Splashbacks: Ryan Lochte Suspended; ISHOF Complex Gets Renovation in July-Aug 2018

It’s been another amazing year of aquatics competition, including exciting trips to Glasgow for the European Championships and Tokyo for the Pan Pacific Championships, and Swimming World had our readers covered every step of the way. During the next few days, we’ll take a look back in “Splashbacks”, the most read stories of 2018.

The months of July and August hosted many ups and downs as the swimming community celebrated the $27 million renovation for the ISHOF complex, while Olympian Ryan Lochte experienced another suspension from competition.

1. NISCA Releases All-America Swimming Lists for 2017-18 Season

Each season, the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) releases their list of athletes who have achieved All-America status. The 2017-18 All-America swimming lists included big names like Reece Whitley, Trey Freeman, Drew Kibler, Lucie Nordmann, Emily Weiss, and Amalie Fackenthal.

2. Ryan Lochte Suspended by USADA Until July 2019

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspended Olympian Ryan Lochte from all competition until July 2019 after he received an intravenous infusion in May. While the 12-time Olympic medalist did not receive any banned substances through the IV, athletes are not supposed to receive any sort of IV unless they have been hospitalized or have filed for an exemption.

3. Olympian Caroline Burckle Accuses Bob Bowman, Sean Hutchison for Sending “Sexually Graphic Texts” – Bowman Confirms Apology

2008 Olympian Caroline Burckle stepped forward and accused coaches Bob Bowman and Sean Hutchison of sending “sexually graphic texts” in May 2011. Bowman explained to Swimming World that he promptly apologized for the incident and his apology was accepted by Burckle.

4. Ft. Lauderdale ‘International Swimming Hall of Fame’ Complex Gets $27 Million Renovation

The swimming community rejoiced in mid-July as the city of Ft. Lauderdale announced plans to complete a $27 million renovation to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) complex. The facility, originally opened in August 1965, has been desperately in need of a makeover and the renovations will help return many major swimming events to the Hall of Fame.

5. Caeleb Dressel Hurt in Motorcycle Accident in June, Almost Missed Nationals

Many wondered over the course of the summer why Caeleb Dressel seemed off form at the 2018 Phillips 66 Nationals and the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, but few received answers. It was later revealed on a delayed broadcast of the Sunday afternoon Pan Pacs competition that Dressel had been involved in a minor motorcycle accident just one month prior to Nationals.

6. What Happened to Caeleb Dressel in the 100 Free at Nationals?

Many in the swimming community were shocked to watch World Champion Caeleb Dressel falter and finish sixth in his signature event (100 free) at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships. Some questioned if it was the transition to professional swimming, while others looked to the extent of Dressel’s taper, but throughout the course of the U.S. Nationals no one had an answer.

7. 5 Strength Training Exercises to Improve Swimming Performance

Weight training continued to be a topic of strong discussion among the swimming community and Swimming World college intern, Kayla Riemensperger, jumped into the conversation in mid-July. Riemensperger, a proponent of the importance of strength training, examined five exercises that swimmers could use to improve their performances in the pool.

8. 13- & 14-Year-Olds Set to Tackle 2018 Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships

Many in the swimming community were excited for the summer’s 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, because the meet was an important selection meet for Team USA’s 2018 Pan Pacific and 2019 World Championship rosters. However, the staff at Swimming World were excited to recognize the young 13- and 14-year-old faces that were sprinkled throughout the pool deck at the meet.

9. Michael Phelps Record Beaten by 10-Year-Old Clark Kent Apuada

10-year-old Clark Kent Apuada achieved a grand feat in August when he downed a meet record held by the legendary Michael Phelps. Although he is not actually Superman, many were still excited to see a young swimmer take down Phelps’ 23-year-old 100 fly meet record from the 2018 Far West International Championships.

10. [RACE VIDEO] Kathleen Baker Stuns with World Record in 100 Back; Nearly Breaks 58

Kathleen Baker delivered the first world record of the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, posting a dominating 58.00 in the women’s 100 back. Baker’s time took down Canadian Kylie Masse’s 2017 world record of 58.10, while also erasing Missy Franklin’s 2012 American Record.

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