Olympic silver medalist Nick Thoman has officially made the move to his new training home this week. The 28-year-old had previously been training with SwimMAC Elite in Charlotte, NC under Coach David Marsh, but recently announced he has joined Tucson Ford Aquatics in Tucson, Arizona.
It seems Thoman’s training path has come full circle, as he was an All-American at the University of Arizona before he moved to to Charlotte in 2009. Thoman won a silver medal in the men’s 100m backstroke at the London 2012 Olympics and followed that up by winning the 100y backstroke at the 2013 Winter Nationals before then earning a spot on the 2014 Pan Pacific roster.
Thoman did suffer a setback in the form of a dislocated shoulder right before last year’s then-called Orlando Grand Prix, but has since seemed to be on the mend, placing third and second in the 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke events, respectively, at 2014 Summer Nationals.
Tucson Ford Aquatics named Paul Stafford as its head coach in September of last year after John Fergussen resigned back in August. Tucson is one of the top organizations in Arizona and boasts a strong pro contingent, including Olympian and Thoman-rival, American Matt Grevers, who earned the gold in that same race in London. The University of Arizona coaching staff, specifically head coach Rick DeMont, has been known to work with the pros within the club as well, giving Thoman an arsenal of resources to tap into on his road to Rio.
Maybe the place is getting crowded.
Did he leave SwimMac because he wasn’t swimming well for Marsh?????
It’s not the PLACE, it’s the INDIVIDUAL…. If you know what I mean.
??
I am kinda not surprised that he has left Swimmac. I hope that he can stay healthy and that he will be happy at Tuscon training with Matt Grevers et al. I wonder if he is going to aim for Rio 2016?
I really hope he can stay healthy in the next 18 months.
His last “healthy” performance was truly amazing at the US short course nationals in December 2013 when he destroyed the 100 back American record in 44.07! 😯
Unfortunately he has been seriously injured then and it prevented us from seeing that new level in long course.
Great move for him to Tucson with a new coach and Grevers as training partner.
He and Grevers hate each other??
Nick Thoman, the nomad of professional swimmers.
He and Grevers hate each other…..
Didn’t look like it during the Olympics.
I assume, since I haven’t won an OLYMPIC MEDAL, that the moment of triumph and going 1-2 for USA and trump any ill-will towards each other. That is under the assumption that they do not like each other. However, you do not have to like each other to work with each other. As long as the relationship is professional, they will be fine. Besides, MG is tall enough to drive Thoman into the ground like a railroad spike.
can trump*