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Special Sets:
“Bowe Knows Swimming”
By Michael J. Stott
A lightly recruited top-15 national prospect out of Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Bowe Becker was the 1-A 2014 and 2015 state champion in both the 50 (21.37/21.02) and 100 yard freestyles (47.14/47.12). Under Coach Kelly Kremer at the University of Minnesota (2015-19), he became an eight-time NCAA All-American, Big Ten champion and conference record holder in his sprint specialties (18.69/40.83). Becker ended 2020 by signing on for a second season with the ISL’s Cali Condors.
Bowe Becker was a multi-sport athlete until knee rheumatoid arthritis consigned him solely to swimming at age 11. In the pool, working with Sandpipers of Nevada coaches Ron Aitken and Cutter Haupt, Becker methodically developed into a first-class swimmer. “He was impassioned—he would do anything to get better,” says Aitken.
Becker’s training reflected the Sandpiper philosophy of competing in more than one event. “Doing so opens up greater athlete potential,” says Haupt. “We prepared Bowe to swim well and specialize in college. Had we focused on just the 50, we would have hindered and potentially jeopardized his long-term swimming career.
“Since we didn’t have wedges, we were forced to work differently. Some viewed Bowe as slow off the blocks. Ergo, we needed to do something more. As a result, we focused on several events, particularly the 100-200 frees and 100 fly, as well as body position, turns and kick.”
In Sandpiper practices, “Bowe was relentless,” says Haupt. “He pushed himself to the limit in everything. He was passionate, focused, a keen listener and processed what we told him with genuine interest. He also had a strong drive to correct his technique and swimming skills.
“Bowe was respectful, honest and, overall, just a lot of fun. He was—and is—super friendly. I didn’t particularly care for his taste in music, but he didn’t judge me for mine, which I think says a lot.
“He really worked hard on having strong finishes (third fastest final 25 at 2018 NCAAs with a 9.70) to overcome his habit of gliding into the wall. And (he worked hard on his) turns. Bowe would need reminders on technique, especially at the beginning of practice. Once he got those, he usually corrected any flaws for the remainder of the set/practice.”
To access Bowe Becker’s sample workout sets,
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[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]
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Swimming World March 2021 Issue
FEATURES
012 THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT
by Dan D’Addona
A year ago, all eyes were on Cal and Texas in what looked to be one of the greatest men’s NCAA Championship duels ever. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out that showdown, but spirits are running high one year later—not only for that much anticipated Cal-Texas confrontation, but for the simple fact that college swimmers will again be able to come together and compete at a national championship.
014 YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE
by Dan D’Addona
For years, Stanford and Cal have been battling each other for national supremacy at women’s NCAAs, with the Cardinal and Golden Bears finishing 1-2 in the last three championships. Before that, Cal had put together four team titles since 2009. But in 2021, look for Virginia to make its move—not only as a new rival, but quite possibly as a new champion!
016 ALL SYSTEMS GO…FOR NOW!
by Andy Ross
Although the NCAA Division III and NAIA had canceled their championship swimming and diving meets in early February, NCAA Division II was still a “go,” thereby preserving the possibility for Queens University of Charlotte to pursue its sixth straight men’s and women’s team titles.
018 DOC’S GUYS
by John Lohn
In the late 1960s into the early 1970s, Doc Counsilman’s Indiana University swimming program was a focal point of the sport. His legendary teams were a dominant presence not just on the collegiate scene, but also on the national—and international—stage.
021 THE “MOUNT RUSHMORE” OF NCAA DIVISION I SWIMMING
by Andy Ross
If there were a sculpture made of the top American NCAA Division I swimmers similar to the one depicting four U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore, Tracy Caulkins, Natalie Coughlin, Pablo Morales and John Naber would be worthy honorees. No other swimmer has won more NCAA D-I individual titles than those four.
024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: OLYMPIC RIVALRIES OF YESTERYEAR
by John Lohn
Rivalries have always defined the sport. Michael Phelps vs. Ian Crocker. Gary Hall Jr. vs. Alexander Popov. Shirley Babashoff vs. East Germany. These are just a few rivalries that stand out and should long be remembered. But what about the rivalries from the early days of swimming? As our “Takeoff to Tokyo” series continues, Swimming World takes a look at some of these rivalries from yesteryear.
026 WHO IS THIS GUY?
by David Rieder
Before the summer of 2019, Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas had been swimming under the radar. But if his performances since then are any indication, the end results could be spectacular. His coaches see his potential as basically unlimited, and recent history makes it tough to disagree. As for Casas, he has similarly lofty expectations for himself.
029 ISHOF: THE VALUE OF SWIMMING IN WAR
by Bruce Wigo
In the early 1900s, there was scarcely an American alive who was unfamiliar with the name of Frederick Funston. He was the most decorated and celebrated hero of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902)—famous in military and swimming history for his willingness to have his men swim across rivers, under fire, when, according to press reports, “They couldn’t otherwise get at the enemy quickly enough to suit them.”
COACHING
041 SPECIAL SETS: BOWE KNOWS SWIMMING
by Michael J. Stott
Bowe Becker has trained with Sandpipers of Nevada coaches Ron Aitken and Cutter Haupt as well as Kelly Kremer at the University of Minnesota (2015-19). The eight-time NCAA All-American, Big Ten champion and conference record holder in the 50-100 free now swims with the ISL’s Cali Condors. Coach Haupt provides some sample workouts from November 2014, which were done prior to that year’s December sectionals.
043 Q&A WITH COACH MATT BARANY
by Michael J. Stott
044 HOW THEY TRAIN MAGGIE PURCELL
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
040 DRYSIDE TRAINING: PULLING POWER
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
046 UP & COMERS: LIAM CUSTER
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
009 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT PRINCE DABULAMANZI & THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA?
011 THE OFFICIAL WORD
032 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
047 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
048 GUTTERTALK
049 PARTING SHOT
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