Lessons with the Legends: Don Watson
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Swimming World continues a series in which top coaches share some of the secrets of their success. The October issue of Swimming World Magazine highlights the many accomplishments of Coach Don Watson.
Watson spent 24 years as the director of the University of Texas Swim Center and manager of Longhorn Aquatics Swim Club. There he helped host more than 45 major swimming competitions, including the 1988 Olympic Trials. However, his lasting legacy is as a high school and an open water coach of storied marathoners John Kinsella and Sandra Bucha.
His seminal influences were among swimming’s best. A teammate of Doc Counsilman while at the St. Louis YMCA, Watson won the 1650 yard free at the 1946 YMCA national championships while Counsilman took the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. In 1946, 1947 and 1948, Watson captured the 22-mile Mississippi River swims.
To date, he has been inducted into three halls of fame: ISHOF (2015), International Marathon Swimming (2013) and the Hinsdale Central High School Foundation (2003).
To learn more about Watson and his many accomplishments, check out the October 2018 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now! Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault!
[PHOTO COURTESY: PETER H. BICK]
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FEATURES
022 SWIMMING’S RESPECTFUL REBEL
by Annie Grevers
Michael Andrew turned pro at the age of 14. He embraced the non-traditional Ultra-Short Race-Pace Training. Despite his naysayers, the 19-year-old fully believes he’s doing what he needs to do to pull out his God-given potential. And he proved it this summer with his men’s high-point performance at nationals and a 50 free gold medal at the Pan Pacific Championships.
026 FOR LOVE OF THE SPORT
by David Rieder
Kathleen Baker has always loved swimming. It’s been a motivating force that has helped her battle Crohn’s disease and that has led her to help others believe they can overcome their own medical challenges. And it’s a quality that she has shown throughout her career that’s included a world record, Olympic gold and silver plus medals of every color at the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Pan Pacific Championships.
030 A TRANSITION YEAR
by Dan D’Addona
College swimming may have lost the top two swimmers in the world—with Katie Ledecky turning pro and Caeleb Dressel graduating—but there will still be plenty of storylines to follow this college season.
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: DON WATSON
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: ISCA HALL OF FAME SUMMIT
by Rod Havriluk
This month’s article reports some of the highlights and coach reactions from the International Swim Coaches Association annual conference, held Aug. 28-31, in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Many coaches are now applying science to support their swimmers to swim faster and with fewer injuries.
016 TOYS FOR BOYS…AND GIRLS
by Michael J. Stott
Thanks to new and innovative equipment for training, today’s swimmers have enjoyed more productive workouts, resulting in faster swimming.
040 KNOW THYSELF…AND YOUR OPPONENT
by Michael J. Stott
A good race plan and an awareness of your opponents’ tendencies can help you perform at your best.
042 Q&A WITH COACH KAMI GARDNER
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN EMILY HAGEBOECK
by Michael J. Stott
JUNIOR SWIMMER
045 UP & COMERS: MICHAEL PICKETT
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 BEYOND THE YARDS
018 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
032 PREP SCHOOL DIRECTORY
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT