As the year draws to a close, Florida Swim Network is taking a look back at 2012 and compiling our most memorable swim moments – outstanding performances put forth by athletes from the state of Florida.
We’re sure we didn’t get all of them, so feel free to post your favorite memories on our Facebook page.
While six swimmers who train in the state of Florida represented Team USA in London, there were two swim moments that stood out above the rest.
1. Ryan Lochte winning gold in the 400 IM.
This was the very first night of competition, and Ryan Lochte (USA/DBS) destroyed the rest of the field, Michael Phelps included. The way Lochte pulled away and then won by several body lengths left no doubt that he had just done something very special. Lochte has a had year of memorable moments, and you can click here to read our favorites.
2. Elizabeth Beisel winning a silver medal in the 400 IM.
This next Olympic moment is memorable due to a shocking turn of events. Elizabeth Beisel (USA/UF) was in the lead until China’s Ye Shiwen turned on the jets and nearly flew back to the wall on the final 50 Free. Indeed, this 16-year-old went so fast she beat Ryan Lochte by 17 hundredths of a second in that final stretch of pool. Not only that, Ye obliterated the World Record. While suspicion and rumors circled Ye, Beisel took the high road by remaining silent and instead proudly smiling on the second place podium.
“She had the race of her life,” said Beisel, who led by .81 seconds after 300 meters and was beaten by 2.84 seconds. “Congratulations to her a million times over. It’s definitely hard getting second, but I can’t complain at all. The race was really hard, and maybe it didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I’m definitely appreciative with how the outcome was.”
Beisel raced a personal best and it took a World Record to beat her – we’re definitely proud of that!
There were many swimmers from Florida who competed well at Olympic Trials, Dara Torres and Erika Erndl among them. And just as Torres and Erndl have raised the bar for older athletes, this time it is the younger ones who stood out for their performances.
3. Ryan Murphy placing fourth in the 200 Back.
Ryan Murphy (BSS) was seeded third going into the finals, and so the entire state of Florida tuned in with high hopes and fingers crossed. And while we knew it was a long shot, with Tyler Clary and Ryan Lochte in the finals, we still held our breath as Murphy (1:57.39) was just out-touched for third by Nick Thoman (1:57.06). Regardless, it was still thrilling to watch!
4. Becca Mann finaling in three events at Olympic Trials.
Ryan Murphy wasn’t the only young swimmer the state of Florida was rooting for; we also rallied around Becca Mann, (CAT) who made the finals in the 400 IM, 400 Free, and 800 Free. While she didn’t finish higher than fifth in any event, she still broke the National Age Group Record in the 800 Free by going 8:28.54 and breaking Sippy Woodhead’s record which had stood since 1978.
5. Ryan Murphy won the 200 Back claiming a Share of the High Point Award.
It has been quite a year for Ryan Murphy, we’re sure the first of many to come! This was the year that marked his debut on the true national stage – Olympic Trials and Senior Nationals. At the Winter Nationals, Murphy won the 200 Back while also setting a new National Age Group Record, and then was all smiles as he tied for the High Point with Matt Grevers.
Murphy’s 138.15 was the first 18 and under to break 1:40 and also made him the third fastest in history of the event. Well played, Ryan Murphy. Well played.
Photo from Sergio Lopez Miro.
6. Becca Mann claims three titles.
Just like Ryan Murphy, Becca Mann had a break out year and her performance at the Junior Pan Pac Games was no exception. Although she took second to Leah Smith in the 800 Free, she dominated the rest of the meet. Mann claimed the 400 IM title with a meet-record time of 4:39.76, and then won the 1500 Free in 16:11.89. This was a new 13-14 U.S. National Age Group Record, which downed the 28-year-old national age group record of Michele Richardson (16:12.57) set back in 1984. For her third victory of the meet, Mann obliterated the rest of the field in the Open Water 10k with a winning time of 1:57:22. Wow!
7. Dylan Carter setting a new National Age Group Record.
Florida saw lots of great performance from many swimmers at this year’s Short Course Junior Nats, but none stood out as much as Dylan Carter’s. Carter (DANA) won the 200 Freestyle in 1:35.29 and then just barely missed beating out Ryan Murphy’s 100 Back old record (46.72) by touching in at 47.22 to win gold. Just awesome!
8. Bolles Sharks cruise to dominance by sweeping men’s relays.
Just as they rocked the pool at the high school 1A state meet, Bolles Sharks dominated the Men’s relays in Knoxville. First Bolles won the 200 Medley, as Joseph Schooling, Marijn Van Zundert, Santo Condorelli and Caeleb Dressel topped the finale in 1:27.80. Then Condorelli, Josh Booth, Schooling and Dressel cruised to victory in the 800 Free relay with a time of 6:37.77. Next in the 200 Free Relay, Bolles took down a pair of meet records in a single swim. Dressel, Condorelli, Emiro Goossen, and Joseph Schooling downed the meet record with a 1:19.03, while Dressel secured a new 50 Free record with his 19.92 lead off. Then Bolles continued their dominance in the 400 Free - breaking the meet record in 2:55.89 with Booth, Dressel, Condorelli, and Schooling swimming. And, to show complete dominance, they also win the 400 Medley Relay in a time of 3:15.83 as Dressel, Van Zundert, Schooling, and Condorelli flexed their swim muscles. Wow. Just wow.
Photo from Sergio Lopez Miro
Go on to Part 2 or Part 3 here. And remember, if you have a favorite moment, be sure to tell us about it on our Facebook page here.
Enjoy this fun look back at the Florida swimmers’ time here in Omaha. Thanks to the coaches, swimmers, parents, and fans who sent us photos – wish we could have shown them all!
Below are results for swimmers registered to Florida Swimming or Florida Gold Coast only. For full results, click under each event.
Full results - click here
Full results – click here
Below are results for swimmers registered to Florida Swimming or Florida Gold Coast only. For full results, click under each event.
Full results - click here
Full results – click here
Full results – click here
Full results – click here
USA Swimming has made it easy to find and share your Olympic Trials prelims swim.
1) Go to USASwimming.org and click “Videos and webcast”
2) Scroll down below the live feed to the Pre-recorded videos in the blue frame. Select “2012 US Olympic Team Trials Race Videos”
3) Select your event and heat number. It will play in the box above. Under that video click on the “Menu” and the copy the url for the website. You can email this to friends or post on your Facebook. This will take viewers directly to your swim.
Swimmers from Florida:
Swimmers from Florida:
Swimmers from Florida:
Swimmers from Florida:
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