Spring time means race time; more sunlight and less training; warmer temperatures outside and hotter performances inside; swimmers are finally shaving and tapering to blaze to their best times! Traditionally, most teams peak for their championships this month before enjoying a week off for Spring Break or Easter. The championship meets of March give us intense races, close finishes, and potential insane records. Yet, there is another type of madness making waves on decks across the country. It’s the Harlem Shake Madness!
A great bonding exercise, teams all across the country have done their version of the Harlem Shake. In fact, this dance has been performed as a celebratory dance in Conference Championships. I witnessed The University of Houston Swim Team end the Conference USA meet by doing the Harlem Shake while Sam Kendricks, meet announcer for the Big 12 Conference, challenged the fans of each respective team to a Harlem Shake dance off. I haven’t attended a championship meet yet that doesn’t find its way to shakin’.
Not to be left out, the young swimmers in Dallas, TX, at the latest Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! Swim Clinic, loosened up with the Harlem Shake before they got in the water with hopes to someday swim like the best. If you’re preparing for your championship meet or closing out your season, either shake it up or shake it off ! BREAKout!
MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly.
As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …
