well, surrounded by amazing teammates and coaches and help our team reach our full potential

And now at 23, what is my why? It no longer is for a donut, or to swim faster at the end of the year. It is not for those weekend get-a-ways where swimming was all we had to think about. So why do I still swim?

At the present moment, I swim because it is part of my identity that I am not willing to lose anytime soon. I swim because the sport has given so much to me and I want to attempt to give back through coaching the next generation of swimmers to learn to love the sport as much as I do. I swim because it has shaped me into who I am today and makes me a better person.

Maybe you are also at a time in your life where swimming is not what it used to be. Maybe you are stepping away from the sport after a great high school finish, or a collegiate championship meet. Maybe you are transitioning from athlete to coach, or competitive swimmer to leisure floater or high school swimmer to collegiate athlete. Maybe you have coached for years and years and decided it’s time to hang up the whistle. Whatever it may be, swimming played a role in your life and served a unique purpose, fulfilling your why whether you knew it at the time or not. Although the sport may not play the same position it once did, it does not take away from the great memories and lessons you have learned. They will stay with you no matter what stage of life you are in! So, next time you are thinking about swimming, about to coach or hop in the pool for a challenging workout, remember your WHY!

ABOUT MOLLY MCMAHON

Molly swam collegiately for Saint Catherine University in St Paul, Minn., for five seasons, from 2017 until 2021. She is currently in her final year of the doctorate of physical therapy program at St Kate’s and is set to graduate in May 2023. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Redefining My Why

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.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Will Glass on New Texas Volunteer, 6-Up in the 100 Fly, & Nine Banded Whiskey

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

October brings the kick-off of the 3-stop FINA World Cup, while nations such as Sweden, Japan and Germany are also hosting elite domestic meets during the month.

With the 2022 FINA Short Course World Championships on the horizon for December, let’s take a look at the upcoming meets which are on the agenda before the qualification period for Melbourne ends on November 13th.

Please let me know in the comments of any meets I may have missed inadvertently.

10/01 – 10/02 96th Swim Festival (GER)
10/07 – 10/08 SC Cup (LTU)
10/08 Queensland Long Course Preparation Meet #1 (AUS)
10/08 Lozp Cup (POL)

10/13 – 10/15 Pilsner Sprints Arena Cup (CZE)
10/13 – 10/15 52nd International Swim Festival Aachen (GER)
10/14 – 10/15 Meeting of Schwimm Union Generali Salzburg (AUT)
10/15 New South Wales Long Course Qualification Meet (AUS)

10/20 – 10/22 Meeting de Saint Dizier (FRA)
10/21 – 10/23 FINA World Cup Stop #1 Berlin (GER)
10/21 – 10/22 International Trophy Enrico Meroni (ITA)
10/21 – 10/22 Memorial Louis Anteunis (BEL)
10/21 – 10/22 Slovak Swimming Cup (SVK)
10/22 – 10/23 64th Japanese SC Swimming Championships (JPN)

10/26 – 10/28 Stockholm Golden Meet (SWE)
10/27 – 10/29 Swedish Grand Prix #2 (SWE)
10/28 Bosnia Piccolo Cup (BIH)
10/28 – 10/29 Jadran Grand Prix (CRO)
10/28 – 10/30 FINA World Cup Stop #2  Toronto (CAN)
10/28 – 10/30 North Sea Swim Meet (NOR)

Read the full story on SwimSwam: High-Level International Meets For October 2022

By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Alex and Gretchen Walsh Make History with Sporti Swim Collaboration

By SwimSwam Contributors on SwimSwam

Contributor Rick Paine is an expert on the college recruiting process. He is also the Director of Swimming at American College Connection (ACC). AAC is a SwimSwam Partner. 

Hi folks! Many of you already know me, but my name is Rick Paine and I own a recruiting education company called American College Connection (ACC). We specialize in helping swimmers and their families navigate the college search process.

Last week we hosted our very first public webinar and approximately 200 people attended. It was very energizing for me and my staff to see such great participation. Thank you for joining us! NOTE: If you missed it, please fill out a FREE profile at ACCrecruits.com, and email us that you would like the recording of the presentation. We will send you the link to the recording.

Tuesday night we will host our second public webinar and the topic is: “Financial Aid FAQs.” We will cover topics like financial need-based aid, academic merit aid, athletic scholarships and application-based scholarships for special talents, military service, first generation students and more.

Join us on Tuesday, September 27 from 8-8:45pm Eastern. You can register in advance for this webinar at the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Register For The Webinar Here

ACC Recruiting is a SwimSwam ad partner. Go here and learn more about ACC and their team of college recruiting experts. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Join The American College Connection For A Free Webinar Tuesday Night

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Belarusian swimming star Anastasiya Shkurdai is parting ways with her coach of more than a decade.

Shkurdai has worked under the tutelage of Olga Yasianovich since her early days in the pool, beginning in 2010, but Yasianovich has made the move to the United States to pursue further coaching opportunities.

Although there was some consideration to bring Shkurdai with her to the U.S., something Yasianovich mentioned was potentially in the works earlier this year, the swimmer has ultimately opted to stay in Belarus.

Yasianovich had said in March that Shkurdai still had interested in training in the U.S. despite no longer being eligible to race in the NCAA, having competed professionally in the International Swimming League (ISL). The 19-year-old represented Energy Standard in all three seasons of the ISL from 2019 to 2021.

Yasianovich told SwimSwam that she’s in America right now and is “looking at several options” for where she’ll begin coaching. She was also in attendance at the American Swimming Coaches’ Association (ASCA) World Clinic in Las Vegas.

 

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Yasianovich added that Shkurdai is still contemplating where she’ll train in the future.

“At the moment she has several options to continue her swimming career,” he said.

“She has time. I’m sure she’ll choose the one that suits her best.”

Despite still being in her teens, Shkurdai has experienced plenty of international success in the pool, including making the Olympic final of the women’s 100 butterfly at the Tokyo 2020 Games last summer (placing eighth).

Shkurdai was also the 2019 European SC champion in the 100 fly, and won silver last year in Kazan. Like all other swimmers from Russia and Belarus, she remains ineligible to compete in FINA events for the remainder of the year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Anastasiya Shkurdai Parting Ways With Longtime Coach Olga Yasianovich

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Auburn Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn Swimming & Diving is back in action. Head coach Ryan Wochomurka enters his second season at the helm of the Tiger program and will kick off the 2022-23 campaign with the Orange vs. Blue Intrasquad meet on Wednesday, Sep. 28.

The Auburn divers will get underway at 3 p.m. CT while the swimming is slated to begin at 3:30.

After a strong finish to the 2021-22 season at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta, the program is looking to build upon the momentum from a season ago.

Last season, the men finished with the program’s highest finish at the NCAAs since 2018 and enter the season as Swim Swam’s No. 24 ranked team.

Meanwhile, 10 individual women qualified for the NCAA Championships last spring, the most since 2016 and the third most amongst the SEC a season ago.

More than 30 of Wochomurka’s crew enjoyed a strong showing at the Phillips 66 National Championships over the summer. Collectively, the Tigers posted 30 final swims, including two A finals and nine B finals. Auburn swimmers claimed 11 finishes of 15^th or better and four top-10 performances.

Wednesday’s meet will be the first chance for Tiger fans to see Auburn’s 18 fresh-faced student-athletes as well as the incoming transfers.

Auburn’s women will be back in the pool at Vanderbilt on Oct. 7 in Nashville, Tennessee, while the men will wait until Oct. 14 for the USC Invite in Los Angeles, California for their first taste of official competition this year.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Auburn To Kick Off 2022-23 Campaign With Orange & Blue Intrasquad On Wednesday

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Florida Athletics

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three Florida swimmers earned SEC Player of the Week honors Tuesday afternoon, the conference announced. Joshua Liendo was named SEC Men’s Swimmer of the Week, Hayden Miller was tabbed SEC Women’s Freshmen of the Week, while Anton Svirskyi claimed Co-SEC Men’s Diver of the Week during the opening week of the 2022-23 season.

In his first collegiate meet, Liendo claimed first in three events, including a 19.69 time in the 50 free, earning a B-cut and pacing the Gators. The freshman also was first in the 100 fly, posting a 48.06.

Fellow freshman Hayden Miller recorded her first career honors, winning the 500 free with a 4:51.10 and the 1000 free, clocking a 9:53.52.

Anton Svirskyi was named Co-SEC Men’s Diver of the Week after posting career-bests in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.

The Gators continue their season on October 22nd against the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Florida’s Liendo, Miller & Svirskyi Earn SEC Weekly Honors

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: LSU Athletics

BATON ROUGE, La. – Maggie MacNeil garnered her first Southeastern Conference accolade Tuesday after being named the SEC Female Swimmer of the Week by the league office for her performance in a tri-meet against Vanderbilt and Tulane at the LSU Natatorium.

“This is a wonderful honor for Maggie after breaking two school records and throwing down NCAA ‘B’ cut times,” head swimming coach Rick Bishop said. “We are very excited to have Maggie’s extensive experience, as we continue to elevate the standard of LSU swimming and diving moving forward. This recognition signifies LSU’s continuous pursuit of excellence in everything we do, in or out of the pool.”

MacNeil, a product of London, Ontario, Canada, opened her LSU career with three victories, two of which were individual. Holding multiple records throughout the landscape of collegiate and international swimming, MacNeil took down two more, this time etching her name in the LSU record book.

Competing in the 100-yard back and 100-yard free, MacNeil threw down a 51.10 in the backstroke event, which broke Caley Oquist’s previously held record of 52.67. In the 100-free, she touched the wall first with a time of 47.43, breaking Amanda Kendall’s school record of 47.90. Both recorded times qualified MacNeil for the NCAA “B” cut in each event.

MacNeil, who came to LSU during the summer and was fresh off a meet record at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, also competed in the 4×50 medley. Anchoring for the Tigers’ “A” squad, she clocked a time of 21.24.

The LSU swimming and diving team returns to action on Oct. 8 to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C. The Tigers are set to compete at 9:00 a.m. CT next Saturday.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Maggie MacNeil Named SEC Female Swimmer of the Week

By Anya Pelshaw on SwimSwam

College swimming season is finally here. So far, there have been numerous dual meets and a lot of intrasquads, but things really pick up this week.

Schedules are also still coming out so the lineup of meets below is the schedule SwimSwam has been able to compile so far based on what schools have made available.

Just as there were several dual meets canceled or postponed due to COVID-19 last season, we already have our first postponement this season (although not due to COVID-19). Meets scheduled to take place at the University of North Florida this weekend have been postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Ian.

Highlighting the dual meet schedules are Georgia, Missouri, and Arizona State. In addition, Howard is setting out to host the biggest HBCU meet ever this weekend. The team will take on Georgetown.

Not to be outdone, multiple top 12 teams that we did previews on this past month will be having intrasquads this weekend. Some of those teams include Virginia, Indiana, and Ohio State (an alumni meet).

Other top teams also competing this week include Alabama, as the women take on Arkansas, and Minnesota, which will race an intrasquad.

Below is a list of D1 swim meets for this weekend we will be covering. If we missed any, please let us know in the comments below.

By Sidney Zacharias 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.

Sprinter Nolan Dunkel has announced his verbal commitment to NC State for the 2024-2025 season. Dunkel trains year-round with Arlington Aquatic Club, and currently a junior at Yorktown High School, located in Arlington, Virginia. 

Dunkel was ranked #11 on SwimSwam’s “Way Too Early Recruit Ranks: Boys High School Class of 2024”. He shared his commitment on Instagram:

Dunkel is an extremely versatile sprinter who has shown speed in nearly all the 100s and 50s. His best event right now is arguably the 100 back–he improved nearly 2 full seconds over the course of last short course season, putting up a blistering 47.39. He owns US Open qualifying times in both the 100m backstroke and the 100m butterfly. Given that he has two more years to improve, he could easily become a huge relay asset for the Wolfpack when he arrives in Raleigh.  

Top SCY Times:

• 50 free – 20.80
• 100 free – 44.89
• 100 back – 47.39
• 100 fly – 48.07
• 200 fly – 1:49.84

Top LCM Times:

• 50 free – 24.00
• 100 free – 51.69
• 100 back – 56.05
• 100 fly – 54.99

All of Dunkel’s best LCM times listed above come from the 2022 NCSA Summer Swimming Championships held in July. Dunkel had a busy schedule of seven individual events and four relays. His highest finish was in the 100 back, where he placed 2nd with a time of 56.05. He also earned 4th in the 50 back (26.37) and 5th in the 50 fly (25.07). Dunkel contributed to all four of Arlington Aquatic Club’s winning relays–he split a 24.78 50 fly, 23.34 50 free, 50.91 100 free, and 54.95 100 fly. 

This past spring, Dunkel represented Yorktown High School at the VHSL Class 6A State Championship. He claimed a state title in the 100 back, clocking in at 48.81. He also earned 3rd in the 100 fly (48.84), and contributed to two third place relays. At the NCSA Spring Championships, he set six new best times. His highest finish was in the 50 back, where he placed 4th with a best time of 21.87. 

Yorktown High School has a history of turning out high-level swimmers, with one of them being recent World Champion Torri Huske. Two-time Olympic Champion Tom Dolan is also an alumni of Yorktown High. 

The NC State men took home the 2022 ACC title, out-scoring second place Louisville by over 300 points. At the 2022 NCAA Championships, NC State took 4th place, just behind Florida. NC State’s Kacper Stokowsi was the NCAA champion in the 100 back, winning with a 44.04. Although Stowkowsi will be long graduated by the time Dunkel arrives on campus, NCAA finalists and sprint specialists David Curtissand Aiden Hayesshould overlap with Dunkel for a year. 

Dunkel is the first public commitment for the Wolfpack’s class of 2028. NC State continues to build upon their recruiting momentum, as Dunkel’s commitment makes this their 6th straight season snagging top-11 ranked boy recruit. 

NC State remains strong in sprinting, as they have built a very sprinter-heavy class of 2027 with the commitments ofMitchell Ledford,Hudson Williams, Chase Mueller, and Jerry Fox. NC State also pulled together the #2 2022 boys recruiting class, with the additions of #2 Quintin McCarty and #3 Michael Cotter. This class also features Dunkel’s club teammate JT Ewing, who is also a sprinter.

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

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Read the full story on SwimSwam: #11-Ranked Recruit Nolan Dunkel Commits to NC State (2024)

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 Kyle Coan, FINIS Team Sales Representative and former swimmer for the Cal Golden Bears.

A classic warmup we’ve all probably done at some point in our swimming careers.

S.K.I.P.S.
300 Swim
300 Kick with a board
300 IM
300 Pull
300 Swim

*Use alignment kickboard for the kick and agility paddles for the pull.

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: S.K.I.P.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.

High school junior Devin Dilger from Macomb, Michigan, has announced his verbal commitment to the University of Florida for 2024-25.

“I am very proud and grateful to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at The University of Florida! Thank you Coach Nesty, Whitney, Steve and Jack!! Thank you to my parents, brother, Coach Clay, Erica and James! I am very excited and look forward to being part of such a great program and school! Go Gators!

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.

Jacob Wimberly from Prosper, Texas, has announced his verbal commitment to Texas A&M University for the 2024-25 school year and beyond.

“Texas A&M has a seasoned coaching staff with a record of producing NCAA champions, a close-knit group of swimmers who are determined to win a championship, and a quality school where I can pursue my undergraduate degree in pre-medicine.”

A junior at Prosper High School, Wimberly trains year-round with Texas Ford Aquatics. He is a highly versatile swimmer with Summer Juniors cuts in the 50/100/200 free, 100/200 back, 100/200 fly, and 200/400 IM. We named him to the “Best of the Rest” section of our Way Too Early list of top boys recruits from the high school class of 2024 for his IM prowess. He will join Seth Tolentino, also a “BOTR” in the Aggies’ class of 2028.

Wimberly moved to Texas from North Carolina after ninth grade, when he won the 100 back (50.44) and was runner-up in the 200 free (1:40.62) at the 2021 NCHSAA 3A State Championships as a member of the Charlotte Catholic High School boys varsity team. He was also a member of the SwimMAC Carolina national age group record-breaking boys 15-18 4×200 free relay in the summer of 2021.

Last high school season, as a sophomore at Prosper High School, Wimberly won the 100 fly (48.37) and came in 5th in the 200 IM (1:48.65) at the 2022 Texas UIL 6A State Swimming and Diving Championships. He earned a PB in the 100 fly in prelims, but most of his best SCY times date from March 2021 at Cary Sectionals. There, he finaled in the 50 free (12th), 100 free (12th), 200 free (10th), 500 free (22nd), 100 back (3rd), 200 back (6th), and 400 IM (17th). He left the meet with lifetime bests in the 50/100/200 free, 100/200 back, and 200 IM.

This summer, he competed at Speedo Junior Nationals in the 50/100 free, 100 fly, and 200 IM. He placed 10th in the 100 fly, 19th in the 100 free, and 24th in the 200 IM and notched PBs in the LCM 50 free (23.80), 100 free (50.78), 200 free (1:51.97), 100 fly (54.28), and 200 IM (2:08.16).

Best SCY times:

• 200 IM – 1:47.40
• 400 IM – 3:52.03
• 100 fly – 48.33
• 200 fly – 1:47.85
• 100 free – 50.78
• 200 free – 1:37.96

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: Summer Juniors Finalist Jacob Wimberly (2024) Verbals to In-state Texas A&M

By Coleman Hodges on SwimSwam

This week on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss what a decathlon for swimming would look like, NCAA stars Maggie MacNeil, Leon Marchand, and Josh Liendo, and WADA’s policy on Marijuana. See full list of topics below:

• 0:00 SwimSwam Breakdown Introduction
• 1:00 What does Leon Marchand‘s 46.6 100 IM tell us about things to come?
• 3:48 Maggie MacNeil breaks 2 LSU records in her first dual meet – Can she defend her 100 fly title this year at NCAAs? 10:25 Is a Swimming Decathlon (4x50s, 5x200s, 1000 Free) a viable event for spectators?
• 17:25 Should WADA take more action on their rules in regards to Marijuana?
• 27:30 Who are you most excited to see in the FINA World Cup?

SINK or SWIM

• 33:06 Sarah Sjostrom will swim at the LA 2028 Olympics?
• 35:29 With Yuri Kisil, can the Canadian men win a medal in the 4×100 Free Relay?
• 40:20 Michael Phelps thinks Marchand can break the 400 IM, Popovici can break the 200 Fr WRs – Which one goes down first?
• 42:56 Should the 25K Open Water be at the FINA World Championships?
• 47:38 Which swim was a bigger deal – Liendo’s dual meet 19.6 or Jordan Crooks’ Practice 19.1?

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimSwam Breakdown: Swimming Decathlon, NCAA Stars, & WADA’s Policy on Marijuana

By Robert Gibbs 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.

Lucca Battaglini, #7 on our list of high school boys in the Class of 2024, announced that he that he plans to head to the West Coast for college, verbally committing to the Cal Golden Bears.

As I am wrapping up swimming on the east coast, I am excited to head over to the west coast in 2024 to continue my swimming and academic career at The University of California, Berkeley! It was an amazing process to get to this point where I had the privilege of meeting many incredible people. I’m grateful for my Dad who has been my coach for most of my swimming career, my whole family, along with everyone who has supported me all these years. I cannot thank coach Dave Durden, coach Matt Bowe, and coach David Marsh enough for giving me this opportunity to be a part of excellence. Go Bears

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam

Courtesy: LEN

While the national teams’ season just finished last week with the junior Europeans, the club season is to kick off on right away on Thursday with the first qualification round in the Champions League.

A couple of former greats highlight the first qualification round in the Champions League, like 7-time winner Mladost of Croatia and Hungary’s legendary team of the 80s and the 90s Vasas, and Montenegro’s two top sides Primorac and Jadran.

The best three ranked teams from groups A, C, D and the best two ranked teams of group B will qualify for the Champions League Qualification Round II. The remaining teams will participate in the Preliminary Round of the Challenger Cup.

All four tournaments are livestreamed on the LEN TV and the games can also be followed on our dedicated site via livescoring – check out www.len.eu

Qualification Round 1 

Group A (Het Ravijn) 

A Hid Vasas-Plaket (HUN), Steaua Bucharest (ROU), Primorac Kotor (MNE), Het Ravijn (NED) , Nepobjedivi Invictum Sarajevo (BIH)

Group B (Oradea) 

RN Savona (ITA), Galatasary Istanbul (TUR), CSM Oradea (ROU), ASA Tel-Aviv (ISR)

Group C (Herceg Novi) 

HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO), Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE), EVK Zaibas (LTU), Enka Istanbul (TUR), Klub VP Novaky (SVK)

Group D (Tuorcoing) 

EN Tourcoing (FRA), Panionios GSS (GRE), Vitoria Guimaraes (POR), Banja Luka (BIH), KVIK Kastrup (DEN)

Read the full story on SwimSwam: LEN Champions League Round 1 Preview: The New Season Is Here

By Ben Dornan on SwimSwam

After announcing the first ‘elite eight’ swimmers who will race at the upcoming 2022 FINA World Cup, FINA has started announcing more athletes who are confirmed for the series. Chad le Clos, Kira Toussaint, Madi Wilson, Nicolo Martinenghi, and Arno Kamminga join Kylie Masse, Anastasia Gorbenko, Matt Sates, Louise Hansson, Thomas Ceccon, Kyle Chalmers, Nic Fink, and Siobhan Haughey.

Those latter eight swimmers will race at all three stops of the 2022 series, in Berlin, Toronto, and Indianapolis. It’s unclear yet whether le Clos, Wilson, Toussaint, Martinenghi, and Kamminga will race at all three of them.

pic.twitter.com/6ZcvSXC8Ri

— FINA (@fina1908) September 22, 2022

pic.twitter.com/q96kUgLmvy

— FINA (@fina1908) September 22, 2022

We will update this post as FINA announces more confirmed athletes for the series.

The 2022 FINA World Cup features three meets, which is one less than the four meets that occurred during the 2021 series. The Berlin stop will run from October 21-23, Toronto from 28-30, and the Indianapolis from November 3-5.

Le Clos, Toussaint, Wilson, and Kamminga have all raced at World Cups in years past and will all be in contention for several medals in 2022. Chad le Clos currently holds the record for most gold medals won at a World Cup meet, having won 146 events between 2011 and 2021. He won the most events at the 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2017 World Cups.

Last year, Matt Sates was the winningest man in the series and Emma McKeon was the woman who notched the most wins. Sates is among those confirmed to be returning in 2022, while McKeon has yet to announce if she will be there. There will be $1.2 million in prize money dispensed across the three meets, along with $10,000 bonuses for world records or a ‘triple crown’ (winning the same event at all three meets).

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Madi Wilson, Chad le Clos, And Kira Toussaint Join 2022 FINA World Cup Lineup

By Noelle Theodoulou on SwimSwam

Swim England has teamed up with partners to launch a new fact sheet on how patients can benefit from swimming before and after surgery.

The organization suggests aquatic activity as an alternative procedure for perioperative care to improve the health and wellbeing of people who require special care or surgery in the country.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, England has experienced a higher demand for hospital treatment, but the limited capacity and shortage of workers have led to a significant backlog. According to the British Medical Association, over 6.84 million people are waiting for treatment as of July. Before the pandemic in February 2020, 4.43 million people were on a waiting list for care.

The accredited contributors to Swim England’s fact sheet are Honorary Clinical Professor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Scarlett McNally; CEO of Good Boost, Ben Wilkins; and Chair of the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, Jacqueline Pattman.

McNally, who is also a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Deputy Director of the Center for Perioperative Care, advocates for exercise as a beneficial procedure in preparing for and following surgery.

“For many people, swimming is the best form of exercise,” she says. “People who have leg problems, back problems, or obesity often move freely in water without impact. Because you don’t feel the sweat, you don’t realize what a great exercise swimming is.”

Wilkins founded Good Boost to offer accessible and affordable water-based rehabilitation programs to support musculoskeletal wellbeing. He shared evidence of patients delaying or even canceling their joint replacement surgeries because their aqua rehab sessions with Good Boost led to reduced pain and better mobility.

Pattman stands by the potential benefits of aquatic activity before and after surgery but is mindful of the challenges that need to be met to experience such advantages. Regardless of the obstacles, she affirms that the Charter Society of Physiotherapy will campaign alongside Swim England to continue pool therapy services.

The Just Swim website and the Health & Wellbeing Hub have made the new fact sheet available to the public. You can find the general fact sheet, with links to specific surgery protocols, here.

Swim England and its partners offer more health advice and protocol for swimming for conditions such as cancer, COVID-19, mental illness, asthma, diabetes, glandular fever, swimmer’s ear, epilepsy, dementia, arthritis, heart disease, and skin conditions.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Swim England Proves that Patients Undergoing Surgery Can Benefit from Swimming

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Russian synchronized swimming great Anastasia Davydova, who is also currently serving as the secretary general of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), has fled the country.

Davydova told staff at her synchronized swimming base in Moscow that she had no plans on returning to Russia, according to Russia’s state-run news agency TASS.

The five-time Olympic champion leaving the country comes in the wake of President Vladimir Putin‘s partial mobilization order of military reserves to fight in the war with Ukraine, though she hasn’t released an official statement on the matter. The order resulted in Russia’s Ministry of Sports to call on its national governing bodies to cancel training camps abroad.

Davydova, 39, reportedly had a good relationship with Putin, having been awarded Russia’s “Order of Merit” last year. She also carried the Russian flag at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The ROC said that Davydova has not resigned as secretary general, a role she’s held since May 2014.

In a statement, the ROC said that, via translation, “the operational effectiveness of the organization does not depend on the personal situation of the Secretary General.”

Russia’s national team head coach, Tatyana Pokrovskaya, added that she was in the dark on Davydova’s decision.

“For me, this is a surprise. I can’t even say anything about this.”

Davydova won five Olympic titles throughout her distinguished career, earning double gold in the duet and team competitions in both Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) before adding a third consecutive team title in London (2012).

In addition to her Olympic success, she was also a 13-time world champion.

Also making headlines in the past 24 hours is the resignation of one of Russia’s top judges, Konstantin Aranovsky, who has been known to be a critic of Russia’s police protocols.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, the United Nations has estimated that 6,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, in addition to tens-of-thousands of soldiers (estimates range widely depending on the source).

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Russian Synchro Legend & ROC Secretary General Flees Country