Swimming World Presents “How They Train: Tufts’ Roger Gu and Grace Goetcheus”

Swimming World February 2020 - How They Train with Roger Gu and Grace Goetcheus

How They Train: Tufts’ Roger Gu and Grace Goetcheus

By Michael J. Stott

ROGER GU
Gu, the reigning NCAA Division III 50 yard freestyle champion (19.49), just may be the quintessential student-athlete. A senior at Tufts University pursuing a biomedical engineering degree, he is a 15-time NCAA All-American, 2019 Academic All-American and NESCAC record holder in the 50 (19.49) and 100 free (43.44) He also has his Olympic Trials cut (23.13) in the 50 meter free.

A successful high school swimmer with limited club experience, Gu rediscovered his love for swimming after joining the Tufts team. “He found that swimming doubles and the consistent training we do (six swims and three lifts) was a big step up for him,” says Hoyt. “He leads by example and is a great competitor who is much more interested in winning races than times. He’s been clutch for our team on numerous relays, and is always up for the challenge.”

Grace Goetcheus
A senior biology/anthropology major, Goetcheus continues to build her swimming résumé. A team captain at the Academy of Holy Cross in Kensington, MD., Goetcheus was also a club swimmer. As a Tufts freshman, she elevated her training, increased her workout intensity and added weights, which resulted in consistent improvement. The changes allowed her to become a two-time NCAA All-American, two-time Academic All-American and 200 yard IM school record holder (2:05.92). As she races toward her final NESCAC and NCAA Championships, Goetcheus appears on the Jumbos all-time top 10 list in seven individual events and on the school’s program-leading 400 and 800 free relays.

“Grace is generally soft-spoken, but as a team captain, she steps up and races when we need her,” says Hoyt. “She is a great competitor and is at her best when the pressure is on. Her best meets tend to be championship environments, but she also rises to the occasion in dual meets when she’s broken down.

To access the full training sets that Coach Hoyt uses with Roger and Grace,
Check out the February issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!

Swimming World February 2020 Cover - Ranomi Kromowidjojo

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017 BREASTSTROKE BARRIER BUSTERS
by David Rieder
The history of the men’s 100 and 200 yard breaststroke has included long stretches of chasing legendary records followed by a shorter period of continuous improvement.

019 LEARNING FROM ADVERSITY
by David Rieder
Minnesota’s Max McHugh was involved in a drive-by shooting last summer, but he believes the incident has left him with a fresh perspective and gratitude for everyday things in his life, including swimming. That approach has fueled his impressive return to the pool.

021 A SENSE OF DÉJÀ VU
by Dan D’Addona and David Rieder
Savannah College of Art and Design (NAIA women), Keiser University (NAIA men) and Indian River State College (NJCAA women and men) appear ready to show the swimming world something it has seen before: repeating as national team champions.

023 THE FIRE INSIDE STILL BURNS
by John Lohn
When discussing the best women’s sprint freestylers heading into this year’s Olympic Games, most frequently mentioned are Australia’s Cate Campbell, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom and the USA’s Simone Manuel. But don’t count out triple Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, who feels her best swims are still to come.

025 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: DUKE
by John Lohn
As Swimming World continues its “Takeoff to Tokyo” series, a century has passed since Duke Kahanamoku last reigned over the water world, but his name—and merely his first name—remains synonymous with greatness in  multiple ways.

027 THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
by Dan D’Addona
The future looks bright for junior diver Ashley McCool after transferring to the University of Florida.

COACHING

009 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: CHARLES “RED” SILVIA
by Michael J. Stott

013 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: PLAN FOR A BREATHING PATTERN
by Rod Havriluk
Swimmers should plan a breathing pattern prior to each swim to gain the most benefit for both racing and training. The breathing pattern should limit head motion for better focus on technique and also provide sufficient oxygen for better performance.

015 POOR PERFORMANCE… THE NEXT STEP
by Michael J. Stott
At one time or another, disappointment haunts the dreams of even the best swimmers. And often it is the recovery from that disappointment that defines the athlete and, perhaps, the swimmer’s future.

030 SPECIAL SETS: GEORGE HAINES AT WORK
by Michael J. Stott
It never hurts to be a student of the sport. Sometimes that means visiting archival material, be it documents, voices, videos or all of the above to reacquaint ourselves with coaching legends and the methods that made them so effective. Here, Swimming World features the legendary George Haines.

043 Q&A WITH COACH ADAM HOYT
by Michael J. Stott

044 HOW THEY TRAIN ROGER GU AND GRACE GOETCHEUS
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

012 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH SERIES—BUTTERFLY
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

040 GOLDMINDS: PARTNERING WITH PARENTS
by Wayne Goldsmith
A simple, but effective strategy for coaches to engage with, connect to and educate the parents of the swimmers on their team is through the development of a “Training Manual for Swimming Parents.”

046 UP & COMERS: ZURI FERGUSON
by Shoshanna Rutemiller

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

007 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT

008 BEYOND THE YARDS

033 2020 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY

047 GUTTERTALK

048 PARTING SHOT

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