The Week That Was: Blume, Peaty Throw Down Fast Times In Rome

Photo Courtesy: gianmattiadalberto/lapresse

Editorial Coverage provided by

This week saw more fast times in Europe as international stars gathered at the 2017 Sette Colli International in Italy ahead of this summer’s World Championships. Check in on those results and all the biggest news from the week in The Week That Was!

The Week That Was #5 – Lilly King Discusses Life Post Olympics

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Olympic gold medalist Lilly King opened up about her struggles adapting to life after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in an interview just one week before the start of World Championship Trials in Indianapolis. In the months following Rio, King admitted that she had trouble adjusting to her new-found celebrity and managing her motivation amid feelings of a post-Olympic let-down. Coach Ray Looze pinpointed the Short Course World Championships, where King failed to win the 100 breast, as the beginning of a turning point that got King back on course and helped her work her way to two new short course yard American records in the spring. King will be entering as one of the favorites to qualify in the 100 and 200 breaststroke in Indianapolis next week.

The Week That Was #4 – Ryan Murphy Signs On With Speedo

Photo Courtesy: Speedo USA

This week Speedo announced that it will be signing three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Ryan Murphy to a new sponsorship ahead of the FINA World Championships this summer. Murphy just recently finished his last season of eligibility at Cal-Berkeley in March following NCAA’s, where he won his fourth straight NCAA titles in the 100 and 200 backstrokes. Citing the need for a new “face of swimming,” Speedo President John Graham commented in an article on Yahoo Sports that the suit company believes Murphy will emerge as a lead figure in USA men’s swimming over the coming years in a post-Phelps era. Murphy’s first competition as a Speedo sponsored athlete will be this week at Phillip 66 National Championships in Indianapolis.

The Week That Was #3 – Record Number Of NCAA Teams Honored By CSCAA

Photo Courtesy: Harvard Athletics

This was a historic year for college swimming, with the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) recognizing more than 700 college teams and nearly 1,000 individual athletes with Scholar All-America Recognition. That is the most awards that have been presented in the 95-year history of the CSCAA. In order for a team to achieve All-America distinction, the team must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the spring semester. For individuals to earn recognition, student-athletes must have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher and competed in the respective NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Championship meet. In a press release, the CSCAA attributes the growth of the awards to the increase in colleges sponsoring swimming and diving teams, which the organization says is at a ten-year high. You can see the full list of teams receiving the distinction here, and a list of the individuals receiving the distinction here.

The Week That Was #2 – Wright State University Close To Fundraising Goal

Photo Courtesy: Wright State University

With less than one week left for fundraising, the Wright State University swimming and diving teams have raised two-thirds of the monetary goal necessary to save their programs. As of June 23, the university has received $54,640 in donations, just over $30,000 shy of their final goal. Just a few weeks ago we learned that Wright State University, with the help of the CSCAA, had put together a fundraising plan to save the university’s swimming and diving programs after meeting with the Wright State Board of Trustees. The fundraising plan set a goal of $85,000 for saving the programs, with a deadline of June 30, 2017 for raising the money. The Wright State programs were initially cut back in May. Swimming World is offering a $10 donation to the Save Wright State Fund for every digital subscription we receive before June 30. You can also donate to the fund here.

The Week That Was #1 – Blume, Peaty Swim Lights Out At Sette Colli

Photo Courtesy: gianmattiadalberto/lapresse

There were plenty of Olympians and international stars on hand this week at the 2017 Sette Colli International meet this week in Rome, Italy. British Olympian and world record holder Adam Peaty continued his trend of swimming fast in season, throwing down a 58.74 meet record in the 100 breast. In that same event Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi turned in a second-place time of 59.31, setting a new Italian record and dropping his own Junior World Record. Danish Olympic Champion Pernille Blume also threw down the second fastest time in the world this year in the 50 free, hitting the wall in a meet record 24.13. Also notable was South Korea’s Park Tae Hwan, who was just off his season best in the 400 free, winning in 3:44.54. For full recaps and results from the 2017 Sette Colli International, head over to our Event Landing Page.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

SwimJon

6 years ago

Pernille Blume second fastest time of the year? Sjostrom has been in the 23’s three times this year…