USA Swimming News

Five Things to Watch at the Charlotte UltraSwim GP

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:08:46 -0600

For many swimmers, this weekend’s Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix provides the final opportunity to race, tweak strategy, fine-tune strokes and gauge progress. It’s one of the final litmus tests before The Big Show. Which means more pressure, better racing and fiercer competition.

P66 GIVES BACK: LASC AMBASSADORS PROGRAM

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:08:07 -0600

Swimming siblings John and Henry Copses and Austin and Sara Wilson have spent the past three summers teaching inner-city kids to swim. They were so inspired by their experiences that they approached LASC Coach Jason Schwarz with a vision to establish the LASC Ambassador Program to reach out and serve the greater community around them.

SINGLE-DAY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:07:46 -0600

Single-day tickets for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming, which will be held June 25-July 2 at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, are now on sale. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com; by calling 800-745-3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office.

CHAMPION IN LIFE CONTEST

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:06:11 -0600

HOW HAS SWIMMING BUILT YOU INTO A CHAMPION IN LIFE? We want to hear your story!

20 QUESTION TUESDAY: DEMERAE CHRISTIANSON

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:05:25 -0600

Demerae Christianson made a name for herself winning NCAA titles at Auburn, and after taking third at 2004 Olympic Trials, she got into college coaching. Lo and behold, nearly eight years later, she is back at Auburn after coaching in some of the greatest places in the U.S. She talks about what it’s like to be back home, what it’s like at Olympic Trials, and what she expects to see from the U.S. men’s and women’s Olympic swim teams in London in this week’s 20 Question Tuesday.

USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION RECEIVES PR RECOGNITION

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:04:12 -0600

The USA Swimming Foundation and its media partner, Ground Floor Media, were recognized last Thursday for their public relations efforts surrounding Make a Splash, the Foundation’s national child-focused water safety initiative. The Foundation and Ground Floor Media received a “Gold Pick” Award from the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

INFORMATION ABOUT ZONE SELECT CAMPS

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:03:35 -0600

USA Swimming sponsors four Zone Select Camps in an effort to identify the emerging young athletes in each Zone and offer them a unique motivational and educational experience. The Zone Select Camps are viewed as an integral step for athletes to move from the local and Zone level onto to the national scene.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS: JEFF COMMINGS UPDATE

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:03:00 -0600

In 48 days, Jeff Commings will become one of the oldest Olympic Trials participants at age 38. Six months ago, we followed Comming’s Trials journey in a four-part interview that kick-started our “Trials and Tribulations” series. Here I update our readers on Commings’ progress over the past six months.

USA SWIMMING NAMES 2012-2013 OPEN WATER NATIONAL AND JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAMS

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:02:44 -0600

USA Swimming today announced the swimmers named to its 2012-2013 USA Swimming Open Water National Team and its 2012-2013 Open Water Junior National Team. A total of 12 open water swimmers, including six men and six women were named to the National Team, which include the 2012 10K National Champions Andrew Gemmell (Wilmington, Del.) and Ashley Twichell (Fayetteville, N.Y.).

COUGHLIN, LOCHTE, PHELPS TO COMPETE AT CHARLOTTE GRAND PRIX

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:01:32 -0600

Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps (Baltimore, Md.), Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) will headline the talented group of swimmers competing May 10-13 at the Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix. The meet is the sixth stop of the 2011-2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series and will take place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte, N.C.

RECENT SWIMPACT APPEARANCES

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:00:57 -0600

Several National Team swimmers have made a swIMPACT appearances across the country the past several months. Watch this video for a montage of their efforts.

A CONVERSATION WITH JOSH SCHNEIDER

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:00:32 -0600

Sprinter Josh Schneider talks about what he's looking forward to most in Omaha this summer and how he plans to handle distractions at the the Olympic Trials.

DIVERSITY SELECT CAMP BRINGS ATHLETES TOGETHER

Wed, 9 May 2012 13:00:03 -0600

Through three days of training, motivational and team building sessions USA Swimming will seek to inspire athletes and coaches from underrepresented populations to become leaders and role models not only in their club but also in their communities.

OLYMPIC TRIALS MESSAGE #7

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:57:15 -0600

Trials Message #7. If anyone has questions about any of this, please contact Dean Ekeren, Sandra Lopez or Larry Herr at USA Swimming (719-866-4578). There are some very important points here, so please read this carefully! Sorry it’s a bit long. For those of you who missed the earlier ones, they can be found here.

2012 DIVERSITY SELECT CAMP UNDERWAY

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:56:40 -0600

Thirty-six athletes from underrepresented populations have come to Colorado Springs for a three-day program which includes pool training, motivational and education sessions and team building exercises.

WILL COPELAND: BIG PAIN FOR BIG GAIN

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:55:49 -0600

Will Copeland admits when it comes to dates, his memory isn’t as good as he would like it to be. But one in particular – May 21, 2007 – has been burned into his mind as a day that changed his life in and out of the water forever.

THE BUZZ: ANOTHER HERO GONE TOO SOON

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:55:05 -0600

A few days ago, the swimming community lost one of our champions, Norway’s Alexander Dale Oen. He was 26-years-old.

FIVE MORE TO WATCH IN OMAHA

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:54:26 -0600

Every four years at the Olympic Trials, there are more new faces in the water than familiar ones, and this year in Omaha, that will once again be the case. Here are five who could make a big splash – and potentially the 2012 Olympic Team.

SWIM-A-THON PROVIDES BENEFITS TO CLUBS AND USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:53:41 -0600

The USA Swimming Foundation today announced that Swim-a-Thon, an effective source of annual revenue for swim teams across the nation, will now benefit the USA Swimming Foundation’s mission of saving lives and building champions, in addition to raising critical operating funds for local swim clubs and swimming organizations.

THE DANA DIARIES: DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:53:03 -0600

As any of you who have been reading this diary know, I was on the 2004 Olympic Team as a 16 year-old. In 2008, I failed to make the team, which at the time felt like a personal tragedy. However, I came to realize that this view of personal tragedy was a bit self-centered.

20 Question Tuesday: Jon Urbanchek

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:19:27 -0600

His name is synonymous with USA Swimming, the Olympics and the University of Michigan. But as he passes the three-quarter century age mark with this summer, Jon Urbanchek is ready for the sunset that looms for him after the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

MYTHBUSTER: BREASTSTROKERS MAKE THE BEST IMERS

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:18:49 -0600

If you are anything like me, your dreams of IM glory were crushed early in your swimming career because someone told you that breaststrokers make the best IMers (and like me, you were anything but a breaststroker). However, after doing some research on the subject, I am happy to report that you do not have to be a breaststroker to be an elite IMer.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS: JOE PASCALE, PART 3

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:18:25 -0600

When we last talked with Curl Burke’s Joe Pascale, he explained to us his unusual route back to the competition pool. After swimming for Auburn, Joe had a brief foray with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Now, the 6’6” swimmer is training and chasing a dream to compete at the Olympic Trials. He’s got a massive beard that he competes with, which he’s named Papa Legba

THE WEDGE: WHAT’S MY NUMBER?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:17:46 -0600

With all the hype surrounding the FINA starting block wedges, we get a lot of questions about what number a swimmer should use. We also hear a lot of “I’m too tall to use anything lower than 4.” While height can be a limiting factor, wedge setting should be selected based on comfort, flexibility and ability to generate power off the blocks.

SINGLE-DAY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:17:16 -0600

GTAC DISABILITY OPEN SET FOR MAY 19-20 IN CINCINNATI

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:16:41 -0600

The Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (GTAC) and the University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation Department (UC), in collaboration with U.S. Paralympics, are hosting the 9th Annual GTAC Disability Open Meet on May 19-20 at the University of Cincinnati Keating Natatorium.

PUMPING UP THE IRON IN THE SWIMMER’S DIET

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:15:57 -0600

Popeye the Sailor Man got it right. By focusing on iron (spinach), he transformed himself into a strongman, ready to save the day. He knew that iron was an important nutrient to health. While the swimmer won’t experience Popeye’s immediate transformation into a muscle wielding superhuman, he will strengthen his immune system and energy level.

TERESA CRIPPEN: READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:15:41 -0600

Having recently completed her final season at the University of Florida, Teresa Crippen has had a lot to reflect upon over the past four years.

ALEX MEYER BACK ON TRACK AFTER SHOULDER INJURY

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:14:36 -0600

Something happened on the way to London for Alex Meyer. There he was, the wind in his face, not far from his home, cross-training for a little extra aerobic base on his bicycle in January.

COACHES IN THE KNOW: BEN BARTELL

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:14:04 -0600

Head Coach Ben Bartell of Minnetonka Swim Club shares his advice for new coaches as well as a memorable coaching moment from the 2010 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships.

A CONVERSATION WITH KEVIN SWANDER

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:13:34 -0600

National Team member Kevin Swander talks about his mindset going into the Olympic Trials and what he learned in 2008 that will help him succeed this summer in Omaha.

THE BUZZ: BRENDAN HANSEN'S REJUVENATION

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:12:31 -0600

A few weeks ago, Japan's Kosuke Kitajima swam blistering, lights-out, "fuhgeddaboudit" times at the Japanese Olympic Trials. And while the rest of the world took the appropriate amount of surprise (though they shouldn’t be too surprised), you can bet one swimmer in particular followed along -- an old rival, a former and current racing foe hoping to surprise this June & July.

OLYMPIC TRIALS UPDATE #6

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:12:12 -0600

We have exactly 75 days remaining before the start of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. We hope your training is going well. Please find below the sixth “update” message related to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming. For those of you who missed the earlier ones, they can be found here.

OUTREACH IN OKLAHOMA

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:11:08 -0600

She helped organize a one-day swim event, free and open to any Native American child who wanted to attend.

FIVE MORE TO WATCH IN OMAHA

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:10:19 -0600

DIGITAL SPLASH: OLYMPIC TRIALS MEMORIES

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:09:49 -0600

The Digital Edition of the March-April 2012 issue of Splash is now available online and as a mobile app for your iPad and iPhone. In this issue, swimmers take a look back at past Olympic Trials glories in “Ah, the Memories.”

SUMMER MEET SELECTION PROCEDURES NOW AVAILABLE

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:09:17 -0600

National Team and National Junior Team Selection Procedures for this summer have been posted here.

2013 USA SWIMMING CONOCOPHILLIPS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD JUNE 25-29 IN INDIANAPOLIS

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:08:50 -0600

USA Swimming has officially changed the dates for the 2013 ConocoPhillips National Championships in Indianapolis to June 25-29, 2013. This meet will serve as the selection meet for the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.