HOW THEY TRAIN

www.NZcordz.com

“Dave Salo and I recruited her to USC at the end of 2008, and she subsequently qualified for World Champs in the 800 the summer of 2009,” says Kase. “I got her to do an open water select camp in 2010, and she soon qualified for her first open water World Championships in the 25K. “She continued to compete in both open water and pool throughout college. During that time, she was not only a leader on the team, but an NCAA champion, Olympic silver medalist, Pac12 champion and Olympic Trials finalist. “Over the past 10 years, she has developed a passion for the sport and has consistently gotten stronger and faster, enjoying sustained success at the highest levels. Haley has competed in different HOW THEY TRAIN HALEY ANDERSON bodies of water all over the world (rivers, oceans, lakes, varied courses) and has won races in water hot and cold. She is BY MICHAEL J. STOTT flexible, adaptable and responds to everchanging circumstances in a race.

Open water competition is a take-no-prisoners endeavor. “Haley is tough and can handle just Meteorological conditions (wind, weather, etc.) and about anything in workout. She thrives in competition, can elements such as waves and water temperature present physical handle short-rest sets, loves racing-quality sets and has an ability and mental pressures unlike those found in shorter aquatic to descend any distance. My job has been to stay attuned to her contests. Then there are seasoned opponents—e.g., the average age of female 10K competitors at the 2016 Olympics was 25.03; for men, 25.64. Among those in Rio was 24-year-old Haley Anderson. Her credentials include being an 11-time NCAA All-American (USC), three-time NCAA champion, 2012 Olympic silver medalist (10K) and five-time open water World Championship medalist (two gold, 2013 and 2015 5K; two silver, 2017 team needs,” says Kase. “Dave Salo and I liked to vary practices, keep things interesting and challenge swimmers with different distances. We rarely repeated sets. However, at training camps or a few days before a competition, I often had Haley repeat a set of 3x (8 x 50). The results would give me a good read on how fast she was swimming. I could then tailor training to what I thought would event, 2019 10K; one bronze, 2019 team event). build her confidence leading into the race.

The Granite Bay, Calif. native also has four U.S. open water “Sometimes I would change intervals—i.e., 1 round on :40, championships, two Pan Pac gold and two World University 1 round on :45, 1 round on :50. Other times I would look for Games gold medals. A USA Swimming national team member descending 1-4, holding each round faster, or 1 easy/1 fast and since 2009, last season she wore the colors of the International really get her going with a good kick. At a venue, I wanted to Swimming League’s Cali Condors. see her on the course, adapting to the environment—landmarks,

In short, Anderson is decorated and determined. And at age buoys—just taking it all in. We would also practice turns and 29, on her third U.S. Olympic team, she is headed for the Aug. finishes. 4 10K starting line at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo after an “In 2016, she had speed, endurance and was training better extended stay in Mission Viejo, working with Mark Schubert. than ever. She used her fifth place in Rio (1:57:20.2, just 28.8 Through it all, her main open water coach and training director seconds out of third) to motivate herself and to continue to pursue has been Catherine Kase. her goals,” says Kase. “To her credit, she used that experience

“Haley is competitive, loyal, coachable, independent, to grow and to ultimately produce two of her best career years adaptable, a DIY project lover and a great traveling partner,” in the pool (she posted her fastest times in 2018) and winning says Kase. “She is extremely aware and observant of all things. international open water races.” v Every day she brings her best to the pool, trains hard, smiles and leaves it there. Haley makes those around her better in training Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate and pursues excellence in everything she does. She loves her School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school snorkel, can train every stroke in workout, mixes it up and is championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, great at changing gears. he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.

>> Coach Catherine Kase (right) and Haley Anderson celebrate after Haley captured the silver medal in the women’s 10K at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Urbanchek with the professionals (Trojan Swim Club), so each step has been a coaching career building block. Dave ran things very differently, so I knew I had much more to learn. Exposure to the Pac10 (now Pac-12), world-class coaches and athletes plus a different lifestyle helped give me a different perspective to share with the swimmers.

SW: Chip Peterson was one of your first open water prodigies. What did you learn from coaching him? CK: In 2005, Chip was a top talent, and USA Swimming invested in me as a coach and Chip as an athlete. Jon Urbanchek came to visit us in eastern North Carolina and opened up a whole new world of training, coaches and friends for me. Jon taught me to be myself and not worry about what anyone else was doing. I learned how important it was to communicate and connect with your athletes, to understand their goals and identify strengths and weaknesses.

To teach strength, you have to understand and experience challenges. To become brave and resilient, you must fail. The journey was the fun part. I told Chip I didn’t have all the answers, but we were a team. We worked together and have memories for a lifetime.

SW: When you were at a relatively young age, USA Swimming began assigning you to an impressive list of national and international open water coaching assignments. CK: Because of Chip’s success, I was asked to be on the 2005 World Championship staff with Rick Walker, Denny Ryther, Steve Munatones and Mike Schrader. Chip and I were the new kids on the block. I asked a lot of questions. Everyone was passionate, enthusiastic and genuinely took interest in sharing what they had learned over the years.

When Chip won the 10K world title, I was eager to learn anything and everything about open water! Sid Cassidy has been a great mentor as well.

SW: How have Teri McKeever, Cyndi Gallagher, Carol Capitani and other female coaches helped you become a better coach and person? CK: I feel so fortunate that I have these women with whom to talk, complain, laugh and keep me centered. I look to see what makes these women great and try to be true to myself as a coach. Carol, Cyndi and Teri have all profoundly impacted me as a person and coach. At the end of the day, we can learn from and support each other, share stories and laugh together.

SW: Bill Rose has remarked that pool training is vital to open water success. Do you agree? CK: Absolutely, I love long course and short course training—all have a place! At the end of an open water race at Worlds, finishing speed can make all the difference—1-hundredth of a second can mean 11th and missing an Olympic spot or be the difference between the podium and fourth place.

SW: There are so many strategies in play in open water competition. Regarding preparation, expect the unexpected is one. What are some others? CK: We use this A LOT: Only control what you can control...because you can’t control the competition, water conditions or the course, but you can control your thoughts, actions and attitude. I often say many things can change throughout a race...so ride the waves—the highs and lows throughout the two hours—manage energy levels, stress. During feeds, we teach Grab, Gulp, Go ☺.

SW: How do you guide swimmers when they face adverse race-day conditions? CK: I always want to minimize stress for athletes. If I am worried or actively upset, the athletes will take on my stress, so I try to make sure I am patient and calm. That being said, if an athlete is concerned about water quality or temperature, I am going to do everything I can to make sure they have the information they need and that their questions are answered to my best ability. SW: You have coached Ous Mellouli, Haley Anderson, Ashley Twichell, Jordan Wilimovsky, Chip Peterson and Joe Kinderwater, among others. What similarities and differences have they exhibited in gaining open water success? CK: All the athletes have been talented pool swimmers with endurance, speed and a curiosity about open water! I enjoy being part of the process with these talented athletes and sharing in their journey, in what they learn, and then applying it to the next race opportunity or training session. What I love about open water is the experience, the people, camaraderie of a team, the travels and representing the USA. I want the experience to be a great one for athletes and coaches.

SW: You have coached Haley Anderson for quite a while now, and she was one of the first two aquatic athletes named to the 2020 (now 2021) Olympic team. CK: Haley has been in my life for more than a decade. I’ve been a mentor, at times a mom, a friend and always her biggest fan. Like any relationship, we are still growing and learning, giving each other feedback and making each other better. She has passion, perseverance, calmness and is a fierce competitor! I love how she has matured into one of the best in the world. When the lights are bright, she shines.

SW: How might you mentor younger coaches who may want to replicate your success at North Carolina, USC, the Olympics and in World Championships? CK: The Cape Carteret Currents (Charlie and Barb Gregalis) gave me an opportunity to coach in eastern North Carolina. In turn, I worked with Chip who believed in me, trusted in a process and had fun on our open water journey. As doors in Cape Carteret opened, I was ready to run through. Fortunately, that job led to other opportunities to coach at UNC, USC, global open water competitions and, ultimately, my third Olympic Games. I’ve met amazing people along the way. I am still learning, observing, asking questions and striving to be myself. v

Michael J. Stott is an ASCA Level 5 coach whose Collegiate School (Richmond, Va.) teams won nine state high school championships. A member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a recipient of NISCA’s Outstanding Service Award.