I have known Rich for many years and, in my opinion, his performances in Atlanta were definately the over-all highlight of the meet. He puts alot of pressure on himself, but, also there is a lot of high expectations from his peer group to deal with. He was ready!!! Totally focused and one great swim just piled on to the next. I wonder is Cullen Jones can go 22.1 in the year 2050 or Rowdy 15 years from now!!!!
I salute you my friend,
Bob Strand
We're going to interview Rich this week and make him a full-on feature in an upcoming episode of "The Morning Swim Show."Please post a link when that's up. I think 1976 swimmers in Atlanta walked away thinking, "I want to swim like Rich!"
Hi, everyone. It was a no-brainer to make Rich our performance of the week. I saw Rich swim at one of my first Masters meets, in 2000, and I was astounded.
We're going to interview Rich this week and make him a full-on feature in an upcoming episode of "The Morning Swim Show."
Good choice. I hope it is at least a 2 hour interview.
Thanks for starting this thread Bob!
Besides being an incredible swimmer, Rich is also a very nice person!!
The roar of the crowd when he touched the wall in the 100 at 49.42 and again in the 50 in 22.1 was VERY, VERY LOUD!!! I was so pleased for him. He works very hard and deserves all of the accolades.:applaud:
Yes - Cheers! Rich WAS unbelievable!
I was wondering during the meet if some of the young kids there were watching the times posted by these older age-group masters. I did see some head shaking. But this early in the game, I don't think most even imagine themselves still swimming then.
It takes awhile for that idea to come around for most early 20 something swimmers.
Totally impressed with Charlotte Davis 60-64 as well. Had never seen her swim before and I don't know her... But she put a proud smile on my face every time she touched the wall!
Bob, I have to agree. Not to discount the MANY other awesome swims, Rich's performance was truely amazing. I'm not sure but I think he was 6 for 6 on NR's? 5 in individual events and then he broke the NR in the 50 back leading off a medley relay.
Truely amazing swimming and he's is an incredibly nice person.
Salute!!!
Totally impressed with Charlotte Davis 60-64 as well. Had never seen her swim before and I don't know her... But she put a proud smile on my face every time she touched the wall!
Check out her interview starting around the 3:40 mark and you'll be even more impressed with what she did this year.
YouTube- USMS Spring Nationals Sunday Recap
Everybody Wants to Be Rich
history of Rich Abraham's 50 freeTimes over Time:
Lifetime best 50 was 21.4
(hand held timing, 1965 NCAA's 2nd place)
30-34
22.21 age 31 in 1976
35-39
22.17 age 35 in 1980
40-44
22.14 age 43 in 1988
45-49
21.87 age 45 in 1990
21.78 age 48 in 1993
50-54
21.73 age 53 in 1998
55-59
21.82 age 55 in 04-30-00
60-64
22.30 age 60 in 05-22-05
65-69
22.10 age 65 in May 2010
his 22.10 50 is magnificent and remarkable. It's the result of who he is and how he trains. He get's it and does what it takes to be remarkable.
"One man's miracle is another man's engineering."
~ Robert Heinlein
USMS Top Ten Swims by Richard T Abrahams (146)
I have known Rich for many years and, in my opinion, his performances in Atlanta were definately the over-all highlight of the meet. He puts alot of pressure on himself, but, also there is a lot of high expectations from his peer group to deal with. He was ready!!! Totally focused and one great swim just piled on to the next. I wonder is Cullen Jones can go 22.1 in the year 2050 or Rowdy 15 years from now!!!!
I salute you my friend,
Bob Strand
I'll buy a fan club t-shirt! His times speak for themselves, but let me also say he is a wonderful person - so well rounded, positive, and an inspiration! I highly encourage everyone to go back thru the threads to re-read his tips!
And for other greats - Sheri Hart's swims were crowd pleasers for sure!
