The Next Chapter
After two years of college at Stanford University and two NCAA team championships—and with two years remaining before the 2020 Olympics— Katie Ledecky, the world’s greatest women’s swimmer, is transitioning into life as a professional swimmer.
It’s impossible to encapsulate Ledecky’s two-year collegiate career in a paragraph. As a Stanford Cardinal, Ledecky broke American records 11 times, NCAA records 15 times and NCAA meet records six times. She concluded her college career with American records in the 500, 1000 and 1650 yard free, as well as in the 400, 800 and 1500 meter free. She finished her career with six Stanford school records: 200 yard free (1:40.36), 500 free (4:24.06), 1000 free (9:05.89), 1650 free (15:03.31), 400 free relay (3:07.61), 800 free relay (6:45.91).
“After two NCAA seasons, we thought having two-plus years between now and 2020 would give me enough time to transition into that lifestyle,” Ledecky said. “I could take care of my responsibilities without having to be rushed or overwhelmed right before Trials.”
Ledecky has dealt with expectations since she was 15. Now, as she turns pro, she remains grounded in her own mission:
“I’ve learned a lot about that over the last couple of years. It’s important not to focus on what anyone else wants to see. I focus on putting the work in to get to where I want to be. That takes practice and a lot of discipline…There will be challenges and great points, and I just need to focus on remaining steady—not getting too high or too low at any point.”
To learn more about Ledecky’s transition into life as a professional swimmer, check out the June 2018 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!
[PHOTO COURTESY: THE LEDECKY FAMILY]
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Take a look inside Swimming World’s June 2018 issue:
FEATURES
016 PLENTY AT STAKE
by David Rieder
Although the Americans will not be facing all of the world’s best swimmers this year as they do during an Olympic or World Championship year, so much is on the line at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships— including U.S. team selection for the 2019 international meets.
020 BOOM TIMES
by Michael Randazzo
USA Water Polo is expanding…but it is not without its share of growing pains.
023 LONG SWIM THE QUEEN
by Bruce Wigo
Queen Elizabeth II, now 92, used to be quite the swimmer. Those who saw her swim described her as a “very strong and graceful swimmer,” and she inspired many other children in the British Empire to follow her good example.
024 MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH MARGO GEER
by Annie Grevers
026 THE NEXT CHAPTER
by Annie Grevers
After two years of college at Stanford University and two NCAA team championships—and with two years remaining before the 2020 Olympics— Katie Ledecky, the world’s greatest women’s swimmer, is transitioning into life as a professional swimmer.
030 NUTRITION: AROUND THE TABLE WITH LIA NEAL
by Annie Grevers and Dawn Weatherwax
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: JACK SIMON
by Michael J. Stott
014 STAYING FOCUSED
by Rod Havriluk
Swimmers who want to swim faster must continually focus on technique. However, even those with the best intentions face many obstacles to maintaining focus throughout a team training session. This article suggests strategies that can help.
032 SWIM BENCHES: THE COACHES’ FRIEND
by Michael J. Stott
This installment is the second in a multi-part series in which Swimming World explores the role of swim benches in dedicated training.
039 SPECIAL SETS: REACH FOR THE (BIG) SKY!
by Michael J. Stott
Great things are happening in Big Sky Country. In December, Montana’s Ethan Harder and Katharine Berkoff became the state’s first-ever junior national swimming champions.
042 Q&A WITH COACH TOM HIMES
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN BETH BOTSFORD
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
038 DRYSIDE TRAINING: FIT AND FAST FOR SUMMER
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
035 GOLDMINDS: MAIN SET RESET
by Wayne Goldsmith
Over the past few years, there has been a big change in swimming coaching—and more specifically, a revolution in the way main sets are being completed.
045 UP & COMERS: DAWSON JOYCE
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 BEYOND THE YARDS
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT