Chase Kalisz Moving to Arizona to Reunite With Bob Bowman in Pro Training Group
During his teenage years, Chase Kalisz trained with coach Bob Bowman at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, and the two worked together again from 2015 to 2016 when Kalisz took an Olympic redshirt year from the University of Georgia to train in Tempe, Ariz., under Bowman’s guidance in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. Kalisz has worked with Bowman for brief stints since then, including at an altitude training camp this spring, but now he is moving west again to train full-time under Bowman.
Kalisz finished his NCAA eligibility at Georgia in 2017, but he remained under Jack Bauerle’s tutelage through this year. Now, with Bauerle retired, Kalisz will join a group of swimmers at Arizona State that includes former Georgia teammates Hali Flickinger and Olivia Smoliga as well as the swimmer who this year took over the title of world’s best individual medley swimmer, Leon Marchand. Earlier Tuesday, three-time Olympic medalist Regan Smith also announced plans to join Bowman’s group in Tempe.
Kalisz shared his announcement in an Instagram post Tuesday. “After 10 years it’s finally time to say goodbye to Athens. Thank you to @jack.bauerle & @ugaswimdive for all the incredible memories and experiences! Excited to be getting back to the old age group coach ? Time to get to work! ??☀️”
Kalisz was the Olympic silver medalist in the 400 IM in 2016, and five years later in Tokyo, he opened the Olympics by winning gold in the 400 IM in a 1-2 finish with fellow American Jay Litherland. This year, Kalisz swam his fastest time in the 400 IM in four years as he won bronze in the event at the World Championships behind Marchand and American Carson Foster. The 28-year-old has won at least one medal at every international competition in which he has competed, a streak that goes back to the 2013 World Championships.
It is going to be exciting times in Tempe – ASU I look forward to the 23 September ASU intersquad meet where the pro swimmers also compete. Imagine a 3 of the top 400 IMs all competing in the same race! Now if Carson shows up as a guest….. If it is run as a long course 400 IM with MP as on deck as announcer…