The Week That Was: A Review of Top Performances and More from 2021

The Week That Was sponsored by Suitmate.

The Week That Was featured top performances from 2021, the coach of the year, and more to wrap up 2021.

The Week That Was #1: Swimming World Most-Read Article of 2021: Michael Phelps Analyzes 200 IM of Michael Andrew

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Over the past 12 months, plenty of stories on the Swimming World website attracted above-average readership. And while he has been out of the sport as a competitor for five years, it is obvious that 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps remains the sport’s measuring stick when it comes to demanding an audience.

When the United States Olympic Trials were held over the summer, Phelps was in Omaha as an ambassador, spectator and commentator. For someone who has always been in tune with developments in the pool, it was not surprising that Phelps possessed thoughts on the action unfolding in front of him. That analysis included a breakdown of Michael Andrew in the 200-meter individual medley.

The Week That Was #2: Swimming World Top NCAA Performance of the Year: Maggie MacNeil in 100 Butterfly

Photo Courtesy: NCAA Media

by Dan D’Addona

The return of the NCAA Championships brought out the best in many swimmers. The yearlong wait, the extra rest, the extra motivation all culminated into some spectacular performances in college pools across the country, especially at the NCAA Championships.

But it was Michigan junior Maggie MacNeil who had the top performance of the year. She broke through to become the first woman to break 49 seconds in the 100 butterfly. MacNeil clocked 48.89 as she smashed the NCAA & U.S. Open records that she co-held with Louise Hansson at 49.26.

The Week That Was #3: Aussie Dean Boxall Named Swimming World International Coach of the Year

Dean Boxall and Ariarne Titmus

by Ian Hanson

It was a moment in Olympic history to savor when Ariarne Titmus dethroned the queen of the pool Katie Ledecky in the 400-meter freestyle, and her Australian coach Dean Boxall made sure it was a celebration of Olympic proportions. It was one of THE golden moments of a 2020 Games in Tokyo and a coaching feat that has earned Boxall Swimming World’s International Coach of the Year Award.

The victory by Titmus was something to be cherished forever and a year of pent-up emotion, and Boxall wasn’t going to let it pass without letting it all hang out. It’s not every day, after pouring your life into your chosen field, that it all comes to fruition on sport’s biggest stage, particularly with Titmus managing a shoulder injury that threatened to derail her Olympic preparations.

The Week That Was #4: Women’s ISL Performance of the Year: Kelsi Dahlia Breaks 100 Fly World Record

Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu/ISL

by David Rieder

In the years following the 2016 Olympics, Kelsi Dahlia became the top American swimmer in the 100 butterfly. She won bronze in the event at the 2017 World Championships, silver at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships and gold at the 2018 Short Course World Championships. She was part of two world-record-setting U.S. women’s 400 medley relays, at the 2017 and 2019 Worlds.

But in 2021, Dahlia found herself off the team this time as teenagers Torri Huske and Claire Curzan went 1-2. Both swam faster times than Dahlia had ever recorded, and Huske took down the American record. Dahlia, who recorded her fastest time in four years with a 56.56 in prelims, ended up fourth in the final.

The Week That Was #5: Caeleb Dressel Is Unanimous Choice As Swimming World Male Swimmer of the Year

Jul 31, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Caeleb Dressel (USA) reacts after winning the men's 100m butterfly final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Grace Hollars

by John Lohn

Given the option, Caeleb Dressel would avoid the flashbulbs. He would hop out of the water, his latest scintillating performance registered, and disappear. Such is the personality of the American standout, whose unassuming and measured nature runs counter to the explosiveness he brings to the pool.

As much as Dressel may prefer to dodge the spotlight, his aversion to attention has not impeded his climb up the ladder of all-time greats in the sport. When the pressure is at its peak and Dressel is challenged to produce, the Florida native simply rises to the moment and taps into the talent he possesses.

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