USA Swimming News

Phelps, Lochte, Evans and Franklin Headline Austin Grand Prix, January 13-15

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:56:54 -0700

Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Janet Evans and the defending Grand Prix Series champion Missy Franklin headline the list of those competing at the Austin Grand Prix on January 13-15.

FAT: TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:56:38 -0700

Did you know that fat is an essential part of nutrition for the growing athlete? Not only is fat required for normal growth and development, it is an instrumental energy source for exercising children and teens. During exercise, fat is processed (or metabolized) more efficiently than carbohydrate when compared to adults. By mid- to late adolescence, adult patterns of fat metabolism emerge. While children rely more on fat as an energy source during exercise, there is no evidence that increasing fat in the diet has benefits.

A COMPTON COACH SPEAKS OUT, PART 2

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:55:59 -0700

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a swimming coach in Compton, California named Louis Pecot. His complaint as a coach for over 30+ years in the area was that, despite earlier claims from someone featured on this website, there was swimming in Compton – at least when he was growing up. I interviewed him about his background growing up in South Central LA, as well as future challenges he foresees in the area. Here is Part Two of our interview.

CP GIVES BACK: HELP FROM ALUMNI

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:55:09 -0700

For most Division III athletic programs, money for everything from uniforms to facilities to travel expenses is extremely tight and budgets are lean. Most times, the coaches and athletes – who attend school and compete athletically on their own dime outside of academic and other scholarships and grants – pay for their own expenses. At the University of California Santa Cruz, former swimming alumni have taken it upon themselves to lend a hand – and don a Speedo – to give back to the program by raising funds in the water.

31ST ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SWIM CLASSIC

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:53:36 -0700

20 QUESTION TUESDAY: CAROLINE BURCKLE

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:53:20 -0700

Caroline Burckle keeps her Olympic medal from Beijing close to her heart. But when she started swimming after the 2008 Olympics, she realized she was ready to move on. After going to fashion school and building a great start to her career in southern California, she has moved back home and hopes to build on her experience in her home state.

CORRECTION TO OLYMPIC TRIALS TIMES STANDARDS LISTED IN THE 2012 USA SWIMMING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:52:30 -0700

There is an error in the Olympic Trials Times Standards listed on page 82 of the 2012 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations. The time standards as listed in the rulebook are reversed and the times shown for the women are men’s times and times shown for the men are the women’s times. The time standards for Olympic Trials on the USA Swimming website are correctly listed and can be found here.

THE BEST BARBELL EXERCISE?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:52:14 -0700

There is no more basic piece of equipment in the weight room than the barbell, a straight piece of steel that can provide a workout by itself or by loading plates on the ends. One of the most athletic manipulations of the barbell is the Hang Power Clean.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS: EVAN SWENSON, PART 1

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:51:26 -0700

Balancing high school and competitive swimming is no easy task. Not only are there significant time constraints, but also the pressures with being a prodigal high school athlete. This week we interview Evan Swenson, a 17-year-old swimmer from Loyola High School In Illinois who is relatively new to the rigors of year-round competitive swimming. She has qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 50 freestyle, and trains year-round at NASA. Here is Part One of the interview.

THE DANGER OF AN IRON DEFICIENCY

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:50:45 -0700

Serum Ferritin is considered to be the best indicator of an athlete’s iron status and essential in the creation of new red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body and helping to remove carbon dioxide, both crucial functions during training. An iron deficiency could inhibit the body’s ability to create new red blood cells, remove muscle waste products and obviously have a negative effect on an athlete’s general health, let alone their ability to practice.

CAITLIN LEVERENZ: SURGING TOWARD LONDON

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:50:11 -0700

Despite the tremendous success she experienced while still in high school – winning gold at Pan Ams as a 16-year-old and just missing the Olympic team the summer before her senior year – Caitlin Leverenz needed a reality check.

THE BUZZ: WHY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FAIL

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:48:41 -0700

I went to the gym yesterday and thought I was in the wrong place. There were actually people working out. Running on treadmills. Stepping on StairMasters. Huffing and puffing, losing extra weight from holiday hedonism. Even as I walked to my beloved lap pool – normally vacant and empty, a lake of chlorine to myself – there were swimmers there, filling the pool, chugging through the water, spitting at each wall, exhausted.

20 QUESTION TUESDAY: BJ BEDFORD-MILLER

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:48:39 -0700

We catch up in 20 Question Tuesday every year or so with B.J. Bedford – now B.J. Miller, with her husband Tom, and their amazing children, Arden and Bronson. The 2000 Olympic medalist always has a keen eye for the goings-on in the sport, so we thought there no time better than now to get an Olympic preview, while taking a trip down Olympic Memory Lane, with one of the sport’s most humble, thoughtful figures to kick off the Olympic year of 2012.