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SSPC: How DII Drury University Produced the Current #2 Sprinter in the Country

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Zach Mertins, the assistant coach (and main sprint coach) at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Zach and I swam together in high school, which was Zach’s first main swimming experience. Since then, he went on to swim at DII Ouachita Baptist University and eventually ended up pursuing coaching.

From the outside looking in, it seems like Zach has hit his coaching stride at Drury, not only leading Karol Ostrowski to 19.09 and 41.50 at their mid-season meet (breaking the DII national records in both events), but the team’s 200 free relay produced a 1:18.49, 1.22 off the DII national record in that event and breaking the school record. Hear what Zach has to say about how they’re doing things at Drury a little differently to yield these results.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Frank the Tank
4 years ago

Nobody gonna talk about how they lease foreign athletes from power 5 schools until they are eligible?

tank the Frank
Reply to  Frank the Tank
4 years ago

your comment is ridiculous

SwimFani
4 years ago

What country is he from?

Polish Guy
Reply to  SwimFani
4 years ago

POLAND 🇵🇱

Tigershark
4 years ago

Great interview with an Amazing coach and overall human being!! Loves and challenges each of his athletes!!! Coffee up! Fresh pots!

SWIMGUY12345
4 years ago

Before anyone starts to hate, even though he’s 21, these are still amazing times. Even if he were a junior or senior, these would be eye-popping swims.

Spiderfrommars
Reply to  SWIMGUY12345
4 years ago

Exactly! Exactly!!! It’s not like he’s a 27 year old freshman who will be 31 when he graduates…hmmm!

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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