Is swimming "eating its young?" Are they being burned out with mindless yardage? Do they have to do volume training for long events? Are we missing masters swimmers who were burned out as youths? As to the kids, what can we do to stop the cannabalism?
And I know of a 12-year-old who went to Olympic Trials with a cut in the 100 Fly after beginning year-round swimming less than a year earlier. She did well but 4 years later she had the confidence and experience to qualify for the Olympic team to final in an individual event and take gold/WR on a relay.
Wow! That is awesome. :bow: You're right, I guess it just depends on the makeup of the individual kid. Some kids come on early and just keep going; others (like Kate Zeigler) start shining a little later. I did notice at the meet I was at this weekend that some 12 year olds loved the excitement and competition and thrived on it, while others seemed nervous and didn't improve their times at all. Of course, that could be do to many factors too ...
And I know of a 12-year-old who went to Olympic Trials with a cut in the 100 Fly after beginning year-round swimming less than a year earlier. She did well but 4 years later she had the confidence and experience to qualify for the Olympic team to final in an individual event and take gold/WR on a relay.
Wow! That is awesome. :bow: You're right, I guess it just depends on the makeup of the individual kid. Some kids come on early and just keep going; others (like Kate Zeigler) start shining a little later. I did notice at the meet I was at this weekend that some 12 year olds loved the excitement and competition and thrived on it, while others seemed nervous and didn't improve their times at all. Of course, that could be do to many factors too ...
