Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - Printable Version
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Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - DenverCard - 03-26-2015
On the first night of the NCAA Men's Swimming Championships just completed, David Nolan, a senior mechanical engineering major, broke his 3-week old American/NCAA record in the 2000 IM. He set the record of 1:40.07 at last month's Pac-12 Championships and crushed it tonight.
For several reasons, this young man rocks my world. For one, he came out of high school having obliterated the HS record in the same event -- 1:41-something. Then for three years he toiled without much improvement. Finally, this year, breakthrough! In addition to any self-imposed pressure, he was regarded as a disappointment in the swimming community. As well, Stanford has a reputation among many as a school where good swimmers use their talents to gain admission, then lose the drive once here. The coach here is not generally held in high esteem. So I would imagine he's been carrying the burden of falling short of expectations, and also the burden of proving that Stanford and his coaches here can bring the best out of their swimmers.
Secondly, Stanford Men's swimming has fallen from its lofty perch of 30 or so consecutive top four finishes (!) at NCAAs. The team lacks an abundance of good swimmers to used in various permutation in the all-important relays that score big points. Consequently, Nolan has been called up to carry the team in relays by filling gaps (e.g. swimming the breaststroke -- arguably his 3rd or even 4th best stroke -- in today's medley relay). He had the fastest time in the 200 free relay this morning: 18.31 with a relay start. This relay duty in prelims and finals, which swimmers of the most powerful teams can avoid because of team depth, takes its toll on him, as there are only so many times a swimmer can go all-out in a 3-day meet. In other words, he's a big-time team player.
Thirdly, while I've never met him, he always comes across in interviews as pleasant and humble. Seems very grounded.
Finally, did I mention he's getting an ME degree? Believe it or not, these days many of the top swimmers aspire to become professional swimmers, and therefore treat college like aspiring NFL players do. That may be somewhat overstating the matter somewhat, but eligibility, rather than career development, is often the primary concern re academics. To be sure, few of those with whom Nolan competes have anywhere near the academic demands he's had. And few sports are as labor-intensive as swimming.
Whereas the live coverage of today's meet was atrocious, there should be archived video on swimswam.com by tomorrow for those interested in watching his swim and reading comments of non-Stanfordians. I'm not the only one who is very impressed with Nolan's achievements.
Re: Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - rudruff - 03-26-2015
I know this is a typo, but only real men swim the 2000 IM
Re: Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - DenverCard - 03-26-2015
I guess I got carried away in my admiration when I spoke of a "2000 IM."
Regarding "turning professional," I intended to refer to making a living through endorsements, rather than prize money. But under this arrangement, the individual would, in effect, make swimming his or her "job," as Missy Franklin as described her intent in the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics. Swimmers are also supported financially when they make the national team; I don't know the ultimate source of that funding.
I don't know what type of income a national team level swimmer can expect to have from sponsorships and training support, but from my reading of discussions on the website swimswam, it seems that a large percentage of those good enough to make the finals in an event at NCAAs give a go to full-time swimming, at least for a few years at or near the end of his college career. As such, recent Stanford stars like Ben Wildman-Tobriner and Austin Staab, both of whom won events at NCAAs and promptly quit swimming after college, seem to be exceptions.
In this vein, it will be very interesting to see if Stanford swim recruit, Katie Ledecky, whom some already consider the best women's freestyler of all time, enrolls in the fall of 2015 and swims for Stanford; defers her enrollment until after the Olympics but declines sponsorships, thereby allowing her to swim for Stanford beginning in 2016; or perhaps accepts sponsorship to swim and also attends Stanford. If she elects the last option, she obviously could not swim for Stanford.
Re: Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - BobK - 03-26-2015
Ledecky appears to be entering Stanford after the Olympics. Â
Re: Men's Swimming -- David Nolan -- New record - BostonCard - 03-26-2015
Nice article on Nolan's feat:
http://swimswam.com/day-1-mens-ncaas-pac-12-roundup-nolan-matches-missy-smashes-140-barrier/
Quote:Every one of Nolans stroke splits is outstanding in its own right. He was 21.67 on fly (tied for the best in the field), 24.32 on back (the best in the field by a longshot, even better than Cals backstroking NCAA record-holder Ryan Murphy), 29.21 on breast (second-best of the field) and 24.18 on free (the fastest free split of the event).
Nolan is now the fastest man in history by over .7 seconds. The second-fastest swimmer in history was in this field, and Nolan put him to shame that was Texas sophomore Will Licon, who went 1:40.09.
BC