Swimming With The Sharks: A First Timer’s Perspective

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Commentary by Michael J. Stott

The 1700+ participants swimming in this week’s Olympic Swimming Trials include a lot of first timers. Some are excited, some are awed, some are scared, but virtually all of them are appreciating the opportunity to compete and experience their chosen sport at the highest level.

One of them is Sam Cuthbert, a Princeton commit, two time NISCA All-American and 2x Virginia Independent school champion in the 100-yard backstroke. Although he is a strong 200-yard freestyler, it is the 100 back in which he is most competitive. Last March at the NCSA meet in Orlando he led off (49.15) the NOVA of Virginia winning 400 medley relay and placed seventh in the 100 meter back (58.35). The NOVA boys were national team champions at that meet, and ten NOVA swimmers have made the trip from Richmond to Nebraska.

In Omaha, Cuthbert’s slate is light. He has the 200 back on Thursday and will also time trial the 100 back, having just missed the cut in his last qualifying chance several weeks ago. At that meet in Knoxville he found himself in finals next to Caeleb Dressel.

“Here is 5’11” Sam in one lane, next to big Caeleb Dressel, tattoos on his arm. There was definitely a big difference. It was a little intimidating,” said Cuthbert, “but when the race started and the nerves settled down he was just another competitor. He did beat me though.”

In Omaha the landscape will change.

“I’m excited,” Cuthbert said last week. “I’m sure when I get there it will be a little intimidating because it is in a huge arena and I’ve never been there before. Once I get into the pool and get used to the way the lights are and all that jazz I should be ready to go. A pool is a pool.”

“When I swim it definitely won’t be against the big guys,” said Cuthbert, who will be seeded 109th of 123 in the 200 back with an entry time of 2:03.57. “It will be really cool to watch all those races, especially the 100 back.”

Last week he predicted Matt Grevers and perhaps David Plummer or Ryan Murphy would earn 100 back team spots with Murphy and Ryan Lochte favorites for the 200.

“[Jacob] Pebley will be right there. It is going to be a fun final to watch.”

Cuthbert was especially looking forward to Friday’s finals when Michael Phelps and Lochte are slated to square off in the 200 IM, and also to seeing former NOVA of Virginia teammate Townley Haas in action throughout the week. He relishes the opportunity to see the best swimmers in the country go head-to-head all week.

Based on what we’ve seen through three sessions, Cuthbert won’t go home disappointed.

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