The Week That Was: The Swimming World Moves Into A New Year

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

This week marked the first official week of 2016, and swimmers across the globe continued their hard work as the marched toward their goals during the Olympic year. Read below to see the five biggest stories from the first week of the new year!

The Week That was is supported by AgonSwim.com

The Week That Was #5 – Ramoni Kromowidjojo and Femke Heemskerk Shine At Indian Ocean Meet

Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch

While we are only a few days into the Olympic year of 2016, several stars to watch were in action at the short course Indian Meet. Dutch superstars Femke Heemskerk and Ranomi Kromowidjojo were dominant over the three days meet, amassing six wins between them. Kromowidjojo accounted for five of those wins, including strong performances in the 50 freestyle (23.76) and 50 fly (25.39) while also touching first in the 50 backstroke, 100 butterfly, and 100 freestyle. Heemskerk posted a 1:53.60 win in the 200 freestyle on the first night while touching second behind teammate Kromowidjojo in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 backstroke.

The Week That Was #4 – Bill Brenner Named Interim CEO Of U.S. Masters Swimming

Photo Courtesy: USMS

The United States Masters Swimming Board of Directors named Bill Brenner the interim CEO of the organization following the resign of Rob Butcher, the former CEO. Butcher will be moving on to become the President and CEO of Swim Across America. Brenner has been involved with USMS since 2011, serving as the organization’s Education Director. Brenner is a UNC alum and has been involved in swimming as a coach for the last 35 years, working at the age-group, collegiate, and masters level.

The Week That Was #3 – Bruce Gemmell Interviewed On The Morning Swim Show

Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Magazine

This week featured an interview with Coach Bruce Gemmell, the coach of distance phenom Katie Ledecky, from the Nations Capital Invitational. Speaking with Swimming World Magazine publisher Brent Rutemiller, Coach Gemmell gives some additional insight into Ledecky’s performances from the meet, including her incredible American record in the 1,000 yard freestyle on the final night of the meet. Read more about that swim and see the race footage at our Event Landing Page.

The Week That Was #2 – Michael Phelps To Volunteer With ASU For 2016-2017 Season

michael-phelps-usa-swimming-nationals-2015 (3)

Photo Courtesy: Sue Borst

Early this week Michael Phelps announced his intentions to join the Arizona State University coaching staff as a volunteer assistant for the 2016-2017 season. Phelps revealed the news in an article that originally appeared in the Arizona Republic. In the article teammate Allison Schmitt also announced her plans to stay in Arizona following 2016 to complete a master’s degree in psychology. This should continue to boost the status of ASU following Bob Bowman’s takeover of the program in 2015, as prospective recruits can look forward to receiving feedback from the greatest swimmer of all-time.

The Week That Was #1 – Tate Ramsden Passes Away At Sarasota YMCA

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

Earlier this week the entire swimming community mourned the loss of Dartmouth swimmer Tate Ramsden, who passed away at the Sarasota YMCA during a holiday swim workout. According to the sheriff’s office incident report, Ramsden was 4,000 yards into his workout when he attempted to complete a 100-yard swim without breathing. Ramsden was given CPR but was ultimately pronounced dead on the scene. This serves as a painful reminder of the danger of excessive breath-holding and the danger of Shallow Water Blackout for all swimmers. For more information related to Shallow Water Blackout, visit www.shallowwaterblackoutprevention.org.

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Bryan Wallace

8 years ago

B-2 Stealth Strategic Bomber, located at bottom of pool, on submersible mission.