…South Carolina has hired a new assistant, as they’ve announced the hiring of Randi Vogel from Missouri. Prior to spending the last three years with the Tigers, she also has coaching stops with Cincinnati, and as an age group coach with the famed Cinicnnati Marlins. Among her work was time spent with U.S. National Team sprinter Josh Schneider when he was in college. Vogel herself is a former college swimmer for Tennessee and Cincinnati, and comes from an impressive swimming pedigree: her father John swam at Tennessee, while her mother Diane Johannigman was an American and World Record holder in the 100 fly while at the University of Houston. This is the second assistant that Missouri coach Greg Rhodenbaugh has lost this year, after Roric Fink to take over as the assistant for the Texas women…
…Former ACC Champion Greg Morgan from Virginia Tech has suffered a serious accident on the 4th of July. Nobody knows what happened, but he was found unconscious on the road near the Tech campus in Blacksburg. After emergency brain surgery to remove a clot following what was described as a “serious injury,” Morgan is reportedly making positive progress already, and has shown movement on the left side of his body. This is going to be a long recovery, and donations to help cover the medical costs can be made here. You can also track his progress through that same YouCaring.com site.
…Georgian swimmer Irakli Bolkvadze has already broken through this year to become the first swimmer from his country to achieve an official qualifying time for the Olympics (though he still needed Universality to get his swim). This past week, he made another breakthrough with a bronze medal, and another National Record, in the 200 breast at the European Junior Championships in 2:15.46. That’s the first time that a Georgian swimmer has won a medal at a European Championship of any level since they became an independent nation in 1992. Considering that as recently as 2010, their fastest 100 freestyler was swimming only a 1:10 in long course, this country has come a long way…
…Ireland has announced their Olympic Team, and it will include only four swimmers: Sycerika McMahon, Barry Murphy, Grainne Murphy, and Melanie Nocher. Among those missing include Ryan Harrison, who until his suspension from the University of Tennessee last season seemed like he was one of Ireland’s best shots at an Olympic final. The Irish have had a great last 12-months, and with a lot of young talent, the future looks bright…