Swimming World's Weekly Splash💦

For the second year in a row, two of the top programs in college swimming set up the opening night of their two-day dual meet as a made-for-fans experience, and this year, more than 1200 fans were in attendance in Charlottesville, Va., for this clash between the Virginia Cavaliers and Texas Longhorns that included one-on-one super finals featuring a single swimmer from each school.
The women’s meet looked like it could a barnburner after Texas placed second to Virginia at the last two NCAA Championships, but instead, Gretchen Walsh swam four stunning performances to lift the three-time defending champion Cavaliers to a dominant 113-71 victory while the Virginia men upset Texas by a 99-89 margin in meet that came down to the final relay.
Walsh, the reigning NCAA champion in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, has developed a knack for throwing down elite times even in dual meets and when racing in a practice suit, as she was Friday evening. Walsh began her evening by leading off Virginia’s 200 medley relay in 22.54, the second-fastest backstroke leadoff ever behind Maggie Mac Neil’s 22.52 from last year’s SEC Championships. Walsh had previously been as quick as 22.65. More importantly, she beat Texas leadoff swimmer Emma Kern by 1.69 seconds to give Virginia a lead it would not relinquish. Jasmine Nocentini, Alex Walsh and Maxine Parker finished off a 1:34.32 win.

While Davies has found herself vilified and more while losing lucrative work and contracts, she has also been feted by the likes of three-time Olympic champion Nancy Hogshead-Makar and tennis legend Martina Navratilova.

Now, she joins five fellow authors – of whom three are also women – on the shortlist for the award which will be announced on 30 November at a ceremony in Piccadilly, London, with the winner set to receive £30,000 (USD 36,320).

“This is the difference between being good and being great.”

That quote has been engrained in my head since I started swimming at 6 years old. I believe every coach I have ever swum for has said those words.

But what really is the difference between good and great as a swimmer? Is there a simple black and white answer? I think the answer varies, but I do believe much of greatness is defined by the mental toughness of the individual and how they tackle adversity. What does it take to become great? It takes your mentality, pushed to its limits.

A few months ago, Mary-Sophie Harvey found her spark in the pool again.

Her performance at the 2023 Pan American Games proved what that spark can do.

The Canadian star won seven medals, including three gold, in Santiago, Chile, in a statement meet that Harvey is in fact back.

Not just back as in enjoying the pool again, but back as one of the world’s premier swimmers.
Harvey claimed the gold medal in the 200 freestyle (1:58.08), near her personal-best time, and took the silver in the 200 IM (2:11.92).
“This gave me a lot more confidence in knowing what I can do,” Mary-Sophie Harvey told Swimming World. “We are heading into the right direction going into the Olympic year. I am at a good place mentally and physically. I want to be faster and get on a podium again. Once you experience the podium, you just want more.”
The gold in the 200 free was an extra whirlwind because Harvey’s suit strap broke in the ready room and she had to get a new one on in a matter of two minutes before her race started.