{"id":464642,"date":"2021-03-10T04:00:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T11:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=464642"},"modified":"2022-02-14T10:48:28","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T17:48:28","slug":"swimming-world-presents-up-comers-sarasota-ymca-sharks-liam-custer-sponsored-by-spectrum-aquatics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-presents-up-comers-sarasota-ymca-sharks-liam-custer-sponsored-by-spectrum-aquatics\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Presents – Up & Comers: Sarasota YMCA Sharks’ Liam Custer – Sponsored By Spectrum Aquatics"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em><\/span>
\nis now available for download in the<\/span> Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Up & Comers:
\nSarasota YMCA Sharks’ Liam Custer
\n<\/span><\/h1>\n

By Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/span><\/p>\n

Sponsored By Spectrum Aquatics<\/a>\"spectrum-1\"<\/a>Liam Custer, 16, of the Sarasota YMCA Sharks smashed the national age group record in the 1650 yard freestyle by nearly eight seconds last December at the Florida Virtual Championships. His 14:37.86 places him as the youngest swimmer to break 14:40 in the event. The high school junior\u2019s time would also rank third among NCAA Division I athletes this season.<\/p>\n

In November, Custer, swimming for Riverview High School (Sarasota, Fla.), took Florida 4A high school state titles in the 500 yard freestyle (4:21.41) and 200 IM (1:47.41). Later that month at the U.S. Open Championships, he qualified for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800 (8:06.69) and 1500 (15:35.69) meter freestyles. He shattered his personal best times by more than six seconds in the 800 and by nearly 30 seconds in the mile.<\/p>\n

Outside of the pool, Custer carries an unweighted 4.0 GPA, and has maintained straight-A\u2019s in every class since the first grade. Even though he currently resides in Florida, he was born in New England and has been an avid Tom Brady fan from a young age. He even has a poster hanging in his room of Brady when he was with the New England Patriots!<\/p>\n

SWIMMING WORLD:<\/strong><\/span> What is the best thing you do in swimming?
\nLIAM CUSTER: <\/span><\/strong>What I do best is that I give it 110% every time I get behind the blocks, and I hate to lose. I give it my all during every race, and I can maintain my effort for as long as I want, which helps me in my distance events.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/span><\/strong> What are some of the toughest workouts\/sets you’ve done?
\nLC:<\/span> <\/strong>I would say the toughest set I have ever done, by far, was 20 x 400s \u201cFRIM\u201d (100s of free, back, breast, free) on 5:20, long course meters. At the time, my 400 IM was about a 4:55, so I had to hold close to my best time for all 20. It\u2019s the only time I have ever cried during swim practice!<\/p>\n

SW:<\/span><\/strong> What is your favorite thing about swimming?
\nLC:<\/span><\/strong> My favorite thing about swimming is that you can compete for yourself by trying to place and lower your time…but you can also compete for your team by scoring points. It\u2019s definitely a fun dynamic because you can contribute to your team and race for your teammates, but you can also get the satisfaction of setting a personal best time.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/span><\/strong> What are you most looking forward to this year?
\nLC:<\/span><\/strong> I am looking forward to finalizing my college decision and committing\u2014can\u2019t wait!<\/p>\n

SW:<\/span> <\/strong>Who is someone you look up to in swimming… and why?
\nLC:<\/span><\/strong> While I don\u2019t have a specific role model swimmer, I definitely look up to all of my current and past coaches who have helped me succeed in the sport\u2014best coaches I could ever ask for!<\/p>\n

SW:<\/span><\/strong> What are your favorite hobbies?
\nLC:<\/span><\/strong> My favorite hobbies are watching the Patriots every Sunday during football season… and hanging out with my friends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click here to download the complete March 2021 issue, available now!<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a>[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Swimming World March 2021 Issue<\/span><\/h1>\n

FEATURES<\/p>\n

012 THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona<\/strong>
\nA year ago, all eyes were on Cal and Texas in what looked to be one of the greatest men\u2019s NCAA Championship duels ever. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out that showdown, but spirits are running high one year later\u2014not only for that much anticipated Cal-Texas confrontation, but for the simple fact that college swimmers will again be able to come together and compete at a national championship.<\/p>\n

014 YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona<\/strong>
\nFor years, Stanford and Cal have been battling each other for national supremacy at women\u2019s NCAAs, with the Cardinal and Golden Bears finishing 1-2 in the last three championships. Before that, Cal had put together four team titles since 2009. But in 2021, look for Virginia to make its move\u2014not only as a new rival, but quite possibly as a new champion!<\/p>\n

016 ALL SYSTEMS GO…FOR NOW!<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Andy Ross<\/strong>
\nAlthough the NCAA Division III and NAIA had canceled their championship swimming and diving meets in early February, NCAA\u00a0 Division II was still a \u201cgo,\u201d thereby preserving the possibility for Queens University of Charlotte to pursue its sixth straight men\u2019s and women\u2019s team titles.<\/p>\n

018 DOC\u2019S GUYS<\/strong><\/span>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nIn the late 1960s into the early 1970s, Doc Counsilman\u2019s Indiana University swimming program was a focal point of the sport. His legendary teams were a dominant presence not just on the collegiate scene, but also on the national\u2014and international\u2014stage.<\/p>\n

021 THE \u201cMOUNT RUSHMORE\u201d OF NCAA DIVISION I SWIMMING<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Andy Ross<\/strong>
\nIf there were a sculpture made of the top American NCAA Division I swimmers similar to the one depicting four U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore, Tracy Caulkins, Natalie Coughlin, Pablo Morales and John Naber would be worthy honorees. No other swimmer has won more NCAA D-I individual titles than those four.<\/p>\n

024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: OLYMPIC RIVALRIES OF YESTERYEAR<\/strong><\/span>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nRivalries have always defined the sport. Michael Phelps vs. Ian Crocker. Gary Hall Jr. vs. Alexander Popov. Shirley Babashoff vs. East Germany. These are just a few rivalries that stand out and should long be remembered. But what about the rivalries from the early days of swimming? As our \u201cTakeoff to Tokyo\u201d series continues, Swimming World takes a look at some of these rivalries from yesteryear.<\/p>\n

026 WHO IS THIS GUY?<\/strong><\/span>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nBefore the summer of 2019, Texas A&M\u2019s Shaine Casas had been swimming under the radar. But if his performances since then are any indication, the end results could be spectacular. His coaches see his potential as basically unlimited, and recent history makes it tough to disagree. As for Casas, he has similarly lofty expectations for himself.<\/p>\n

029 ISHOF: THE VALUE OF SWIMMING IN WAR<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Bruce Wigo<\/strong>
\nIn the early 1900s, there was scarcely an American alive who was unfamiliar with the name of Frederick Funston. He was the most decorated and celebrated hero of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902)\u2014famous in military and swimming history for his willingness to have his men swim across rivers, under fire, when, according to press reports, \u201cThey couldn\u2019t otherwise get at the enemy quickly enough to suit them.\u201d<\/p>\n

COACHING<\/p>\n

041 SPECIAL SETS: BOWE KNOWS SWIMMING<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nBowe Becker has trained with Sandpipers of Nevada coaches Ron Aitken and Cutter Haupt as well as Kelly Kremer at the University of Minnesota (2015-19). The eight-time NCAA All-American, Big Ten champion and conference record holder in the 50-100 free now swims with the ISL\u2019s Cali Condors. Coach Haupt provides some sample workouts from November 2014, which were done prior to that year\u2019s December sectionals.<\/p>\n

043 Q&A WITH COACH MATT BARANY<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n

044 HOW THEY TRAIN MAGGIE PURCELL<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n

TRAINING<\/p>\n

040 DRYSIDE TRAINING:\u00a0 PULLING POWER<\/strong><\/span>
\nby J.R. Rosania<\/strong><\/p>\n

JUNIOR SWIMMER<\/p>\n

046 UP & COMERS: LIAM CUSTER<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/strong><\/p>\n

COLUMNS<\/p>\n

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

009 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT PRINCE DABULAMANZI & THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

011 THE OFFICIAL WORD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

032 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

047 HASTY HIGH POINTERS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

048 GUTTERTALK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

049 PARTING SHOT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n