The Week That Was: Top U.S. Swimmers Share Their Thoughts on Trials

The Week That Was, Sponsored by Suitmate

The Week That Was featured a recap on the U.S. Swim Trials, a second career for Rachel Zilinskas, Leah Hayes breaking Katie Hoff’s NAG record, and more.

The Week That Was #1: Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke, Katie Ledecky Share Thoughts on Trials, Joke About Training

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

by David Rieder

A trio of University of Florida-based Olympic gold medalists, Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke and Katie Ledecky, all earned one final win Saturday evening at the U.S. International Team Trials in Greensboro. Ledecky opened the evening session by dominating the women’s 1500 freestyle, and Finke followed with a big win in the men’s 800 free. In the last A-final of the competition, Dressel edged Michael Andrew in the men’s 50 free.

At the end of the night, Dressel and Finke wanted to conduct a joint interview, and after a couple minutes, Ledecky entered the room and walked up to join her training partners on camera. Each swimmer commented on their respective victories and overall thoughts on the competition, but at the end of a long meet, the three relaxed but tired swimmers spent the majority of time joking with each other about training and friendly competition between one another. At one point, Dressel even went off-screen to ask Finke and Ledecky some lighthearted questions.

The Week That Was #2: Rachel Zilinskas, Former Georgia All-American, Enjoying Second Career in Triathlon

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

by Matthew de George

Filling the hole left by swimming was a complex challenge for Rachel Zilinskas when she left the University of Georgia.

The void was obvious for the All-American swimmer. Since she was a child, first at Germantown Academy and then in Athens, Zilinskas took pride in the hours of work she put in. At two daunting, distance-heavy programs, Zilinskas thrived, as a national teamer in the pool and in open water, an all-purpose distance specialist who harbored realistic Olympic dreams.

The Week That Was #3: Leah Hayes ‘Honored’ as She Qualifies for Worlds, Breaks Katie Hoff’s National Age Group Record

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

by David Rieder

Leah Hayes walked out for the 400 IM final at the U.S. International Team Trials as the top seed, and the 16-year-old was staring at the biggest moment of her swimming career so far. To her right in lane three was Emma Weyant, the Olympic silver medalist in the event, and another lane over was Hali Flickinger, who had earned bronze in Tokyo. On the other side of Hayes was Katie Grimes, also 16, but Grimes was already an Olympic finalist.

In contention for most of the race, Hayes actually took the lead with 100 meters to go, could not live up to her incredible prelims performance, the three-second time drop that made her the top seed, as she ended up fourth behind Grimes, Weyant and Flickinger.

“I was a little disappointed after my 400 IM because I was seeded first and I came back fourth, but I was happy with the race,” she said. “I thought I swam well, and I gave it my best effort, so I didn’t want to let myself be disappointed.”

The Week That Was #4: Rex Maurer Posts 4:13 500 Freestyle Among Three Wins at CIF-Southern Section Championships

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

by David Rieder

At the CIF Southern Section Division I championship meet Friday evening in Mission Viejo, Loyola junior Rex Maurer posted three victories (two individual plus one relay), and he challenged a six-year-old National High School record. Maurer won the 500 freestyle in 4:13.90, less than a second-and-a-half short of Grant Shoults’ national mark of 4:12.47 set in 2016. Maurer will have one more year on the high school level to attempt to challenge Shoults’ mark.

Maurer won the 500 free by more than 15 seconds, with only two other swimmers recording 4:29s. Earlier in the meet, Maurer had captured first place in the 200 free by almost 3.5 seconds in 1:34.95, and he led off Loyola’s first-place 400 free relay in 43.76. Maurer was also a member of his team’s 200 free relay, and he led off in prelims earlier in the week in 20.20, but the foursome was disqualified in the final. Loyola ended up placing second in the team competition with 270 points, 85 behind champion Santa Margarita.

The Week That Was #5: Olympians Honored by President Biden at White House

white-house-natalie-hinds-allison-schmitt-olympians

Natalie Hinds and Allison Schmitt at the White House. Photo Courtesy: Natalie Hinds

by Dan D’Addona

Nearly 600 U.S. Olympians and Paralympians were honored at the White House by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Katie Ledecky, Natalie Hinds, Allison Schmitt, Lilly King, Michael Andrew and several swimmers were among the group of athletes on the south lawn of the White House.

“Quick trip to my hometown to visit a beautiful House and celebrate @teamusa Thanks @potus @flotus @vp @secondgentleman and all working at the @whitehouse for a special day!” Ledecky posted.

Natalie Hinds posted: “what a weekend of celebration @ the @whitehouse I will always be grateful for the year of 2021 & opportunities it has gifted me! my grandmother would be so proud♥️”

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