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The third cluster of the 2018 FINA World Cup started this week, with many of the same stars coming to the Water Cube to compete. Check out the highlights from that meet and the biggest stories from the week that was below!
The Week That Was #5 – Texas Women Extend Dual Meet Winning Streak; Men Avenge 2017 Loss To Texas A&M
John Shebat; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The Big 12 saw an intense weekend of action, headlined with the University of Texas Longhorn men taking down the Texas A&M Aggies after a historic loss last year. John Shebat threw down the fastest time in the NCAA this year in the 200 IM (1:45.58) while also posting the eighth-fastest time in the NCAA this year in the 100 back with a 47.34. Texas women also had a strong weekend, winning their sixteenth straight dual meet to continue to show why they are the #1 ranked team in the country. Michigan freshman Maggie Macneil proved she was not a one-swim wonder after her new school record last week in the 100 fly, nearly taking it down again in a tri-meet against Iowa and Denver when she touched in 51.57. You catch up on all the college news from the week here.
The Week That Was #4 – Ledecky And King Speak At Anti-Doping Summit At White House
Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers
Katie Ledecky and Lilly King both spoke at an anti-doping summit at the White House this week, calling for reform of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA recently reinstated the Russian anti-doping agency after a three-year ban, a controversial move that many athletes, including King and Ledecky, publicly criticized on social media. Ledecky spoke through a video statement, while King made an appearance in person. King has been very vocal on this issue, calling out Russian breaststroke Yulia Efimova over her multiple failed drug tests and criticizing the decision to allow her to return to the sport. In total, 14 athletes attended the summit.
The Week That Was #3 – Junya Koga Handed Four Year Ban From FINA
Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA
Olympian Junya Koga has been handed a four year ban by FINA. The 31-year old backstroker had failed two drug tests back in March of 2018, which resulted in his removal from the Japanese National Team. Over the summer Koga had been seeking a reduction in the ban, testifying at a hearing in late August that his ingestion of the banned substance was not intentional. His request was rejected. According to the original report, Koga intends to submit an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have the ban overturned or reduced. Koga has been a member of the Japanese National Team for nearly a decade, breaking out in 2009 at the FINA World Championships when he was World Champion in the men’s 100 backstroke. Koga has since medaled at both long course and short course World Championships in addition to medals at the Pan Pacific Championships and the Asian Games. Most recently, Koga was the silver medalist in the 50 backstroke at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest.
The Week That Was #2 – Mizzou Head Coach Placed On Paid Administrative Leave
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
University of Missouri head coach Greg Rhodenbaugh has been placed on administrative leave while the school investigates allegations concerning a Title IX issue. It was initially reported that the investigation was related to “team management issues” within the program, according to a release from the Mizzou Athletics Department. Associate Head Coach Andrew Grevers will take over as interim head coach until the completion of the investigation. “We recently were made aware of serious team management allegations by our student-athletes, and it is appropriate that Coach Rhodenbaugh be placed on paid administrative leave while the University conducts a full investigation,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. Grevers has been with the program for the past nine years, the same tenure as Rhodenbaugh. He has served as the Associate Head Coach since the 2016-17 season.
The Week That Was #1 – Russians Have Strong Showing At 2018 World Cup In Beijing
Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnyakirill p
The third cluster of the 2018 FINA World Cup kicked off in Beijing at the Water Cube this week. Vlad Morozov continued his strong world cup showing with four more gold medals, while Russian Kirill Prigoda moved up to #1 in the world in the men’s 200 breast (2:01.59). Prigoda also won the 50 breast (26.02) and 100 breast (56.61). Notably, American Michael Andrew tied Cody Miller’s American record in the 50 breast (26.15) when earning the silver medal behind Prigoda. Other notable swims included China’s Xu Jiayu moving up to fifth all-time in the 50 back and Dutchwoman Ranomi Kromowidjojo taking down Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in the 50 and 100 freestyles. You can see all the results and recaps from the 2018 FINA World Cup here.
