This week on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss the ISL announcing a massive Season 4 schedule, post grads having success with other programs, and Adam Peaty taking on the 200 breast. For full list of topics, see below:
- The ISL announced Season 4, including 24-matches across 3 continents.
- We saw Simone Manuel training in the Tennessee weight room, which led to a bigger question: Can post-grads have prolonged success training in a location that isn’t their collegiate alma-mater?
- Adam Peaty said that he will be swimming the 200 breast at the 2022 Commonwealth Trials for England
- Matthew Sates made his debut as a Georgia Bulldog, throwing down a 1:33.8 200 free and also miscounting his 500 free
- Ranomi Kromowidjojo, 3x Olympic champion and the most decorated swimmer in short course world champ history, announced her retirement.
- Michael Phelps played a celebrity pickleball match with, among others, Larry Fitzgerald
SINK or SWIM
- The Ohio State men and women both beat Michigan this weekend. Can both teams go on to win Big 10 titles this year?
- USA Swimming announced that they will not send a team to the 2022 World University Games. Will the US focus on any international competition for summer 2022?
- Max McHugh clocked the fastest 100 breast in the NCAA this season. Will he defend both of his titles in the 100 and 200 breast at NCAAs?
- We saw Gretchen Walsh clock a 54.2 100 kick in practice, although DeSorbo’s watch may have been a bit fast. Are coaches having fast watches a problem?
- Ryan Lochte said on a podcast he will be targeting the 2022 World Cup this fall. Will Lochte actually show up to the series?
- Ryan Held came onto the SwimSwam Podcast and spoke on a myriad of topics, including: What is the fastest name in swimming?
Loved the point about the “call me maybe” syndrome and how fans overestimate the personal relationships of elite swimmers. There’s got to be tons of interpersonal conflict within teams, given the nature of swimming (highly competitive individual athletes striving for limited team spots, limited sponsorships, etc).
Like, how well do Jacob Pebley and Ryan Murphy get along? Or Torri Huske and Regan Smith? Or Lily King and Lydia Jacoby? Or Simone Manuel and Ella Eastin? I’m sure there’s a lot of Jenny Thompson vs. Dara Torres drama lurking under the shadows.
Would love to see a “30 for 30” type series going behind the scenes. I think Elizabeth Beisel had mentioned this was a project she was interested in.
This was the first example I thought of too, but those two at least had the guise of being “teammates.” (Whether that made it more or less likely they’d be best pals, I’m not sure.)
The big one is Lochte-Phelps. Outwardly they appeared chummy enough, especially later in their careers, but I mean, come on now.
Tho I do wonder if Phelps never swam, if Lochte would’ve had a bigger or smaller cultural impact than he did. He’d prolly be considered the best ever, but he still got his own E! show with Phelps.
Peanut Gallery Comments:
ISL-I don’t care about ISL to be honest. Swimming all short course during long course isn’t great IMO. This is the 4th season and it still bleeds money and tv ratings are less than bowling, darts and probably 99% of sports!
PostGrads-Andrew Wilson is an example of it working out moving Positively to a post grad group and he did it twice! Once to Texas and once to Georgia. I have no knowledge as to why he changed to Georgia but he went to a place with two very established foes, Fink and Cordes.
Peaty 200-I say no way, even to Commonwealth. Braden says not as competitive but Zac might say otherwise!
Sates-I though Coleman said… Read more »
Yeah we definitely glazed over ZSC in real-time there.
Everyone does.
Peaty 200 breast = “Project Mortality.” Like literally, he might die.
I’m 💀💀💀💀 rather like a certain beefy Brit will be
Well, Mr. Piano should get warmed up for the Peaty 200 breast.
“I think he could be Commonwealth Champion”?? Zac S-Cook will be there.
Yeah… we got too excited on that one
Any meet without Americans is just easy for anyone to win apparently