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Up & Comers: La Mirada Armada’s Kayla Han
By Shoshanna Rutemiller
La Mirada Armada’s (Calif.) Kayla Han just turned 13 years old, but she’s performing with the skill of a much older swimmer. At the U.S. Olympic Trials (Wave I), June 4-7, Han came from behind to win the B-final of the 400 meter individual medley in an exciting race that saw her trailing the field until the final 50 meters when she turned fourth, but touched first in 4:51.08.
With the next Olympic Trials only three years away, it will be exciting to see what this young swimmer can accomplish.
Just weeks before her Olympic Trials debut, Han smashed the 11-12 national age group record in the 400 meter IM by nearly five seconds with a 4:50.70 at the Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine, Calif. Elizabeth Beisel, a three-time Olympian and the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 400 IM, set the previous record of 4:55.35 in 2005.
The day before, she also took down Claire Tuggle’s NAG mark in the 400 freestyle (4:18.41, 2017) with a 4:17.65. Then she finished the meet with a third NAG record in the 800 free, touching in 8:50.58 to lower the previous mark of 8:55.43, set by Isabella Rongione in 2012.
“Kayla is a consistent and tenacious trainer,” says her coach, Rick Shipherd. “She has a unique ability to fit in with older swimmers, who by nature are very competitive in their own way.
“You might think that could get contentious, but Kayla’s quiet and timid disposition disarms everyone. They enjoy her quiet confidence. Dubbed ‘Baby Beast’ by some of our older athletes, she lives up to the friendly nickname daily.”
Out of the pool, Kayla is happy-go-lucky and sometimes downright goofy. She can also be quite shy, which completely changes when she steps up on the blocks. She loves to cook and dance to her favorite K-pop groups.
SWIMMING WORLD: What is the best thing you do in swimming?
KAYLA HAN: Racing other people during practice and keeping a positive mindset during tough sets.
SW: What are some of the toughest workouts/sets you’ve done?
KH: There are tough sets every day, but once every few months, we do a test set of 30×100 long course, holding your fastest average.
SW: What is your favorite thing about swimming?
KH: The feeling of excitement when you know your race is going to be good…and seeing the smiles on my teammates’ faces after a good race.
SW: What are you most looking forward to this year?
KH: I’m excited to race in more events that I usually don’t swim. Out of the pool, I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends.
SW: Who is someone you look up to in swimming… and why?
KH: Elizabeth Beisel…because she’s one of the greatest 400 IMers. She’s kind and she gives good advice.
SW: What are you favorite hobbies?
KH: Watching anime, listening to K-pop and playing with my dog.
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[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]
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FEATURES
010 | TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES: READY FOR IMPACT
by Dan D’Addona, Matthew De George, John Lohn, David Rieder and Andy Ross
As the United States was still selecting its Olympic swimming team in mid-June, most countries had already decided who would be competing at the COVID-19 pandemic-delayed Olympic Games this summer. Here are profiles of 10 swimmers from around the world who have been preparing to make an impact in Tokyo.
022 | TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: ICONIC MOMENTS IN OLYMPIC HISTORY
by John Lohn
In October of 2019, nearly a year prior to the original date of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Swimming World designed a series that would pay homage to the history of the sport on its biggest stage. For our final installment of “Takeoff to Tokyo,” we offer a look at some of the most prominent moments in Olympic lore.
026 | AS GOOD AS IT GETS
by Dan D’Addona
In our Olympic preview of artistic swimming, Swimming World notes that Russia is a perfect 10-for-10, winning every Olympic gold medal possible—duet and team—since the turn of the century. Led by Svetlana Romashina and Svetlana Kolesnichenko, Russia will be tough to beat next month, Aug. 2-7, in Tokyo.
COACHING
20 | SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: MAXIMIZING SWIMMING VELOCITY (Part 3)—MINIMIZING THE ARM ENTRY PHASE TIME IN FREESTYLE AND BUTTERFLY
by Rod Havriluk
The non-propulsive time in a stroke cycle consists of the time for the entry phase and the recovery phase. This article presents strategies to minimize the entry phase time for freestyle and butterfly so that a swimmer can decrease stroke cycle time, increase stroke rate and increase swimming velocity.
040 | A COACHES’ GUIDE TO ENERGY SYSTEMS (Part 2)
by Michael J. Stott
Last month, Swimming World explored the concept of energy systems and how coaches can use them to maximize athlete development and performance. In Part 2, we examine how one incorporates his understanding of energy systems into a seasonal training plan.
042 | Q&A WITH COACH SID CASSIDY
by Michael J. Stott
043 | HOW THEY TRAIN MEGAN MORONEY AND ASPEN GERSPER
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
019 | DRYSIDE TRAINING: SUMMER SPEED
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
45 | UP & COMERS: KAYLA HAN
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 | A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
018 | THE OFFICIAL WORD
027 | 2021 AQUATIC DIRECTORY
046 | GUTTERTALK
047 | PARTING SHOT
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