I too enjoyed seeing the results of the Santa Clara meet. Besides seeing what the current times are, I like to see what splits swimmers are making. I am a 400/500 swimmer so I am always trying to negative split or even split my races. I like to see how consistent my 50's are. So by looking at the younger swimmers, I can see how consistent they are and what kind of drop off they have between the first and last 100. You can always learn from other swimmers, masters or age group.
Glenn :)
Yes, Richard Korhammer. His time was stunning. We were fortunate to have Leroy Kim for the next year. Both guys were amazing *** strokers.
The most interesting thing about those relays was actually the Osborne factor. Erik Osborne, who was Princeton's 50 freestyler, had his lung collapse during the final weeks of taper leading up to NCAAs in 1989. Rumor had it that getting out of bed was too much for the sprinter. Of course, he claims that it was climbing stairs to class. :)
We were lucky to have Robert Musslewhite take Erik's place. I don't think Robert had ever broken 21 flat start, so we were all a little "white knuckled" watching him being chased down by the big boys.
Being in the outside lane was fun in that the commentators disregarded our chance at winning, both years.
Unfortunately, I have lost my copies of those races.
Originally posted by letsrace
Yes, I am the same person.
Not quite. You can't even take 15 kicks per length underwater in a 100 now.
Just kidding, Mike. Good swims at Santa Clara but how can you stand training with those Cuda kids. Must be like going back in a time machine and finding yourself at Peddie.
Bob Seltzer
You are correct, being limited to 10 (or 11) kicks is a challenge, but I am starting to get the hang of it.
To be honest, I can't hang with the Cuda kids. Thankfully, Chuck Batchelor (the coach at Baracudas) is very supportive.
I only swim with them about twice a month, but each time I return back to my YMCA a little more humble.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Bob.
I feel guilty for having changed the focus of this thread, so I will try to help guide this back to the meet.
I saw several great swims. Some of the standouts for me were the men's 200 free. Sure, Phelps was incredible as usual, but I was most impressed with Peter Vanderkaay. He has a remarkable stroke.
As his hand enters the water the water seems to roll up over his arm, shoulder and head with very little splash. Seems like a minor thing to note, but with each stroke I could see the water flowing over his cap. One might suggest that this was caused by his burying his head, but don't think so. It was some magical interaction with his arm entry and head position.
His time wasn't too bad either.
Lochte in the prelims of the 200 back was something to see. He was clearly cruising just to make finals, but when he hit the last turn he kicked out with great power. It looked to me that he pulled even with Piersol simply with his underwater kickout in the last turn. Not bad, considering that he had a .83 deficit at the 150. He scratched to have a better 400 that night, I suspect.
To look at the results, one might ask "what happened to Natalie in the 50 free". Her morning swim was a 25.92 while her evening swim was a 26.57. What is missing from the results is the stroke she was swimming.
Yes, in the morning she did freestyle, where she looked very easy. She came out about a half body length ahead after what looked to me like a relaxed underwater kick. At night she had a much more powerful underwater kick and came up swimming fly. Pretty impressive.
