The Week That Was: Condors Crowned 2020 ISL Champions in Budapest

Members of the Cali Condors celebrate winning the ISL Grand Final Sunday; Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu/ISL

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The Week That Was sponsored by Suitmate.

The International Swimming League Grand Final concluded after six weeks of racing with nine world records broken across seven events in that span. It was a welcomed sight to have pro swimming in our lives again and the Cali Condors walked away as champions in the 2020 season.

Read below the five biggest stories in The Week That Was sponsored by Suitmate.

The Week That Was #1: Cali Condors Take 2020 ISL Title With World Records From Dressel & Women’s Medley Relay

Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL

By Andy Ross

The Cali Condors soared to their first league title in franchise history thanks to Skins prowess from Lilly King and the speed and versatility from Caeleb Dressel. The Condors seemed to have no weakness throughout the entire season as they never trailed on day two of the Grand Final, unseating the defending champions Energy Standard in Budapest after six weeks of racing in Hungarian capital in one of the top facilities in the world.

The Condors celebrated with wins from Olivia Smoliga and Hali Flickinger as the team won by nearly 100 points over Energy Standard with the London Roar in third and LA Current in fourth.

General Manager Jason Lezak and head coach Jonty Skinner celebrated poolside with the team as the Condors finished 2020 undefeated. Dressel was crowned season and match MVP of 2020 with his superhuman performances with three world records this weekend in Budapest.

#2: Karol Ostrowski Breaks Division II NCAA Record in 50 Free

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Andy Ross

Drury freshman Karol Ostrowski out of Poland broke the NCAA Division II record in the 50 freestyle on Thursday night at Drury’s dual meet with SMU in Dallas. Ostrowski blasted a 19.09 in the 50 free to take down David Lambert’s record of 19.17 from the 2017 Texas Invite. Ostrowski also anchored the 400 medley relay team at 42.73 as the Panthers won at 3:11.25. He also led off the 200 free relay earlier in the night with a 19.4.

His time would have put him tied for eighth in Division I last season with Michigan’s Gus Borges. The 19 second barrier has become commonplace in Division I swimming, but no one outside of Division I has broken the barrier as Ostrowski lowered the Division II record to a 19.0, while the Division III record stands at a 19.37 from Oliver Smith in 2018.

The Week That Was #3: Swimmer From Indy US Open Tests Positive For COVID-19

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Swimming World Editorial Team

According to Olympics sportswriter David Woods of the Indianapolis Star, a swimmer who competed at last week’s Indianapolis site of the U.S. Open has tested positive for COVID-19. According to Woods, an award-winning journalist, the swimmer raced at the legendary Indiana University Natatorium from Thursday through Saturday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s version of the U.S. Open was held at nine sites across the United States, with Indianapolis serving as one of the locales. While there were no spectators at the meet, USA Swimming is working on contact tracing and identifying anyone who may have come in close contact with the infected swimmer.

Woods noted that USA Swimming sent a letter to individuals who attended the meet, including athletes, coaches and officials, and that the athlete passed a temperature check upon entering the facility. More, the athlete satisfactorily completed the health-screening questions that was required of participants.

#4: Taylor Abbott Upgraded to Pan Ams Silver

Photo Courtesy: Diana Pimer

By Matthew De George

The United States Olympic Committee on Wednesday announced three upgraded medals from the 2019 Pan American Games, including Taylor Abbott in the men’s 10-kilometer open water.

Abbott had finished third to secure bronze in the race, his time 1:54.02.7. The gold from the race in Peru last summer remains in the hands of Ecuadorian Esteban Enderica. But silver medalist Guillermo Vitto Bertola of Argentina was banned for four years for an illegal blood transfusion before a race in 2018. The ban, handed down in June, stripped him of his silver.

Wednesday, that went to Abbott, the University of Tennessee grad. He was presented the medal Wednesday in a virtual ceremony hosted by the Pan American Sports Organization.

“It was a long process,” Abbott told USA Swimming. “I’m so appreciative that (Team USA and the Pan American Sports Organization) worked to finally get me the medal and do the ceremony. It’s all really cool and exciting and I’m really happy to be a part of it.”

The Week That Was #5: Cody Miller & Wife Ali Welcome Baby Boy

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

By Andy Ross

100 breast Olympic bronze medalist Cody Miller and wife Ali welcomed their first child to the world on Monday night as Axel Zeke Miller was born at 8:25 Eastern Standard Time on Monday night. His birth comes about 24 hours after father Cody was competing at the US Open in Indianapolis where he finished second overall in both the 100 (59.65) and 200 breaststroke (2:10.22).

Miller elected not to compete in the International Swimming League this fall over in Budapest in order to be there to witness the birth of his son. The couple announced their pregnancy in June this year on Father’s Day. Ali found out she was pregnant in late February, just before the COVID-19 virus caused everyone to be quarantined in their homes. Cody and Ali have been married for over three years.

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