Alexa Lantin Commits to Boston College

As Swim Swam Reports:

Alexa Lantin, a senior at School of the Holy Child in Rye, New York, has announced her intention to swim for Boston College next fall.

“I chose Boston College because I felt right at home the minute I set foot on campus. The more time that I spent with its amazing coaching staff and the entire team, the more I realized that I will be a part of a special family over the next four years. I’d like to thank my family, coach, school mentors, and friends who gave me the support that I needed during this amazing journey. Go BC!”

Lantin swims for Badger Swim Club under coach John Collins, where she specializes mainly in breast and distance free. This past summer she updated her LCM times in the 100/200 breast and 200 IM, reaching finals in both the 100m breast and 200m breast at Futures. She won the 200m breast at Connecticut Senior Invitation, and was 5th in the same event at Metropolitan Swimming Senior Championships. In 2016 she placed third in the 1500 free at Senior Mets, and was 6th in the 1650 free at Ithaca Sectionals.

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Andrew Babyak Commits to University of Michigan

As Swim Swam Reports:

Andrew Babyak has announced his verbal commitment to swim for The University of Michigan beginning in the fall of 2018. Also on the Wolverines’ roster for the class of 2022 will be fellow verbal commits AJ BornsteinDavid CleasonIan MiskelleyMichael MacGillivrayPatrick Callan, and Will Chan.

“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at The University of Michigan!  I want to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates for supporting me throughout this process and putting me in the position to have this opportunity.  I am looking forward to being part of the Michigan tradition.  Go Blue!”

The Bronxville High School senior has only been a one-sport athlete for a year. Prior to that he also played lacrosse, and made the All-Section and All-League teams as a defenseman at Bronxville. In high school swimming, Babyak won the 2017 New York State Public High School and Federation titles in the 500 freestyle (4:26.26) and anchored 2017 NYSPHSAA state champion 400 freestyle relay. He is a USA Swimming Scholastic All American and a two-time NISCA All-American.

Babyak swims year-round with Badger Swim Club in Larchmont, New York under coach John Collins. He won the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyles at Ithaca Sectionals and swam in the 200/400/800/1500 freestyle events at Summer Junior Nationals.

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Garrett Towne Commits to University of Toronto

As Swim Swam Reports: 

Garrett Towne, a backstroke and butterfly specialist who trains under multiple-time World Championship coach John Collins at Badger Swim Club in Larchmont, New York, has announced his commitment to University of Toronto for 2018-2019. The Toronto Varsity Blues are led by head coach Byron McDonald, a Canadian Olympian and ex-Michigan swimmer. The men’s team finished third in the U Sports Championships last February behind British Columbia and Calgary.

“The team culture, practice playlists, experienced staff, & Byron’s fascinating stories made Toronto my favorite place to continue to love to swim. Can’t wait to train, travel, & pursue a National Championship with the team next year.”

A senior at Hackley School, Garrett is a NISCA All-American and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American who has broken school records in the 100 back (49.19), 100 fly (50.00), 100 free (47.7, since broken by Liam Bogart), and all three relays. He also owns the Ivy League records in the 100 back (49.19) and 100 fly (50.00). Towne is a recipient of the Con Edison Scholar-Athlete award and was Ivy champion in the 100 backstroke 3 years in a row. (Hackley does not attend NY States.)

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Michael Phelps’ Mom on How to Raise an Olympian

As Swim Swam Reports:

The GOAT’s mom is asked constantly for the secret to success.

Her answer?

Parents parent, coaches coach, and swimmers swim.

We saw Debbie Phelps during all of Michael’s Olympic appearances: along with Michael’s sisters, and in with Rio his wife and son Boomer, up in the stands, watching nervously in the way that only parents watch: with white knuckles, screams and tears.

She was there the first time he broke a world record in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2001. Naturally, she was ringside for the triumph in Beijing. She was there for Michael’s “so-so” performance in London, and of course, the swan song at the Olympic Games in 2016.

Debbie Phelps raised the winningest Olympian in the history of the Games, along with his two sisters, as a single mother in Maryland. Michael, the youngest, quickly took up swimming at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club where his sisters trained. It was there that his partnership with his life-long coach Bob Bowman would form.

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USA Swimming opens Scholastic All-American Team to 9th graders

Reported by SwimSwim.com

The USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Program, which requires students to have success both in the pool and in the classroom, has been expanded to 9th graders for the first time this year.

To be eligible, swimmers must have both achieved a 3.5 GPA for the current academic year and achieve a 2017 Winter Junior Nationals qualifying time in an individual event between August 16th, 2017 and August 15, 2017.

The program uses a special calculation of GPA that rewards a half-point for advanced classes and only considers what it calls “academic courses,” meaning art, band, choir, orchestra, health, driver’s ed, physical education, and other classes are excluded from the calculation.

There are also special qualifications for open water swimmers (they must compete in the Open Water National Championships) and swimmers with disabilities (who must compete at the 2017 Can-Am Open or the 2018 World Para Swimming World Series.

Athletes must apply to be accepted into the program.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO APPLY

Congratulations to Wyatt Collins and the University of Texas Men’s Swim Team on their 4th straight NCAA win!

Wyatt and Jack Collins

As reported by Swim Swam:

It was a wee bit closer than it’d been the past three years, but the Texas Longhorns won their 4th-straight title at the 2018 Men’s NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships tonight. They won by 11.5 points, easily their narrowest margin of victory in this current streak of victories, and their 2nd-smallest margin of victory ever. They won by 193 points in 2017, 190.5 points in 2016, and 129 points in 2015.

This is the 2nd four-peat for Eddie Reese, the legendary Longhorns coach who has helmed the Longhorns since 1978. It’s the 14th overall victory for Reese and the Texas men, given them two more than any other men’s swimming & diving program.

Unlike previous years, the Longhorns had to battle a little more this meet for this win. A few of their key swimmers were off, and their highest relay finish was 3rd after winning four last year, but there was enough depth and grit to win out in a very tight race over Indiana and California.

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Congratulations to Andrew Babyak on being selected Con Ed Scholar Athlete of the week!

Badger Swimmmer, Andrew Babyak, was selected to be the Con Ed Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of February 27, 2018. Congratulations Andrew!

As reported by Bronxville School District:

Senior Andrew Babyak – a highly skilled, accomplished swimmer and dedicated student – has been named Con Edison’s Westchester Scholar Athlete of the Week. He was recognized for his athletic and academic achievements by a panel of athletic directors and coaches.

Babyak, who swims for the New Rochelle-Bronxville combined team, is a two-time state champion, two-time section champion, two-time All-American and one of the top 10 mid-distance freestyle swimmers in the country. He most recently became a section champion in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle individual events. He also won gold medals in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle relays as a member of the team. He has earned the 2017 Classroom Leadership award for collaboration, the David Engalls Award for excellence in academics and athletics, and the 2017 William and Mary Book Award.

“Among his many notable personal traits, Andrew’s perseverance has been his most notable and the one that I admire most,” guidance counselor Barbara Dhyne said. “He approaches life with determination and is not easily discouraged. Through it all, Andrew has a great attitude and good humor.”

Despite a demanding athletic training and competing schedule, Babyak has excelled in the classroom and takes a challenging course load consisting of Advanced Placement and honors level classes. He is an accomplished French and math student and has mastered advanced physics. According to Dhyne, one of his strongest skills is his writing, in addition to developing excellent research and organizational skills.

Throughout his high school career, Babyak has taken on leadership roles and organized collaborative classroom groups and outside study groups. He also worked with the nonprofit Fuel Up to Play 60, which is sponsored by the NFL and National Dairy Council, to lead and complete a community service project that taught other students at his school how to lead healthy lives. Babyak is known for his ability to listen and collaborate with his classmates and teachers and lead presentations in an inclusive manner.

“Whatever area of study Andrew pursues in college, I have confidence that he will be successful and well-received due to his very likable personality and strong personal values,” Dhyne said.

Babyak has committed to continue to swim when he attends the University of Michigan in the fall.

Cristina Teuscher partners with Badger Swim Club

We are pleased to announce an exciting addition to our ten and under competitive program!

Cristina Teuscher, the two time U.S. Olympian and Atlanta gold medalist, winner of the Honda-Broderick award in 2000 as the NCAA’s outstanding female athlete, and former Women’s coach at Yale, and longtime Badger, will be working with the eight and ten year old groups on a twice weekly basis for the remainder of the season.

This is a tremendous opportunity for this group to be exposed to Cristina’s insight into the age group experience and her unique approach to teaching correct technique to the young swimmer. This partnership brings one of Badger’s most successful individuals back to her roots.

Cristina, and her husband Amerigo, have recently launched in Greenwich The Sweet Blue Swim Academy. Sweet Blue Swim Academy teaches everything from learn to swim for individuals of all ages to advanced technique. While with the Badger swimmers, Cristina will be focusing on drills and technique refinement. She will be in the water with swimmers.

All currently enrolled, active, competitive swimmers under 10 years of age, are invited to move locations for this program on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30-7:30 at Manhattanville. *This schedule is subject to change. Normal Age Group Team practice will not change and swimmers have the choice to continue to swim at their regular New Rochelle location or participate in the program at Manhattanville.

Congratulations to Garrett Towne for being awarded Con Ed Scholar Athlete of the Week

Badger Swimmmer, Garrett Towne, was selected to be the Con Ed Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of January 15, 2018. Congratulations Garrett!

As reported by the Hackley School

Hackley swimmer Garrett Towne ’18 has been chosen as the Con Ed Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of January 15. Garrett has been on an incredible streak of late breaking multiple records and swimming times giving him the status of All American.

Garrett recently set school records in the in the 100 Back (49.19), 100 Fly (50.00), 100 Free (47.66) and 200 Medley Relay. His 100 Back time was an automatic All American time and his 100 Fly is an All American consideration time. Garrett has served as boys team captain this season, leading the team to a numbe of new school, pool and league records.

Garrett’s honor was announced on WHUD on Friday, 1/19, and his photo and article appeared in the Journal News on Sunday, January 21st. You may have heard Garrett’s interview with Rich Leaf at WHUD at www.whud.com.

How Eddie Reese Turned Texas Men’s Swimming and Diving into the Best Program in the Nation

Article by Chris O’Connell posted on The Alcalade

Inside the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, a white-brick building on the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Red River Street, waves of calm permeate the House that Eddie Built. A sea of crystal-blue water gently laps over the gutter of the pool and trickles back down. In its reflection two enormous steel fans silently rotate, like a pair of octopi performing a synchronized swimming routine on the ceiling. Every minute or so, the sound of flesh smacking the water breaks the silence, as divers practice on the far side of the pool.

At 3 p.m., the swimmers begin walking in, some of their faces familiar from atop 2016 Olympic podiums in Rio like Townley Haas and Joseph Schooling, the then-21-year-old who took down Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly for the Singapore national team.

Once the pool is filled with more gold medalists than most countries, a 76-year-old man, the John Wooden of the pool deck, enters. He’s wearing a black T-shirt, khaki shorts, and black and white tennis shoes with white athletic socks poking up over the tops, an unassuming ensemble for the most decorated swimming and diving coach in modern history and the most successful coach to ever wear the Longhorn logo. He looks like your grandfather — and he literally is if you’re Luke Bowman, one of the 31 swimmers in the pool — if your grandfather was capable of winning NCAA titles in four consecutive decades, including the last three straight.

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