After three unsuccessful tries (2008, 2012 and 2016), open water swimming sensation Ashley Twichell has finally earned her ticket to Tokyo—and Mom was there to see it happen! Ashley’s mom, Deirdre, flew to last summer’s World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, to cheer on her daughter. Ashley ultimately finished sixth overall to join Haley Anderson (second) as 2020 U.S. Olympians.
Deirdre recently talked to Swimming World Magazine about her tips for guiding a national team and now-Olympic athlete to success in and out of the pool.
INTERVIEW SNIPPET
Swimming World: How has the sport of swimming shaped Ashley’s character?
Dierdre Twichell: I feel that the sport of swimming has shaped Ashley’s character in a very positive way. As in any sport, there are highs and lows, and experiencing some of the most difficult moments has strengthened her resolve to continue to improve as a swimmer and as a person. Her perseverance over a long career has enabled her to achieve a lifetime goal. She takes the phrase, “Never give up,” to a whole different level. Her character has also been positively impacted by the relationships she has been fortunate enough to have formed with many amazing coaches and teammates over the years.
SW: What advice would you give to new swim parents?
DT: My advice to new swim parents would be to let the journey be about the athlete rather than the parent. Their motivation has to come from within, and we can support and encourage them…and we should, but we have to be careful not to let it become about our needs and dreams for them. Their love for the sport is the key to their success, and keeping it fun is crucial.
SW: When did you first realize Ashley had national team potential in the pool?
DT: I think that achieving All-America status her freshman year in college was an indication that she could have national team potential. Her steady improvement during the next three years at Duke motivated her to continue competitive swimming after college. She did not make her first national team until the summer after her graduation in 2011, when she moved out to California to train with Bill Rose at Mission Viejo.
Read more about Ashley and her mom Diedre Twichell by downloading the latest edition of Swimming World Magazine form the Swimming World Vault.
Photo Courtesy: PHOTO BY SIMONE RIVI, PROVIDED BY JAKED
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Swimming World Magazine April 2020 Issue
FEATURES
014 2019 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Dan D’Addona, David Rieder and Taylor Brien
022 FOR LOVE OF THE SPORT
by Andy Ross
There is no denying that Federica Pellegrini is the greatest 200 freestyler in history. What makes her illustrious career so special is her approach to swimming—she’s simply doing what she loves.
024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: SWIMMING’S FIRST FEMALE SUPERSTAR
by John Lohn
When the Olympic Games return to Tokyo this summer, one of the highlights will be a swimming schedule that is identical for men and women, the 1500 freestyle added for the ladies and the 800 freestyle added to the program for the gentlemen. But the first four editions of swimming at the Modern Olympics did not feature equality, with women not involved until 1912—at which point Fanny Durack made a major splash.
026 ISHOF: WHEN JAPAN RULED THE POOL
by Bruce Wigo
Japan’s men dominated world swimming in the 1930s, a period known as the Golden Age of Japanese Swimming.
030 THE OLYMPIC EFFECT
by Michael Randazzo
The upcoming Tokyo Olympics has shuffled the deck for the 2020 NCAA women’s water polo season.
032 MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH CLAIRE DONAHUE
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COACHING
008 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: GLEN HUMMER
by Michael J. Stott
012 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: PART I—BUTTERFLY
by Rod Havriluk
While information provided by underwater video alone can be useful, it doesn’t provide a quantitative measure of specific movements. A force analysis gives swimmers and coaches accurate and precise information so they can be absolutely certain of the impact of specific technique elements on performance.
034 ALL HAIL TO ALMA MATER!
by Michael J. Stott
Alumni support positively affects college swimming and diving teams across the country.
036 SPECIAL SETS: TRANSITION TRAINING
by Michael J. Stott
Frank Busch shares how he trained his NCAA national champion University of Arizona athletes in 2008 between NCAAs to the U.S. Olympic Trials.
042 Q&A WITH COACH MIKE LEONARD
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN LUKE PAXTON AND OWEN TAYLOR
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
011 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH SERIES—BREASTSTROKE
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
039 GOLDMINDS: BELIEVING IN YOURSELF
by Wayne Goldsmith
Here is a team-based approach to helping swimmers develop the quality of confidence.
045 UP & COMERS: KATIE CROM
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS
006 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
007 BEYOND THE YARDS
038 MOMS AT MEETS
046 GUTTERTALK
047 PARTING SHOT