SwimSwam SwimSwam Newsletter: Kieran, Regan Smith Top Performers At First PSS of 2021

Smith's Shine: Kieran and Regan Smith picked up three victories apiece at the first Pro Swim Series event of 2021, both competing from the San Antonio site that featured over 100 National Team Members.

Also: Big Ten returns to competition for the first time since the pandemic, Klete Keller turns himself in, Bill Wadley resigns as ASCA CEO, and a small rule change will have a significant effect on swimmers at the D2 NCAAs.

First Pro Swim Series Since Pandemic A Success

The first Pro Swim Series meet since March of 2020 went off without a hitch over the weekend, with USA Swimming successfully running the multi-site event from both San Antonio and Richmond.

There were several standout performers from both sites, but using combined results, a total of eight swimmers earned multiple event victories, led by Regan Smith and Kieran Smith (no relation) who had three apiece from San Antonio.

Regan, 18, claimed the women's 100 fly (58.55) on Friday, and then doubled up by winning the 200 fly (2:10.10) and 100 back (59.75) on Saturday. The 2019 world champion also finished a close second in the 200 free, and would've had a great shot at a fourth victory had she not scratched out of the 200 back final on Sunday.

Kieran, 20, stormed to victories in the men's 200 free (1:47.36), 400 free (3:49.37) and 200 IM (1:59.38), with the latter being his first best time in the event since the 2017 World Juniors. The University of Florida junior also broke 8:00 for the first time in the 800 free, taking second to Zane Grothe in 7:59.27.

Both Smiths appear to be rounding into form well as we enter the Olympic year.

Other Double Winners At January PSS:

• Catie Deloof (Richmond) – women's 50, 100 free
• Ally McHugh (San Antonio) – women's 1500 free, 400 IM
• Emily Escobedo (Richmond) – women's 100, 200 breast
• Justin Ress (Richmond) – men's 100 free, 100 back
• Zane Grothe (San Antonio) – men's 800, 1500 free
• Nic Fink (San Antonio) – men's 100, 200 breast

Another notable performance at the event came from 13-year-old Claire Weinstein, competing in Richmond, when she became the youngest 2021 Olympic Trials qualifier in the women's 800 free.

Shaine Casas also stood out with his 100 fly swim on Friday, breaking 52 seconds for the first time in the heats (51.91) before winning the event in the final (51.94).

Big Ten Action Begins, But COVID Interferes

Big Ten teams finally got the opportunity to race this weekend the first time since the 2020 Conference Championships, though three of the four meets were impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another.

Wisconsin withdrew from its tri-meet with Nebraska and Iowa due to COVID concerns, as did Michigan State in its three-team clash with Purdue and Illinois. Additionally, Rutgers only sent one diver to the Penn State/Ohio State meet after announcing last week they would be redshirting the majority of their roster.

Nonetheless, there were some impressive performances, including the Indiana men beating Michigan, the Wolverine women rolling past the Hoosiers, and Ohio State edging Penn State in pair of close duals.

On a related note, a scheduled SEC clash between Auburn and Alabama was cancelled on Friday due to positive coronavirus tests.

Klete Keller Turns Himself In Following Charges

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller turned himself into authorities on Thursday after being charged by the U.S. District Court in Denver for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

Keller, a U.S. Olympian in 2000, 2004 and 2008, faces three charges: knowingly entering a restricted building, obstructing law enforcement, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

News broke on Jan. 11 that Keller was present during the insurrection.

https://swimswam.com/klete-keller-turns-himself-in-to-authorities-for-capitol-riot-charges/

Bill Wadley Resigns As ASCA CEO

Bill Wadley resigned from his post as American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) CEO, it was announced Jan. 13, just a few months after taking the role in October.

Wadley was in the news last week when it was learned he owned the home in Columbus, Ohio were police shot and killed an unarmed black man.

Transcripts from the Columbus Police Department also show that at least nine calls to 911 have come from that address in the past year and a half, with several of them including a woman reporting physical abuse, referencing a live-in boyfriend whom she calls “Bill.”

ASCA Board Chair Mike Koleber released a statement regarding the situation surrounding Wadley's resignation.

“The hard working staff at ASCA continues to do a phenomenal job. Unprecedented times seems to be an understatement nowadays," said Koleber. "Yet they are committed as ever to the mission. The production and delivery of valuable and relevant coaching resources have never been better. We’re plowing forward for the Coaches of ASCA and we continue to be optimistic for the future.”

https://swimswam.com/bill-wadley-resigns-as-asca-ceo/

No Relay-Only Swimmers At D2 NCAAs

In an effort to reduce participant numbers in light of the pandemic, relay-only swimmers will not be invited to attend the 2021 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships.

In previous years, teams have been able to bring up four swimmers for relay purposes, at their own cost, with the only stipulation being that the school needed to have at least one athlete qualified individually.

The NCAA cited "health and safety and venue capacity reasons" for the decision, while the organization also reduced the field size to 146 swimmers per gender back in December to reduce costs.

https://swimswam.com/no-relay-only-swimmers-at-2021-ncaa-d2-swimming-diving-championships/

Klete Keller Turns Himself in to Authorities for Capitol Riot Charges

Bill Wadley Resigns As ASCA CEO

No Relay-Only Swimmers at 2021 NCAA D2 Swimming & Diving Championships

13-Year Old Claire Weinstein Becomes Youngest Qualifier for 2021 Olympic Trials

Trio of NC State 2021 Commits Go Sub-54 in 100 LCM Fly in the Same Night

Swiss Court Confirms Racist Tweets the Cause of Sun Yang Ban Overturning

Casas Swims a Pair of 51-Second Butterflies at San Antonio Pro Swim

New Mexico Becomes 10th NCAA D1 Program to Opt Out of 2020-2021 Season

2021 January Pro Swim Series: Day 1 Combined Results

2021 January Pro Swim Series: Day 2 Combined Results

2021 January Pro Swim Series: Day 4 Combined Results

2021 January Pro Swim Series: Day 3 Combined Results

National Teamers Curzan & Hook Combine for 3 Wins on Sat. at TAC Polar Plunge

Curzan Closes Out TAC Polar Plunge With 1:53 200 Fly Victory