Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
By Taylor Padington, Swimming World College Intern
For many, the U.S. Olympic Trials is the most daunting meet in the world. Why wouldn’t it be? You are surrounded by some of the most decorated Olympians of all-time.
Yet Molly Hannis stepped onto the pool deck in Omaha with the confidence of numerous international experiences she could use to pave her way to Rio. Hannis, a University of Tennessee graduate, earned her spot on the Olympic team after placing second in the 200-meter breaststroke with a 2:24.39, just behind fellow Olympic rookie Lilly King’s winning time of 2:24.08.
Upon making the Olympic team, Hannis had this to say: “It hasn’t really sunk it. I don’t think it’ll sink in until I’m with the team in training camp.”
With Rio just around the corner, here are three facts to help you get better acquainted with the force and talent that is Molly Hannis…
1. Hannis thinks outside of the box.
Photo Courtesy: Al Bello
With amazing speed, Hannis decided to opt out of doing a breaststroke pull out on the final 50 of her race. This is a very bold move for any swimmer to make considering that the breaststroke pullout is typically a place for swimmers to gain momentum in their race. Hannis decided to forgo the pullout and start her swimming before the rest of the field broke the surface. This risk paid off as Hannis ended up with the fastest final 50 in the field (36.1) to snag the second place finish.
2. She has the speed of Pikachu.
Photo Courtesy: Eric Francis
Hannis has undeniable speed in the pool, just take a look at her multitude of medals at the SEC championships. As her coach, Bret Lundgaard, would say, Hannis’ speed could also be a deterrent. “The challenge with Molly is that she’s kind of like Pikachu,” Lundgaard said, “…in the sense that she has all this electricity, but she can use it to absolutely fry herself.” Yet, as we saw in the 200-meter breaststroke finals in Omaha, Molly “Pikachu” Hannis was able to control her speed and earn her first Olympic berth.
3. Hannis never gives up.
Photo Courtesy: Azaria Basile
At Olympic Trials, third is the most dreaded spot to land in. The U.S. Olympic Team is comprised of the top two finishers, so the third place swimmer (in strokes other than free) is left thinking about what he or she could have done differently.
This is exactly what happened to Hannis. She had the speed to go out with the field in the 100 breaststroke but was unable to hold on and took third by six tenths of a second. Hannis used her third place finish as fuel to forge ahead and secure a spot on the US Olympic Team in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Team USA is fortunate to have tenacious Molly Hannis on their roster.
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Great article Taylor Padington