Swimming Magazine Online Issue November 2012

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NOVEMBER 2012 —VOLUME 53 NO. 11 “The daily news of swimming” Check us out online at: www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com $3.95 USA • $4.50 CAN

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FEATURES

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Déjà Vu All Over Again! by Shoshanna Rutemiller

Just like last year, Kane Radford and Melissa Gorman won the 13th annual RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco Bay, with each champion receiving a check for $10,000.

12 Splash & Dash for Cash by Shoshanna Rutemiller

Some of the fastest 50 freestylers in the world competed head-to-head for a chance at $15,000 worth of prize money.

14 From the Pool to Open Water

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by Steve Munatones Swimming World’s 2012 Open Water Swimmers of the Year—Hungary’s Éva Risztov and Tunisia’s Ous Mellouli—both came from the pool and elevated their game in the open water. With a strategy that played to their strengths, they showed how the unexpected can become expected in the open water.

16 Waiting in the Wings by John Lohn

South Africa’s Chad Le Clos could very well be the next multi-event talent who has the ability to put the sport on his shoulders and carry it through the next Olympiad.

22 Dryside Training: Strong Back, Strong Core...Strong Swimmer by J.R. Rosania 25 Q&A with Coach Steve Brown by Michael J. Stott 28 It’s a Win-Win! by Michael J. Stott

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With few exceptions, high school-only swimmers are vey welcome in USA Swimming club programs.

30 USSSA: Speed vs. Technique? by Dave Tonnesen

Proper technique is the fundamental building block for great swimming.

32 It’s All About the Student-Athletes by Jim Bocci

Sport academies offer exceptional opportunities for both athletic and academic college scholarships.

42 American Relay by Judy Jacob 43 TYR Age Group Swimmer of the Month

DEPARTMENTS

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OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR

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Swimming Outside the Lines

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18 Holiday Gift Guide 34 Prep School Listings

44 For the Record 46 Parting Shot

ON THE COVER: Regarded as one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious open water swimming events, the RCP Tiburon Mile attracts athletes—both local and international—every fall to the San Francisco Bay area near the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. For the second straight year, Kane Radford (men) and Melissa Gorman (women) each won $10,000 for their respective first-place finishes. (See story, page 8.) [COVER PHOTO BY IAN THURSTON] SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0039-7431). Note: permission to reprint articles or excerpts from contents is prohibited without permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for errors in advertisements. Microfilm copies: available from University Microfilms, 313 N. First St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Swimming World Magazine is listed in the Physical Education Index. Printed in the U.S.A. © Sports Publications International, November 2012.

November 2012

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Just like last year, Kane Radford and Melissa Gorman won the RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco Bay, with each champion receiving a check for $10,000.

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IBURON, Calif.—You couldn’t have picked a better day...

This was the general consensus as the docks here filled up with athletes, volunteers and spectators preparing for the 13th annual Robert C. Placak (RCP) Tiburon Mile, Sept. 9. The early morning sunshine glittered off the calm harbor waters as hundreds of athletes loaded on ferries headed for the ruggedly beautiful Ayala Cove on Angel Island. They

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PICTURED » At 9 a.m., a gunshot disturbed the calm morning, signaling the start of the competition. On cue, the elite group raced into the water.

would swim one mile across the Raccoon Strait, and exit near the docks of the Corinthian Yacht Club.

Regarded as one of the most competitive and prestigious open water swimming events, the Tiburon Mile attracts athletes—both local and international—every fall to the San Francisco Bay area.

Event founder Placak was delighted: “I couldn’t have asked for better conditions in today’s race: 75 degrees, clear skies, warm breezes and a gentle ebb

tide pushing the athletes to a swift finish.”

A fleet of boats, loaded with volunteers, coaches and cameramen, trailed the athlete ferries to Angel Island.

Several harbor porpoises peered above the water, punctuating a group of volunteers in kayaks and paddleboats. The San Rafael Bridge loomed in the distance, while the iconic Golden Gate Bridge cut above the Bay waters toward San Francisco in the other direction.

— continued on 10 November 2012

9

PICTURED » After beginning at beautiful Ayala Cove on Angel Island and swimming across the Raccoon Strait in the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, the lead pack of elite swimmers heads toward the exit near the docks of the Corinthian Yacht Club.

RCP TIBURON MILE — continued from 9

AN IMPRESSIVE FIELD The race is divided into three categories:: elite, age group and wetsuit, with the malee and female elite winners each receiving g $10,000 in prize money.

This year, the elite men boasted an n incredibly talented roster, including Kanee Radford (two-time Tiburon Mile champi-on), Michael Klueh (American record hold-er and 13-time All-American swimmer att Texas, 2005-09), David Heron (USA nation-al 5K open water champion) and Australian n open water swimming sensations Ridgee and Codie Grimsey.

The women’s side was equally stacked d with Melissa Gorman (two-time Tiburon n elite champion), Christine Jennings (FINA A World Cup 10K open water champion),, Ashley Twichell (USA national open waterr team member) and 14-year-old distance starr Becca Mann.

After exiting the ferries, a couple off brave souls ventured into the chilly waterr (61 degrees Fahrenheit), while members off the men’s University of California swim m team gave a raucous cheer from the beach..

At 9 a.m., a gunshot disturbed the calm m morning, signaling the start of the competi-tion. On cue, the elite group raced into thee water.

The lead boat pulled up close, and cam-eramen leaned precariously over the side,, dipping their cameras into the water ass the vessel bounced up and down with h the swells. Radio chatter accompanied thee sounds of water slapping the boat’s sides:: 10

November 2012

Make sure he doesn’t go too far to the right. Cut the engine; you’re causing a wave. Pull the boat up closer.

Once clear of the island coast, an excited chatter came from the boat: Look, look! Melissa’s beating the guys!

There, several yards to the left of the pack, was Australia’s Melissa Gorman, noticeably ahead of her male competitors.

“It was such a motivation for me just to try and stay with (the guys), and I actually think I overtook them for a little bit in the race. It gave me that added incentive to get to the finish line,” Gorman said after PICTURED » Melissa Gorman (left) and Kane the race.

Radford won the RCP Tiburon Mile for the To Gorman’s left, second straight year. Gorman, who finished first a battle was brewing among the women and third overall, is from between the male elites.

Australia, while Radford hails from New Zealand.

Auckland’s Radford was sprinting alongside the Grimsey brothers.

Australian Michael Sheil, Klueh and Rhys Mainstone (the 2012 Waikiki Roughwater

Swim champion) were also in the mix.

The time clock read only 15 minutes, but the finish line was approaching...fast! .

TO THE FINISH...AND BEYOND! The lead boat’s engines sprang to life as it veered sharply to the left, racing toward the docks to beat the athletes to the finish line. At about the 21-minute mark, Radford thrust himself onto his feet as the rest of the pack struggled to find their footing. Radford snapped the tape first—at 21:43, two seconds ahead of secondplace finisher, Ridge Grimsey.

The two men had overtaken Gorman in the final stretch, bumping her down to third overall, but first among the women. Her time was 21:46, five seconds ahead of Jennings, the women’s elite runner-up.

“It was déjà vu all over again,” said

Pl Placak after the race. (Radford and Gorman) w will be wearing the coveted royal blue caps ag again in 2013, signifying their 2012 victory in th the tradition of our champions.”

“Nothing is better than winning back-toba back (titles),” a smiling Radford said after th the race.

After the swim, competitors made their w way to the food tent. With their hair still dr dripping wet and arms tattooed with black m marker numbers, competitors—aged 7 to 70 70—grabbed paper plates, as enthusiastic lo local vendors plied them with everything fr from bagels to breakfast burritos.

Lounging on the cool grass, picnic-style, at athletes swapped stories of their own race ex experiences: My arms were tingly....It was hard getting out of the water....I’m definitely coming ge back next year. ba The Johnny Smith Band played live bluesrock for the mingling crowd, with the San ro Francisco Bay in the background. Many linFr gered after the 11 o’clock check presentation, ge enjoying the beautiful, sunny day. en “My goal in 1999 was to create a worldclass swim event that would galvanize the cl community and raise funds for charity,” said co Placak, discussing the creation of the onePl mile open water event. “With 200-plus volm unteers, the premier swimmers in the world un from 20 countries, and more than $1,300,000 fr raised, I am deeply satisfied that my original ra intent is being fulfilled and perpetuated.” in From a swimmer’s standpoint, Gorman put it best, saying, “I love this weekend. It’s pu probably one of my favorite weekends on the pr ocean.” It would be difficult to find someone oc who would disagree. ❖ w November 2012

11

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Some of the fastest 50 freestylers in the world competed head-to-head for a chance at $15,000 worth of prize money.

ATHERTON, Calif.—Olympians, world record holders, national and collegiate champions—all up close and personal.

That was the setting on the afternoon of Sept. 8 at a posh 25-yard, two-lane backyard pool of swimming philanthropist, Tod Spieker, as elite athletes past and present came together to battle head-to-head for cash prizes.

Originally created as a “boutique swimming” event in 2010 by Robert C. Placak (RCP) as a prelude to the RCP Tiburon Mile (see pages 8-11), this year’s Sprint Classic expanded its line-up to include women and a duel between legendary Olympic rivals, Matt Biondi and Tom Jager.

While setting up his filming equipment, my colleague, Jeff Commings, totaled up the on-deck gold medal count: John Naber, he has four...Matt Biondi has eight...Anthony Ervin has one...Dana Vollmer, four now after London.... The count continued, and on reaching 30, my eyes grew wider with the realization that I was in the presence of swimming royalty. And I would get to watch them compete in a series of 50-yard freestyle sprints.

PRELIMINARY ROUND The women competed first: three heats, six swimmers—all of them posting PICTURED » The RCP Sprint Classic took place at a posh 25-yard, two-lane backyard pool of swimming philanthropist, Tod Spieker. “I couldn’t believe I would see four different (male) athletes go under 20 seconds—in a backyard pool!” said Spieker. (Pictured, from left: Liv Jensen and Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace)

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remarkably fast times.

American record holder Lara Jackson was matched against four-time Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer; 2011 NCAA 50 free champion Arianna VanderpoolWallace was paired with 2012 NCAA 50 free champion Liv Jensen; and Kara Lynn Joyce battled it out against Emily Silver. Bahamas’ Vanderpool-Wallace took the top time for the ladies with a 22.23, putting her in a position to win $2,500, racing against Rowdy Gaines later in the day.

Next up were the men: Anthony Ervin battled his London 2012 Olympic teammate, Jimmy Feigen. The camaraderie was apparent when, upon stepping up on the blocks, Ervin slapped his hands together and let out a raucous, “Let’s go JimmAAYY!” Ervin touched out Feigen, whose specialty is the 100 free and who was a last-minute substitution for Ricky Berens, who had to miss the meet.

Ervin, who tied for first in the 50 free at the 2000 Olympics with Gary Hall Jr., clocked a blistering 19.61 in heat 1. But Josh Schneider, the 2010 Sprint Classic champion, took the second heat in 19.55, beating French Olympian Fred Bousquet. Nick Brunelli and Tom Shields raced in the next heat, followed by Trinidad and Tobago Olympian George Bovell, a 2004 bronze medalist in the 200 IM, versus Spain’s Javier Noriega.

Bovell clocked the fastest time of the afternoon (19.39), placing him in the final duel with Schneider.

A LONG-AWAITED REMATCH In addition to the head-to-head competition for cash prizes, another highlight of the afternoon had to be the duel between Matt Biondi and Tom Jager. The last time these two men raced was at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Biondi came away with a silver medal that day, with Jager winning bronze, as Russia’s Alex Popov took the gold.

But on this sunny afternoon in the little two-lane backyard lap pool, the two friendly rivals snapped on their goggles, swung their arms and prepared to dive into the pool for a long-awaited rematch.

Biondi’s dive splashed the nearest spectators—and our camera lens—but everyone was too excited about the ensuing race to care. The two rivals went strokefor-stroke until the finish, with Jager outtouching Biondi, 23.11 to 23.18. “I still enjoy swimming,” said a heavily breathing Biondi after the race, “but not racing so much anymore! (Coming to the event was a) good chance to see my buddy, Tom.” THE MAIN ATTRACTION Another Olympic legend was on hand to race: Rowdy Gaines, who is now 53! He was matched against Vanderpool-Wallace in a hyped “Battle of the Sexes.”

With an afternoon of rest and a distinct height advantage (Gaines is about a foot taller than VanderpoolWallace), the three-time 1984 Olympic gold medalist nabbed the win, breaking 22 seconds in the process with a 21.98.

Immediately after the race, a soaking wet and exuberant Vanderpool-Wallace hopped from the pool, exclaiming, “I got beat by an old man!”

Soon after, Schneider and Bovell were front-andcenter for the highly anticipated $10,000 race. Could Schneider defend his Sprint Classic title against the fastest man in the pool that afternoon? As with the majority of the afternoon races, it came down to the touch—and by about a tenth of a second, Schneider won for the second year in a row.

With hardly any time given to celebrate, the two competitors were instructed to piece together a mixed 200 freestyle relay. Schneider chose the winning team of Ervin, Jager and Jensen, adding an additional $500 to his prize money.

Immediately following the relay—less than two minutes—another gauntlet was thrown: Bovell and Schneider were given the opportunity to have a final 25-yard sprint-off “grudge match,” with the winner earning an additional $250.

With still another victory, Schneider was the biggest champion of all, earning $10,750. ❖

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» Éva Risztov

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Swimming World’s 2012 Open Water Swimmers of the Year—Hungary’s Éva Risztov and Tunisia’s Ous Mellouli—both came from the pool and elevated their game in the open water. They focused their talents in a sport that was initially unfamiliar to them. With a strategy that played to their strengths, they showed how the unexpected can become expected in the open water.

S

tamina, speed and smarts characterize Swimming World’s 2012 Open Water Swimmers of the Year, Éva Risztov of Hungary and Ous Mellouli of Tunisia.

The Olympic 10K marathon swimming champions fired on all the right cylinders in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake in London.

With thousands of spectators ringing the course under gloriously sunny conditions, Risztov and Mellouli swam smart, controlled, tactical races around the six-loop course.

THE PATH TO GOLD Risztov’s path to Olympic gold started years before.

She was world-class in butterfly, individual medley and distance freestyle with a fourth-place finish in the 400 IM at the 2004 Olympics. She retired in 2005, but the itch to return became too strong to ignore.

Four years after her retirement, the three-time Olympian looked toward the open water. She initially participated on the professional marathon swimming circuit in 2009. Her versatility and athleticism served her well in the open water world, but her success was not immediate despite her Olympic pedigree.

The sport demands an apprenticeship that tested her 14

November 2012

patience and required a steep learnn ing curve. She remained out of the money during her first two seasons and was disqualified at the 2011 World Championships, Championships but she learned from every tactical mismis take. By the time the Olympic qualifier came around, she understood not only the physical rigors of a 10K, but also more importantly how her competitors swam. She studied what made champions in the open water and ultimately replicated these strategies to a T. OLYMPIC VICTORY IN THE SERPENTINE Like Rebecca Adlington in the pool, Keri-Anne Payne was a heavy British gold medal favorite at the Olympics.

Payne had not only dominated the marathon swimming competition, but she was swimming on her home turf in front of a supportive crowd of 30,000, including British Prime Minister David Cameron.

But Risztov not only took a page, but whole chapters out of Payne’s playbook by pushing the pace early and swimming out in front to win her first Olympic medal.

As Payne successfully did in the past, 26-year-old Risztov sprinted out to the front and quickly became the hunted. But she was comfortable and confident in the lead with her high navigational IQ. Swimming straight between the turn buoys, her natural athleticism enabled her to control the tempo throughout the race while she understood where all her main competitors were positioned at all times.

She punished the field with a torrid pace that helped thin the lead pack. With a smaller, manageable size, she smartly reduced the probability of getting a yellow or red card. After competing in the 400 free relay, 400 free and 800 free in the pool during the first week of the Olympics, she still had plenty of speed left. She was able to pick up the pace and slightly change her relative position to the next buoy whenever it became necessary to hold off her challengers. Despite her relatively short career as an open water swimmer, she displayed the poise of a veteran.

That poise and composure came in handy as the marathon swim culminated in the most pressure-packed sprint of her life. After nearly two hours of swimming, Risztov faced a furious sprint by USA’s Haley Anderson. With

PICTURED

» Ous Mellouli

every stroke down the final straightaway, Anderson gained on Risztov. But Risztov had the presence of mind to swim the shortest straight-line tangent to the finish to hold off the fast fast-charging charging American by 4-tenths of a second.

Risztov’s years of training and patience in learning the sport resulted in her ability to pull off daring strategy filled with risks. But without risks, there can be no rewards in the highest echelon of marathon swimming.

The 2012 Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year was able to reap those rewards on the sport’s biggest stage.

OUS AGAINST THE WORLD While Thomas Lurz of Germany and Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece were the prohibitive favorites in the men’s Olympic 10K, Ous Mellouli presented a serious darkhorse threat when he announced his intentions to compete in the 10K. But like Risztov, Mellouli went through a steep learning process as he straddled between the chlorinated confines of the pool and the unexpected dynamics of the open water world.

For years, Mellouli has competed in the RCP Tiburon Mile, a cold-water swim in San Francisco Bay where he tussled against the world’s fastest swimmers. As he struggled with injuries, he never won the race, but he picked up more racing savvy every time. It was clear that he was a quick study, and his innate competitiveness would demand better results.

By 2012, the Trojan Swim Club (Calif.) stalwart was ready to make the dual commitment to both pool and open water. He first competed in a 10K World Cup race in Cancun, Mexico in April, where he placed far outside the podium. “But he learned a lot there,” said coach Catherine Vogt. “He took it all in, and he knew what to do in Portugal (at the Olympic qualifier).”

Mellouli’s performance in Portugal was a precursor to London and a hint to his competitors what his open water potential was. At the Olympic qualifier, Mellouli swam among the leaders for five loops before blasting the field on the final loop. “He just took off so fast,” recalled Richard Weinberger, who finished second in Portugal.

Behind the Tunisian game changer was a focused crew with coaches Dave Salo and Vogt. They developed a game plan remarkably similar to Risztov in which Mellouli replicated her strategy and worked it to perfection.

Because he had among the shallowest resumés of all the 10K finalists, Mellouli was best suited to shortening the marathon swim into manageable chunks. Like Risztov, he shot out to the front, swam in clear water, and surged and slowed when he felt the need. Always in control and slowing the pace down seemingly on demand, Mellouli’s influence on the field was significantly greater than his level of experience.

As the race progressed, the tactical advantages continued to shift to Mellouli’s corner. The shorter the distance to the finish, the greater odds that Mellouli could outswim everyone there. With more than half the race finished, Mellouli and the top competitors were still swimming comfortably. As the race dwindled down to its climax, the field remained patient, waiting for someone to make a move.

The IMer and double Olympic medalist in the 1500 (gold in 2008, bronze in 2012) was also waiting for his chance, but he had the advantage of being the aggressor.

At the second-to-last feeding stop, Mellouli dropped the hammer, as he swung wide. Before the rest of the field could realize what was happening, he had created separation. It was not only a physical gap of several meters—and building—but it was also, more importantly, a psychological separation. With less than 3K to go, Mellouli had the strength and speed to build a comfortable lead that he maintained even as he slowed toward the finish.

“Nothing compares to this (victory),” Mellouli said afterward. “There’s no way I can top this achievement.

Only those close to me know how much I struggled to get here.” ❖ Steve Munatones writes for the Daily News of Open Water Swimming and created www.openwaterswimming.com and www.openwaterpedia.com.

November 2012

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to the Games, he gradually built an impressive portfolio. He was a star at the 2010 version of the Youth Olympics, earning medals in four individual events.

He was the gold medalist in the 200 fly and 400 IM at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. That same year, he was the world short course champion in the 200 fly.

Although le Clos was shut out of the medals at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, he rebounded later in the year by becoming the overall champion of the World Cup circuit. It was a title made possible by his versatility as well as his ability to handle a hefty schedule from meet to meet. It also built confidence.

The momentum he garnered from the World Cup tour certainly paid off in London, but few could have predicted what he pulled off in the 200 fly. Racing against Phelps—his boyhood idol—le Clos turned the tables on the greatest swimmer in history. Long known for his incredible closing speed and knack for pulling out nail-biting triumphs, Phelps was clipped by le Clos. In a reversal of history, it was le Clos who was the closer, reeling in Phelps over the final lap—and in the final meters—to win the gold medal in 1:52.96 to the 1:53.01 of Phelps, who was seeking his third consecutive Olympic crown in the event.

“It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a little boy,” le Clos said at the Olympics. “I just wanted to race Phelps in the final, and (now), I’ve beaten him. I can’t believe it. Phelps is my hero, and I love the guy.

To beat him, I can’t believe it. You don’t understand what this means to me. This is the greatest moment of my life!”

However, it wasn’t the only special moment for le Clos. When he walked away from the London Games, he also had a silver medal in the 100 fly, an event in which he finished behind Phelps. For good measure, he qualified for the championship final in the 200 and 400 IM. While le Clos scratched from the 200 medley final, he placed fifth in the 400.

THE PHELPS PHENOMENON There is no mystery surrounding le Clos’ aquatic inspiration. It’s been Phelps for many years. In London, he talked about watching the Athens Games as a 12-year-old and dreaming of one day emulating the American. That scenario, obviously, has unfolded. Not only does he share similarities with Phelps in terms of the butterfly and individual medley events, but he’s also proven himself to be one of the world’s best in the 200 free. Simply, le Clos is evidence of Phelps’ success in generating growth for the sport.

One of the more endearing moments of the London Games was the way le Clos and Phelps interacted, particularly during the medals ceremony for the 200 fly.

Overwhelmed by the moment and hearing the South African national anthem, le Clos was choked up upon receiving his gold medal. Helping him through the celebration was Phelps, who put his arm around the youngster and guided him around the deck.

“He is basically the reason I swim butterfly,” le Clos said. “I was a breaststroke swimmer until after the 2008 Olympics, and after being so inspired by him, I wanted to be just like him. I have also had the privilege of getting to know him, and he is such a humble, cool guy outside of the pool as well.”

SCARY POTENTIAL Just a 20-year-old, le Clos seems to be far from his peak, which is a scary prospect for his competitors. Four years from now, there is a good chance he will be the talk of the Olympic Games, a medal contender in five individual events.

Yes, we’re dealing with that kind of talent.

During this Olympic year, he ranked No. 1 in the world in the 200 fly, No. 3 in the 100 fly, 12th in both medley events and 24th in the 200 free, an event that he didn’t get to contest at full force.

Over the next few years, there’s no doubt he’s going to get stronger and, as a byproduct, faster. He has the potential to challenge some of the out-of-this-world performances by Phelps in the 200 fly, and he is on an arc in the 100 fly that should make him the top performer in that event.

The first significant look we’ll have of his postOlympic prowess will be at next summer’s World Championships in Barcelona. At least one person—an individual who knows something about greatness— won’t be shocked if le Clos is dominant.

“It just goes to show that anything you want and anything you want to achieve, if you put your mind to it, you’re going to achieve it,” Phelps said. “I’ve said that so many times, and it’s true. Chad is showing that.

He has a lot more goals he wants to achieve, and I’m excited to see him continue in the sport and see what he does.”

Along with Cameron van der Burgh, the Olympic champion in the 100 breast, le Clos will be at the forefront of South Africa’s push to rise up and challenge the superpower nations. And considering his skill level, he could become one of the greatest swimmers his country has ever produced. Certainly, he’s working in that direction.

“My goal for the future is to try and add more events to my program,” he said. “There are still many things I need to improve on, and I am working really hard to get them right.”

If that last quote sounds somewhat familiar, it should.

Le Clos’ approach mimics that of Phelps, whose exploits were the result of a focused approach as much as due to his talent. Now that Phelps is gone and enjoying retirement, look to le Clos—perhaps the king of Rio—as the heir apparent. It’s a legitimate possibility. ❖ November 2012

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10/26/12 1:54 PM

the OFFICIAL WORD

Giving Back by Paying Forward

BY JAYNE SPITTLER

An organization or team is only as good as its foundation, and this past summer, Aaron Peirsol was “caught in the act” of strengthening the base by mentoring younger swimmers.

Peirsol was the national team rep for the U.S. Junior Pan Pac team that competed last August in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The three-time Olympian, gold medalist and world record holder considered the Junior Pan Pacs the best trip of the summer—even better than the Olympics.

Why?—because of the opportunity to interact with upand-coming junior swimmers and to mentor them to step into the “big fins” of swimmers who will retire during the next quadrennium.

“Our Olympic team had a mix of young and old swimmers, but many of our athletes are older and may not stay until 2016. This team needs to be ready to step in, deal with the pressure and perform,” he said.

Peirsol could have spent that week doing many things, but he chose to invest in the next generation of elite athletes and Olympic hopefuls. He swam, laughed, ate, talked and coached with them, building a team and passing on his passion. He gave them energy and confidence. He got them ready to step in and perform.

This mentoring theme of confidence and performance can also be applied to officials.

We mentor so we can give back to the sport. We mentor to “pay it forward” to a sport that has been good to us.

We need younger officials in our ranks, learning our craft, gaining experience and preparing to take our place on the pool deck.

We need to take them under our wing and teach them the finer points of officiating. We should be happy the “youngsters” are coming up behind us rather than fearing that they will displace us.

Just like Peirsol did with the U.S. Junior Pan Pac team, we officials need to give our new officials energy and confidence, and get them ready to step in and perform. V Jayne Spittler is an official from Illinois Swimming who officiated at the Junior Pan Pacs in August and had the opportunity to hear Aaron Peirsol talk about mentoring the next generation.

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November 2012

MAXWELL MEDALS & AWARDS

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Steele has mentored hundreds of officials in the nuances of being a stroke-andturn judge—his favorite officiating position.

He finally succumbed to the pressure from his officiating friends Grady Steele to become certified as a starter, but he kept the new certification quiet so he could still be assigned as a judge. Not only has Steele been active at local meets, but he also has been frequently seen at Grand Prix, Masters and national meets in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Steele has set a high standard for attitude and excellence in officiating.

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200 FREE 1:58.16 1:58.23 1:58.86 400 FREE 4:07.18 4:08.55 4:08.57 800 FREE 8:27.43 8:29.67 8:29.71 50 BACK 28.19 28.39 28.52

Sept. 26 Shao Yiwen Shen Duo Cao Yue Sept. 24 Shao Yiwen Pang Wenxian Xu Danlu Sept. 23 Xu Danlu Shao Yiwen Liu Yiru Sept. 25 Liu Xiang Fu Yuanhui Cheng Haifua

100 BACK Sept. 22 1:01.12 Zhou Yanxin 1:01.22 Fuyuan Hui 1:01.45 Liu Xiang 200 BACK Sept. 24 2:11.72 Luan Xiaoxuan 2:12.10 Liao Yali 2:12.79 Li Yuan 50 BREAST Sept. 22 31.58 Liu Xiaoyu 31.73 Zhao Jin 32.40 Zhang Hongtao 100 BREAST Sept. 24 1:08.84 Sun Ye 1:09.05 Liu Xiaoyu 1:09.44 Wu Yuele

200 BREAST Sept. 26 2:28.33 Fan Rong 2:28.53 Shi Jinglin 2:29.02 Liu Hangjiao 50 FLY Sept. 23 26.39 Lu Xing 26.96 Ling Shuyuan 27.07 Guo Pan 100 FLY Sept. 25 58.78 Lu Ying 59.32 Liu Lan 59.65 Gong Jie 200 FLY Sept. 22 2:07.58 Gong Jie 2:09.60 Harth Nian 2:10.27 Zhu Jiani 200 IM Sept. 25 2:13.24 Zhang Wenqing 2:13.98 Chen Yanyi 2:14.66 Zhou Min 400 IM Sept. 22 4:40.34 Pang Wenyin 4:41.76 Zhou Min 4:42.49 Chen Xinyi

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MEN 50 FREE Sept. 23 22.82 Lu Zhiwu 22.92 Shi Yang 22.96 Zhang Qibin 100 FREE Sept. 24 49.78 Wang Shun 49.85 Shi Tengfei 50.06 Zhang Enjian 200 FREE Sept. 22 1:45.94 Sun Yang 1:48.40 Qi Liyun 1:49.54 Pu Wenjie 400 FREE Sept. 24 3:43.97 Sun Yang 3:47.96 Li Yunqi 3:52.77 Wang Kecheng 1500 FREE Sept. 26 14:50.30 Sun Yang 15:20.35 Hao Yun 15:22.33 Wang Kecheng 50 BACK Sept. 24 25.37 Cheng Feiyi 25.67t Xu Jiayu 25.67t Sun Xiaolei 100 BACK Sept. 22 54.30 Cheng Feiyi 54.35 He Jianbin 54.70 Win Chui 200 BACK Sept. 26 1:56.36 Zhang Fenglin 1:59.26 Xu Jiayu 2:00.50 Diao Qigong 50 BREAST Sept. 25 27.91 Wang Shuai 28.01 Li Xiayan 28.26 Ma Xiang 100 BREAST Sept. 22 1:01.41 Ma Xiang 1:02.16 Wang Shuai 1:02.23 Huang Kim 200 BREAST Sept. 24 2:12.67 Huang Chaosheng 2:14.88 Huang Yunkun 2:15.56 Lai Zhongjian 50 FLY Sept. 24 23.60 Zhang Qibin 24.26 Wang Yuxin 24.59 Hu Chao 100 FLY Sept. 22 52.70 Zhang Qibin 53.66 Shi Feng 53.74 Chen Yin 200 FLY Sept. 26 1:58.40 Yang Zhixian 2:00.23 Zuo Shiqiao 2:00.33 Liu Yu 200 IM Sept. 24 1:59.79 Zhang Fenglin 2:01.03 Yang Zhixian 2:01.10 Mao Feilian 400 IM Sept. 23 4:12.25 Huang Chaosheng 4:14.19 Yang Zhixian 4:16.59 Wang Chengxiang

NATIONAL U.S. OPEN

Indianapolis, Indiana Aug. 7-11, 2012 (50 M) WOMEN 50 FREE Aug. 11 25.19 Liv Jensen, CAL 25.37 Megan Romano, ABSC 25.48 Olivia Halicek, AUS 100 FREE Aug. 7 53.92 Megan Romano, ABSC 54.79 Erika Erndl, T2 55.48 Sandrine Mainville, CAN 200 FREE Aug. 10 1:57.54 Megan Romano, ABSC 1:58.41 Chelsea Chenault, TERA 1:58.55 Sarah Henry, AGS 400 FREE Aug. 8 4:09.31 Stephanie Peacock, SOFL 4:10.24 Catherine Breed, PLS 4:10.76 Rebecca Mann, CAT 800 FREE Aug. 7 8:24.36 Stephanie Peacock, SOFL 8:33.41 A. Steenvoorden, MINN 8:34.56 Ashley Twichel, MVN 1500 FREE Aug. 11 16:14.41 Rebecca Mann, CAT 16:37.10 Megan Rankin, GWSC 16:44.66 Camryne Morris, NBAC 100 BACK Aug. 10 1:00.37 Megan Romano, ABSC 1:00.50 Lauren Quigley, GBR 1:01.35 Noriko Inada, PSC 200 BACK Aug. 8 2:09.08 Megan Romano, ABSC 2:10.31 Genevieve Cantin, CAN 2:10.95 Karley Mann, GBR

100 BREAST Aug. 10 1:07.43 Emily McClellan, JHK 1:08.18 Laura Sogar, ABF 1:08.25 Ellen Baumgardner,CUBU 200 BREAST Aug. 8 2:25.15 Laura Sogar, ABF 2:25.40 Andrea Kropp, RTRL 2:27.49 Emily McClellan, JHK 100 FLY Aug. 9 58.75 Erika Erndl, T2 58.98 Kelsey Floyd, TENN 59.45 Jasmine Tosky, PASA 200 FLY Aug. 7 2:08.74 Kelsey Floyd, TENN 2:08.91 Jasmine Tosky, PASA 2:10.93 Kim Vandenberg, NYAC 200 IM Aug. 11 2:12.81 Sarah Henry, AGS 2:13.26 Melanie Margalis, SPA 2:13.71 Meghan Hawthorne,RTLR 400 IM Aug. 9 4:40.43 Meghan Hawthorne,RTLR 4:40.90 Sarah Henry, AGS 4:43.07 Rebecca Mann, CAT 400 MR Aug. 10 4:08.26 Australia 4:08.98 Great Britain 4:11.20 Minnesota 400 FR Aug. 7 3:45.31 Canada 3:45.42 Australia 3:46.67 Wisconsin 800 FR Aug. 9 8:11.83 Pleasanton 8:12.44 Australia 8:12.59 Minnesota MEN 50 FREE Aug. 11 22.20 Matt Abood, AUS 22.39 Andrew Abood, AUS 22.48 Nick Brunelli, MAC 100 FREE Aug. 7 49.18 Mehdy Metella, FRA 49.35 Kenneth To, AUS 49.77 Matt Abood, AUS 200 FREE Aug. 10 1:48.63 Michael Klueh, FAST 1:49.05 Michael Wynalda, MICH 1:49.97 Matthew Barber, ZONA 400 FREE Aug. 8 3:49.20 Michael Klueh, FAST 3:50.71 Michael McBroom, TWST 3:53.09 Jacob Ritter, UNAT 800 FREE Aug. 11 8:00.55 Ryan Reeley, BAD 8:02.33 Jack Burnell, GBR 8:06.78 Matthew Johnston, GBR 1500 FREE Aug. 7 15:09.22 Michael McBroom, TWST 15:09.45 Eric Hedlin, CAN 15:20.79 Sean Ryan, SCAC 100 BACK Aug. 10 54.45 Kyle Owens, AUS 54.49 Jacob Pebley, CAT 54.82 Eugene Godsoe, MAC 200 BACK Aug. 8 1:57.57 Jacob Pebley, CAT 1:58.14 John Conger, RMSC 1:58.42 Eric Ress, SCSC 100 BREAST Aug. 10 1:00.03 Mike Alexandrov, TROJ 1:00.47 Kevin Cordes, ZONA 1:01.11 Cody Miller, IU 200 BREAST Aug. 8 2:10.87 Bernard Jackson, PASA 2:10.92 Kevin Cordes, ZONA 2:11.62 Mike Alexandrov, TROJ 100 FLY Aug. 9 52.65 Kenneth To, AUS 52.89 Kyler Van Swol, MINN 52.93 Daniel Lester, AUS 200 FLY Aug. 7 1:57.51 Thomas Luchsinger,TVSC 1:58.40 Michael Flach, CA 1:58.72 Iain MacMillan, STSC 200 IM Aug. 11 2:00.13 Kenneth To, AUS 2:00.57 Adam Hinshaw, PASA 2:00.84 Cory Chitwood, CLPR 400 IM Aug. 9 4:15.79 Michael Weiss, WISC 4:17.91 Adam Hinshaw, PASA 4:18.74 Stephen Schmuhl, IND 400 MR Aug. 10 3:40.07 Australia 3:40.94 Australia B 3:43.99 Ohio State 400 FR Aug. 8 3:19.06 Australia 3:22.94 Ohio State 3:23.80 Australia B 800 FR Aug. 9 7:23.76 Great Britain 7:24.02 Australia 7:29.46 Canada ❖

<1)050 #: 1&5&3 ) #*$,>

partingshot

PICTURED Âť Ally Szekely, 14, of Central Bucks Swim Team, Doylestown, Pa., finished runner-up for the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-point award at the U.S. Junior Nationals, Aug. 13-17, in Indianapolis.

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November 2012