SW Biweekly March 7, 2021 Issue by Swimming World Magazine

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SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY | MARCH 2021 | ISSUE 05 USA NEWS 008 SIMONE MANUEL CO-FOUNDER OF NEW MEDIA COMPANY, TOGETHXR by Matthew De George

Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel is one of four athlete founders of TOGETHXR, a media and commerce company founded to showcase voices of women.

09 SIMONE MANUEL, COMCAST PARTNER TO HELP BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN OAKLAND by Matthew De George

Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel and Comcast announced a partnership recently to help provide internet access to low-income families in Oakland, Calif. Comcast contributed $100,000 to the city, along with 1,000 laptop computers and 12 months of free internet services to needy families.

010 TORRI HUSKE REFLECTS ON NATIONAL RECORD-SETTING, STATE TITLE-WINNING HIGH SCHOOL FINALE by Dan D’Addona In her final high school swimming season, Torri Huske set two national high school records and nearly claimed a third, leading Yorktown to the Virginia state high school team championship.

011 KATIE LEDECKY RETURNS TO COMPETITION WITH STRONG EFFORT IN 1500 FREESTYLE by John Lohn Before she stepped onto the blocks at the USA Swimming TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio, it had been a year since Katie Ledecky last raced competitively. Even so, the evidence of her dominance in the 1500 meter free was on display, as she unleashed a time, 15:42.92, that only she and four others have bettered in history!

012 KATIE LEDECKY EXCITED TO BE PART OF “MEANINGFUL” GENDER-EQUAL OLYMPICS by Dan D’Addona

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics will be the first in which women will compete in the 1500 freestyle and the men in the 800. Five-time Olympic champion Katie Ledecky is excited that the women’s 1500 will be added to the Olympic schedule not only because she’s the world record holder, but because she is part of a generation that is fighting for gender equality.

014 “WE’RE IN A GOOD SPOT”: RYAN LOCHTE PLEASED AFTER PRO SWIM SERIES FINAL by Matthew De George

On paper, Ryan Lochte’s results at the TYR Pro Swim Series might have seemed underwhelming, but the 36-year-old who will be vying for his fifth straight Olympic Games was enthused citing the amount of quality training he’s been doing: “The times I’m going in practice, just the yardage, the back-to-back practices that I’m having that are great, I’m seeing it more often. And it makes me excited to see what this summer’s going to hold.”

015 WIN IN PRO SWIM SERIES 100 FLY REFLECTS REGAN SMITH’S COMFORT WITH DOUBLES by Matthew De George

With an impressive runner-up finish in the 200 back followed by a win the 100 fly at the TYR Pro Swim Series in San Antonio, Regan Smith gleaned a little more information about the challenge of a multi-swim finals session as she prepares for this summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

WORLD NEWS 016 SWIMMING AUSTRALIA REVEALS BACKUP PLANS AND INSURANCE SWIMS FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS by Ian Hanson

Swimming Australia announced a range of scenarios if a COVID lockdown and border closures disrupt its June Olympic Trials in Adelaide.

018 BRITAIN’S MOLLY RENSHAW TALKS MANCHESTER, DAVE HEMMINGS AND HER PERSONAL ISL LEGACY by Liz Byrnes 020 TOKYO OLYMPICS CHIEF VOICES SUPPORT FOR POSSIBILITY OF SPECTATORS AT GAMES by Matthew De George Seiko Hashimoto, the new head of the Tokyo Olympic Organization Committee, has expressed support for having fans in attendance if the Games proceed this summer.

020 CORNEL MARCULESCU, LONGTIME FINA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STEPS DOWN

Cornel Marculescu, FINA’s executive director for the last 35 years, announced his resignation, effective immediately, at the recent first FINA Bureau meeting of 2021.

COLLEGE NEWS 022 YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE by Dan D’Addona

024 THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT by Dan D’Addona

WATER POLO NEWS 026 USA WATER POLO WILL EMERGE FROM COVID-19 SCARRED, BUT PERHAPS WISER Commentary by Michael Randazzo

This is the final in a series of articles examining the health of the national governing body for U.S. water polo in the wake of Bahram Hojreh’s criminal and civil sexual abuse cases and the coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in more than 500,000 American deaths.

SPECIAL SECTIONS 030 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY 038 HOW THEY TRAIN: MAGGIE PURCELL by Michael J. Stott 039 HASTY HIGH POINTERS 040 PARTING SHOT

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USA NEWS

SIMONE MANUEL COFOUNDER OF NEW MEDIA COMPANY, TOGETHXR BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

lympic gold medalist Simone Manuel is one of four athlete founders of TOGETHXR, a media and commerce company founded to showcase voices of women. “Being a woman, you are told you are too much or not enough of any one thing, all the time, especially in sports,” Manuel, who returns to competition for the first time in a year at this week’s TYR Pro Swim Series, told the New York Times. “It is a consciousness that isn’t even ingrained, it is a byproduct. If we are talking literal financial opportunities, you have to dimensionalize yourself because there isn’t enough respect for women athletes and their athletic performance.” The company follows recent trends of athletes taking a greater level of control over their representation in the media, with a number of athletes having founded media companies. It also builds on athlete-centered movements and leagues, like Athletes United in volleyball and softball. “There is more conscious investment and viewership, engagement is growing, cultural rhetoric is there and the significance of these women using their platforms to literally affect political and cultural change is at a

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fever pitch,” TOGETHXR’s chief content officer Jessica Robertson said. “And this brand is coming alongside or maybe just behind that movement.” The company seeks to bridge the gap in under-coverage of many female athletes, particularly Olympians like Manuel and Kim who too often only surface every four years. Robertson calls it “an identity brand” that, “will speak to the idea of young women as ‘multi-hyphenates.’” Bird, who is 40 and just signed on for her 20th professional season, in particular stressed that TOGETHXR’s goals

are not so much around the current generation as in changing the paradigms of how female athletes are viewed for the long-term growth of the next generation. “I always joke that I want to be that older disgruntled athlete, because all the players who are 20, 30 or 40 years younger than me are getting paid millions and are on TV all the time because that means that I helped,” she said. “That means that I did my part when I was playing and I helped move the game and move female athletes forward in some way.”◄

SIMONE MANUEL, COMCAST PARTNER TO HELP BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN OAKLAND BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

lympic swimmer Simone Manuel and Comcast announced a partnership recently to help provide internet access to low-income families in Oakland, Calif.

are grateful that Comcast has partnered with the City of Oakland to provide these crucial technology resources and stepped in to fill an important need in the community.”

Comcast contributed $100,000 to the city, along with 1,000 laptop computers and 12 months of free internet service to families in need via its Internet Essentials program. Comcast will also equip 20 community centers and parks and recreation facilities in Oakland with WiFi for the next three years as part of its Lift Zones initiative.

Manuel, who returns to racing this week at the TYR Pro Swim Series, has been increasingly outspoken on issues of racial justice, especially during last summer’s wider reckoning over systemic inequality after the killing of George Floyd. The first Black woman from the U.S. to win an Olympic swimming individual gold medal, Manuel has been widely recognized for that work. ◄

Manuel recently met with kids virtually as part of a special event. “The current health crisis has had a disproportionate effect on many students from communities of color, and I want these kids to know that there are people rooting for them,” Simone Manuel said in a press release. “The lack of Internet access in low-income homes adds unique challenges to families that are trying to manage distance learning. I’m pleased to partner with Comcast to bring awareness to this important issue and help close the digital divide.” “The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on many inequities in our society including the digital divide. Parents who are essential workers or those who can’t work from home have been questioning how to handle distance learning for their children,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said. “That’s why we

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[ PHOTO COURTESY CONNOR TRIMBLE ]

TORRI HUSKE REFLECTS ON NATIONAL RECORD-SETTING, STATE TITLE-WINNING HIGH SCHOOL FINALE BY DAN D'ADDONA

orri Huske was just happy to have one last season with her teammates.

With COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on sports, it was an opportunity she and her Yorktown High School teammates couldn’t count on. But once they got to the meet, they could count on each other. Huske set two national high school records and nearly claimed a third, leading Yorktown to the Virginia state title as a team, something that had narrowly eluded them for the past few years. “It means a lot. Our team won state and we have been trying to win for the past three years. That has been the goal. We have come really close to winning each year. This year, everyone went in with the mentality that we were going to win this,” Torri Huske told Swimming World. “I definitely enjoyed it. It is always more fun when you are with a team. It makes a pretty big difference. That is what made the difference. It was really special to be able to share that with my teammates.”

Huske broke the national standard in the 200 individual medley, winning in 1:53.73. That swim by Huske, who committed to Stanford, broke the 2009 record of Dagny Knutson, whose former standard stood at 1:53.82. Not long after, Huske was on the blocks for her best event, the 100 butterfly, and scortched a time of 49.95. That swim not only broke Huske’s own public-school record of 50.67, it broke the overall record of 50.35, set twice by Claire Curzan. Huske was also sensational in relay action, as she led off Yorktown’s winning 200 freestyle relay in 21.65, which was just .01 off the public-school record of 21.64, held by Abbey Weitzeil. “The IM felt good. I was hoping to go about what I went. It was exciting. My breaststroke needs more work in the future, but I feel like I hit the splits I needed to,” Torri Huske said. “I was just trying to be really aggressive because we really wanted to win the relay. I felt like I had to get a lead for my teammates. “It was similar to my other races. I still have things to improve upon. Nothing was different except my excitement going into the meet.”

That team feeling sparked some stellar swims from Huske, who became the first high school female to break the 50-second barrier in the 100-yard butterfly.

That excitement for having big meets is a huge factor in pools across the country.

“I am happy with it. It is a good indicator for the future. I have been chasing after a 49 for so long in the 100 fly. I feel like I was more relieved than excited,” she said. “I remember last year at state I was hoping I could go a 49, so I have been chasing that for more than a year.”

“I feel like it was a really big deal to have the meet. It got pushed back twice,” Torri Huske said. “I didn’t think they would cancel it but the fact it got pushed back and all of the uncertainty made this more special. We didn’t even thing we would have a season.” ◄

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[ PHOTO COURTESY TYR SPORT]

KATIE LEDECKY RETURNS TO COMPETITION WITH STRONG EFFORT IN 1500 FREESTYLE BY JOHN LOHN

efore she stepped onto the blocks at the USA Swimming TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio, it had been a year since distance star Katie Ledecky last competitively raced. Obviously, Ledecky has been logging some quality training during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she unleashed a strong performance in the 1500-meter freestyle at the Bill Walker Pool. Covering her 30 laps in 15:42.92, Ledecky posted a time that only she and four others have bettered in history. As evidence of her dominance, Ledecky has gone faster on 12 occasions, including her world record of 15:20.48. Otherwise, only Denmark’s Lotte Friis, New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle, Italian Simona Quadarella and American Katie Ziegler have been faster than what Ledecky managed in the middle of training. “It feels good,” Ledecky said in the post-race mixed zone via Zoom. “It’s good to see everyone and be in this environment and get the opportunity to race.” While Ledecky, a three-time world champion in the event, has been the class of the 1500 freestyle since she emerged on the international stage in 2012, the discipline has taken on greater significance with its addition to the women’s lineup this summer at the Olympic Games Tokyo. For the men, the 800 freestyle has been added to the program.

Prior to the meet, there was intrigue concerning Ledecky’s status after being away from competition for a year. She provided a clear picture to her standing, as Ledecky bolted to the front of the field and continually widened her advantage. She was followed to the wall by Ashley Twichell, who touched second in 16:04.29, with third place going to Erica Sullivan in 16:07.66. Twichell is already qualified for the Tokyo Games in the 10K open-water event. Ledecky said she didn’t come in with a set goal for the night, only to reintegrate herself into the swing of racing. “It was OK,” she said. “I didn’t set too many expectations going into this first race and kind of knew getting the first race out of the way would be a milestone in this journey back to real racing, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.” Ledecky is also entered in the 200, 400 and 100 free. She was coy on what she’d swim beyond “definitely the 400,” labeling the 100 as TBD. She also said it was to be determined if she’d swim the 1,500 again prior to Olympic Trials. In the men’s 1500 freestyle, Jordan Wilimovsky was the top finisher in a time of 15:15.28, with Will Gallant next in 15:20.39. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY PETER H. BICK ]

KATIE LEDECKY EXCITED TO BE PART OF "MEANINGFUL" GENDER-EQUAL OLYMPICS BY DAN D'ADDONA

ith an extra year heading into the postponed Tokyo Olympics, Katie Ledecky has had an extra year of training to prepare. She also has had an extra year to realize the impact that the upcoming Olympics will have for gender equality. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics will be the first in which women’s swimmers will compete in the 1500 freestyle and the men in the 800 freestyle. Those events have been split up over the years with the men swimming the longer event. Now — finally — both genders can swim both events. It is something Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and record 15-time world champion — has been looking forward to. And not just because she is the world record holder in the 1500 free, but because she is part of a generation that is fighting for gender equality. “It is really exciting. It has been a long time coming. There is that history of why the 1500 free wasn’t an Olympic event for women for so long,” Ledecky said. “It is nice that there

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is the parity in the schedule between the men and the women. It is meaningful to me knowing so many of the great freestylers didn’t have that opportunity (and now we have it). To be able to be one of the first to have that opportunity is exciting to me and I hope I can carry the torch for USA Swimming in that event and get us started on the right note.” That made it all the more difficult for Ledecky and female athletes around the world to hear the derogatory comments made recently by now-ousted Tokyo Olympics president Yoshiro Mori, essentially saying that women talk too much. His comments, coupled with the feeling of many internationally that Japan has lagged behind other countries in gender equality in government and leadership roles, received immediate international backlash. He apologized before resigning. “I don’t agree with those comments,” Ledecky said. “I think

women in the Olympic movement deserve a voice and a seat at the table. Moving forward there will be good conversations that will come out of this, and there have been the past couple of weeks. I really respect Japan and how they have approached these games and hopefully we can come together and put together a good games.” Having gender equality among swimming events will help showcase the issue. As far as training goes, it means Ledecky will be training for both the 800 and 1500 in the same meet, something that doesn’t happen often. It is a big change for Ledecky’s possible schedule at the Olympic trials and the Games. “It just changes the schedule a little bit,” she said. “The 200 and 1500 free prelims and finals are on the same day so that is two doubles for me potentially. That is a big range and something I am training for. I am getting ready for that. It doesn’t change too much in training, but I am doing the things that get me ready for that double.” Ledecky, like all swimmers, had her training altered by the pandemic, but she said her training is going well. “I have been training pretty normally right now,” Ledecky said. “The first three months of the pandemic, I was training in a backyard pool, so that was very different. But since about Mid-June, I have been mostly training in my normal training environment at Stanford. We have been tested multiple times a week and staying one to a lane except people in the same households. I have gotten a big block of training in, and I am definitely someone who benefits from that, so I am trying to look at the positives that can come from this. “From what I have seen the past couple of months, there has been a lot of fast swimming and we are seeing times just as fast or faster than last year or the year prior. It will be a very high level of competition. Personally, I am feeling really good in the water with where I am at. I trained really well last year and I have been able to keep that momentum going this year.”

some days, but not traveling has been the biggest. I haven’t traveled since the Des Moines pro series meet last March. I definitely miss seeing everyone at meets.” That includes her friends as well as competitors. Ledecky has been the gold standard for distance swimming for several years, but international contenders have emerged. Ledecky has been defeated or pushed to the brink by Italy’s Simona Quaderalla (800 free), Australia’s Ariarne Titmus (400 free) and Canada’s Taylor Ruck (200 free) at major competitions since the Rio Olympics. That adds up to women’s distance swimming being as strong as it has ever been. “It is really exciting for everyone. It pushes me — and all of us,” Katie Ledecky said. “The standard in some of the races have elevated in the past couple of years, and it is a really deep field from all over. There are going to be a lot of great contenders in those races. It is a challenge. I respect all of those athletes as competitors and people. There is a great range of ages, too. Some athletes in distance swimming are older and some are younger than me. So we all meet in the middle and race. I am excited to see what everyone can do.” The last time all of the international contenders competed was the 2019 World Championships. Ledecky was severely ill in Gwanju, South Korea, and didn’t have the meet she hoped for. Little did she know she wouldn’t have another big international meet for two years. “It didn’t take me very long to get past it. It feels like a really long time ago, honestly,” Katie Ledecky said. “I knew I had good training going into it. It was disappointing and frustrating. Everyone gets sick, and I got sick at the wrong time. I was fortunate that it hadn’t happened sooner. I just got back into training and I was driven for the Olympic year. I miss competing at that level and it has been a while now. I think that just heightens the excitement even more for the summer.” ◄

One of the biggest differences has been the lack of travel. “I am traveling to a meet for the first time in about a year next week in San Antonio. I am excited for that. I am looking forward to that meet and doing it safely and successfully,” she said. “There is a different feel to it BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY CONNOR TRIMBLE ]

"WE’RE IN A GOOD SPOT": RYAN LOCHTE PLEASED AFTER PRO SWIM SERIES FINAL BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

n paper, Ryan Lochte’s Friday at the TYR Pro Swim Series might have seemed underwhelming, the 12time Olympic medalist going from fifth in the morning prelims of the 200 freestyle to eighth in the final. But afterward, the 36-year-old was enthused by his performance. “For as much yardage as we’re doing, our pro team back in Gainesville, we’ve just been grinding yardage,” an upbeat Lochte said in a virtual mixed zone via Zoom. “And (there) hasn’t really (been a) let up for any swimming, so for us, you can tell our whole entire team, we’re tired. We’re swimming like a foot underwater. We don’t have any pop. But we’re racing, we’re racing tough and that’s all that matters and we’re doing good. We’re in a good spot.” The road back for Lochte is long. He qualified for only one individual event, the 200 individual medley, at the Rio Olympics now nearly five years ago, finishing fifth to go with gold in the 800 free relay. The years since have been filled with the fallout of his extracurricular activities in Rio and a 14-month doping suspension around the sport, plus building a family away from the pool. Making a final of a meet like the Pro Swim Series is a significant step. Lochte isn’t daunted by his times or placement, given his training with Gator Swim Club and his history of not being the most prolific winner between meets of consequence like Trials. Most important from this weekend, as has been echoed by many competitors, is the chance to simply compete after the ravages of the 2020 calendar wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Just getting on those blocks again, it feels amazing,” Lochte said. “Any of the swimmers can say the exact same thing. It’s just that excitement of finally being in race mode

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again after being not able to, and a lot of people were not even having swimming pools to train in. To start to almost getting back to normal, almost, it’s good.” Lochte went 1:50.72 in prelims in the 200 free. He was quicker at night in 1:50.27, though dropped to last in the A final. Lochte had a double Saturday morning on the meet’s final day. He finished 11th in the 100 backstroke in 56.60, which he might well scratch for finals. That’s to focus on the 200 IM, where he’s the third seed at 2:02.03, 2.5 seconds slower than top seed Michael Andrew. The latter event might offer Lochte’s most likely path to an individual event in Tokyo, given the demands of the 400 IM at his age and the lack of a clear, reigning power in that event to get past. Lochte is keeping things in perspective, knowing the expansive programs of his younger days are a thing of the past. But measuring against where he’s been at similar points of past Olympic cycles, he’s encouraged with his progress as Tokyo approaches. “I know I’m 36, I’m one of the oldest swimmers,” Lochte said. “But the training that I’m doing is what I was seeing back in 2011, 2012 when I was at my peak. The times I’m going in practice, just the yardage, the back-to-back practices that I’m having that are great, I’m seeing it more often. And it makes me excited to see what this summer’s going to hold.” ◄

[ PHOTO COURTESY PATRICK B. KRAEMER ]

WIN IN PRO SWIM SERIES 100 FLY REFLECTS REGAN SMITH’S COMFORT WITH DOUBLES BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

he double that Regan Smith faced Friday night at the TYR Pro Swim Series in San Antonio didn’t quite match up with what Olympic Trials will have in store.

of competition. But adding the 100 fly would mean she’d face a double on Night 2, the 100 fly final before the 100 back semifinal.

But in the list of things to take from one of the most significant tune-ups before this summer’s quest for Olympic berths, Smith gleaned a little more information about the challenge of a multi-swim finals session as she schemes for Trials.

It would be a calculated risk to have Smith chase the 100 fly, especially given the depth in the American ranks. The timing is unfortunate with it coming so early in the meet: Were it later, Smith might be more apt to chase the 100 fly secure in her placement on the plane to Tokyo.

Smith finished second Friday night to Kathleen Baker in the 200 backstroke in San Antonio, going 2:08.80 in an event where she holds the world record. Later in the night, she won the 100 butterfly in 57.88 seconds.

Whatever she and Parratto choose in Omaha, she’ll certainly deal with at least one double. (It could be two doubles in Tokyo, with the mixed medley relay final on the same night as the women’s 200 back.) Nights like Friday help her prep for the physical and mental demands of that.

Considering that the first event is squarely in her wheelhouse and the latter ranks perhaps fourth among her specialties, it adds a slight wrinkle to what Smith might swim in Omaha in three months’ time. “The 100 fly is such a tight field, but I love that race so much and I have a lot of fun swimming it every single time,” Smith said in a virtual mixed zone via Zoom afterward. “And I love training it in practice, too. Mike (Parratto, her coach) and I have done a really good job of focusing on fly a lot, so in terms of importance, it’s really hard to say. I’d really love to swim it at Trials if it ends up working out, but I would say I’m still prioritizing my backstrokes and 2-fly. But I really love the 100 fly, so if I can make it work, I absolutely want to do it.” Looking ahead to the schedule in Omaha, adding the 100 fly would mean back-to-back doubles for Smith early in the race. Already, it’s likely that Smith will contest the 100 back final (another event where she holds the world record) and the semifinals of the 200 fly on the third night

“Meets like this, it’s a really good opportunity to practice and train for the real deal at Trials,” Smith said. “It’s definitely a great confidence booster because sometimes those doubles can be kind of daunting and intimidating, so just getting in those practice sessions at these types of meets is great. I think I’m feeling pretty good about that.” The physical aspect is the most onerous, though Smith said Friday afforded a chance to drill through the mental challenge, as well. “The hardest part for me mentally is the lead-up to the entire session,” Regan Smith said. “So in between prelims and finals is when I’m kind of thinking about my double the most. Once we get into the session, I kind of just let all those feelings kind of go off to the side and I just go into work mode. But I definitely have the most nerves in between prelims and finals when I have time to think about my schedule for the night.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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WORLD NEWS

SWIMMING AUSTRALIA REVEALS BACKUP PLANS AND INSURANCE SWIMS FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS BY IAN HANSON

wimming Australia (SAL) has today announced a range of scenarios if a COVID lockdown and border closures disrupts its June Olympic Trials in Adelaide.

Regardless, it will almost certainly see the Western Australian Tokyo hopefuls take no risks and they are looking to relocate to Queensland with the policy also highlighting provision for an “extenuating circumstances” clause to help protect the likes of injured world champion Ariarne Titmus. High Performance Strategist, two-time Olympic champion and former Queensland Swimming and QAS boss Alex Baumann, outlined the options, after discussions with the Australian Olympic Committee, Swimming’s High Performance Committee, the SAL Board, the athlete leaders and coaches. The scenarios will ensure that Australia’s prospective Olympians will treat next month’s Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast (April 14-18) as a “mini Trials” – looking to lock in insurance swims they just might need in a lockdown. “The first scenario is that Trials goes ahead and we can nominate the team as per original criteria on June 17,” said Baumann, who has been developing the scenarios for the past month-and-a-half. “The second scenario is that Trials go ahead but we have some restrictions in States and some athletes can’t actually get (to Adelaide). “In that instance we have announced a number of primary competitions, (Designated Consideration Meets), where athletes can also qualify, being the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast (14-18 April) and the Sydney Open (13-16 May). “In all those scenarios the qualifying standard (remains) as the top eight in the world (at 2019 World Championships).

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The third scenario is we don’t have any Trials and if the Australian Swimming Championships and the Sydney Open are also cancelled we will (rely on a series of ) Secondary Consideration Meets. (which include Australia’s various State Championships). “The standard would be the ‘Fina A’ standard which is slightly slower than the top eight times which would be (closer to) top 12 or 14 although some are much the same. “We hope we don’t have to go to scenario two or scenario three but we have to plan for it and it has been on the drawing board for a month-and-half now.” WA CONNECTION SET FOR GOLD COAST RELOCATION Baumann also revealed that “six or seven” of WA’s leading hopes which would include Rio Olympians, world championship relay gold medallist Brianna Throssell and medley specialist Blair Evans, would almost certainly relocate to training venues in South East Queensland. “There are discussions to move the WA swimmers to Queensland prior to the Australian Open in April. “It will probably be the Gold Coast and we are working with WAIS who are supporting that move as well,” said Baumann, admitting that the Australian Open Championships were going to be very important. “One of our top priorities over the next five months is to provide appropriate competition for our athletes. “We can’t simulate the Olympics but a pressure kind of situation like the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast we wanted to make sure that athletes knew well in advance. “We talked about it at the National Event Camp and so they can prepare appropriately. There’s challenges but ultimately we want them to perform at the Trials in June. “It would be ideal for all to attend the Trials, to simulate that pressure to perform…when it matters for nomination to the team.

June, what would happen? Baumann said there was the capacity within the selection criteria for extenuating circumstances. “We have enough scope there within extenuating circumstances….and we also have some flexibility in being able to select 12 relay spots, (remembering) if you select a relay swimmer they have to swim that event,” said Baumann. It was the relay clause that saved Olympic champion Mack Horton at the 2019 World’s Trials after he missed the qualifying time – but saw him win silver in the 400m and spearhead the Dolphins to a long-awaited World Championship gold inn the 4x200m freestyle relay. One Team Travel To Tokyo The Preference Says Baumann Baumann said it was also the team’s preference to travel in and out of Tokyo as one team. “Our recommendation and we have been discussing this with Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman from the AOC is that we all go in together,” said Baumann. “That’s our preference; we have been pushing for that very hard; but sometimes it’s left up to the hosting Organisation.” Baumann also revealed that once selected they would look to get the team into Queensland – either into the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Townsville, before they go into Cairns for a two-week Staging Camp before going directly to Tokyo, cancelling its previous pre-Games camp in Nagaoka. CASHING IN ON THE 2032 OLYMPICS Baumann also talked up the opportunities that would arise with the Brisbane (SE Qld) bid for the 2032 Olympics. “We have 11 years instead of the traditional seven years of past Games to get ready and we have to work out how (best) you raise the profile of the sport,” said Baumann.

“But they need to put up some times just in case which is not ideal for us.”

“We have not hosted an international competition for a long time and this gives us the opportunity to do that and through the Queensland Government it gives us some opportunities.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES CLAUSE COULD BE A LIFESAVER FOR TITMUS Asked “if a star swimmer like, reigning world champion, Ariarne Titmus, who is in re-hab for a shoulder problem, which ruled her out of last month’s National Event Camp could not put a time up in April and there are no Trials in

“It’s a great opportunity moving forward, with the Pan Pacs possibly although Canada has the next one and with the Worlds…..a year before the Games (would be ideal) and we discussed this with the SAL Board on how we take advantage of the opportunity of having 2032 in our backyard. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY MINE KASAPOGLU/ ISL ]

MOLLY RENSHAW TALKS MANCHESTER, DAVE HEMMINGS AND HER PERSONAL ISL LEGACY BY LIZ BYRNES

olly Renshaw hesitated for a second or two when asked about matching the British 200m breaststroke record at last month’s Manchester International Swim Meet. The three-time European medalist went 2:22.08 to equal the national mark set by Jocelyn Ulyett at the British Championships in April 2017. It was a time that would have been good enough for bronze at Rio 2016 – in which Renshaw was sixth – and silver at the 2019 World Championships, where she finished fifth. Her performance propelled Renshaw to the top of the fledgling world rankings ahead of Loughborough training mate Abbie Wood who clocked a huge PB in 2:22.77 with the pair the only women to go sub-2:23 so far this year. It was a continuation of the times she was producing in training but one that was done under race conditions and her progression from 2:24 heat to final added further confidence with Tokyo just four months hence. Renshaw – who also took 100br gold and 50 bronze – told Swimming World: “I don’t want to word it badly but I guess I wasn’t all that surprised.

a 2:22 then. “So that was a confidence builder and I knew I had that kind of swim in me – it was just nice to get it officially on paper and do it under racing conditions. “It’s obviously been a really weird year but it’s given me chance to focus on things that I wasn’t perfecting last year.” DAVE HEMMINGS AND ISL LEGACY Renshaw trains at the National Centre Loughborough under the watchful eye of coach Dave Hemmings in a group including Wood, Max and Joe Litchfield and James Wilby. Hemmings is active on social media posting content of his swimmers’ skills, drills and exercises as well as coaching tips and athlete plans. The improvements in many of his training group are stark and fellow coach Sean Balmer – who guided Tokyo-bound Luke Greenbank to world and European junior success at Cockermouth – singled Hemmings out for his leadership. Renshaw concurred, saying: “If I had to describe him in one word it would be technical. “I think that’s where a lot of us have improved.

“We’ve been doing a lot of stand-ups in training and race simulations because we didn’t know what racing opportunities we’d get. “Training has been going really well and I’ve been swimming faster than I ever have in pace sessions and even in December we did some stand-ups and I went a 1:06 and 18

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“We’ve tweaked all our technique and things we’ve always need to work on: this past year has given us that opportunity to build our fitness throughout last year and we’ve had the chance to work on our technique and now it’s about getting fast again.

“So (being) given that little bit of extra time for everyone in our group it’s been a bit of a blessing: Abbie and Joe are swimming faster than they ever have, I’m training better than I ever have and James Wilby is.

The 24-year-old loved the team environment and the notion of earning points for the whole group that was headed by Tina Andrew who Renshaw describes as “one of the coolest women I know”.

“At the minute the group is on such a high and it makes it so much easier coming into training. Everyone is constantly riding that wave that it just helps keep momentum within the group.”

The six-week bubble in Budapest allowed swimmers to learn new lessons whether that be from fellow competitors with whom they lived and trained, coaches or from their own observations and experiences.

“Dave is constantly planning ahead and every time pretty much we get our own individual sessions.

Renshaw has benefited physically and mentally from the competition in terms of racing and of erasing a psychological block with the 200br.

“This morning even though me and James Wilby swim the same events we still had two individual sessions and there are about six sessions going on across the pool from sprinters like James up to 10k swimmers like Jack Burnell. “He’s so flexible with everything: there can be so many sessions going on and with the help of assistant coaches we manage to make it work. “It is a little bit hectic looking from the outside but it works.” With Hemmings, everything is tailored to the individual involving hours of planning and commitment to each swimmer.

She said: “I’m not used to getting out of the 200 breaststroke, having 20 minutes and then doing a 200IM and then the next day 100 breaststroke and 100 IM. That’s just not what we do! “You race two days, then two days off, then racing again for two days. It is so tiring on your body but I think because you’re doing it for a team and you’re constantly being uplifted by everybody it makes it so much easier.

Renshaw continued:

“I think it’s great race conditioning because my coach was worried about us being away for six weeks and not having that consistent training but I think it did us all so much good.

“We try and meet at the start and end of every block so he’ll plan three or four weeks in advance and talk you through it.

“Having so much racing in such a short amount of time we almost all came back in the best shapes of our lives.”

“After Manchester we had a recovery week and then this week we’re doing a simulation week where we’re racing because this week we should have been at the McCullagh International.

She added:

“Next week we are back into heavy, intense race-pace work before we do simulation the week after. “Every week we get sent a plan out and it’s completely individual to you and sometimes we slot in with each other and sometimes it’s like you need to do this tonight, and these need to do this tonight.” The three-time Commonwealth medallist was nervous ahead of the Manchester meet as it was 11 months since she had done a long-course race. However, she was on the New York Breakers team that competed at the ISL for six weeks in October/November in Budapest.

“I think having to do so many 200 breaststrokes in such a short amount of time it’s built my confidence so much that I know I can get in the pool and I can deliver a good 200br whether I’m rested or not now. “I think the seasons before I would almost dread the 200 breaststroke – I’d be like it’s such a long way and something I’d do not that often. “Now since we’ve been back from the ISL I’ve built my confidence at it. “We’ve kept the 200 in training with the simulations – I have confidence going into a 200 breaststroke knowing that I can do this, it’s so much easier to me than it has been in any other year. “I think mentally having that block lifted over a 200br has really helped.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY PATRICK B. KRAEMER ]

[ PHOTO COURTESY DAVID FARR ]

TOKYO OLYMPICS CHIEF VOICES SUPPORT FOR POSSIBILITY OF SPECTATORS AT GAMES

CORNEL MARCULESCU, LONGTIME FINA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STEPS DOWN

BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

eiko Hashimoto, the new head of the Tokyo Olympic Organization Committee, has expressed support for having fans in attendance if the Games proceed this summer. Speaking to Asahi Shimbun, Hashimoto said she hasn’t envisioned the Olympics proceeding without spectators. Said Hashimoto: “When we think about the possibility of holding the Olympics without fans in the stands, athletes will definitely wonder why there are no fans just for the Olympics and Paralympics when other competitions are allowing in spectators.” Hashimoto is newly on the top, taking over for Yoshiro Mori in February after his sexist and inflammatory comments about women in sports. The 56-year-old Hashimoto is a former Cabinet member who has participated in both the summer and winter Olympics. The decision, Hashimoto conceded, ultimately comes down to the conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused the postponement of the Games by a year. (Tokyo remains in a state of emergency as case numbers are beginning to fall.) She added that the IOC is not looking at the possibility of a second delay. Hashimoto also acknowledged the timeline to make a decision regarding spectators due to the global logistics involved. “Everyone wants an early decision about the direction to be taken regarding fans to prepare tickets and hotel accommodations,” she said. According to Inside The Games, 4.48 million tickets have been sold, plus 970,000 for the Paralympics. Ticket sales were forecast to generate $857 million in revenue. ◄

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BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

ornel Marculescu, FINA’s executive director for the last 35 years, announced his resignation Wednesday at the first FINA Bureau meeting of 2021. The resignation is effective immediately. Marcela Saxlund Medvedev, previously FINA’s deputy executive director, has been nominated to fill Marculescu’s role on an interim basis. Pedro Adrega has been elevated to Medvedev’s assistant, having previously headed FINA’s communications department. From FINA’s official statement: The FINA Bureau members recognised the outstanding devotion and role of Mr Marculescu in the development of Aquatics in the five continents, contributing to make our Sport a pillar of the Olympic Movement. Marculescu has been involved in aquatics since representing Romania in water polo at the 1964 Olympics. He also served as an official at the 1972 Games. Marculescu joined FINA in 1986 after serving as the Spanish Swimming Federation’s technical director for a decade. His resignation is part of a shift at FINA that will come with the stepping down of President Julio Maglione in June after 13 years at the helm of the world’s governing body. Marculescu hasn’t been without controversy in his time. He’s been criticized for what is perceived as a soft stance on doping, including on the Sun Yang controversy, the resulting athlete protests and on systemic doping in places like Russia. ◄

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[ PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS ]

COLLEGE NEWS

>> KATE DOUGLASS

YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE BY DAN D'ADDONA

For years, Stanford and Cal have been battling each other for national supremacy at women’s NCAAs, with the Cardinal and Golden Bears finishing 1-2 in the last three championships. Before that, Cal had put together four team titles since 2009. But in 2021, look for Virginia to make its move—not only as a new rival, but quite possibly as a new champion! Every team and every athlete has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but, perhaps, no college team has been affected as much as the University of Virginia women’s swimming and diving team. As the women’s swimming world was coming off of a dominating three-peat by Stanford (2017-18-19), Virginia rose to the top team in the nation last season, only to see the women’s NCAA Division I Championships canceled. After finishing sixth in 2019, the Cavaliers lost their chance to prove they could unseat Stanford and push past Cal and the other contenders. 2021 brings an opportunity for Virginia to showcase its best team in school history—and possibly keep it going for a number of years, ushering in a new rivalry with Stanford. Virginia already features underclassmen Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh, while Stanford will add Regan Smith and Torri Huske next year to what should be another formidable team. Usually, Swimming World puts together its predictions of the top 10 teams, including statistical analysis that includes the number of points lost and returning from last year’s teams, giving its readers a realistic expectation of what should take place. This year, without the championships being held in 2020, that same kind of analysis wouldn’t be appropriate—or accurate. Many of the college teams have only swum in a handful of meets after spending a lot of time out of the water because of different COVID-19 protocols in different parts of the country. But what we can do is highlight the teams and swimmers to watch for at the upcoming 2021 women’s NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, scheduled for the Greensboro (N.C.) Aquatic Center, March 17-20.

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WOMEN'S NCAA PREVIEW 1. VIRGINIA CAVALIERS Coach: Todd DeSorbo 2019 finish: 6th (188 points) Virginia has built an elite group led by a youth movement. The leader has been Kate Douglass, a sophomore who has helped usher in the new era. Douglass qualified for NCAAs in a number of events, including the 200 yard breaststroke, 100 butterfly and 200 IM. Her versatility allows her to swim in a wide variety of events and still score points in bunches. The Cavaliers also have a lot of other pieces this year, which combined with Douglass’ versatility, could lead to a more complete lineup on the national stage. Freshman Alex Walsh is a U.S. national team member and two-time Pan American Games gold medalist. She can swim any stroke and score points, making her part of a pivotal 1-2 punch with Douglass. But it isn’t just the young guns. Senior Paige Madden was the 2020 ACC Swimmer of the Year and is a nine-time All-American and eight-time ACC champion. She won the 200, 500 and 1650 free at ACCs. Put her with sophomore distance specialist Maddie Donohoe, and Virginia should score lots of points in the distance events alone. Emma Weyant, another national teamer, deferred her enrollment until next year, when she’ll help an already talented team become even better. 2. STANFORD CARDINAL Coach: Greg Meehan 2019 finish: 1st (456.5 points) When Stanford won three straight NCAA team titles from 2016-18, they had it all: superstars and depth. Gone are the big names such as Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky and Ella Eastin, but the team is still loaded with talent. Brooke Forde, an NCAA champion and U.S. national team member, is the new leader for the Cardinal. At the 2019 NCAAs, she won the 500 freestyle and was part of the winning 800 free relay. Other returning NCAA qualifiers from two years ago include breaststroker Zoe Bartel, freestylers Amalie Fackenthal and Morgan Tankersley, breaststrokers Allie Raab and Grace Zhao and the versatile Lucie Nordmann and Lauren Pitzer plus divers Mia Paulsen and Carolina Sculti. 3. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS Coach: Teri McKeever 2019 finish: 2nd (419 points) After all the talk about Virginia and Stanford, one mustn’t forget Cal. After all, the Golden Bears have finished among the top three each year of the last decade: first place 3x, second 4x, third 3x. And the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) ranked them No. 1 (up from No. 7) in February. Yes, Cal is still extremely talented, but it is also in transition. The team is led by NCAA relay champion and six-time All-American Isabel (Izzy) Ivey. A mid-year enrollee at Cal for the spring 2019 semester, she made the NCAA finals in the 100 backstroke (fourth) and 100 butterfly (sixth) and won the B-final of the 200 IM two years ago. Breaststrokers Ema Rajic and Ali Harrison will be an important 1-2 punch, while freestyler Robin Neumann will provide individual and relay power. Freshman Isabelle Stadden will be a huge addition in the backstroke events and medley relays. Junior Alicia Wilson (IM) could provide a spark along with diver Briana Thai. While Cal might not have as much depth as in previous years, the strength of the Golden Bears has always been their relays.

4. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES Coach: Mike Bottom 2019 finish: 3rd (314 points) Michigan has been one of the top teams in the NCAA the past few years, and that should continue this season. The Wolverines are led by Canadian Maggie MacNeil, a multiple NCAA title winner—both individually and on relays—and the 100 meter butterfly gold medalist at the 2019 World Championships. The 2020 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year finished second in the 100 yard fly two years ago and will be the favorite at NCAAs this season. Senior sprinter Daria Pyschnenko has been a multiple All-America relay performer and will likely continue to anchor several relays. Senior distance specialist Sierra Schmidt could be a title contender in the mile and will provide a huge 1-2 distance punch for Michigan along with sophomore Kaitlynn Sims, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Senior divers Nikki Canale and Christy Cutshaw could be poised for a big finish, while butterflyer Olivia Carter will contribute to the medley relays. Freshmen Kathryn Ackerman and Claire Tuttle also could provide a boost, while swimmers such as Caroline Sisson and Victoria Kwan could be poised for breakout seasons. 5. NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK Coach: Braden Holloway 2019 finish: 7th (187.5 points) NC State will be without the speed and leadership of Ky-lee Perry, who graduated last season. But the team has several elite swimmers ready to prove they can lead the Wolfpack to new heights. Sophomore backstroker Katharine Berkoff is looking to make a breakout finish in her first NCAA championship season. Junior Sophie Hansson is an All-America breaststroker and will be key to the Wolfpack medley relays. Junior sprinter and backstroker Kylee Alons will also be a key contributor. OTHERS TO WATCH Texas returns sophomore sprinter Grace Ariola and the versatile senior Evie Pfeifer from its fifth-place squad in 2019. But it is the newcomers who are making the Longhorns a challenger this season. Freshmen Anna Elendt (breaststroke) from Germany and Olivia Bray (butterfly) are not only expected to score points in their individual events, but should also help the Longhorns score big in the medley relays. Georgia is a few years removed from a run that included multiple NCAA championships, but the Bulldogs seem to be back on the rise. Seniors Courtney Harnish (freestyle), Danielle Della Torre (breaststroke) and Gabi Fa’amausili (backstroke), along with sophomore breaststroker Zoie Hartman should play a big role as well as junior butterflyer Dakota Luther. Tennessee is led by senior breaststrokers Nikol Popov and Tjasa Pintar as well as senior diver Ana Celaya Hernandez. The team isn’t as powerful as it has been in recent years, but the Lady Volunteers aren’t a team to look past, either. Another SEC power, Florida, has some big pieces that could come together this season. Junior breaststroker/IMer Vanessa Pearl is having a strong year. She was U.S. national runner-up in the 200 meter IM and was poised for a strong 2020 NCAA meet that never happened. Diver Ashley McCool transferred from Arizona State last year and is looking for her first NCAA meet as a Gator.◄ Dan D’Addona is the managing editor and lead college swim writer for Swimming World. He has covered swimming at all levels since 2003, including the NCAA Championships, USA Nationals, Duel in the Pool and Olympic Trials. He also is the sports editor of The Holland Sentinel in Holland, Mich. BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY CONNOR TRIMBLE ]

>> REECE WHITLEY

THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT BY DAN D'ADDONA

A year ago, all eyes were on the Cal and Texas men’s swimming and diving teams in what looked to be one of the greatest NCAA Championship duels ever. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out that showdown, but spirits are running high one year later—not only for that much anticipated Cal-Texas confrontation, but for the simple fact that college swimmers will again be able to come together and compete at a national championship. Cal and Texas have had some extremely close clashes over the years at the men’s NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships—especially the past few seasons. But none were as highly anticipated as 2020 after Cal had won the year before, snapping a Texas four-peat. Then COVID-19 happened, prompting Cal’s Reece Whitley to say, “It was the fastest NCAAs that nobody ever saw!” Now a junior on the team that will be vying to win back-toback team titles, Whitley added, “I think both teams were ready to do something that the swimming world hadn’t seen before. With it being an Olympic year, we were on a roll. We had some dogs who were chomping at the bit. (Coach) Dave (Durden) had us on a leash...and we were ready to break loose.” 24

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As swimmers prepare for their first national college championship meet in two years, that same vibe is slowly taking shape, with Cal and Texas preparing for another elite showdown. However, after the past year that the world has endured, the thought process for everyone is focused more on hope. First and foremost, swimmers, coaches and fans hope the meet will take place. They also hope the showdown can live up to the wait. Meanwhile, other teams hope they can join the mix and make a memorable return to the men’s NCAAs. Usually, Swimming World puts together its predictions of the top 10 teams, including statistical analysis that includes the number of points lost and returning from last year’s teams, giving its readers a realistic expectation of what should take place. This year, without the championships being held in 2020, that same kind of analysis wouldn’t be appropriate—or accurate. Many of the college teams have only swum in a handful of meets after spending a lot of time out of the water because of different COVID-19 protocols in different parts of the country. But what we can do is highlight the teams and swimmers to watch for at the upcoming 2021 men’s NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, scheduled for the Greensboro (N.C.) Aquatic Center, March 24-27.

MEN'S NCAA PREVIEW 1. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS Coach: Dave Durden 2019 finish: 1st (560 points) Cal is loaded with returning talent, led by a senior class that has put together elite performances at NCAAs when they were freshmen and sophomores:

4. TEXAS A&M AGGIES Coach: Jay Holmes 2019 finish: 17th (93 points) Shaine Casas has become one of the nation’s elite college swimmers the past couple of years, and just continues to get faster (see feature story on Shaine in this issue, pages 26-28).

Ryan Hoffer is an NCAA champion, winning the 50 free in 2019 and leading the Bears to the sprint relay title—and the team title.

Casas will be an NCAA title contender in the backstroke events as well as the 200 IM to lead the Aggies.

Daniel Carr has been a key contributor in the backstroke, while Sean Grieshop will be a contender to win the 400 IM title.

Texas A&M also has plenty of other swimmers waiting to make their big move this season and will need more than Casas to prove it has one of the elite teams.

Trenton Julian has been an All-American and leads the Bears in the IM and butterfly events, while fellow senior Bryce Mefford has been a key sprinter and backstroker for Cal. As for the underclassmen, Whitley, now a junior, is looking for his first individual NCAA title after earning All-America honors as a freshman. He was the 2019 U.S. national champion in the 200 meter breast and could contribute major points in both SCY breaststroke races plus the medley relays. Meanwhile, junior Hugo Gonzalez has been a big boost for Cal in the 200 IM, and freshman Bjorn Seeliger from Sweden has already made an impact this season in the sprints. 2. TEXAS LONGHORNS Coach: Eddie Reese 2019 finish: 2nd (475 points) While Texas was winning four NCAA titles in a row from 2015-18, it boasted Hall of Fame rosters during those years with stars such as Joseph Schooling, Will Licon, Jack Conger, Clark Smith, Townley Haas and John Shebat...to name a few. And although those swimmers are gone, the Longhorns have ushered in a new era of Texas speed. The Foster brothers—Carson and Jake—lead this new, young group with loads of potential. The senior leader is Austin Katz, an All-America backstroker returning for his senior season. He keys the medley relays and could be a big scorer in individual events and relays. Meanwhile, junior sprinter Drew Kibler will be in contention for NCAA titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle and should anchor several relays. Junior Daniel Krueger is another key freestyler who could make his biggest impact swimming on relays. Breaststroker Caspar Corbeau should play a key role as well. One of the key components for the Longhorns will be diving. Jordan Windle is a returning NCAA champion and could give Texas a huge boost as it looks to keep pace with Cal in their long-awaited showdown. 3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS Coach: Jack Bauerle 2019 finish: 18th (86 points) The Georgia Bulldogs have Javier Acevedo back this year after taking an Olympic year redshirt last season. He will be an NCAA title contender in the backstroke events and a key relay component for Georgia. Andrew Abruzzo returns and has a versatile touch that could play a big factor. Butterflyer Camden Murphy looks poised for a breakout finish, while Jake Magahey has been swimming well this season. But the biggest boost to the Bulldogs is the addition of freshman Luca Urlando, who can swim any event at a high level and will be a major point scorer at NCAAs.

5. FLORIDA GATORS Coach: Anthony Nesty 2019 finish: 6th (164 points) Despite losing superstar Caeleb Dressel to graduation in 2018, Florida continues to build strong teams, as evidenced by its sixthplace finish in 2019. For 2021, the Gators are led by the dynamic distance duo of Kieran Smith and Bobby Finke, who are both considered favorites to claim NCAA titles. Smith, a junior and 14-time All-American, holds the American record in the 500 free (4:06.32) from the 2020 SEC Championships, and he won the 200 IM at SECs his freshman year. In addition to winning the 500 free at last year’s SECs, he added titles in the 400 IM and 800 free relay. Finke, a junior, has equally impressive credentials: the four-time All-American destroyed the U.S. record in the 1650 by more than six seconds (14:12.08), also swum at last year’s SECs. And like Smith, Finke was an SEC champ as a freshman, winning the 1650 and 400 IM. Sophomores Trey Freeman (freestyle) and Kevin Vargas (IM) could also play big roles for the Gators. OTHERS TO WATCH Virginia will have freshman Matt Brownstead, a national age group record holder who has already broken the Cavaliers’ school record in the 50 and 100 freestyle—and he’s just getting started. He is a dynamic changer on a team full of strong swimmers that give Virginia a lot of depth—and a lot of potential. Michigan is led by seniors Gus Borges, Ricardo Vargas and Patrick Callan, while sophomore Cam Peel could provide a huge boost in the sprints and relays. It isn’t the most top-heavy of recent Wolverine teams, but the trio of seniors, along with their depth, could provide a good amount of points for Michigan. North Carolina State will have plenty of depth, but perhaps without a big-name superstar this season. But strong relays can go a long way at the NCAA Championships, and that depth will keep the Wolfpack in the mix. The same could be said for the Louisville Cardinals, although Nicholas Albiero gives the team a title contender. The Indiana Hoosiers will have Bruno Blaskovic, Gabriel Fantoni and All-America diver Andrew Capobianco who could score some major points. ◄

Dan D’Addona is the managing editor and lead college swim writer for Swimming World. He has covered swimming at all levels since 2003, including the NCAA Championships, USA Nationals, Duel in the Pool and Olympic Trials. He also is the sports editor of The Holland Sentinel in Holland, Mich. BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY NATALIE DE GANTE ]

WATER POLO NEWS

USA WATER POLO WILL EMERGE FROM COVID-19 SCARRED, BUT PERHAPS WISER COMMENTARY BY MICHAEL RANDAZZO

Editor’s Note: This is the final in a series of articles examining the health of the national governing body for U.S. water polo in the wake of Bahram Hojreh’s criminal and civil sexual abuse cases and the coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in more than 500,000 American deaths. To read the rest of the articles in the series, please visit swimmingworld.com.

ome have wondered why I devoted much of my time during a pandemic digging into a negative story on USA Water Polo. It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times the past three months. Initially, I was reacting to revelations last October that USAWP’s CEO Christopher Ramsey and Christy Sicard, Senior Director for Membership and SafeSport Compliance, were named in a civil suit involving Bahram Hojreh. Leaders legally implicated alongside a prominent SoCal coach accused of sexually assaulting female players were certainly worthy of my scrutiny. Amid demands by a small but vocal group of former national team players, onetime USAWP board members and age group coaches that Ramsey and the entire board—including Michael Graff, current chair—resign, I unpacked details of the Hojreh case. Animosities dating back to 2006, when Graff and Ramsey assumed leadership roles, bubbled up. Which brought me to a fundamental question: During a pandemic that attacks underlying weaknesses, was USA Water Polo— hobbled by a coronavirus-induced financial crisis and under siege due to a public bloodletting—robust enough to survive COVID-19? My conclusion is yes. With Graff, Ramsey and Bill Smith, who will become board chair in June, leading the way, USAWP has an opportunity to quickly rebound as the country emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, an ingrained

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disrespect bordering on pettiness persists among top polo people, which could blunt future prospects for the sport’s national governing body.

“Why are they dissatisfied? Graff asked rhetorically in his final address as USAWP’s board chair. “I really don’t know,”

[ PHOTO COURTESY USAWP ]

Plenty of bad faith to go around At the 2021 USA Water Polo General Assembly last month, Mike Graff lamented that he could not understand why a group of prominent polo supporters would attack a sport that—by his accounting—has proven to be remarkably resilient. >> CHRIS RAMSEY (CENTER)

In fact, he’s been fighting dissatisfaction since being tapped by Russ Hafferkamp 15 years ago to lead an organization the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) deemed in need of a make-over. Since then, Graff has gone from being entirely removed from the workings of USAWP to being at the very center of American polo. Since arriving as a relative unknown in 2006, Graff has had a hand in all of the organization’s major decisions. He picked Ramsey as CEO, stocked the USAWP board with his preferred candidates and supported the organization with generous donations. He also engineered the ascension of Smith, his long-time board collaborator, to a top leadership position. Along the way, he and Ramsey have been constantly criticized. As Ramsey described in an interview last month, many long-time polo supporters were disenfranchised by changes instituted by the new leaders. People who had volunteered under very good will for a long time suddenly found themselves outside a process that to them felt like it was part of their family. So that was a hard thing to bridge for some people. It’s hard because they feel so passionately about the sport. Also, it took a while to see the direction that we were going in, to understand it and see what people’s role in that direction was. It created some real challenges, but I would also say under the old volunteer system, water polo was more tribal in those days. You had the Long Beach group, you had the Newport group, you had the Peninsula group, the Olympic Club group—you had various groups of people that were

doing great things in their community for the sport. On a volunteer basis, a lot of decisions at the national office were based upon these different pockets of organization. Our system has been: we want to grow everywhere. It’s a different approach, and maybe some gears have ground as we made that transition—and in some cases maybe everyone hasn’t gotten over this. In evolving from a primarily volunteer entity to one professionally staffed—which, according to former Vice President Terence Ma, was the purpose of the USOCdirected reorganization—USAWP was changed for the better. “We had dreams of being a great organization, but we didn’t have the mechanism or the support,” Ma said in a recent interview. “What it seems to me is that we now have that in place from what I’m seeing of USA Water Polo.” When asked why animosity towards Ramsey is so personal, Ma identified the CEO’s compensation. He also pointed to the entrenched positions of certain polo “tribes” as familiar from his tenure (2001-06). Bear in mind that 15 years ago, if my memory is correct, our CEO and executive director—who supposedly had the credentials because he had been an athletic director— Tom Seitz—made barely $100,000. When you talk about someone who’s making close to $500,000, that’s more money than people think [the position] is worth in a volunteer organization, particularly one where one side [women’s national team] is successful and the other side [men’s] is not. Huntington Beach versus Newport Beach versus San Diego in California, particularly the [Olympic] Club versus Central CONTINUED >> BIWEEKLY

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Valley versus East Coast versus everyone hates Florida… there was a lot to that. And that was how the organization was run when Rich and I were in charge. Our job was to manage all that as volunteers. Now that we have a professional organization that takes the power base away, I can see that as an issue, but for people to get to the point where it’s personal? I don’t know if that’s enough of an explanation. This doesn’t absolve current USAWP leadership of stoking the poisonous rancor that at times has surrounded the “Old Guard” of American polo. There have been crucial mistakes– including the manner in which Hojreh was able to operate during the past decade. This has, understandably, created a negative impression of Ramsey’s leadership—not to mention the enormous toll it has extracted from Hojreh’s alleged victims. Graff has regularly pointed to a $600,000 deficit he inherited. This is disputed by Ma— who said both he and Rich Foster, former USAWP president, were “furious” that Graff, in his General Assembly address accused his predecessors of self-dealing and conflicts of interest. Comments like these from the USAWP board chair strike a discordant note at a time when a call to unity might be best. Examining the Hojreh saga, it’s what his former athletes are experiencing that should be of paramount concern to all in the USAWP family. This is not to say the ex-coach is guilty. That’s for the courts to decide. But there’s no question that young athletes were grievously harmed, a situation that should never happen again. Hojreh, Ramsey + SafeSport Ramsey has his detractors, some of whom suggests he’s 28

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covering for Hojreh—an almost implausible scenario. However, unlike the man he’s become tied to, Ramsey has never been formerly accused of anything inappropriate. Reports that he’s being investigated by SafeSport must be parsed by the fact that Morgan Stewart, lead attorney for Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, the law firm suing Ramsey, Sicard and USAWP, admitted it was he who called the Center about the USAWP CEO. Ramsey and Sicard did not contact local authorities after complaints from parents, coaches and zone board members following the July 2017 incidents because—as has been documented—they had already been called. Responding to criticism about his follow-up actions, the Ramsey cites SafeSport’s authority once they were given jurisdiction. If, and when, the Center expressly exercises jurisdiction over particular allegations regarding a particular Participant, the relevant organization(s) cannot issue— in response to those allegations—a suspension or other restriction that may deny or threaten to deny a Respondent’s opportunity to participate in sport. The relevant organization may implement any necessary safety plan(s) or interim measure(s). 2019 SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement Given the gravity of the situation, Ramsey might have referenced the response of Foster and former USAWP Executive Director Bruce Wigo. Responding to sexual abuse accusations in 2000 against Randy Dimacali, a prominent coach from San Diego, they suspended him despite pressure to do otherwise. “We said: ‘We don’t care. If they want to sue us for not

[ PHOTO COURTESY USAWP ]

>> USAWP BOARD MEMBERS MIKE GRAFF (CENTER, W/TIE), SUSAN BAO (IN BLACK BLOUSE) AND BILL SMITH (IN BACK) SURROUNDED BY MEMBERS OF THE USA WOMEN’S TEAM

[ PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD SANDOVAL ]

>> JESSICA STEFFENS, BRENDA VILLA, MARLEN ESPARZA & LEONEL MANZANO

following those rules, we don’t care. We’re going to be as supportive to the players as we can,” Foster explained in an interview last November. Dimacali ultimately served one year in jail and five years of probation for his crimes. USAWP uses the Joint Training Bases for national team training—the same facility that hosted Hojreh’s International Water Polo Club teams. If someone had decided to monitor the now banned coach after the incidents in question, his alleged abuse might not have continued for another year. Ramsey did not avail himself of his predecessors’ experience; in one of many fractures between the new regime and polo’s old guard, Foster left the USAWP board in 2007 and has become one of Ramsey’s and Graff’s fiercest foes.

include a new national training center for the U.S. men’s and women’s teams—at a cost of $50 million to USAWP. There’s the prospect of new leadership on the horizon. At the aforementioned General Assembly, only two board members other than Graff and Smith spoke. Jessica Steffens and Brenda Villa—both gold-medal winning Olympians—have prominent roles in the organization and, given the opportunity, their influence will only grow. Smith, now in his 60’s, has been on the USAWP board for 12 of the previous 14 years; expecting more than a quad of service seems unrealistic. With their Olympic pedigrees, Stanford degrees and the respect their accomplishments demand, one can only hope that Steffens, Villas—and others from the USAWP community—will heal the wounds that have plagued the organization for decades. If so, the sport’s long-term wellbeing will be assured, something that all polo supporters can agree on. ◄

In attacking his character, Ramsey’s critics dismiss his ability to fundraise. The onetime New York City non-profit executive brought an invaluable skill to an organization in desperate need of donations to survive. Which—according to the numbers— Ramsey has been very successful at. SWIM MART Taking aim at Graff, who in any other organization might be lauded as a savior, also appears shortsighted. How do they propose to replace Ramsey’s talents and Graff’s treasure? There IS hope on the horizon Short of a damning indictment from SafeSport, Ramsey endures. In Bill Smith. he has a familiar partner who will continue the program established by Graff, including the $250 million dollar complex in Irvine that will

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SWIMMING WORLD PRESENTS

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY The listings on pages 30-37 are advertisements.

AADVANCED REMOTE SWIM CAMPS

THE ARETE SWIM CAMP & CLINICS

THE BOLLES SCHOOL SWIM CAMPS 2021

Bob Prichard, Director 4 Tara Hill Road Tiburon, CA 94920 415-435-9880 bprichard@somaxsports.com www.somaxsports.com/swimcamp.php

Coach Chuck Warner, Camp Director Arete Swim Camp 1050 Dellwood Rd. Martinsville, NJ 08836 areteswimcamp@gmail.com www.areteswim.com

Peter Verhoef, Coach 7400 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32217 904-256-5216 VerhoefP@bolles.org www.Bollesswimming.org

Camp Dates: Feb. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021

Super-Strokes & Skills Clinics: To Be Determined

Elite I Camp: June 6-13 Elite II Camp: June 13-23

Our 2021 private remote camps accommodate up to three swimmers from the same family. Each five-day camp teaches one stroke. We teach swimmers to swim efficiently like world record holders (our swimmers have set 11 world records and have won 43 gold medals) by using frame-by-frame underwater stroke analysis and our exclusive drills, stretches and exercises. Swimmers have reduced their stroke count 30-50%. We teach parents how to teach their kids. A parent will record videos and supervise practices as we talk and watch via Zoom. During dryland sessions at home, we will analyze underwater strokes via Zoom, measure strokespecific flexibility and then teach stretches and exercises to relax muscles that are restricting breathing, shoulders, hips and legs. A complete camp description can be found at www.somaxsports.com/swimcamp.php. The fee for each private remote camp is $13,500 for all instruction, our custommade Powerbelts and a 2,500-yard practice laminated drill card.

Camp Dates: To Be Determined: June 20-24?? at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, N.J. We are uncertain whether the ARETE Swim Camp will launch its 24th year due to health considerations around COVID-19. Our intense instruction led by three-time USA National Team Coach Chuck Warner has helped transform more than 4,000 swimmers. For 18 consecutive years, ARETE has sold out most sessions. Our four core objectives are: Immediate Skill Improvement, Self-Esteem Development, Teamwork and “WOW Experiences.” Each swimmer is filmed underwater and has permanent access to their own recording. A coach analyzes each stroke with each swimmer using our camp workbook. A key aspect of our camp is our “Inner Engineering Curriculum,” and we have a coach-to-swimmer ratio of 1:9 or better. Coach Warner’s experience includes: • Four-time Big East Conference Coach of the Year •

Author of …And Then They Won Gold; Four Champions, One Gold Medal; EDDIE REESE: Coaching Swimming, Teaching Life

•

Former president of the American Swimming Coaches Association

For experienced competitive swimmers 13 and over

Camp sessions will focus on elite training in a team environment that includes technical teaching Dryland sessions focus on swimmingspecific strength and conditioning Olympic Camp: June 23-July 3

For experienced competitive swimmers 13 and over

Coaches and athletes will focus on the training, teaching and competitive aspects that make up competing at the Olympic level with daily viewing of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials as they happen Dryland sessions will focus on swimmingspecific strength and conditioning Campers will compete at the Bolles Classic Swim Meet (entry fees/USA Swimming registration included) Speed Camp: July 5-11

For competitive swimmers 13 and over

•

Swimmers will explore the technical and physiological aspects of swimming faster

•

Individual technical instruction and video sessions will be included for each camper, and practices will feature measurable and specific sets to focus on speeds for events ranging from 50 to 800 meters

•

Dryland sessions will focus on plyometric and power movements

2019 Clinic Fees: $215 all three/$85 per. 2019 Camp Fees: $590-710 commuter/$765-900 resident (early registration discounted). Ages: 7-18.

COMBINATION OPTIONS FOR AFOREMENTIONED CAMPS AVAILABLE

CONTINUED ON 32 >>

CHECK OUT OUR CAMP LISTINGS ONLINE AT WWW.SWIMMINGWORLD.COM/CAMPS 30

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[ PHOTO COURTESY LARRY THORNTON ]

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 30 Day Camp: June 8-17 (Day Sessions) Dates: June 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 •

Technical one-day camp for swimmers age 12 and under

•

Camp will include teaching, training and camp activities

•

Registration is limited to 30 participants per day

Note: Be assured COVID-19 procedures are in place to mitigate risks and keep campers as safe and healthy as possible. See display ad on page 33.

CAMP CHIKOPI Founded 1920 For Boys aged 7-17 Colette Duenkel 373 Chikopi Rd., Magnetawan, Ontario, POA 1PO Canada 705-387-3811 (In Season) • 954-566-8235 (Off Season) campchikopi@aol.com www.campchikopi.com https://www.facebook.com/CampChikopi/ https://www.instagram.com/campchikopi/

national, university and high school champions. It was voted “one of the best boys sports camps in Ontario.” Ahmic Lake is a quiet, pristine freshwater lake. Chikopi has over 2,000 feet of waterfront, offering multiple swimming options; a 50-meter swimming pool built into the lake and three sandy beaches. Our swimming program covers every level— beginning with our respected water safety and learn-to-swim program to our admired and highly competitive swim team. No matter which level of swimming your son is at, he will improve with our personalized program, tailor-made to fit his ability and needs. Located on 400 acres of the Almaguin Highlands, we offer over 30 land and water sports, all of which complement our swimming program. As well as specializing in swimming, soccer and triathlon, Camp Chikopi offers unique activities such as open water swimming, wilderness mountain bike trails, competitive war canoe and canoe tripping. Campers range from boys who are here to have fun playing sports and being outdoors to gifted athletes. We have programs to fit everyone’s needs and fulfill their summer goals. Chikopi is extremely proud of our diversity and inclusiveness. We are very international and welcome every nationality, language and custom at Chikopi. It is an excellent opportunity for boys to be technology-free and immersed in a variety of cultures. Our wilderness location and rustic setting add to the extraordinary experience that a summer at Chikopi provides.

THE WORLD’S FIRST SWIM CAMP FITTER AND FASTER SWIM CAMPS

Two-Week Camps: June 30-July 14 July 14-28 July 28-Aug. 11 Three-Week Camps: June 30-July 21 July 28-Aug. 18 Four-Week Camps: June 30-July 28 July 14-Aug. 18 Five-Week Camps: June 30-Aug. 4 July 14-Aug. 18 Six-Week Camps: July 30-Aug. 11 Seven-Week Camps: June 30-Aug. 18 Specialty session pre-arranged with directors Camp Chikopi is a unique mix of a traditional and competitive sports camp. Chikopi was founded in 1920 by U.S. Olympic swimming coach Matt Mann II. We are renowned for being the world’s first swim camp and the oldest competitive sports camp in the world. Chikopi has a long history of Olympic,

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www.FitterandFaster.com When: Year-round Where: 40+ states, Canada & Bahamas Elite Clinicians: 150+ Fitter & Faster safely produced more than 100 swim camps in 40 states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reduced session sizes and practiced detailed safety protocols. Fitter and Faster’s high volume of camps has enabled their clinicians to achieve an experience and competency level that is unmatched in the industry. As a year-round organization that produces swim camps anytime and anywhere—they are able to cap their session sizes at the smallest volume of any swim camp in the world. That means more expert-level attention for your swimmer. • Each camp has a specific, unique curriculum centered around technique and race strategy •

Your instructors are in the water, demonstrating and making corrections.

•

Each camp is an enriching experience where swimmers with professional clinicians who have competed in college, World Championships and Olympics.

•

Participants engage in conversations about technique, race strategy, balancing school

and swimming, nutrition, psychology, training, taper and other aspects of life in and out of the pool that have made your clinicians successful. Visit FitterandFaster.com to find a swim camp or to request one near you. See display ad on page 31.

GOLD MEDAL SWIM CAMPS AND CLINICS Courtney Hart, Head Coach Georgia Tech Swimming and Diving 404-867-3766 buzzswimming@gmail.com www.goldmedalswimcamp.com Link to registration page: https://portal.campnetwork.com/Register/ Register.php?camp_id=397055 Head coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist Courtney Hart invites you to take part in our Spring Clinics and Summer Camps. The Gold Medal Swim Camp coaches are some of the best in the business. With two former Olympians, former national team members, experienced collegiate coaches and Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving team members, the camp promises to have some of the best technical instruction available in a camp setting. Camp Dates: June 7-10 Session 1 July 6-9 Session 2 CAMPS: This year, our Competitive Swim Camp is a commuter-style camp that will include a water session, technical instruction, video work and dryland instruction. Swimmers will be in the water two-plus hours each day and hear from some of the best coaches in the business. Our camp is located at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology at 750 Ferst Drive. Clinic Dates: Saturday April 17 Starts and Turns Sunday April 18 Freestyle and Backstroke Sunday April 25 Butterfly and Breaststroke Saturday May 8 Starts and Turns Sunday May 9 Freestyle and Backstroke CLINICS: Our clinics are designed to provide competitive swimming technique training for intermediate to advanced competitive swimmers. Our clinics are two-and-a-half hours long, to the point and full of information! Get ready for the summer competition season with one of our focused clinics. Get individualized attention from our former Olympians and collegiate coaches. Our clinic is located at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology at 750 Ferst Drive.

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SWIM CAMPS E X P E R I E N C E T H E E XC E L L E N C E

Elite Camp I

Elite Camp II

June 6–13

June 13–23

JOIN THE TRADITION

L I V E T H E PA S S I O N

For experienced competitive swimmers Camp sessions will focus on elite training in a team environment that includes technical teaching Dryland sessions focus on swimming specific strength and conditioning

Olympic Camp June 23–July 3

Coaches and athletes will focus on the training, teaching and competitive aspects that make up competing at the Olympic level with viewing and updates from the US Olympic Trials as they happen. Dryland sessions will focus on swimming specific strength and conditioning. Campers will compete at the Bolles Classic Swim Meet (entry Fees/USA Swimming Registration included)

BOLLES SHARKS SWIM CAMP ADVANTAGE n

Speed Camp July 5– 11

Swimmers will explore the technical and physiological aspects of swimming faster Individual technical instruction and video sessions will be included for each camper and practices will feature measurable and specific sets to focus on speeds for events ranging from 50 to 800 meters Dryland sessions will focus on plyometric and power movements

Learn from Bolles coaches with Olympic swimming and coaching experience. Live, eat, train and learn on the beautiful Bolles riverfront campus with swimmers from around the world. Classroom sessions, Dryland training and FUN Camp activities/ outings are all included. Transportation shuttles to/from the Jacksonville International airport are included on check-in and check-out days.

Due to COVID-19 there is a limited number of dorm rooms available. If you and/or your family are interested in staying in a nearby hotel, we can direct you to one offering a discounted price.

Registrations will open online in December.

Be assured COVID-19 procedures are in place to mitigate risks and keep campers as safe and healthy as possible. Combination options are available for all camps listed. Camps listed are overnight camps. Camps are for athletes 13 years and older. Must be 13 on or before final day of camp.

For information contact: Jeff Pishko, Senior Assistant Coach (904) 256-5215 | PishkoJ@Bolles.org

www.BollesSwimming.org

2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 32 LONGHORNS SWIM CAMP Jon Alter, Camp Director The University of Texas P.O. Box 7399 Austin, TX 78713-7399 512-475-8652 • Fax 512-232-1273 longhornswimcamp@athletics.utexas.edu www.LonghornSwimCamp.com Four one-week sessions from May 24-June 19 43 years of excellence! Headed by threetime Olympic and Texas head men’s coach Eddie Reese, 2019 World University Games and women’s coach Carol Capitani, former USA Swimming National Junior Team Director and assistant women’s coach Mitch Dalton and 2018 Team USA Pan-Pac and assistant men’s coach Wyatt Collins, the Longhorns Swim Camp is the most exciting camp in the country! Guest coaches and speakers include Olympians and national team members Ian Crocker, Josh Davis, Colleen Lanné-Cox, Garrett Weber-Gale, Townley Haas, Whitney Hedgepeth, Will Licon, Madisyn Cox and Jimmy Feigen. Open to male and female competitive swimmers, ages 8 to 18. Camp is held at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus, home to 23 NCAA team champions. Facility includes an indoor 50-meter by 25yard pool, a 25-yard by 25-meter pool and a BRAND NEW 50-meter by 25-yard outdoor pool. Four training groups based on age and ability, with a 1:7 coach/swimmer ratio in technique sessions. Daily training includes challenging longcourse sessions Monday-Friday mornings; technique sessions Monday-Thursday afternoons and evenings, with start/turn work included. Classroom sessions on technique and race strategies held. Underwater video of each camper analyzed by a coach. Daily social activities and field trips offered. Multiple-week stays include planned weekend activities with supervision. Experienced, mature, adult staff provides 24-hour supervision. Cost: Overnight Camp $1,070; Day Camp $970. Complete camp information and online registration available at Longhornswimcamp.com. Per NCAA rules, sport camps and clinics conducted by The University of Texas are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp. NCAA guidelines prohibit payment of camp expenses by a representative of The University of Texas’ athletics interest. NCAA rules also prohibit free or reduced camp admission for prospects (9th grade and above).

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MICHIGAN SWIM CAMP at The University of Michigan 8160 Valley View Drive Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-845-8596 umswim1@gmail.com www.michiganswimcamp.com or www.camps.mgoblue.com/swimming Four sessions open to any and all entrants, limited to age and 195 campers per session in Canham Natatorium at the University of Michigan. A staff of 60+ and three instructional sessions per day ensure the individual attention necessary for significant improvement. Coaches Mike Bottom, Dr. Josh White, Rick Bishop, Sam Wensman, Nikki Kett, Kurt Kirner and Roger Karns are directly involved in coaching and teaching campers. All campers HD-filmed, 1:1 analyzed, and receive a written stroke analysis. Optional custom video and/or Kistler start-and-turn analysis available for an additional fee. Choose the Intensive Training Track or the Technique Development Track. World-class staff provides leadership and mentoring that encourage each swimmer to strive for excellence in and out of the pool. While the status of summer camps for 2021 is uncertain, we will resume hosting athletic camps when it is safe to do so. Please continue to follow us on mgoblue.com for the latest updates. Stay safe and Go Blue.

NAVY SWIMMING CAMPS 2021 Bill Roberts, Camp Director Navy Swimming Camps 2021 566 Brownson Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402 410-293-5834, 410-293-3012 Fax 410-293-3811 navyswimmingcamp@usna.edu www.navyswimmingcamp.com or www.navysports.com Facebook search: Navy Swimming Camp June 15-19 Session I June 21-25 Session II Clinics: June 19 & 20 (see website for 2021 clinic offerings) Now going into our 23rd season, expect direct results by being part of the 2021 Navy Swimming Camp this summer! Our principal goal is to provide you the very best in individual instruction, evaluation, camper experience and safety/supervision. The purpose of our camp is to offer you a unique environment to learn and develop your competitive strokes, including all related starts, turns and finishes. Navy Swimming Camp is a stroke-intensive camp. Swimming campers will receive individual attention. Additional training sessions are offered to all needing to maintain conditioning while at camp. Video analysis, dryland activities designed to improve individual fitness levels, performance, training, goal-setting, leadership presentations and the Severn River boat cruise are all part of the schedule for 2021. Also, outstanding and accomplished guest speakers

and presenters all scheduled for this year’s edition of the Navy Swimming Camp. Campers will learn, train and reside in an amazingly safe and unique environment on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy. Additionally, teamwork and leadership are important points of emphasis for every camper. The Navy camp is led by an experienced camp staff while providing the very best in 24-hour supervision. See www.navyswimmingcamp.com for greater detail, including brochure, application, daily schedule and frequently asked questions. Cost for each camp: $725/commuter camper (ages 8-18), $775/extended day camper (ages 8-18), $825/resident camper (ages 9-18). All campers receive a NAVY swimming shirt & an exclusive NAVY backstroke flag. Go Navy!

2021 NEAL STUDD SWIM CAMP AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Dan Carrington, Camp Director Florida State University 2560 Pottsdamer St. Tallahassee, FL 32310 850-644-5946 dcarrington@fsu.edu www.fsuswimcamp.com June 14-18 Session 1 June 21-25 Session 2 The Neal Studd Swim Camp at Florida State University is a camp that focuses on giving each swimmer, ages 7-18, the tools to improve his or her overall technique. The camp focuses on fitness, stroke technique, starts, turns, nutrition and mental training. Each camper will receive specific instruction on all four strokes, turns and starts. There will be classroom sessions on these principles as well as talks on nutrition. We will also have champion swimmers come in to talk to our campers. Our goal each session is to give your camper the tools to improve his or her swimming as well as give them a renewed love of the sport! We love to hear from our campers each year that they have a “renewed love of the sport” and/or that they “were so excited to drop time.” We’ve earned a reputation with the clubs of our campers returning to their teams with better technique, improved fitness and more confidence! Additional camp information can be found at: https://www.fsuswimcamp.com/

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START&TURN CAMP

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DAY CAMP: $595

DAY CAMP: $345

BOARDING: $795

BOARDING: $595

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PROGRAM FEATURES

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Performance & Mental Skills Training

Drills and Skills in All Competitive Turns Including IM Transitions

Introductions to Weight Room & Dryland Exercises

Drills and Skills in Forward Start, Backstroke Start & Relay Start

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2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY / CONTINUED FROM 34 UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO SWIMMING CAMPS Lisa Ebeling, Camp Director University of Northern Colorado 970-451-1476 Lisa.ebeling@unco.edu www.uncswimmingcamps.com June 28-July 2 Session 1 July 12-16 Session 2 UNC Swimming Camps are designed to teach athletes the technical aspects of swimming to help them achieve success at the next level. The main focus of our camp is on stroke analysis and technique for starts and turns through in-depth video review. We also provide elite high-altitude training sessions, team building activities, nutritional education, competition preparation tools and mental training. We group athletes according to skill level, and are able to accommodate swimmers of all levels, ages 8-18. UNC Swimming Camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender). Join Coaches Lisa Ebeling and Brody Lewis to learn the techniques used by NCAA and Olympic champions. Camps are filling fast, so register now to reserve your spot!

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SWIMMING CAMPS

THE RACE CLUB 2021 UPCOMING SWIM CAMPS https://theraceclub.com/swim-camps/swimcamp-details/ Swimmers will focus on all strokes, swimming starts and swimming flip turns while improving freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly swimming techniques. Learn four different types of dryland training, the science of swimming and the five disciplines of fast swimming. Develop seasonal planning, mental training and swim race strategy techniques that are sure to give you an edge over your competition. Whether you’re a beginner, Masters or a competitive swimmer, we recommend that all campers attend every swim camp session to gain a comprehensive knowledge of our methodologies to improve your swimming technique. The Race Club Swim Camps are unlike any other swim camps or clinics. Sign up for the sessions you’d like during a camp. We coach a morning and an afternoon session on each scheduled camp day. Morning sessions are three hours at $250 per session, and afternoon sessions are two hours long at $150 per session. We encourage all campers to attend all eight sessions to gain the full benefit of The Race Club methodology. If you register 30+ days before the camp start date, you will receive a $200 discount off the full camp rate of $1,600. Link to camp info: https://theraceclub.com/ swim-camps/swim-camp-details/

http://www.pittswimmingcamp.com/ Pittsburgh Swim Camp Dates: June 13-17 June 20-24 Our swim camp is designed to inspire competitive swimmers to develop their strokes and training while swimming under the guidance and experience of some of the best collegiate coaches in the country! University of Pittsburgh head coach and 1996 Olympic gold medalist, John Hargis, along with his coaching staff will instruct campers how to develop their strokes, starts and turns. We will also instruct campers on how to maximize daily training while at camp and when they return to their home club. Each day will consist of water workouts plus a classroom session to watch and analyze swimming videos, as well as other topics such as preparing for college, sport nutrition and goal setting. Camp will also include individual stroke analysis and instruction via video review, and a low camper-to-staff ratio. We will be taking additional measures based on guidance from our local health department and the Pitt Athletics department to limit any COVID exposure. Campers can also purchase additional video analysis that includes all four strokes, starts, turns and underwater kick footage. Video analysis is done by collegiate coaches and delivered to the camper digitally for unlimited playback. Cost: $500. Additional camp information can be found at: http://www.pittswimmingcamp.com/

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SPIRE INSTITUTE & ACADEMY 440-466-1002 info@spireinstitute.org https://www.spireinstitute.org Stroke Camp Dates: June 6-10 June 13-17 June 20-24 Aug. 8-12 Start & Turn Camp Dates: May 28-30 June 11-13 June 18-20 Aug. 13-15 SPIRE offers five-day Stroke Camps and three-day Start & Turn Camps for ages 12 and older. These competitive swimming camps are either boarding or non-boarding and are for competitive swimmers. Stroke Camps are structured around a philosophy of teaching skill acquisition and development in all four competitive strokes as well as starts and turns. Two daily water sessions are led by a world-class staff. Workouts are structured to improve stroke technique with a combination of drills, skills and training. Each athlete will have opportunities to enhance all phases of competitive swimming

through individualized attention from our excellent coaches and counselors. Individual stroke analysis, dryland instruction and lecture sessions will give the campers one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date training camp experiences available in the United States. The Competitive Start & Turn Camp will only focus on starts and turns. Emphasis is about turning these often-overlooked skills into a true competitive advantage. Swimmers will receive intensive instruction on the forward and backstroke starts with safety being a priority. Fast, legal turns for all four competitive strokes and the IM transition turns will be covered. Each athlete will receive individual attention from a staff of outstanding coaches and instructors. See display ad on page 35.

STR SPEEDWEEK SWIM CAMPS USING SCIENCE TO IMPROVE TECHNIQUE swimmingtechnology.com Are you: • looking for a significant time drop? • serious about improving your technique? • hoping to reduce or eliminate shoulder pain? • ready to compete at the next level? • interested in extending your swimming career to college? If you are, then an STR SpeedWeek is your best swim camp option! We are the only camp with scientific studies that confirm the effect of our technique improvement strategies. In the morning classroom instructional session, swimmers learn specific cues to see and feel so they can swim like MONA, a biomechanical model of optimal technique. The following pool session includes deliberate practice strategies to help the swimmers optimize technique—short swims at a slow stroke rate with lots of individual feedback. In the afternoon, swimmers are tested in the pool and analyzed in the classroom with Aquanex—our patented system that captures synchronized underwater video and hand force data. This science-based analysis is unlike anything else in the world of swimming, giving swimmers the information they need to fine-tune their technique and make drastic time drops. You will learn to: • Optimize the non-breathing head position • Control the base of support to minimize resistance and maximize propulsion • Benefit from elbow flexion at the beginning of the pull • Vary the arm index of coordination in freestyle • Minimize shoulder stress on the freestyle and butterfly arm entry • Reduce fluctuations in body velocity in breaststroke and butterfly • Gain extra propulsion on the freestyle push phase • Eliminate wasted arm motion in backstroke • Practice deliberately to make technique changes quickly

The STR bottom line: We guarantee we can show every swimmer how to swim faster. SpeedWeek helps you make technique changes based on scientific data rather than opinion. Our campers have incomparable progress and learn practice strategies that help them continue to improve on return to normal training. Each SpeedWeek is limited to 12 swimmers to ensure maximum individual attention by Dr. Rod Havriluk, world-renowned biomechanist and technique expert. Dr. Havriluk is internationally recognized for his unique approach to accelerating skill-learning and preventing shoulder injury. He is a frequent conference presenter (ASCA, ASCTA, BMS, FINA, IOC, ISCA, USAS, USMS, USSSA) and is widely published. In 2015, he was selected by Swimming World Magazine as one of the top 10 individuals making an impact on swimming. Check our website for more info: swimmingtechnology.com

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AGGIE SWIM CAMP Shannon Clark, Camp Director aggieswimcamp@gmail.com www.aggieswimcamp.com May 23-28 (Sunday-Friday) May 30-June 4 (Sunday-Friday) June 6-9 (Sunday-Wednesday) TECHNIQUE CAMP The Aggie Swim Camp offers super stroke technique, great counselors, a world-class, newly renovated facility and lots of fun! The Texas A&M head men’s and women’s coaches, Jay Holmes and Steve Bultman, are on deck every day to work with campers one-on-one and in small groups to maximize the camp experience. Campers receive detailed stroke work with a highly experienced coaching staff and a low coach-to-swimmer ratio in every group. Campers also receive extensive filming with voice-over stroke instruction on all four strokes. Filming includes above water, below water, starts and turns as well as one-on-one video analysis with camp coaches daily. Take home your DVD, and watch it with your coach at home. Outside of the pool, campers reside in a beautiful off-campus dorm and enjoy great recreational activities away from the pool as they create new friendships and meet swimmers from all over the world. The Aggie Swim Camp is open on a firstcome, first-serve basis to any individual who

satisfies the age, grade level and/or gender requirements set forth in the registration materials. Male and female swimmers (ages 8-18) of any ability level are welcome to attend. It is highly recommended, but not required, that swimmers have competitive experience prior to attending. Visit our website at: www.aggieswimcamp.com to register online.

TOTAL PERFORMANCE SWIM CAMPS AT KENYON COLLEGE & CALVIN COLLEGE 740-398-4464 www.tpscamps.com Competitive Stroke Camp at Kenyon: June 13-17 Session 1: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 75) June 17-20 Session 2: $525 overnight $375 day (space limited to 75) June 20-24 Session 3: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 50) Competitive Stroke Camp at Calvin: June 13-17 Session 1: $675 overnight $510 day (space limited to 50) Elite Distance Camp at Kenyon: June 20-24: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 25) Elite Breaststroke Camp at Kenyon: June 20-24: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 25) Elite STRENGTH Camp at Kenyon (NEW CAMP OFFERING FOR AQUATICS): June 24-27: $425 overnight $310 day (space limited to 25) Elite Coaching Camp at Kenyon (NEW CAMP OFFERING FOR AQUATICS): June 25: $99/coach (space limited to 75) Elite Fly/Back Underwater Camp at Kenyon: June 27-July 1: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 50) Elite Sprint Camp at Kenyon: June 27-July 1: $775 overnight $610 day (space limited to 50) The Total Performance Swim Camps— hosted in 2021 at Kenyon College and Calvin College—are back! As we have since 1980, Total

Performance offers swimmers of all abilities an opportunity to learn how to take their swimming to the next level from some of the nation’s top coaches. This year, we offer two camp models: the Competitive Stroke Camp and the Elite Camp. NEW in 2021 is the firstever Total Performance Strength Camp and Coaches Camp. COMPETITIVE STROKE CAMPS feature nationally ranked collegiate coaches, two pool sessions per day with a focus on training and technique, critique sessions in all four strokes, starts and turns with personalized takehome video analysis, special guest speakers that include Olympians and top DI coaches, educational classroom sessions and fun social activities. The Competitive Stroke Camps are directed by nationally ranked collegiate coaches and are open to all competitive swimmers, ages 10-18. ELITE CAMPS are intensive, stroke-specific programs that provide elite swimmers, ages 13-18, with cutting-edge training and techniques in each specialty, data-driven classroom sessions and swimming-specific drylands. These camps feature nationally and internationally ranked headliners as well as top collegiate coaches. NEW in 2021 are the Total Performance Elite Strength Camp and Elite Coaches Camp. ELITE STRENGTH CAMP will feature top strength coaches from around the country and will focus on: 1.) How to develop swimmingspecific strength and power, and 2.) How to establish proper technique. Advanced critique sessions for all aquatic athletes. Guest speakers will include Olympians and top coaches, educational classroom sessions and fun social activities. ELITE COACHES CAMP will be a oneday training camp for high school and club coaches. The camp will focus on: 1.) Coach development, 2.) Team development—building a program, and 3.) Culture—establishing a healthy environment for athletes. Kenyon College and Calvin College feature safe campuses and world-class facilities that have been rated in the Top 20 by the Princeton Review. Overnight camps provide 24-hour supervision by our staff of collegiate swimmers and coaches, providing greater opportunities for mentorship during the week. More than most years, space is limited. Call 740-398-4464 or visit: www.tpscamps.com for more information. 

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