The SwimSwam Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ryan Wochomurka Lays Out his Vision For Auburn Swimming May 03, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Ryan Wochomurka, the recently announced head coach for the University of Auburn's swim and dive program. Coach Wochomurka walks through how he views Auburn, his alma mater and somewhere he's been familiar with since age 17, and what he sees as the path for the Tigers moving forward. He's hoping to start announcing his staff by the end of this week as well as start meeting athletes and staff where they are now athletically, academically, and spiritually.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Rachel Nicol Gives Perspective on Another Setback for Canadian Olympic Trials May 02, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Rachel Nicol, the 2016 Olympian for Canada who has, like every other Canadian, once again been forced to wait another month for the 2021 Canadian Olympic Trials. Nicol describes the exhaustion that has come with not only going through a pandemic while trying to train for the Olympics but also having their trials been pushed back twice now.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Terry Fritch, Kiley Wilhelm on Making Olympic Trials While Training Solo May 01, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Terry Fritch and Kiley Wilhelm of Life Time North Carolina. Kiley recently made her Wave II Olympic Trial cut in the 100m backstroke, dropping nearly 2 seconds to go 1:00.9. Wilhelm and Fritch both give their perspective on transitioning from SwimMAC to Life Time and what training 1-on-1 during the fall of 2020 was like, particularly how they were able to find success and how they've grown their core training group since then.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

How Fast Will Caeleb Dressel Swim At U.S. Olympic Trials? Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Olympic swimming champion Caeleb Dressel notched fast swims at the Mission Pro Swim, signaling he is on course for a great U.S. Olympic Trials in June:

Dressel Mission Pro Swim Times:

50 free - 21.83
100 free - 48.82 (prelim swim, scratched the final to fly home early)
200 free - 1:47.57
100 fly - 51.61

In this interview Caeleb is his own worst critic, recapping his entire season. He also sheds some light on the pressures of being a swim star on run-up to the Olympic summer.

PREDICTIONS FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS, VERSION TWO

Yes, I am playing the Dressel prediction game again. I was way too safe last time. See version one of my predictions:

50 free - 21 point 3
100 free - 47 point 2
100 fly - 49 point 9
200 free - prelims one - 1, 45 point 9

See my new predictions after seeing Dressel's Mission Pro Swim races, and being heckled by SwimSwam commenters for being a wimp:

50 free - 21 point 1
100 free - 47 point 1
100 fly - 49 point 7
200 free - prelims only - 1, 45 point 2

But who cares what I think? It is all about what you think. Give me your best swimming analysis.

James Guy, Tom Dean Weigh Britain's 4x100 & 4x200 Free Relays Against the World Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with newly minted 2021 Olympians and training partners James Guy and Tom Dean to talk about the recent British trials and the trails for British swimming to come. Guy gives us some context on his meet specifically, saying he took out the 200 fly way too hard and it took a toll on him the rest of the week, including in the 200 free final where he registered a 1:46.0. We get into the meat of analyzing Britain's 4x100 and 4x200 free relays, especially considering they will have chances to shine at the upcoming European championships as well as the Tokyo Olympic Games.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

McKenzie Coan and Colleen Young on Break Down Para Olympic Qualification Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with American record holders and Paralympiac medalists McKenzie Coan and Colleen Young after having their first of two qualification meets for the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics recently in Lewisville, Texas. The two roommates (who are training together currently at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs) took us through competing at their first meet since the pandemic started and what competition and Paralympic qualification will look like moving forward.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Will Olympic Champion Anthony Ervin Make the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team? Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Anthony Ervin, the oldest individual Olympic gold medalist in swimming history, emerged at the Mission Pro Swim. Honestly, I wasn't sure if he had retired or not, but I was not surprised to see him in action. We all know Anthony's different, following the warrior poet's path, racing for a higher purpose. Now, rolling into 40 years old, his age at U.S. Olympic Trials, he has confirmed he's going for it.

Will he make the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team at 40? I would love to witness that, but I don't think it's in the cards...and I'm not sure Anthony is judging his success this summer that way either. Anthony's already the oldest individual Olympic gold medalist, and I think he's enjoying his elder statesman status. I believe him when he says he wants to be on deck to pass the torch to the next generation of U.S. sprinters. However, you'd be foolish to dismiss his dangerous sprint gear. When Anthony's flowing with the right rhyme, he's fast. Muscle memory could put him over the edge.

Anthony Nesty on Plans for Heading Both Men's and Women's UF Swim/Dive Programs Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Anthony Nesty, the newly appointed head coach for the Men's and Women's Swim/Dive teams at the University of Florida. The team was newly re-combined after Jeff Poppell left as the head women's coach for the University of South Carolina (see our conversation with Jeff here). Nesty brings a wealth of knowledge, having been on staff for a number of years at UF and heading the men's program for the last three. He's excited to take his successes from the men's program and carry them over to the gator women's team.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Duncan Scott Goes In-depth on Britain's Olympic Relay Medal Chances Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Duncan Scott, the Brit who's coming off a huge performance at the 2021 British Olympic Trials where he set 3 national records in the 100 free, 200 free, and 200 IM. Scott analyzes each of his races in detail, telling the audience how he executed each to a tee. Scott then zooms out to break down each of Britain's Olympic relays, weighing eaches odds to medal in Tokyo.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Jeff Poppell Explains Move to Head Coach at South Carolina Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

We sat down with Jeff Poppell, the recently announced new head coach of the University of South Carolina. Poppell explains why he chose to leave his post at Florida, where he'd been having success over the last 3 seasons as head coach of the women's team. Poppell wanted to stay in the SEC, but the opportunity to coach men and women was enticing and he wasn't worried about making a "lateral move" in terms of his career.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS