On Way to World Champs Berth, Patrick Sammon Showed Poise Handling Challenges

On Way to World Champs Berth, Patrick Sammon Showed Poise Handling Challenges
When Patrick Sammon woke up on the biggest morning of his career, he knew something wasn’t right. A twinge in his knee/hamstring area persisted, rushing through his leg. Every swimmer’s worst nightmare had come true on the worst possible day: At U.S. Nationals, with a World Championships spot on the line.
“It was a little stressed even in warmup,” admitted Sammon.
But the swimmer refused to let the injury change his mindset.
“The adrenaline kicked in, and I didn’t feel anything,” he said. “I knew I could do what I had set out to do for so long.”
The mental adjustment pushed the Arizona State product to his first World Championships berth, thanks to a second-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle. Racing at the Indiana University Natatorium, and against a stacked field, Sammon came through with a personal-best swim of 47.47.
It was far from the first time Sammon had faced adversity this year. Both in the classroom and on the pool deck, the swimmer was forced to find balance amid a plethora of new challenges. But in his rock-steady nature, Sammon was able to earn his dream: An opportunity to compete alongside swimming’s best.
Battling in the Pool

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That Tuesday morning of Nationals wasn’t the first injury-related setback Sammon had faced this year. During the winter, the sprinter was diagnosed with tendonitis in his ankle, an issue that restricted him from full participation in most of the team’s practices.
“I would get up every day, test it, and just be forced to pull at practice,” he said. “It was just so frustrating.”
For most swimmers, this development would be a harrowing setback. But Sammon turned the injury into an opportunity.
“I took the time to work on my pull,” he said. “I gained a lot of power in my upper body. It really made me a better sprinter.”
Battling through the most difficult sets with paddles and a buoy, Sammon certainly had his struggles. But his ability to deliver unwavering effort in those moments became an inspiration. Ultimately, the stress he regularly managed proved beneficial at Nationals.
“I just thought about how I managed to stay afloat through those moments,” Sammon said. “A small setback (like hamstring pain) wasn’t going to stop me.”
Battling in the Classroom
Sammon’s steadiness applied not just in the pool, but also in the classroom. The job of a “student-athlete” can be taxing, as one is forced to balance athletics and the demands of studies. But this year represented an even greater challenge for the Sun Devil, as he attempted to complete his master’s degree.
“I had to be way more involved in school than ever before,” Sammon said. “The courseload was much greater.”
It would not have been surprising to see Sammon struggle with his balancing act. Instead, Sammon flourished, finishing with a 4.0 GPA and earning the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award for highest cumulative GPA.
Sammon pointed to his ability to build a routine as essential to balancing both of his worlds.
“I was able to settle into a structure as far as studying, class, and swimming that worked for me,” he said. “It made everything way more manageable, just having everything planned out.”
Trips to the pool were a “necessary break,” according to the swimmer. “It just gave me a chance to burn off the energy. It broke up the work really well.”
Looking Toward Worlds
Sammon’s season of growth stands out, especially through his ability to adjust to challenges. But if you ask Sammon, this is just the beginning.
“I think I learned how to adjust, while also really finding a structure to help me succeed,” he said.
Singapore will surely bring new challenges, since it will be his first experience as a member of the U.S National Team. But to Sammon, just like this season, it’s another opportunity for growth.
“It’s a great honor to race legends,” said Sammon. “I can’t wait. I truly believe I can go out there and throw down a best time. The sky is the limit.”
Impressive resume. Does anyone know what Patrick got his master’s in? Good luck in Singapore!
Real Estate Development
Patrick (Paddy to some in his inner circle) is one of the Humblest, nicest, hard working young men Anyone will come across. It’s been nothing short of an inspiration to see him flourish throughout his career and being the Savage he is, Singapore will showcase that he is the guy u Want on Team USA!