New Generation: National Team Nods a Spark to Greater Success For Emerging Stars
Across the sports world, the opportunity to represent one’s country has always been a monumental achievement. But in the world of swimming, the opportunity to compete for one’s country means just a bit more. This selection vaults you into an exclusive club of the world’s best, and provides the opportunity to pursue the sport as a career.
Recently, USA Swimming announced its National Teams for the upcoming year, with 106 swimmers selected. Of these 106 athletes, nearly half are still currently in college, with a handful still undecided about their future. These young athletes are in breakthrough mode, seeking to be the future of USA Swimming. I spoke with four of these swimmers, in order to get their perspective on what the opportunity might mean for their careers.
Benefiting From Leadership
First-time selection Tommy Janton has been to a lot of significant meets. The ACC finalist has competed on some of the largest stages in swimming, including the NCAA Champs. But with the lights shining brightest at the 2024 Olympic Trials, Janton felt the pressure of the moment.
“I just was thinking about all these things, whether it was dropping time or having a chance at making the team,” he said. “I just needed to hold my composure.”
Facing stress, Janton sought guidance, and turned to a superb source on handling pressure: Nine-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder Caeleb Dressel.
“I started explaining to him how I had a chance to make the team and all this… and he told me to slow down,” Janton said. Dressel advised Janton to “think like a goldfish,” by taking each race “one step at a time” and forgetting the previous race in preparation for the next challenge.
This type of leadership led to Janton earning National Team selection, something he believes will help him “learn a lot” this upcoming season. The backstroker pointed to interactions with Olympians Ryan Murphy and Dressel as experiences he was “grateful for,” since “being next to some of the greatest guys in the country… you become one.”
Collective Confidence
The ready room at swim meets is usually an incredibly tense place. Swimmers do anything to prepare themselves for the big moment, often looking to intimidate or block out her competitors. But for first time-selection Josephine Fuller, the ready room has become “a place of excitement,” thanks to the camaraderie she has experienced.
“It’s just a really fun place for reunions” said Fuller. “It’s very fun to race each other.”
Fuller pointed to her swims at the Pan-American Games as a start to this phenomenon. It was the Tennessee swimmer’s first international meet, leaving her uneasy. However, she “surprised herself with her comfortability” on the big stage, largely due to the shared experience with her Team USA teammates.
“We all gave each other energy” Fuller said, “It instilled the confidence in me that I belonged on that stage.”
A New Role
Dylan Gravley is now a three-time selection to the U.S. National Team, making him a wily veteran of the distance group. An influx of youth talent has emerged, following the excellence set by the team’s veterans.
“It’s very different. I still feel like a baby,” Gravley said.
Gravley pointed to the wave of “pool swimmers getting into open water” as a reason for this younger movement. “Swimmers like Gregorio (Paltrinieri) and Florian (Wellbrock) have brought along a new wave, making it even more important to train at an aerobic clip.”
The National Team won’t be a new experience for Gravley, but the swimmer still feels appreciative for the opportunity, largely due to its perks.
“Open water swimming is very well supported,” he said, pointing to the funding for competition and travel as essential. The swimmer hopes this support will help him compete internationally.
Progressing the Program
The National Team experience represents a big stepping stone for an athlete. Second-time selection Daniel Matheson is hoping to further encourage his collegiate teammates and celebrate their collective achievements. Matheson indicated that having “a squad of around 20 people” with him for support at Trials was something that helped him perform well, allowing him to “disconnect from swimming” and be with his team.
“The energy my team brought was electric,” he said. “It will only continue to grow.”
For all four of these swimmers, National Team selection represents a key year in their journey. From NCAA Championships aspirations to international training goals, all have goals to chase. But it seems obvious that placement on this national team should help all four continue to strive for new goals and superb seasons.