This holiday week featured the U.S. National Team hitting the red carpet, while stars Down Under posted some impressive times at the Aussie Short Course Championships. Take a look below to see the top five headlines we’re recapping on this edition of The Week That Was.
The Week That was is supported by AgonSwim.com
The Week That Was #5 – Stars Prepare for AT&T Winter Nationals in Federal Way
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
The best swimmers in the country will take on the 2015 AT&T Winter Nationals at Federal Way this week, with competition from December 3-5th. The meet will be in long course format this year, and fans will have a chance to see major national teamers and Olympic champions as they continue their preparation for 2016 Trials. A shortlist of those competing includes Olympic gold medalists Nathan Adrian, Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Matt Grevers, Allison Schmitt and Michael Phelps. Nearly 40 national team members are expected to compete at the meet as a part of 700 total athletes. USA Swimming will be doing a live broadcast of the meet, while NBC will also be televising highlights of the action on Sunday, December 6th from 1-2 p.m. EST. Be sure to check in with Swimming World regularly to get results and recaps of each session.
The Week That Was #4 – Towson Coach Charged In Connection to Video Recording
Photo Courtesy: Competitor
More details have emerged related to the ongoing investigation of a suspected planted video and audio recording device that was found in the Towson University women’s swim team locker room. As reported last week, first year assistant Jake Shrum has been named as the interim head coach in light of the investigation, leaving head coach Pat Mead, head diving coach Maureen Mead, and assistant coach Adrienne Phillips removed from the team’s coaching staff News broke this week that Maureen Mead will be charged with three counts in connection to the ongoing investigation. The three counts include the “Interception of Communication,” “Peeping Tom,” and “Altering Physical Evidence in a Criminal Proceeding.” The investigation is still ongoing.
The Week That Was #3 – Swimming World Magazine Announces Top Swimmers From Across The Globe
Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia
This week Swimming World revealed the first top male and female swimmers from three of the major regions across the globe. Europe, Africa, and the Pacific Rim were the first three areas to be announced and, naturally, featured no shortage of talent. Among the honorees were three-time Olympian Kirsty Coventry, breaststroke world record holder Adam Peaty, and Aussie backstroke phenomenon Emily Seebohm. Click on the above links to read the full recap for each region, including details on the region’s winner and other notable swimmers who were in contention.
The Week That Was #2 – 2015 Golden Goggles Honors U.S. National Team
Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers
This week the best of the best had a chance to ditch their caps and goggles and hit the red carpet for this year’s annual Golden Goggle Awards. “Workaholics” star and former University of Wisconsin swimmer Anders Holm was the evening MC, and presenters including Olympic legends Summer Sanders and Gary Hall Jr. were on hand to help with the night’s proceedings. Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps both took home the top honors of the night, winning the Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards. Since it’s inception in 2004, the Golden Goggle Awards have honored the U.S. National Swim Team while also serving as an important fundraiser for the USA Swimming Foundation, which works to save lives and build champions. Check out our recap of the event for a full list of winners and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to check out video clips from the red carpet!
The Week That Was #1 – Mitch Larkin and Cate Campbell Highlight Australian Short Course Championships
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr
While there wasn’t much domestic swimming in the U.S. this week, that didn’t stop some swimmers from Down Under from lighting up the pool at the Australian Short Course Championships. The event featured a bounty of Australian, Commonwealth, and All-Comer records, with a few World Records as well throughout the four day competition. Leading the charge was Aussie backstroke star Mitch Larkin, who is fresh off a dominant performance in the backstroke events throughout the World Cup circuit. Larkin broke the 200 backstroke world record while also setting an Australian record in the 50 backstroke and scaring the world record in the 100 backstroke. Not to be outdone, on the last day of the meet sprint star Cate Campbell became the first woman under :51 in the short course 100 freestyle en route to breaking the existing world record. Other notable swims came from male sprint star Cameron McEvoy, who became the first Aussie to win the 50-100-200 triple since 1988, and Emily Seebohm, who just missed the world record in the 200 backstroke.
Check out all Swimming World interviews, race videos, recaps, and results on our Meet Landing Page.