Lessons with the Legends: Ron Ballatore
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Swimming World continues a series in which top coaches share some of the secrets of their success. The March issue of Swimming World Magazine highlights the many accomplishments of Coach Ron Ballatore.
Ballatore coached the UCLA Bruins from 1978 until 1994 when the school axed the program, citing Title IX complications and a weakened financial condition. Earlier, from 1967 to 1978, he coached at Pasadena City College and later at Brown University (1994-95) and the University of Florida (1996-99). But until his death in 2012, his heart was most associated with the Bruins.
Seven Ballatore UCLA athletes—among them world record holders Brian Goodell, Bill Barrett, Robin Leamy, Bruce Hayes and Tom Jager—won 25 individual NCAA titles in 10 di erent events ranging from the 50 free to 400 IM and one-meter diving. The Bruins claimed their sole national championship in 1982 when their 400 free relay edged defending champion Texas to win, 219 to 210. Ballatore’s swimmer Rafael Escalas remains the only athlete to be seeded last (31st) in the 1650 free (1981) and win a national championship.
To learn more about Ballatore and his many accomplishments, check out the March issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!
[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]
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FEATURES
016 PRIMED FOR THE SEQUEL
by Dan D’Addona
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020 A REPEAT FOUR-PEAT?
by Dan D’Addona
Texas won four NCAA team titles in a row from 1988 through 1991. They’re on the verge of making that happen again in 2018, having already won three straight championships since 2015.
024 CAN’T GET ENOUGH
by Andy Ross and David Rieder
The swimming superpowers of NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and NJCAA will try to pick up where they left off last year and continue their dominance at their respective national championships.
027 INSPIRED
by David Rieder
Townley Haas’ story about his rapid rise to become an American record holder and an Olympic gold medalist is inspiring. What’s more inspiring to Haas, however, is the positive outlook on life shown by his sister, Emily. In 2007, she survived being shot in the head at the Virginia Tech massacre that killed 32 people and wounded 17.
030 COMING INTO HER OWN
by Annie Grevers
In 2017, Mallory Comerford tied freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky at NCAAs and collected five gold medals at the World Championships. Named USA Swimming’s “Breakout Swimmer of the Year,” the 20-year-old University of Louisville junior and team captain is more than ready to see what 2018 will bring.
034 TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
by Bruce Wigo
To celebrate women’s history month, Swimming World looks back at one of history’s most awful tragedies—the General Slocum Disaster—and how it influenced the right to swim for women.
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: RON BALLATORE
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: CAN KATIE LEDECKY SWIM FASTER? (Part 2)
by Rod Havriluk
Katie Ledecky absolutely has the potential to swim faster—much faster. She could make three important technique improvements regarding the head, arm coordination and pull phase.
037 COLLEGE SWIMMING: BEING YOUR BEST
by Michael J. Stott
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048 Q&A WITH COACH BILL PILCZUK
by Michael J. Stott
050 HOW THEY TRAIN JOEL AX
by Michael J. Stott
JUNIOR SWIMMER
053 UP & COMERS: EMMA KERN
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 BEYOND THE YARDS
036 THE OFFICIAL WORD
040 2018 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
052 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
054 GUTTER TALK
056 PARTING SHOT