The SwimSwam Podcast

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In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Episodes

Tuesday Jul 20, 2021

How Fast Will Michael Andrew Swim at The Olympic Games?

Tuesday Jul 20, 2021

The title above is for swim fans here on SwimSwam.com. If you want to play the prediction game, see my predictions below. The title probably should be How Does Olympic Swimmer Michael Andrew Handle Media Pressure?

In the aftermath of USA Swimming’s press conference last week with 2021 Team USA Olympian Michael Andrew, I asked him to come on the SwimSwam podcast. If you missed it, see his press conference here. He went viral because of his response about why he wasn’t vaccinated. (For the record, I am vaccinated, and I recommend it. I trust the science. I also strive to respect others' opinion on this topic despite my personal feelings.) At any rate, I didn’t ask Michael to come on the pod to debate or defend himself. I did want to know how he has handled the media pressure.

For anyone in swimming, you know Michael’s been a lightening rod since he was ten years old, back when he started his ambush on nearly every National Age Group Record in the sport.

Michael unpacks his long journey and how he’s handled criticism over the years, from his choice to train exclusively USRPT to turning pro at the tender age of 14. Michael also opens about his decision to not participate in Season III of the International Swimming League (ISL), which partly includes more insight about the Michael Andrew Swim Academy. Finally he deconstructs his Olympic Trials performance and looks ahead to the Olympics and Team USA’s challenges in the men’s relays.

For curious mind, see the Michael Andrew Swim Academy here.

MICHAEL ANDREW - OLYMPIC GAMES PREDICTIONS:

200 IM? Michael wins gold in the 200 IM with another 1:55 low. However, Michael swims faster in the semi, just dipping under 1:55 for a new PB.

100 breast? I’d like to see a 57 plus. I think he makes the podium, winning a bronze.

50 free? 21.3 and he’s bronze or just off the podium. (I see a fast 50m free final. Dressel dips under 21 seconds, 20.86, and he pulls two more swimmers along each posting 21.1 and 21.2.)

Mixed Medley Relay? Michael Andrew nets gold swimming in the prelim. Team USA switches the lineup in the final, going with King in the breast and Dressel in the Fly.

Medley relay? I don’t know. I think the U.K. wins, which SwimSwam Editor-in-Chief Braden backed up, and which I’ve already stated in our Olympic Games podcast preview (which drops Friday). SwimSwam Head of Production Coleman Hodges disagrees. He thinks Team USA wins back the gold after the 2019 World Championship loss.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Jul 19, 2021

Breaking Down the Biggest Races of the 2020 Olympic Games: Days 1-3

Monday Jul 19, 2021

We sat down with SwimSwam Co-founders Braden Keith and Mel Stewart to bring you a comprehensive preview of the biggest races to watch in the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games. In the first 3 days of competition, we'll see barn-burners like the women's 400 free, men's 100 back, women's 100 back, and both 4x100 free relays, where the Australian women and USA men looked prime to defend their 2016 titles.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Friday Jul 16, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About USA Water Polo Heading Into the 2020 Olympics

Friday Jul 16, 2021

We sat down with Greg Mescall, the head of digital content for USA Water Polo. For those in our audience who are less informed about the happenings and current status of USA Water Polo (cough, me) heading into the 2021 Olympics, Greg is here to help. He gives us a verbal players guide on medal favorites, how the tournament works, and USA men's and women's chances at topping the podium.

Toward the end of the podcast, we talk about Greg's personal sporting experience, not only traveling with the water polo team but also calling for NBC, ESPN, and more in a variety of sports, both summer and winter. Greg has some great insights into what can be gained from saying yes to opportunities like this, big or small, especially if you're a sports fan or want to become more well versed in athletics.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Thursday Jul 15, 2021

Liam Custer on Stanford Commit, Ascent to Class of 2022's Top Distance Star

Thursday Jul 15, 2021

We sat down with Liam Custer, our #3 ranked recruit in the boys' high school class of 2022. Custer made big news last week when he announced his verbal commitment to Stanford in conjunction with our #2 recruit, Josh Zuchowski. Custer explains what went into that decision and why he and Josh wanted to commit at the same time.

Custer also goes into detail about training during the COVID pandemic and the improvements he's made in the last year, which are substantial ones on paper.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Wednesday Jul 14, 2021

Gabe Castaño on Tying Olympic 'A' Cut On 5th Attempt of Last Possible Weekend

Wednesday Jul 14, 2021

We sat down with Gabe Castaño, the Penn State grad who recently tied the Olympic 'A' cut in the 50 free with a 22.01 at the Swim Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo, California. Castaño describes his Olympic qualification in detail, from going to the Mare Nostrum tour and racing for 10 days in Europe (and not achieving the A standard) to going to California as a last chance effort and racing the 50 5 times over the course of the weekend, only to tie the A cut in his time trial (50 #5) on the last day of the Olympic qualification period.

Castaño also takes us through his humble beginnings in swimming, as he was a late bloomer who didn't start swimming seriously until high school but went on to become an NCAA All-American for Penn State.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Jul 12, 2021

Josh Zuchowski on Stanford Commit with Liam Custer, Having His Dad as His Coach

Monday Jul 12, 2021

We sat down with Josh Zuchowski, the #2 ranked recruit in the class of 2022. Zuchowski just verbally committed to Stanford along with #3 in their class, Liam Custer. Josh explains what went into this decision and his reaction to the SwimSwam commentor's reactions. We also get deep in the weeds on Zuchowski's swimming background, including what it has meant to have his father as his coach since he was 11.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Monday Jul 12, 2021

Ron Aitken Describes 1500 for Time After 70k Training Week at Olympic Camp

Monday Jul 12, 2021

We sat down with Ron Aitken, the head coach of the Sandpipers of Nevada, the club team that has 4 current or former swimmers on the 2021 Olympic team. Aitken goes into full detail on what his 3 distance girls have been doing at the Olympic Training Camp (which he got to attend and coach at) in Hawaii. This includes a 1500 for time on a Saturday afternoon (2nd practice of the day) after hitting 70k during the week.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Sunday Jul 11, 2021

2021 Olympic Media Day - Press Conference: Smith, Ledecky, King

Sunday Jul 11, 2021

The 2021 Olympic team visited with the media on Thursday from their training camp in Hawaii to chat about the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. Regan Smith, Katie Ledecky, and Lilly King discuss topics such as being a teenager on the Olympic team, growing together as Team USA, and not having McDonald's in the Olympic village.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Sunday Jul 11, 2021

2021 Olympic Media Day - Press Conference: Manuel, Schmitt, Dressel, Murphy

Sunday Jul 11, 2021

The 2021 Olympic team visited with the media on Thursday from their training camp in Hawaii to chat about the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. Team captains Simone Manuel, Allison Schmitt, Caeleb Dressel, and Ryan Murphy addressed topics such as leading Team USA, this team being such a young team (11 teenagers) and no fans in the stands in Tokyo.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Saturday Jul 10, 2021

2021 Olympic Media Day - Press Conference: Dave Durden, Greg Meehan

Saturday Jul 10, 2021

The 2021 Olympic team visited with the media on Thursday from their training camp in Hawaii to chat about the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. Olympic head coaches Dave Durden and Greg Meehan discuss how training camp has gone thus far, what they've seen from certain athletes that looks promising, and much more.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS