Patrick Sammon Builds Summer Momentum with Multiple Victories on Mare Nostum Tour
When Patrick Sammon stepped onto the Arizona State University campus, lofty expectations were attached to the California native from Oak Ridge High School. As a National Junior Team member, Sammon had established himself as a rising star within the United States system, and his potential shined through when he qualified for the NCAA Championships during his freshman season.
As days and months elapsed, Sammon continued to flourish. He became a Pac-12 champion and helped the Sun Devils claim the program’s first NCAA team title in 2024. Meanwhile, he advanced to the semifinals of the 100-meter freestyle and 200 freestyle at the 2024 United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, just missing the final of the 100 free with a ninth-place finish.
These days, Sammon rates as one of the United States’ premier freestylers.
Over the weekend, pickedup a pair of victories in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle at the Barcelona stop of the Mare Nostrum Series. After prevailing in the longer distance in 1:46.22, Sammon won the 100 freestyle on Sunday in 48.19. In prelims, the 22-year-old clocked 47.88, which was good for a tour record and moved the American to No. 10 in this year’s world rankings. Sammon also won both events at the Canet leg, and finished second in both disciplines at the opening stop in Monaco.
Sammon’s efforts in Europe bode well for the summer ahead, particularly as a member of Team USA for August’s Pan Pacific Championships. Last year, Sammon got his first taste of major international competition when he competed at the World Championships in Singapore. Following a 47.47 marker in the 100 free at Nationals, a swim that qualified him for Worlds, Sammon finished sixth in Singapore with a time of 47.58.
In relay duty at the World Champs, Sammon split 47.03 for the 400 freestyle relay that claimed the bronze medal. In the mixed 400 free relay, Sammon was even better, splitting 46.70 as the U.S. won gold with a world-record outing of 3:18.48. He was joined on that squad by Jack Alexy, Kate Douglass and Torri Huske.
At Pan Pacs, which are scheduled for August at William Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California, Sammon will race the 100 free and 200 free, along with the 400 free relay. There is a chance he could race in the 800 free relay, t0o.
Based on his output at the Mare Nostrum meets, Sammon appears positioned for his biggest summer to date. It will be a significant checkpoint on the path to the 2028 Trials for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.