The Week That Was is sponsored by
This week saw tons of fast swims as the 2018 Mare Nostrum series continued at the European stops of Barcelona and Monaco this week, with plenty of the fastest times so far this year being thrown down in addition to a few close calls with world records.
The Week That Was #5 – Former Rowan Coach Tony Lisa Passes Away
Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden
This week the swimming world lost Tony Lisa, the former long-time head coach at Rowan University. Lisa was the head coach at Rowan for 35 years and also served as the president of the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) from 1998-2001. The head coach was also awarded the Richard E. Steadman award from the CSCAA in 2003, which is given annually to the coach who has done the most to spread joy and happiness within the sports of swimming and diving. During Lisa’s time at Rowan he won nine consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference titles between 1991-1999 and coached numerous National qualifiers and All-Americans. You can see the original posting about Lisa’s passing here.
The Week That Was #4 – Dana Vollmer Likely Skipping 2018 Nationals
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Three-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Dana Vollmer announced this week that she will most likely be missing this summer’s 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships. While Vollmer has been in the pool training with a focus on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games since the birth of her second son, Ryker, last summer, she explained in a social media post that she will be taking the summer to continue focusing on improving her health and strength in the water. Vollmer has battled numerous injuries throughout her career and said in her post she will focus on “retraining movement patterns” that she knows will benefit her in the long-term. Vollmer has competed this year as part of the TYR Pro Swim Series, however skipping Nationals this summer will leave her without a chance to qualify for the next two years of international teams. You can read Vollmer’s full post here.
The Week That Was #3 – John Carroll Removed As Head Coach Of Jersey Wahoos
Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien
John Carroll, the long time head coach for Jersey Wahoos, was released from his position for non-coaching related reasons a source close to the situation revealed to Swimming World this week. In a statement that appeared on the Wahoos website from the club’s Board of Directors, the club will be initiating a national search for a new Director of Competitive Swimming while Karen Clemens will take over as the interim Director during the search. Swimming World reached out to Carroll for comment but has yet to receive a response. You can read the full statement on Carroll’s departure from the Wahoos here.
The Week That Was #2 – Justin Ress Second Fastest American This Season In Charlotte
Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA
While international stars were battling it out in Europe, the 2018 Charlotte Ultraswim played host to a number of U.S. national stars. NC State had a strong contingent at the meet and had some of the most impressive performances of the meet. World Championship medalist Justin Ress had the standout performance of the meet in the 100 back, becoming the second fastest American so far this year (53.67) in what is always a crowded event for the American men. Other notable swims included Anton Ipsen’s 3:50.51 in the 400 free and Madison Kennedy’s win the 50 free (25.13). You can check out all the recaps and full coverage of the meet here.
The Week That Was #1 – International Stars Throw Down Fast Times At Mare Nostrum
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The European stops of the 2018 Mare Nostrum Tour came to close this week with the second and third stops in Barcelona and Monaco featuring many more fast swims. Plenty of swimmers were rattling world records this week, with a few rocketing their way to the top of the world rankings for 2018 in the process. In Barcelona Japanese world record holder Ippei Watanabe swam to #1 in the world in the 200 breast with a 2:07.74, making him the sole swimmer un 2:08 so far this year. Countrymate Rikako Ikee also moved past world record holder Sarah Sjostrom in the 100 fly to record the fastest time in the world this year (56.23) and also move up to 5th all-time in the event. Finally, Andrey Govorov was just off of the world record in the men’s 50 fly, which he won in 22.53 to earn the fastest time in the world so far this year. You can check out all of the fast swims from the last two stops of the European Mare Nostrum circuit here.
