Courtney Mykkanen - (Author)

Swimmers are constantly trying to impress college coaches with their performances to increase their chances of being recruited. Coaches make the final decision, but the impression recruits have on the team is just as important. While a coach and team desire similar qualities in the athletes, it is i...

Love to Win or Hate to Lose? The most successful swimmers are driven by something more than just their passion for the sport. The thrill of getting your hand to the wall first encompasses so much more than the place number illuminated next to your lane on the scoreboard. The simple question of “Do y...

Dana Vollmer’s last race at the 2019 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships will always be one to remember.  This weekend was the last time we would see her execute her pre-race routine, chat with her coach Teri McKeever before heading to the starting blocks, and dive into the water for her last 10...

Ally McHugh earned her third individual title tonight at the 2019 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships in the women’s 1500 free (16:05.98). She attributes her success in the pool to her team and the amount of support they provide. Her swims this meet not only build her confidence but excite her h...

Ryan Held continued his gold medal swims at the 2019 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships with his win the 50 free in a time of 21.87. On night 1, Held swam a U.S. Open and meet record in the 100 free (47.39). Held earned performance of the meet which was a big step in the right direction after r...

Ally McHugh earned her second individual gold medal at the 2019 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships tonight in the women’s 400 free, but she isn't done yet. McHugh is feeling confident and is looking forward to her 1500 free tomorrow. Check out the full results here. Last summer at the 2018 Nati...

After Day 3 of the 2019 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships, we have seen many impressive swims from teen phenom swimmers. After seeing Regan Smith break a World Record in the women’s 200 back last week at World’s and claiming gold in the 200 fly this week at Nationals was another great success....

Allison Schmitt has experienced new opportunities this past year through her internship that have helped her grow as a person as she heads into next year — with her eyes still set on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.  A year ago at the 2018 Phillips 66 U.S. Nationals, Schmitt had only seven months of trai...

After a disappointing national championships a year ago, Ryan Held proved he is back on track, dominating the first day of the 2019 Phillips 66 US National Championships. Held broke his own U.S. Open and national meet record during tonight’s finals session of the 2019 Phillips 66 US National Champio...

Michael Houlie of South Africa breaks the 2019 World University Games meet record in the men's 50 breast semi finals finishing in a time of 26.82. Houlie broke the meet record earlier this morning with his time of 26.98. Russia's Kirill Prigoda (27.28) qualified third for finals just ahead of USA's ...

Day five of the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy features four finals and five semi finals starting off with the men's 800 free. USA's Zach Apple and Tate Jackson will have an exciting battle against Brazil swimmers Felipe De Souza and Marco Antonio Ferreira in the men's 100 free. Tayla ...

At the 2019 World University Games, Zane Waddell of South Africa set the meet record in the men's 50 back during the prelims and lowered the record again during finals. During heat 1 of the semi finals, USA’s Justin Ress was under the meet record set in prelims by Waddell. The new record set by Ress...

The third night of the 2019 World University Games features five finals and five semi-finals from Naples, Italy. During the first two days of the meet USA leads the medal count after Ian Finnerty reset his own meet record in the men's 100 breast and Lisa Bratton lowered the meet record in the women'...

The final session has been completed at the 2019 Chinese Summer National Championships. This meet was the last opportunity for Chinese swimmers to claim a roster spot for World Championships next month. Men’s 50 Fly Cui Jinming beat out the rest of the field finishing in a time of 24.36. Women's 50 ...

The third day has been completed at the Chinese Summer National Championships with another impressive swim by teenager Yu Yiting in the 400 IM. Men's 200 Fly Yu Yingbao claimed gold in a time of 1:58.70, the only swimmer in this event under the 2:00 barrier. Wang Zhou is still the fastest swimmer th...

The second finals session has been completed at the Chinese Summer National Swimming Championships in Ganzhou, Jiangxi. Fu Yuanhui claims another backstroke victory with a season best time while teenagers make their way to the top of the podium. Men’s 50 Free Teenager Zhang Zhoujian touched first in...

The first finals session has been completed at the Chinese Summer National Swimming Championships in Ganzhou, Jiangxi. This is the last chance for Chinese swimmers to qualify for the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju and claim their spot on the roster. Chinese swimmers are also able to qualify for...

By Courtney Mykkanen, Swimming World College Intern. During the final day of the 2019 Speedo Sectionals in Indianapolis, Carmel Swim Club wins for overall team scores. Day 4 events included: women's and men's 200 I.M., 100 free, and timed finals in the women's and men's 400 medley relay, women's 150...

The 2019 Speedo Sectionals in Indianapolis day 3 events include: women's and men's 100 back, 400 free, 100 breast, 200 fly, and timed finals in the women's 200 free relay and men's 800 free relay. Day 2 Recap Day 1 Recap Top 10 Team scores after Day 3: Carmel Swim Club 1305.5 Bluefish Swim Club 989 ...

By Courtney Mykkanen, Swimming World College Intern. After Day 2 of Speedo Sectionals in Indianapolis, Carmel Swim Club still leads for overall team scores. Day 2 events included: women's and men's 200 free, 100 fly, 400 I.M. and timed finals for the women's and men's 200 medley relay and 400 free r...