The swimming trends of 2017 may have been a bit more subdued than in previous years, but excitement was still found in all corners of the sport. An underwater swimming “mirror challenge” appeared, while many top stars either tied the knot or pursued their adventurous side.
#MirrorChallenge
The #MirrorChallenge splashed into the pool later in 2017, but a few months was all the trend needed. The trend became famous in the pool after World Record holder Adam Peaty demonstrated his powerful breaststroke underwater. Many around the country began doing their best #MirrorChallenge or, as some referred to it, the #AdamPeatyChallenge.
Tying the Knot
Several of Team USA’s team members tied the knot with their loved ones this year. Among those who declared “I do” were Cody Miller, Kelsi Worrell, Hali Flickinger, and Jacob Pebley.
Bonus love for the 2017 season were the announced engagements of Rachel Bootsma and Michael Chadwick!
Photo Courtesy: Blue Sky’s Studio
Adventure Time
Many of swimming’s finest tapped into their adventurous spirits, traveling across the United States and the rest of the world. Among those who spent part of 2017 traveling was 2000 Olympian Kristy Kowal, who took a sabbatical from teaching to spend the fall swimming and supporting various Swim Across America venues.
Elizabeth Beisel was another Olympic great who got in touch with her adventurous side. In 2017, Beisel travelled to several states within the United States, plus New Zealand, Croatia, Hungary, and Nepal.
Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Murphy, Olivia Smoliga, Leah Smith, and more also flexed their adventurous sides by sporting European tours of their own following the conclusion of the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.