The SwimSwam Podcast

Swim Coach Matt Hurst on Mercersburg’s Storied Legacy And Why He Chose the Prep Path Over Division I

Today on the GMM Podcast, we have Matt Hurst, head coach of Mercersburg Academy, one of the most storied high school programs in swimming. Mercersburg isn’t just another prep powerhouse. This Pennsylvania boarding school has produced 32 Olympians, who’ve earned 11 Olympic medals, including five golds, representing the United States and 12 other nations. Beyond the Games, Mercersburg swimmers have collected hundreds of High School All-American honors, captured nine National High School team titles, and won more than 20 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships. But this conversation isn’t just about the past. It’s about the choices coaches make, the culture they build, and how swimming itself is evolving. Before taking over at Mercersburg, Hurst was the Associate Head Coach at Penn State. With that type of position, you might assume Matt’s next step would be a Division I head coaching job. Instead, he took a sharp turn choosing Mercersburg, and choosing to build a legacy in prep swimming rather than chase the collegiate grind. We talk about that decision, what motivated it, and how Mercersburg’s unique campus environment shapes athletes differently. Hurst digs into the academic-athletic balance of a prep school model, where swimmers don’t just train to win races but to understand the “why” behind excellence.

World Cup: Westmont Review & Toronto Preview | SWIMSWAM BREAKDOWN

Today on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss the second World Cup stop in Westmont and preview the final stop in Toronto. 

NCAA Overhaul: CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany Details Why These Changes Were Made

Today on the GMM Podcast, we have Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).  For the uniformed, CSCAA is a nonprofit member-based organization made up of college coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level.

World Cup: Carmel Review & Westmont Preview | SWIMSWAM BREAKDOWN

Today on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss the first World Cup stop in Carmel and preview the second stop in Westmont.

NCAA Format Change, Meet Recaps & World Cup Preview | SWIMSWAM BREAKDOWN

Today on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss the new changes to the NCAA Championship format, recap last weeks college swimming, and preview the upcoming World Cup stop in Carmel, Indiana.

From Santa Cruz to Watsonville Coach Lucas Sallas-Cunha Expands Swimming Growth

Today on the SwimSwam Podcast we’re joined by Lucas Sallas-Cunha, head coach of Quicksilver Swimming in Santa Cruz. Lucas has spent his career building champions in the pool, but his latest chapter is about something bigger: access. He recently expanded his program into Watsonville, California, a largely Hispanic/Latino community where swimming participation and water safety skills have historically been limited. To truly understand the cultural and structural barriers, Lucas earned his Doctorate in Education and centered his dissertation on the topic: “Understanding Water: Values, Viewpoints, and Behaviors That Influence Swimming Participation in Watsonville, CA.”

Jeff Pease — 4 Decades of Building Champions at North Coast Aquatics

Today on the SwimSwam Podcast we have Jeff Pease, a name that has been synonymous with San Diego swimming for over 40 years. Jeff is the founder, head coach, and team owner of North Coast Aquatics (NCA), one of the first coach-owned swim clubs in the United States, established back in 1979. What started as a bold idea has grown into the premier program in San Diego, consistently earning Gold and Silver Medal status from USA Swimming.

Torri Huske Breaks Down Her 2025 Worlds: World Records, Medals, and a Coaching Change

Today on the GMM podcast we have Torri Huske, who walked away from the 2025 World Championships with two relay golds (including world records), a relay silver, and an individual bronze in the 100 free.

Golden Goggles, Enhanced Games Financials, & NCAA Season Openers | SWIMSWAM BREAKDOWN

This week on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss last weekend's Golden Goggles Awards, the financial draw of the Enhanced Games, and top NCAA dual meets from across the country.

Georgetown's John Carroll Navigating Road Map as First Time Head Coach

After stops at Auburn, UNC-Wilmington, and Virginia, John Carroll is now the head coach of Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Carroll dives into his impressions of the team so far and what he's looking forward to as a first-time head coach. Georgetown starts its competition season vs crosstown rivals Howard University at the Battle at the Burr, one of the highest-attended college swimming dual meets in the country, on October 4.