Tuesday, September 27, 2022
David Johnston Learns as He Swims
Several years ago, David Johnston almost drowned.
Not really – it happened in a dream that his mom, Marcy, had when he and his older sister, Caroline, were little kids.
“It scared her so much that she immediately enrolled us in swim lessons,” David said. “Her focus became all about water safety. She didn’t envision that we’d both take the sport as far as we have.”
It didn’t take long for the Johnston siblings to realize they loved the sport and were actually pretty good in the water.
Caroline stuck with swimming until she turned 16 – qualifying for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming.
David, on the other hand, continues to pursue his Olympic dream despite having taken a multi-year break during his mid-teens.
A junior distance freestyler at the University of Texas, Johnston took a giant leap toward achieving that Olympic dream by competing Down Under this summer at the Duel in the Pool in Sydney, Australia. A week later, still competing in Australia, he set a new American record (yards) in the 800 freestyle with a time of 7:30.41.
It marked his first trip to Australia and his performance showed him he’s right on track to make a strong push for Paris in less than two years.
“It was my first time swimming internationally, and because of the meet (Duel) format, it was a fun, relaxed atmosphere, which helped me,” he said. “It was such an exciting opportunity. I was really focused but still had a very fun time.”
That meet left Johnston with a renewed fire and desire for his future in swimming moving forward.
With this summer’s adventures and success behind him, he said he begins his third collegiate season this fall brimming with confidence and anticipation for what he can accomplish over the next couple of years heading into the 2024 Games.
And even though he has dreamt of swimming at the Olympics since he was a kid, it’s only really been over the past few months that he truly started believing it was attainable.
“I’ve always been motivated to do my best, but everything I experienced and all that I accomplished – and doing it in another country, on another continent, against great competition – has inspired me to want even more,” Johnston said.
“I want to be one of the best (distance freestylers) in the world. All I want is to keep getting better.”
Throughout his young career, Johnston has had the privilege to work with some of the best coaches in the business – all helping him find his best swimmer and person along the way.
He spent his formative years as a teenager with Olympian Neil Walker at Rockwall Aquatics in his hometown of Dallas.
In the past two years, he’s been working with Longhorn legendary coach Eddie Reese at the University of Texas. And for several months this summer, he spent time training under Mark Schubert in California.
He said each coach taught him something different but important about swimming – as well as about himself – that he didn’t know, and they’ve all left a lasting impression.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today as a swimmer or person without the influence and impact of each of them,” who also swims the 400 individual medley in addition to distance freestyle events. “Neal, who I worked with the longest, taught me to believe in myself – that I’m capable of whatever I set my mind to, and to be tough.
“Eddie taught me about the technical parts of swimming – the strokes – as well as swimming/life perspective. He also showed me sustained excellence in the sport. And finally, from Mark, who I only worked with a couple of months, I learned how to trust a coach and what he was giving me.”
And while he’s taken valuable information and guidance from each coach, it’s the culmination of all their wisdom and teaching that Johnston said he knows will pay dividends down the road.
That and continuing to swim and compete among the best in the world.
“I learned so much this summer just watching other swimmers – how they approach their races, prepare, etc.” he said. “I want to take what I’ve learned from everyone – and will continue to learn from others and be the best swimmer I can be.”
Not really – it happened in a dream that his mom, Marcy, had when he and his older sister, Caroline, were little kids.
“It scared her so much that she immediately enrolled us in swim lessons,” David said. “Her focus became all about water safety. She didn’t envision that we’d both take the sport as far as we have.”
It didn’t take long for the Johnston siblings to realize they loved the sport and were actually pretty good in the water.
Caroline stuck with swimming until she turned 16 – qualifying for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming.
David, on the other hand, continues to pursue his Olympic dream despite having taken a multi-year break during his mid-teens.
A junior distance freestyler at the University of Texas, Johnston took a giant leap toward achieving that Olympic dream by competing Down Under this summer at the Duel in the Pool in Sydney, Australia. A week later, still competing in Australia, he set a new American record (yards) in the 800 freestyle with a time of 7:30.41.
It marked his first trip to Australia and his performance showed him he’s right on track to make a strong push for Paris in less than two years.
“It was my first time swimming internationally, and because of the meet (Duel) format, it was a fun, relaxed atmosphere, which helped me,” he said. “It was such an exciting opportunity. I was really focused but still had a very fun time.”
That meet left Johnston with a renewed fire and desire for his future in swimming moving forward.
With this summer’s adventures and success behind him, he said he begins his third collegiate season this fall brimming with confidence and anticipation for what he can accomplish over the next couple of years heading into the 2024 Games.
And even though he has dreamt of swimming at the Olympics since he was a kid, it’s only really been over the past few months that he truly started believing it was attainable.
“I’ve always been motivated to do my best, but everything I experienced and all that I accomplished – and doing it in another country, on another continent, against great competition – has inspired me to want even more,” Johnston said.
“I want to be one of the best (distance freestylers) in the world. All I want is to keep getting better.”
Throughout his young career, Johnston has had the privilege to work with some of the best coaches in the business – all helping him find his best swimmer and person along the way.
He spent his formative years as a teenager with Olympian Neil Walker at Rockwall Aquatics in his hometown of Dallas.
In the past two years, he’s been working with Longhorn legendary coach Eddie Reese at the University of Texas. And for several months this summer, he spent time training under Mark Schubert in California.
He said each coach taught him something different but important about swimming – as well as about himself – that he didn’t know, and they’ve all left a lasting impression.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today as a swimmer or person without the influence and impact of each of them,” who also swims the 400 individual medley in addition to distance freestyle events. “Neal, who I worked with the longest, taught me to believe in myself – that I’m capable of whatever I set my mind to, and to be tough.
“Eddie taught me about the technical parts of swimming – the strokes – as well as swimming/life perspective. He also showed me sustained excellence in the sport. And finally, from Mark, who I only worked with a couple of months, I learned how to trust a coach and what he was giving me.”
And while he’s taken valuable information and guidance from each coach, it’s the culmination of all their wisdom and teaching that Johnston said he knows will pay dividends down the road.
That and continuing to swim and compete among the best in the world.
“I learned so much this summer just watching other swimmers – how they approach their races, prepare, etc.” he said. “I want to take what I’ve learned from everyone – and will continue to learn from others and be the best swimmer I can be.”