IN THIS ISSUE
008 WORLD RECORD FLASHBACK: BRENDAN HANSEN—MAN ON A MISSION
by John Lohn
At the 2004 United States Olympic Trials, the competition proved to be a redemptive moment for American Brendan Hansen, who dominated the breaststroke events en route to a berth to the Olympic Games in Athens.
010 A FAMILIAR FAVORITE
by David Rieder
University of Virginia head coach Todd DeSorbo has created a budding dynasty in Charlottesville as the Cavaliers aim for a fourth consecutive crown.
014 BERKOFF’S A BELIEVER
by Matthew De George
Since her Omaha heartache three years ago at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Katharine Berkoff has registered significant international milestones each of the last two years. She’s eager to write the fifth and final chapter of a storied college career with NC State in March...and she’s prepared to do her best at the next Olympic Trials in June—all with a perspective and confidence forged from disappointment.
016 PURSUING A DREAM
by Dan D’Addona
Now a senior at the University of North Carolina, Mexico’s Aranza Vazquez Montaño is aiming for a strong finish to her NCAA diving career as she prepares for the Olympics. “Winning an Olympic medal would be my dream!”
018 AN EPIC DUEL
by David Rieder
Just like last year when Cal outlasted Arizona State to capture its sixth national team title since 2010, we can expect the same kind of battle at this year’s NCAA Division I Championships in Indianapolis. Based on what ASU did at Pac-12s earlier this month, Swimming World gives its No. 1 nod to the Sun Devils.
022 EDDIE REESE: FAREWELL TO A LEGEND
by John Lohn
As Eddie Reese plans to retire from coaching after the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, he’ll be leaving the swimming world with a plethora of accomplishments, but he and those who know him will immediately tell you that the most important part of his legacy has been—and will always be—about the people and the lives he’s touched.
024 SERIOUS SPEED
by Matthew De George
Tennessee junior Jordan Crooks is the second-fastest swimmer ever in the 50 yard freestyle, next to Caeleb Dressel, and he has the swimming ability to contend in long course for the Cayman Islands at this summer’s Olympic Games.
026 NCAA FLASHBACK: A MEET TO REMEMBER...AND FORGET
by John Lohn
The 2010 men’s NCAAs will be remembered for Texas winning its 10th team title. Sadly, it was also the meet that was delayed a day after 18 swimmers and one coach from Texas, Arizona and Stanford became ill upon arrival to the meet, and had to be treated at Ohio State’s medical center due to Norovirus infection.
028 SIMILARITIES TO 2023... BUT DON’T FORGET KENYON
by David Rieder
At last year’s D-III Championships, the Denison women captured their second-ever national title, while the men’s meet went to Emory for the second year in a row. Those two teams will be this year’s favorites, although we cannot forget about Kenyon’s quest to return to the top. The women’s team has 24 titles in program history, the last of which came in 2022, while the men’s team has won a whopping 34 titles... but none since 2015.
046 PODIUM POTPOURRI: TORRI HUSKE
by Dan D’Addona
In the past four years, Torri Huske has been a regular atop the podium at the Olympics, World Championships and NCAAs.
048 DOHA TAKEAWAYS
by David Rieder
What did the swimming world learn from a World Championships meet held less than a half-year before the Paris Olympics? The answer is simple: You won’t want to miss this summer’s Games!
050 THE ROAD TO PARIS: ADAM PEATY
by Liz Byrnes
Less than five months ago, Adam Peaty freely admitted he had considered quitting “a thousand times.” Physical and mental exhaustion following years of heavy training and competition—as well as upheaval in his personal life—conspired to send the two-time Olympic 100 meter breaststroke champion into a spiral in early 2023. Fast-forward to February 2024...and Peaty was back on the podium, winning double bronze at the World Championships in Doha.
052 THE ULTIMATE COMPETITION
by Michael Randazzo
The women’s U.S. water polo team will be vying for its fourth straight Olympic gold medal at Paris this summer. But first, America’s best will be competing just to make the team.
054 CATCHING UP WITH: ROWDY GAINES
by John Lohn
Rowdy Gaines has long been a key thread in the fabric of the swimming world—first as a Hall of Fame swimmer and now as he prepares to cover his ninth Olympiad at this summer’s Games in Paris as a television analyst for NBC Sports.
056 THE MISSED TURN: THERESE ALSHAMMAR
by John Lohn
Swimming World pays respect to Therese Alshammar, a Swedish star who was defined by her sprint excellence and consistency.
058 MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH JOSH LIENDO
by Matthew De George
Canada’s Josh Liendo is shaping up as a medal contender in Paris, having won silver in the 100 fly at the 2023 World Championships and bronze in the 100 free and 100 fly at Worlds in 2022, plus a mixed 200 free relay gold at the Short Course Worlds in 2021. Racing might be straightforward, but getting ready is an iterative process that Liendo is always honing.
060 NUTRITION: THE ULTIMATE SWIM TAPER AND COMPETITION SUCCESS RECIPE
by Dawn Weatherwax
The most important factor in ensuring a successful swim taper is to eat enough. It is crucial to consume enough fuel to sustain your body throughout the meet or competition. To help you stay on track, here are some tips and guidelines to follow...along with a sample menu to help you achieve the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vegetables.
062 OPEN WATER: A WELCOME CHANGE OF PACE
Looking for a change of pace in your swimming environment? The College of the Florida Keys, located in Key West, Fla., offers the perfect solution with upcoming open-water competitions in June, August and September.
USA SWIMMING SPLASH
031 COVER: KATE DOUGLASS
032 SPLASH MEETS SWIMMING WORLD
USA Swimming and Swimming World have partnered to collaborate on engaging swim stories and event coverage from across the world. Swimming World will now feature inserts from USA Swimming’s Splash Magazine, delivering relatable content for swimmers of all ages.
033 USA SWIMMING TEAM BIRTHDAYS
Do you share a birthday with a U.S. National Team member? Here is a list of the nation’s fastest swimmers who will be celebrating their birthdays in March or April.
034 “CAPTION” CONTEST
Congratulations to the winners of our “CAPTION” CONTEST from last year’s edition of Splash...and here’s your chance to write a caption for a new photo and have your idea used in the next Splash!
036 THE BLOCKS: WOULD YOU RATHER? (OLYMPIC TRIALS EDITION)
Here are eight questions that ask your preference between two similar options.
037 USA SWIMMING NETWORK: ALL THINGS SWIMMING RIGHT ON YOUR TV
Get ready for an all-new season of OFF THE BLOCKS with Katie Ledecky, Chase Kalisz, Ryan Murphy, Regan Smith, Simone Manuel and Jay Litherland.
038 THE BLOCKS: ATHLETE FOCUS
Kids from all corners of the United States answer questions from Splash about their swimming goals, why they love swimming, their “favorites”... and more!
039 USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION
Host a SWIM-A-THON today! Head to usaswimming.org/Foundation to see how you and your club can participate in a Swim-a-Thon this year.
040 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS - SWIMMING: TR1ALS BY NUMB3RS
042 DOUGLASS THE DESTROYER
by Kyle Sagendorph
Kate Douglass takes down the 12-year-old American record in the 200 breast.
034 SWIM NUT ZEKE
TRAINING
063 DRYSIDE TRAINING: FROM STRENGTH TO POWER
by J.R. Rosania
COACHING
064 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: CONVENTIONAL WISDOM VS. SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
by Rod Havriluk
Conventional wisdom is a term used to indicate generally accepted knowledge, but does not require scientific validation. Scientific knowledge, however, is based on fact.
066 COACHES’ CORNER
by David Rieder
Swim coaches from around the country discuss the idea of peaking multiple times per year and swimming fast often.
068 DIFFERENCE IN TRAINING POST-COVID: THEN AND NOW
by Michael J. Stott
Four years removed from the worldwide shutdown due to COVID-19, aquatics has re-established a rhythm of training and championships. Coaches have resumed mentoring their charges to faster times and a better existence. For many, that has meant a reassessment of the “old way” of training and looking at life.
072 SPECIAL SETS: KATIE HOFF— AMONG THE BEST IN HISTORY
by Michael J. Stott
Two-time Olympian Katie Hoff was a former world record holder and three-time Olympic medalist. At Worlds (LC and SCM), she won 12 overall medals (8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze). Her halcyon years were spent with her North Baltimore Aquatic Club coach, Paul Yetter, who shares some of Hoff’s workouts from 2005-07.
074 Q&A WITH COACH BRIAN PERESIE, UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
by Michael J. Stott
075 HOW THEY TRAIN UNIVERSITY OF AKRON’S ABBY DANIEL
by Michael J. Stott
JUNIOR SWIMMER
079 AGE GROUP VOICE: ALL ABOUT SWIMMING
by Edie Sawyer
081 AGE GROUP ADVICE: PARENTS’ INSIGHTS
by John Lohn
082 POOL PUZZLERS: SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW SWIMMING?
by John Lohn
083 PARENT PERSPECTIVE: THE IMPACT OF SWIMMING ON KIDS
by John Lohn
084 JUST FOR FUN: SUPERPOWERS
by Dan D’Addona
084 JUST FOR FUN: WHICH SWIMMER TYPE ARE YOU?
085 JUST FOR FUN: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
by Edie Sawyer
086 ABOVE & BEYOND: HAIL TO THE STUDENT-ATHLETE!
087 UP & COMERS: ANNIKA HUANG
by Dan D’Addona
088 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
COLUMNS
006 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
045 THE OFFICIAL WORD
089 GUTTERTALK
091 PARTING SHOT