The Week That Was: Record-Breaking Performances and World Leaders Take Top Headlines

University of Texas men's NCAA champions
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Though the men’s NCAA Division I championships took center stage last week to close out another exciting collegiate season, The Week That Was looks at other headlines that topped swimming news in the past few days.

The Week That was is supported by AgonSwim.com

The Week That Was #5: Open water swimmers compete in Crippen 10K Cup

2015 Crippen 10K Cup top five

Photo Courtesy: Open Water Festival


The USA open water nationals is coming up in less than a month, and competition will be tight for the two spots per gender in the 10K at this summer’s world championships. Qualifying for worlds in the 10K is very important, as the top 10 places in the race at worlds will receive automatic selection to the Olympic 10K race. Many of the top American marathon swimmers came to southern Florida on Saturday to race in the second annual Crippen 10K Cup, and Alex Meyer was able to defend his title from last year in the men’s race. Sean Ryan and Chip Peterson, who should also be in the hunt at nationals next month, were second and third. Stephanie Peacock appears to be transitioning into open water swimming after doing well in the pool at the University of North Carolina, and she won the women’s 10K last weekend. Tristan Baxter, another distance swimmer working her way up the ranks of open water racing, was in second place. With a $22,000 prize purse, the top five finishers all won money, with bonuses available for leaders after each lap and another bonus for national team members.

The Week That Was #4: Masters swimmers rewrite record book

Nicolas Granger

Photo Courtesy: Nicolas Granger


It was a record-setting weekend for Masters swimmers around the world, as athletes in France and the United States swam fast to break a few world and national records. Nicolas Granger, one of the world’s best all-around Masters swimmers, broke the short course meters world records in the 400 free and 200 breast for the first time, then lowered his 100 breast world record as well at the French nationals. This was the first of a three-meet series for Granger, who is coming to the U.S. to compete in the long course Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa and the short course yards U.S. Masters nationals in San Antonio next month. Here in the States, six short course yards national records fell in three different age groups at three meets. Fritz Bedford took down two sprint backstroke records in the 50-54 age group in Boston, including one he already owned in the 50 back. In the course of one day, Todd Torres set two records in North Carolina, breaking Wally Dicks’ record in the 50 breast then barely beating David Guthrie’s mark in the 200 breast, both in the 45-49 age group. At the USA Swimming sectionals in Austin, Brent Creager broke a 16-year-old national record in the 200 fly for the 35-39 age group and followed it up with another record in the 100 fly.

The Week That Was #3: Olympian Andy Coan battling Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Andy-Coan

Photo Courtesy: Andy Coan


Andy Coan, a member of the boycotted 1980 Olympic team, knows what it’s like to overcome hardships in attempting to reach a goal. The 57-year-old is faced with one of his biggest obstacles yet: Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The disease cripples the nerves in the extremities and can be extremely life-changing, but not necessarily life-ending. Six months after receiving the diagnosis, Coan is working to regain use of his arms and legs through pilates, yoga and physical therapy. There is hope for Coan, and he can look to the successful recovery of Rowdy Gaines, who has full function after his diagnosis in the 1990s. a website has been established for donations.

The Week That Was #2: Europeans prepping for world championships

Ruta Meilutyte

Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse


Though the attention in the United States last week was on collegiate swimming, Europeans have their eyes squarely on August’s world championships. It looks like Europe will be a major force in Russia in August, based on times swum at various meets across the continent. Reigning 100 breast world champion Ruta Meilutyte looks to be on track based on a fast swim in Sheffield in the 100 breast, as well as a strong 50 breast at the meet. Mireia Belmonte of Spain was stellar in December at the short course worlds and is looking to earn her first long course title. She put up the world’s fastest time in the 200 fly at the Spanish Open, and showed her distance strength with another world leader in the 1500 free. Certainly, Belmonte would have a major hurdle to overcome named Katie Ledecky to win the 1500 free world title, but the 200 fly is within her grasp. Others to put up world-leading times over the weekend include 200 breast world record holder Rikke Pedersen, Poland’s Konrad Czerniak and Pal Joensen of the Faroe Islands.

The Week That Was #1: Eddie Reese wins record-tying 11th NCAA team title at men’s swimming and diving championships

Eddie Reese

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien


Eddie Reese and his Texas Longhorns could not be stopped from winning the men’s NCAA Division I swimming and diving championships, as the team made plenty of history-making statements in the three-day meet that could not be countered by any opponent. The 129-point victory over California gave Reese his 11th national title, tying him with Ohio State’s Mike Peppe, who won his in the 1950s and 1960s. Reese remains the only coach to win titles in four consecutive decades, and he did it in fine fashion. In addition to the 200 free relay and 400 medley relay, Texas won four individual events, including two by freshman Joseph Schooling in both butterfly races. The 100 butterfly was a stunner for Texas as the Longhorns placed six athletes in the top eight and then grabbed the top four spots in the final. Previously, the “record” had been four athletes from one school in a championship final, and only places 1-2-3 in a final. Texas scored 92 points in the 100 fly, essentially cementing the team victory on day two. Other schools had plenty to celebrate, as Stanford’s David Nolan broke the 1:40 barrier in the 200 IM, while Ryan Murphy of California broke the American record in the 200 back to go along with his NCAA record in the 100 back. Southern California snuck into fourth place in the rankings, helped largely by close wins over N.C. State in the 400 free relay and 800 free relay. Kevin Cordes joined Olympic champions Steve Lundquist and Brendan Hansen as the only four-time 100 breast winners, and Will Licon became just the second man in history under 1:50 in the 200 breast, beating Cordes by one tenth of a second for the title. Many will say it was one of the most thrilling NCAA championships in recent history, and swimming fans are already excited for next year’s possibilities.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x