Q&A Follow-up

Last month I decided it would be interesting to follow-up with some of the swimmers that did Q and A's with us last fall and see what they are doing now that they have made their respective Olympic teams. The question I asked was...

Now that we are in the last 90 days of preparation what are you focusing on in your training and how do you feel? With the pressure of making the team now behind you and your spot secure, do you feel more confident or does it increase your anxiety?

And their answers follow:

Markus Rogan

I don't want to sound conceited, but there really wasn't any pressure to make the team. The qualifying standard for Austria is about as fast as Brendan could go with his girlfriend hanging on to his shoulders during the race.

I personally think the US team was so exceptional at World Champs in Melbourne because Trials for that meet had been 7-8 months before. I don't expect such amazing performances in Beijing because they will all have to go through the toughest Trials in history just four weeks before...

In training, I'm focusing mostly on backstroke. But I'm also working on my twistleg/wavehand combination on the dancefloor :)

Joe Bartoch

What I am working on now...just lots of kick! It's been the weakest part of my race for the longest time and has come around in the last while so we are having one last push with that before we get into the last stage of preparation - race prep, hahaha. For that we are tweaking my start and my turn and continuously working on my finish.

Now that I have made the team - seems like there's a void there, my whole life and last couple years especially where focused on JUST MAKING the team. Now the goal is to make the final. It was tough to come off Trials after making the team and making a new goal in such a short period of time because nothing will come close to the original goal that was all consuming for the past 4 years - to make the team. It's hard to explain, I hope you understand...just accomplishing making the team, leaves you with the WHAT'S NEXT? syndrome I guess. It will take time to make a new goal or maybe there won't be one as big as that ever? Who knows? I guess thats why a lot of people retire after making the Olympics. (As for me, I am going to wait until after the Olympics and see if I want to set another huge goal for myself or not - a world record would be sweet, but I dunno Phelps is gonna smoke the 50.40 for sure seeing as he went 50.9 this weekend!)

Christian Sprenger

Obviously everyone would be amazed at how fast the Olympics is approaching, and right now is time I'm really pushing the hard work, and technical side of things. As this will be my first Olympics, I don't really know what to expect, but I do know that I'll have to train hard if I want to be in the mix!

I will have to say that my first thoughts after making the team, was that the pressure was off.. But after all is said and done, that was just the beginning.. I had put my mind and body into our trials, that I hadn't thought beyond that. But it was soon after the hype had settled down, that I was ready to make new goals!

Duje Draganja

I am feeling the same as before. Olympic games are an special event but for me it is just another meet in the row in which, like in any other meet. I will be aiming to swim my best personal time and only God knows where that time will take me.

For a couple of the guys I took the opportunity to ask an additional question...

Joe Bartoch

BHO: How do you feel about the Canadian team uniforms? I kinda dig them, especially the t-shirts, but those warm-ups are pretty controversial.

Joe: As for the Uniforms, there's some cool stuff and some weird unique stuff. I don't really have an opinion, hahaha. I think we will stand out which will be good, but lucky for us we get Speedo clothing as well. Other teams hate us for that because at other multi-sport games if the clothing was bogus we just went with the Speedo stuff, hahaha. You can always count on the Speedo gear!

Christian Sprenger

BHO: How do you feel about the whole Vegemite controversy?

Christian: Haha, well, I won't deny that I enjoy vegemite on toast! But If that is the case, I won't have a problem with going without it for a little while, haha.

And finally, a special question for Gary Hall, Jr. who didn't participate in the Q&A Series (but then later made the mistake of friending me on Facebook)

BHO: Why does USA Swimming wait so late to have it's Olympic Trials and how is your training going?

GHJ: The decision is made by people that don't swim, NBC executives, the same that dictate morning finals. What's good for ratings is not good for swimmers.

My training is good. I feel like I have a chance to make the Olympic team if I swim well at our Olympic trials.

I really want to thank all the athletes who took time to do the original Q&A's for us and now the follow-up and wish them all the best in Beijing. I wish our swimmers here in the United States were already finished with their Trials and now preparing for the Games as well. I can't help but think it handicaps our chances to have so little time in between to recover and refocus.

That said, I'm getting so excited for our Trials coming up in just a few weeks now and it's been hard to look past that and on to the Olympics but talking to these guys who have already passed that first hurdle has got me thinking more about it. Less than 60 days to go now...

Q and A with Stefan Nystrand

Stefan Nystrand had a pretty amazing 2007. He won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Melbourne and set TWO world records in the 50 and 100 free scm (20.93 and 45.83 respectively). Perhaps most importantly in this Olympic season he was only the second man ever under 48 seconds in the 100 free lcm swimming 47.91 at the Paris Open this fall, putting Pieter van den Hoogenband's world record of 47.84 on notice. If there's a perfect time for a short course specialist like Nystrand to knock nearly a second of his previous best time in a long course event, the Olympic season is pretty much it. Already a two-time Olympian, Nystrand is looking very much like the man to beat in Beijing this year.



1) Congratulations on what has been an amazing 2007 for you. How are you feeling going into 2008, pushing towards the Olympics? Do you have an Olympic Trials upcoming?

Thank you! It was a really good year for me and I'm confident it will be even better this year. I'm pretty excited for Beijing and looking forward to it. Never been better. The trials for the Swedish swimmers and last chance to qualify is at Europeans in Eindhoven in March.

2) I have to ask about the chain around your neck in Debrecen. When other swimmers are doing everything they can to limit drag - you are racing in jewelry. What's that about?

Well, you have to look pretty when you swim don't you think? haha. Na joking, I usually have that to not limit drag and take it off when I'm fully tapered and gonna swim real fast.

3) Self-Confidence seems to be perhaps even more important to sprinters like yourself than in any other discipline - just standing on the blocks and knowing you're going to touch first. Would you agree with that? How do you get yourself back on track after a bad result and into the "I'm going to win" mindset?

I have self confidence but I do not think like that. I feel you fool yourself and I'm too much of a realist if I should have those thoughts. I always try to do my best, and everything has to be perfect, the start, the finish and if I miss something, better off next time. I don't worry too much about it if I'm honest.

4) How does Sweden as a nation receive the sport of swimming, and how much support is there for athletes like yourself and Therese Alshammar who are having so much international success?

Swimming is not the national sport of Sweden but it gets pretty much media time compared to other sports. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to make big money in Sweden in sports but I really shouldn't complain. I can just focus on swimming and don't have to work to make it go around.

5) You have a somewhat controversial method of training as I understand - low yardage and not much dryland. Obviously its working for you. Can you give us some insight into your average training day? Do you have a special diet as well?

I'm doing roughly 20 kilometers a week, but I have very much dryland, lots of stretching and medicine ball and explosive moments. I usually only swim easy or fast, nothing in between. Lots of technique exercises. The key is to balance rest. And I changed my diet from McD 3-4 times a week to not having eaten fast food since 2005. Food intake is a major factor for overall performance.

6) Tell us a little about what your life is like outside of the pool. Do you have a special hobby? Play video games? Are you a student? What kind of music do you like?

My life now is pretty much only swimming. I do not study nor work. You can compare it to being at a training camp, but I have it like that 24/7, 365 days. I play a lot of pc games as it is relaxing and fun. Watch a lot of movies as well!

Q and A with David Cromwell

A Harvard Grad and now Texas Longhorn, as well as National Champion in the 100 and 200 (scy) backstroke, anyone who might have doubted David Cromwell (or anyone else for that matter) could challenge Aaron Peirsol's backstroke supremacy can doubt no more. Men's backstroke has become one of the most competitive events nationally and Cromwell is right in there jostling for the podium in a packed field that includes Lochte, Peirsol, Phelps, Bal and Sun. His victories in both 100 and 200 (scy) distances at 2007 Spring Nationals as well as a silver in the 100 (lcm) at Summer Nationals (with a time that ranks him 10th fastest of all time) make him a serious contender for the US Olympic team. And the picture below makes him one of my favorite swimmers of all time or at least for this week. I like it that much.


Photo Credit: David Cromwell

1. You just got back from doing the Grand Prix over in Italy. How was the experience for you? Do you enjoy traveling to international meets and what has been your best experience so far?

Italy was amazing. My Grandpa, who was a professional boxer and my hero growing up, came over to America from a town called Lucca, Italy which was very close to where I swam. I got to meet some of my relatives from over there and that was certainly the highlight of the trip. I was pretty laid back over there and just tried to make the most of the situation as the conditions weren't exactly ideal for fast swimming. I love traveling though, and that's actually a goal of mine, to try and work out how to swim internationally next year.

To be honest, I don't think I have enough international experience to have a "best moment" but for now I will actually say that it was swimming in Vancouver, Canada last summer. My parents drove up from Montana and I think that town is about the prettiest in the world.

2. You've had very good results and seem to be right on track. Are you happy with where your training is right now and the program at Texas? What are your short and long term goals?

I am just so, so thankful I was given the opportunity to train here in Texas. It has made all the difference in my career and I cannot do enough to try and make it up to Eddie Reese, Kris Kubik and the Longhorn Family. We're training our tails off down here and I think that if we can keep it up, the Longhorn Aquatics Men will make a lot of noise in the next year. Some of my specific goals are private, but the overall goal (unfortunately, as cliche as it sounds) coming down here was just to completely dedicated myself to training with the goal of finding out just how good I really can be. I think that by this summer I will know that answer.

3. You couldn't be in a more competitive stroke. For good or bad the US men own the backstroke right now and it's going to be harder to make the team than to make the Olympic final. Does knowing that make it easier or harder to get in the pool and train every day?

I absolutely believe that being in such a competitive environment makes it easier to get in the pool and push yourself. Now, for your overall health and stress levels...I don't know :). But seriously, since my goal was to find out how good I can be I view it in a positive light, it helps me reach the level of self-betterment I am aiming for.

4. Mike Cavic said in his Q&A that he likes to "talk a bit of trash to raise the stakes and energy before a lactate swim". You ever try that with Aaron and Chappy or are backstrokers too laid back for that? Can you give us your best taunt?

I don't talk smack before races that I am serious about, but I love to in workout and mid-season meets. Brendan Hansen and I were going back and forth before the Texas Invite about the IM's, I believe my typical line went something like "Brendan, you realize there is mathematically no way you could possibly beat me right?" He crushed me in the 200IM and then out-touched me in the 100IM. It was a serious blow.

But for the backstroke group, I'll never forget when I first came here I was beating Aaron in a set and then he said "Hey, I just want you to know that I am going to win this next one," right before I pushed off. I started laughing and he demoralized me. What makes our training group work is that we are all hyper-competitive but laid-back guys that love to have a good laugh. I mean, take a look at this and tell me you could ever take Aaron seriously.

5. You are kinda famous for your Top 5 lists, so we'll leave with an easy one. Austin is known for it's amazing food, but you're a working athlete on a TYR/Timed Finals budget. What are your Top 5 dollar menu items?

Oh man, the dollar menu. I don't eat fast food but yes, have been a little "tight" financially since graduating with an exorbitant amount of college loans to repay. Here have been my go-to's for both eating in and out:

5. Green Bell Peppers. No, not the red ones as those cost a ridiculous 89 cents/pepper. The Green ones average somewhere between 29 cents and 49 cents. Makes all different cooking possible, from fajitas and migas to stir fry.

4. El Arroyo Margaritas. $1 Dollar on Thursday nights. I tutor weekday nights now, but for a newly arrived, poor college grad this was a godsend my first few months here.

3. Black Beans. As I cooked Tex/Mex an average of 5 times a week when I first got down here I quickly learned how cheap and good these guys are. Canned beans win for convenience, but take serious points on the sodium scale. Buying the packaged ones and then making a bunch at once saves you that 37 cents as well. Hey, it adds up.

2. HEB/Costco Frozen Chicken Breasts. Healthy, economical but loses points for convenience. Still, at 8.99 for 14 of them an absolute must.

1. The "Don Juan" at "Juan in a Million." As an Austin breakfast afficionado, this absolutely wins out: cheap and plentiful on top of the ambience of East Austin. If you're ever in Austin please enjoy this local classic. I realize it's disqualified for being $3.25 but as it is almost two meals I stand firmly behind it.

Photo credit: lala from deckchange.com

You can read much more about David on his website .

Q and A with Brent Hayden

Just in case you've been living in a cave, Brent Hayden is the World Champion in what some consider THE main event, the 100 free. He's also the Canadian National Champion and holds their national records in the 50m (22.19), 100m (48.43) and 200m (1:46.85) events. He earned a spot on their 2004 Athens team and it's pretty safe to assume he'll be in Beijing as well, this time as a favorite for the podium. Um, is there really much more I need to say than that? He also has a day named after him in his home town of Mission, BC and he has a black belt, so he's in a more than metaphorical kinda way.


Photo Credit: Rob Griffith / AP Photo

1. First question has to be the standard - How does it feel to be the first Canadian in 21 years and only the fourth Canadian EVER to win a gold medal at Worlds and be crowned a World Champion? Was it tempered by the presence of Filippo Magnini on the podium beside you or is victory just as sweet when it's shared?

Being the first Canadian in 21 years to win a gold medal, and only the 4th to do so, is a huge honour. But after doing so, I pray that it doesn't take another 21 years to happen again. Being on that podium with Fillipo Magnini didn't in any way dampen the victory for me. Being the first tied gold medal performance at the World Championships is something to be proud of, in an odd way.

2. You've only just recently been diagnosed with asthma after years of coughing attacks and what you thought was an adverse reaction to chlorine. How were you diagnosed, how are you treating it, and how has it affected your training, if at all?

I was doing some lung testing prior to my trip to Beijing. The point of the testing was to get some numbers, go to Beijing, do the test again and see how much the pollution affected me. After the first test, the doctors concluded that I did indeed have asthma. The only thing I'm doing to treat it is to take a couple puffs 15 minutes before each training session or race.

3. I keep seeing little snippets about you being beaten and arrested by the Greek police on the night of the opening ceremonies in Athens but haven't found the whole story. What happened?!

The beating in Athens occurred the night before the closing ceremonies. I was done competing a week earlier. Some other athletes and I were enjoying some night life in town, and just after we left a small club, we noticed that there were riot police everywhere. We didn't really know what was going on yet, so we just stopped and watched. The watching didn't really take long because less than 30 seconds after we got to that spot, some people around us starting moving dumpsters into the middle of the street and began throwing rocks and bottles at the police. As soon as that happened, we all ran back to the club we had just come from to get out of the way because we could hear rubber bullets being fired and didn't want to get hit...obviously. To make this long story short, I was grabbed from inside the club (I didn't make it in very far because that's where everyone seemed to be going for cover), dragged into the street, thrown face down, and beaten severely by what the other athletes said looked like at least 10 cops with sticks. Even while I was taking the beating, I used the arm that wasn't covering my head to flash them my Athlete Accreditation, but they ripped it off and tossed it aside. After, what I remember taking about 2 minutes, they cuffed me, took me down the street, and threw me head first into a corner where I would be kicked, hit, spat on, or threatened with pepper spray whenever I asked why I was targeted. After 30-45 minutes, I was released with the only explanation being "You were tall and wearing a dark shirt." One of the athletes handed me my Athlete Accreditation which he had picked up after I was taken away...guess that wasn't a long story made short now was it.

4. You have some really beautiful photographs on your facebook page. How long have you been interested in photography and is it something you are pursuing as a career or is it just a hobby for you? Let's photo geek out for just a moment....tell us about your equipment. ;)

I've always been into it. Ever since I was little, always using my parents camera, and yelling at them whenever they tried to get in front of my picture to smile. I did two years of photography classes in high school. Development, darkroom, theory, all that kind of stuff. But after high school, I didn't have access to a darkroom anymore, so I stopped doing it. Finally, I asked my parents for money towards a digital SLR camera for my birthday, and that rekindled everything. I've been getting back into it very seriously, and am now considering on taking more courses after the Beijing Olympics and getting into it professionally. I do mostly black and white landscapes, but am drifting into more b&w portraits. But I'm really just trying to dip into all forms of photography, learning the new techniques and such. Right now, I'm using a Canon Rebel XTi, Canon 18-55 mm lens and a Sigma 70-300 mm lens. Also have a lensbaby for selective focus photography. My newest addition, which I used my birthday money for this year was a Canon 580EX II flash.

5. North American swimmers cannot really complain of the same media scrutiny that Australian swimmers are under, but this is your year! What are you going to do to shame and embarrass your family and countrymen?

I don't really know how to answer the last question. I mean, I do a lot of things that embarrass the people around me, like, yelling in the movie theater, doing a crab scuttle across busy crosswalks downtown, taping blow up dolls to my best friend on his stag and riding around on scooters wearing tuxedo t-shirts at the same time...but that's not really the same thing as embarrasing my country. I think I'll just stick to embarrasing my friends for now :P

Photo Credit: Brent Hayden

And I thought Brendan had a bad Athens story! Unbelievable.

Many thanks to Brent for allowing me to publish one of his personal photos. He told me it's his favorite and he had to contort himself in some garbage to get the angle. Well worth it! (I get to see the real thing soon!). Read more about Brent on his Wikipedia page, or you can listen to this entertaining podcast where he talks about his favorite haunts in Vancouver. Brent will be joining other members of the Canadian National team in Holland this week for the Dutch Open I believe. Competition begins Thursday.

Q and A with Christian Sprenger

Christian Sprenger is a young Australian Breaststroker who has been a force on the short course scene for a few years now, and lately has been showing us some long course skills. After a 7th place finish at Australia's Olympic Trials in 2004, he's gone on to establish himself as a contender for the 2008 Olympic team with a bronze medal performance in the 100m Breaststroke at Australia's 2006 National Championships. So far this season he's earned a silver and bronze from the Japan International Swim Meet and gold in the 50, 100 and 200 Breaststrokes at World Cup in Sydney. Although he's seen most of his success thus far in short course I know many of us would love to see him overtake one of his teammates (coughJimPipercough) in the long course events and go on to represent Australia in Beijing.


Photo Credit: by Delly Carr / SAL.

1. You're having a pretty good season so far with an outstanding performance at the Sydney World Cup. Are you pretty happy with where your training is right now and what are your goals this year, both short term and long? Trials is coming up fast for you guys....

Yeah, I mean there's a lot of good things that I can take out of the Sydney World Cup. However, a lot of things I can still work on, which is exciting to know I could potentially swim faster. Training at the moment is going well, and my stroke is actually starting to look like breaststroke..haha. Lucky for me the Olympic trials are (as you mentioned) fast approaching, so hopefully by then I'll be looking good in the water. As for goals, the childhood dream of representing your country at the Olympics always crosses my mind.

2. Ok, the question I'm asking all Breaststrokers...How have you adapted to the new dolphin kick and what were your feelings regarding the rule change? Overdue or unnecessary?

Definitely Overdue. It was getting a bit outrageous there for a few years. I actually remember standing next to one of my friends at the Commonwealth Games, watching some of the highlights from the night before, and the 50m breast came up (underwater camera). Some dived in and made the race look like the 50m butterfly final for about 5 metres. Unfortunately some still do it!

I don't feel it (the fly kick) has benefitted me so much, as I'm still very weak on the starts and turns. Hopefully, as I progress in those skills, as will that fly kick.

3. We've had quite a bit to say about the You Tube video making the rounds showing Greek swimmer Romanos Alifantis, but lucky you got a front row seat for the show. You were the silver medalist in that video. Can you tell us a little bit more about what happened and how you, your team, the officials and the crowd reacted? What are your feelings on video review for officials?

Haha yes...Romanos Alyfantis...Unfortunately, I have no respect for him as a swimmer. As far as I'm concerned he's just as guilty as any drug cheat. That race was actually the first time I broke the 1.01, and it should have been something to celebrate, yet I watched him fly kick his way to an undeserved win. My Coach/Head coach/Team officials/EVERYONE, could not believe that he wasn't disqualified. The crowd was awesome, they had all sorts of names for Alyfantis, and at the same time made sure everyone knew who really won the race.

4. I don't want to embarrass you but I was reading a profile of you on the Telstra site and it lists Brendan Hansen as your favorite athlete. (ME TOO! ha). Why Brendan?

I don't mind answering that. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great athlete, and I'll be ready when I get the chance to race him. Hopefully next year... haha.

5. Tell us about your life outside the pool..How's it going? How do you fill your time when not training?

Well, I'm currently studying Industrial Design/Architecture, so I keep relatively busy with that. I also play guitar. I've been in a few bands, but unfortunately I don't have a whole heap of time! haha.

6. The only Aussie bands I know are Silverchair and AC/DC - who else should I be listening to?

The only Aussie bands you know are AC/DC and Silverchair! Haha, well I guess thats ok, cause Silverchair are very good! However, you need to listen to their old albums. eg. "Frogstop", "Freak Show", and "Neon Ballroom." Their new stuff is nowhere near as good! 'Evermore' are really good, 'Jet' are great. Umm, and I just realised I don't know too many artists either, haha. I'm more into the US rock bands!

Christian with his coach Stephan Widmer - Giving us his best Blue Steel. ;)

He's so freaking adorable! And a training mate of Jo Fargus (who we love). So A+ all around for Christian! We should ask him who his favorite US bands are next time. Someone remind me.

Read more about Christian on the Telstra site.

Q and A with Markus Rogan

Markus Rogan is more than just a world class athlete, Olympic silver medalist and former World Record holder. For many people, he is the epitome of what an Olympian should be. After the disqualification of Aaron Peirsol in the 200 Backstroke in Athens, Markus would have been the Olympic Champion but he stood by Aaron in protest of the DQ and maintained that his friend and competitor was the clear winner of the race and should not lose his medal. His behavior earned him the Fair Play Award in 2004 and of course the respect of his peers and fans everywhere.

In the intervening years he's broken Aaron's short course record in the 200m backstroke, won many additional international medals and been a vocal advocate for the rights of athletes. He joined others in petitioning FINA when they started forcing swimmers to wear sponsor logos on their uniforms and just this past year petitioned the IOC to keep swimming finals at night in Beijing. He is now training to improve on his Olympic results from 2004 and face Aaron once again in Beijing.



1. You are now training in Rome. What necessitated the move and how does "la dolce vita" of Italy work for you as a training environment? How do you feel about where you are with your training right now? Favorite gelato flavor?

In Italy, emotions are part of training. Even when we're dead tired, we're able to let our dreams carry us through the hardest parts of workout.

I moved here because I had no one to train with in Austria, and I started to see swimming as something of a dry sport...I needed more excitement, I yearned for passion in the water.

True Italians don't really eat gelato, that's for tourists...just like Mexicans don't really drink Corona...:)

2. Because of your athleticism and sportsmanship/character you are looked upon as a role model not only in your home country of Austria but around the world. What do you hope to inspire in young people and who are the role models you look to yourself?

I used to have pretty lofty goals as a role model, until I realized that the world's pretty full of them. Now I just hope that I can show children that it's better to go for a swim than to take drugs.

I'm currently discovering a new role model, Barack Obama. I love his match of idealism with a very people-inclusive approach.

3. You have a degree in International Relations from Stanford and I read in one of your previous interviews that you've tested for Business School. Will you continue to swim competitively after Beijing or are you ready for something else? Is it still too soon to think about that?

I hope to hear from Harvard in the next couple of weeks...but it will be pretty tough to get in. I'll stop training after Beijing and see how much longer I'll swim... I'm also going to expand my work as a consultant for my bank, Raiffeisen International.

4. What are your feelings on the use of underwater cameras and video review for officials in swimming? Long overdue or an unnecessary encumbrance?

The stupid Greek!
Of course they should be used!

5. On your website you have photos and results from the Markus Rogan Talent Cup. Can you tell us a little more about what that is?

It's a nationwide talent search for swimmers...we had about 5000 participants (not bad for a country smaller than the Dallas met area) and are hoping that a couple of them will make it to the Olympics in 2016.

6. Ok, I know I said 3-5 questions so you don't have to answer this one if you don't want to, but a few of the young women that visit the site are interested to know what qualities you look for in a woman and are you single?

I am madly in love with my girlfriend. Our mutual friend, Aaron Peirsol, got her phone number for me about six months ago. Today's our five month anniversary! Unfortunately, she's in China at the Miss World Pageant. In her normal life, she's in med school and we're planning on having somewhere between 3 and 20 children.

Markus with his girlfriend Miss Austria Christine Reiler. Photo credit: Zwefo

Nice work Aaron! Although I'm afraid some girls will not be so happy with you for that ;). Everyone be sure to root for Miss Austria on December 1st.

Those of us who went to Montreal in 2005 have many fond memories of riding the metro with Markus. I won't embarrass Blair (or the rest of us) by detailing it all but she accidentally got a little up close and personal with him. Good times...good times.

Y'all can read more about him on his fabulous dual-language website. He's got technique videos, games, photos, and much more.

Q and A with Nick Brunelli

Nick Brunelli is one of our top sprinters and National team members who will be battling for a spot on the Olympic team this season. He just missed qualifying for the Athens team in 2004, with a 3rd place finish in the 50 Free and after suffering a shoulder injury at 2006 Summer Nationals, and subsequent surgery to repair the damage, things weren't looking so good for 2008. Thank goodness no one told Nick! He had an amazing summer and looks on track for big things this year...


Nick and his fiance, Jennifer Van Assen - Photo courtesy of Nick Brunelli

1. A lot has happened since the last Olympic season, you graduated, you're engaged (congrats!) and you've had a pretty serious shoulder injury to recover from. How is training different for you now than it was 4 years ago? Is it a matter of knowing what to do and just executing the plan or are you still tweaking your training program each season?

Thank you on the engagement! Jennifer and I are now happy to be planning our wedding. The date is now official too! It's June 13th, 2009. We thought after the Olympic year would be best.

As for swimming, training is very different than what it used to be. I am more cautious of what I am doing in the water so my shoulders don't break down as much. I have been on a strict rehab program that will lead right up to Olympic Trials. In my swim training, I have a very good relationship with my coach Mike Chasson and that helps when I think things aren't going well or I think I need something else. It does help a lot to know Mike and I can talk about my game plan anytime. The plan for me right now is to continue the things we know work and to add small things that can compliment those things. You don't want to change anything to much this close to trials.

2. As a professional athlete who also coaches, what do you think you most contribute to the swimmers you coach and the kids you clinic? Do you think your swimmers consider you hard or a pushover? What do you most hope your students take away from their time with you?

I am a constant learner of the sport and very serious about the things I do and teach. I always try to make everything better within my stroke and others I coach and teach. But with that said I do like a comfortable and exciting environment where anyone I teach or coach can question what I think is right or wrong. But if I'm sure I am right, you better do it my way or I am not doing my job. People pay me to teach them what I know best and if I don't know best then I shouldn't be doing it. I love helping swimmers too much to be teaching them the wrong things. I feel like anyone I have coached or taught, they had a very positive experience.

3. You had a great summer, bronze in the 50 and 100 at Nationals and two more bronzes in Japan. Do you feel like you are right where you need to be with your training? How happy are you with your results?

I am exactly where I want to be really. I feel great and nothings holding me back with training. The past season is history to me right now. I took the good with the bad and moved on. I know what I did wrong and now I'm training to correct that so it never happens again. But to look back on last season I am very happy. I was able to pull off a best time in the 50 free (22.01) and go just about my best in my 100 free (49.04). To do that with what I have been through in the last year with shoulder surgery I think anyone would take that!

4. What is the funniest swim slogan or swim t-shirt you've seen lately?

This was the only one I could think of and it's not really funny but I think it's a clever one. This has no reference to me though: There is no "I" in Team, but there is in Swimmer!

Oh my goodness y'all, I'm so sick, so please forgive me for the somewhat briefer than usual introduction and know that it's certainly not due to a lack of admiration for Mr. Brunelli. Frankly, I think most of you are already pretty familiar with Nick as we even have our own nickname for him here at BHO - "The Back". I think it was originally coined by Erin or Jenny at 2005 ASCC? I wasn't at that meet so my memory is vague on the issue (Nyquil isn't helping me here either) but it has lovingly stuck as a term of endearment. One of them needs to remind us how that came about. ;)

And here are some links so you can learn more about Nick: His Sun Devil Profile, USA Swimming Profile, most recent 20 Question Tuesday, and his Swimroom Blog.

ETA: Special request from Sarah...I think this photo adequately demonstrates why that nickname came about.


Photo courtesy of lala

Q and A with Brendan Hansen!

I figure here at BHO, if nowhere else, he is a man who needs no introduction. If you need clarification, check the bio/stats page. And for all you trick-or-treaters here's a little eye candy from myself and Peter Bick, who is on his way to the Galapagos Islands, btw. Click on the image below to get the larger wallpaper sized version.




1. How's the training going right now and what are your short and long term goals?

Training so far the season has been great. I have been healthy physically and with the nice little break after Nationals this summer I have come back refreshed and ready to go. Right now my short term goals are to race as much as I can and swim in more meets than I have in the past leading up to the summer. In the past I have always been in great workout shape but when it came to racing it took a few races to get back into the groove and I don't want that. Long term goals have to be the Olympic Trials and Olympics. Yeah Baby, it's about time it's Olympic year. Anyone else tired of talking about '04? I am ready to make some new memories.

2. Approaching Olympic Trials this time you are in quite a different position than 4 years ago. Not only the World Record holder in both events for 3 years running but also an obvious favorite to win. Does that change your game plan as you approach Omaha? What kind of competition schedule are you planning for this year? World Cup/Grand Prix meets? What about SC Nationals next month?

My game plan never changes when I go into a meet and I think that's one of the reasons I have stayed so consistent over the years. I just work really hard in training and go into a meet convinced that I will swim fast because no one does the kind of training that my team and I do. My schedule this year will be filled with more meets including Grand Prix in Long Beach and Missouri. I will do the Texas Invite in December because there is nothing better than swimming fast in that pool, then close out the season with the American Short Course Championships which is in the middle of March and then fine tune things for the big summer.

3. You had some challenges with illness in Melbourne and poor air quality in Indianapolis but still a very successful season. How do you feel about the year overall? Did you come out of it feeling frustrated that things didn't go more easily for you or reassured that you can compete well in challenging circumstances? Or something else entirely?

To be honest I don't really look back on this year that often. In the big scheme of things I didn't really care for it. It was tough getting sick in Melbourne and Nationals wasn't that much fun either. I just figure if I concentrate at all on the past then I am not giving 100% towards the future and that's been my main concern ever since I left Athens.

4. We haven't heard from you in so long - please catch us up on how life is treating you in Austin. How are you spending your free time these days? What was the best non-work related thing you did this summer?

Yes, I know. I apologize but the last thing i want to do when I leave the pool is anything related to swimming. One of the reasons I am still in the sport today is because I can keep that separation. Austin has been so good to me over the past 7 years which I can't believe by the way. I still own a house south of town and yes I still mow my lawn, pull weeds, fix sinks, lights, etc. All the joys of owning a home.

One of my new hobbies that i picked up in March is archery. I have really enjoyed it. There is a local Archery Shop in Austin called Archery Country that if I am not at home or the pool thats where I will be. It's a great stress reliever and allows me to be outdoors more.

The best thing I did this summer had to be vacation with the fam. Obviously, over the past couple of years it's gotten harder and harder to get the whole family together partly because of me being in Texas. So it was nice for us to relax, maybe rent a pontoon boat and putz around the lake with a cooler of appropriate "Lake Beverages".

5. Halloween season is just around the corner. Do you stay home and give out candy or make Chappy and Dale do that while you go out and party? What is your costume going to be this year? Do you decorate? Carve pumpkins? Dress your dogs up?

We used to carve pumkins but we always did it too early before Halloween so they looked bad once Halloween night came around. I usually stay home and I am not going to lie, I give out the best candy. I am that house all the kids talk about. I will probably have 30 to 40 trick or treaters that night. It's fun but as far as dressing up the dogs, yeah right I can barely keep a collar on 'em.

I have to agree with Brendan - It's time to make some new Olympic memories.

Q and A with Jason Lezak

Jason Lezak grew up in Irvine, California and started swimming with Novaquatics when he was just 5, but he also competed in a lot of other sports and was apparently a pretty good soccer, baseball, water polo and basketball player. At 10 he was forced to choose between a baseball event and swimming at the Junior Olympics and swimming won out. He was forced to choose again in high school and after dropping basketball his times improved enough to earn him All-American honors and a scholarship to UCSB. In the years following college he established himself as a top sprinter winning 7 US Championships, numerous World Cup events and World Championship medals, and making 2 Olympic teams winning 2 gold, a silver and bronze medal. He was part of the WR setting 4x100 Medley Relay team in Athens, along with Brendan of course, and also holds the American Record in the 100 meter free (LC).



1. Where are you training these days and how is it going?

I'm training in Irvine most of the time, but I also train at Rose Bowl where my team is that sponsors me. Training is going really well and I'm looking forward to the upcoming year.

2. You had an amazing anchor leg in the 4x100 free in Melbourne. Do you think swimming the fastest relay leg, as well as swimming faster than every other swimmer in the pool, save Magnini, should put to rest all the talk of your age?

I hope so but I still hear talk of it. I have seen other people have success at an older age and as long as I understand what I can and can't do with my body in training there is no reason I can't still swim fast. It is difficult at times because I want to work harder but my recovery takes longer so sometimes I need to back off.

3. You had a really controversial DQ in Paris this summer. Were you ever given an explanation? How do you feel about swimming going to video review for officials like it's used in other sports? How do you refocus after something like that and move forward?

The explanation that was given to me after I wrote a long protest was that according to the starter, "I am 100% sure of movement". That's it and nothing else. They told me before the protest I was wasting my money and I wouldn't win the protest. I think having instant replay would be great in situations like this because there are very few times when they would actually have to use it (Unlike in the NFL where it seems like the games take forever because coaches are always challenging). It took me a couple weeks to calm down after that happened but fortunately it wasn't the Olympics or Olympic trials. I just needed to put my focus on next year where it really matters.

4. What activities do you enjoy when you aren't training? Have any hobbies?

I used to love to play basketball but the last thing I need is to roll an ankle so over the last several years I've been strictly an observer. I split season tickets with my cousin to the Lakers. Besides that I would have to say just relaxing and enjoying some TV with my wife.

Getty Images

I can't get over how young Brendan looks in that photo. That Medley Relay race was so exciting and perhaps the most memorable for me from Athens. It was great seeing the guys come out and just dominate the race from start to finish. If we're fortunate we'll see it happen again in Beijing with the same 4 guys. How great will that be? Read more about Jason at his official website and wish him luck this season and at Trials.

Q and A with Joanna Fargus

Joanna "Jo" Fargus was born in Hong Kong, raised in Australia, competed for Great Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games and educated at the University of Southern California. She's since made the switch over to the Aussie National team and won gold for them at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

She's a 200 backstroke specialist, a six-time All-American and former co-captain of her USC team and a former teammate and roommate of one of our favorites here at BHO, Kaitlin Sandeno. Some might think she's kinda gorgeous too.

Enjoy!


One of my photos from Speedo Grand Challenge last year

1. What are your goals going into this season? Is training in an Olympic year much different that training any other year?

Going into this season, my main goal is to swim at the Olympic Games and represent my country to the best of my ability. But obviously I have to make the team first, so our training right now is geared towards racing fast at our Trials in March. I think if you ask any athlete, I think they'll tell you that their training is different in an Olympic year, mainly because of the added pressure we place upon ourselves. The content of the training we do probably isn't very different to other years, but there is a special pride attached with the Olympics that makes us push that extra bit each day. My aim is to go into the Olympics knowing that I have done everything in my power to achieve my best possible result. I think that is the definition of success.

2. How is training different for you in Australia under Coach Cotterell than it was under Mark Schubert at USC and the ever controversial Bill Sweetenham in Great Britain? How is your training going?

Well, I am now training with Stephan Widmer up in Brisbane. I moved to his squad right before our World Championship trials in November 2006. Training with Stephan is amazing, but initially I was shocked at how different it was to my previous programs. I loved my time at USC and wouldn't trade my experience there for anything. Mark taught me so much about myself as an athlete and a person, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to swim at one of the best programs in the US with an amazing group of people. I also trained under head coach Bill Sweetenham in Great Britain, but the main difference Australia has to offer in comparison with the UK is its overwhelming culture of sport. The support system down under is highly conducive to success, and training with Denis Cotterell was a great factor in my achievements at last years Commonwealth Games. Denis is not only a great coach but he is a wonderful person. He truly cares about his athletes and I can't thank him enough for what he did for me as a swimmer. After a while, however, I felt as though I needed a change in my life, so I moved to Brisbane to train alongside Libby Lenton and Leisel Jones. I love the work we do with Stephan, it's so different to anything I have ever experienced in a program before. He challenges us every day, takes us out of our comfort zones and the program is very race oriented. The first 3 months in his squad were a huge shock to my system, but now I'm seeing the positive effects it's having, which is extremely exciting in the lead up to next year.

3. You suffered a very serious ankle injury back in 2002 and struggled a bit after that. What advice can you give other young swimmers experiencing similar difficulties? What got you through the low times?

Breaking my ankle was one of the hardest experiences of my swimming career. It happened just as I was maturing as an athlete and as I was rapidly improving. I struggled for a long time, more mentally than physically. It took me about 18 months to get full strength back in my leg, but it took me a lot longer to regain the confidence I had previously. If I could give advice, it would be to just to stick it out. Keep pushing yourself, get a good support system around you and just try to take it one day at a time. It's very frustrating being injured, and as the stubborn person that I am, I wanted to be better immediately. But being mad at myself wasn't going to help things, so I decided to just focus on small goals I wanted to achieve and do everything I could to reach them. I was training under Mark Schubert when I injured myself, and I consider him a great influence on my recovery. When most people were assuming I would retire or were writing me off, he had the utmost faith in me and celebrated every little step I made on the long road back to my best. Also my friends and family were so supportive of me, and I don't think I could have stuck in this sport without them to keep me level headed throughout all the hard times.

4. You're stranded alone on a tropical island with nothing but a tiki hut and a cache of rum...which 3 swimmers would you invite to join you? Which ones are good for a fun island vacation?

A cache of rum!!! Sounds like a party to me.
Well firstly I would invite Kaitlin Sandeno. We were freshmen together at USC and have stayed great friends throughout the years. I don't get to see her very much, mainly at international meets but I love her to bits and you can always count on her to cheer you up when you're down or to get the party started!!! Secondly I would invite Mel Schlanger. She is my training buddy and an awesome girl. We are so alike, it's quite scary, and she is always there to cheer me up if I'm having a bad day or bring me down if I'm wound up. Thirdly, I would invite Ryk Neethling. (I don't think a reason is required here, but 3 girls on a tropical island would definitely need some eye candy!)

5. What's the best thing to eat Nutella with?

Well, being the Nutella addict that I am, I would have to say that it is without a doubt the best food ever created. No question. It is good on fingers, toast, crackers, bananas, pancakes, french toast... the list is endless. I don't think there is anything it wouldn't go with. But the best thing to eat Nutella with is a big spoon straight from the jar.

News Limited picture - Jo at the Australian Swimmer of the Year Awards

Honestly, what is with all the Ryk Neethling love? Give me Markus Rogan and zero competition with that cache of rum and let the good times roll!

In all seriousness, Jo sounds like a really level headed athlete who has perservered and I'm sure we'll see great things from her in Beijing. Best of luck!

Q and A with Milorad "Mike" Cavic

Although Milorad (Mike) Cavic competes for the Serbian National team he's a home grown Southern California boy who swam for Novaquatics growing up and graduated from Cal Berkeley (with previous Q&A participant Duje Draganja). Still young at only 23, he's already had a great deal of International experience swimming at both the Sydney and Athens Olympic games and on numerous World Championship teams. He's a former World Record Holder in the 100 meter short course butterfly and silver medalist in the 50 free at the 2003 European SC Championships. Currently training at the Race Club with Gary Hall, Jr. and numerous former Cal Bear teammates, he will almost certainly be representing Serbia in Beijing next summer and looking for a spot on the podium and some Olympic hardware.

You know, I hate to use "best" or "favorite" when talking about any of the Q&A's we've been blessed to have here at BHO, but I will say that this one is definitely a Top 5 contender (If I dared rank them, which I would never do).


Photo courtesy of Milorad "Mike" Cavic

1. This will be your third Olympic season. Can you describe for us what your first Olympic experience as a young and impressionable teenager was like? What advice would you give swimmers coming into their first Games? How do you handle all the distractions and excitement and stay focused on racing?

My first Olympic experience was a scary one. I was 16 years old and was competing for what was then the Yugoslav Olympic team, and I didn't know what to expect. I knew I wasn't capable of making a final, but I figured I had plenty of time ahead of me, and that I needed to use the opportunity to feel the atmosphere, breathe it in, and get ready to experience the power of the scene. Well, long story short, I didn't do very well but what I came away with was one of the greatest things in my life - I felt like I overcame a great obstacle and that was myself. I felt I had the ability to race against anyone in the world and even though they might be better than me, I wasn't going to let their image or abilities intimidate me from swimming my own race!

My advice to an Olympic rookie is this - Although there are a lot of distractions at the Olympics, if you're seriously thinking you have a real shot at doing something great, turn your head away from those distracting things. There will be time for fun after the swimming is over, and you should have plenty of time to do anything you want considering swimming is the first week of the games. When you're at the pool, imagine the stands being full of people and try to feel the energy shooting down at you from all sides, because it's how it will really be. It's an incredible feeling, so you might as well let it fuel you in your race!

2. You train with an amazing group of swimmers at the Race Club. How competitive does the pool environment get? Does it ever feel like UC Berkeley - South Campus with all the Bears down there?

Its a real privilege to swim with the Race Club, we've got a lot of fast people, and a lot of cool guys to work with. Its pretty safe to say its competitive down here, but its that way with a lot of sprinters who think they're pretty good. I like to talk a bit of trash to raise the stakes and energy before a lactate swim, but its always all in fun, everyone understands that. I honestly don't have the feeling that I'm still at Cal because its a completely different environment (always warm here whereas in Berkeley its usually cold 7-8 months of the year)... but having Mike Bottom, Duje Draganja, and Nathan Adrian around is real nice during Cal Football days.

3. What is it that keeps getting you up and into the pool every morning?

After almost retiring from the sport last year, I had a lot of time to think about my goals in life and what I wanted to do, and I realized that I was still very capable in swimming and that I really wanted to be on that medal podium at the Olympics in Beijing. Now that I'm done with school its much easier training and recovering than in the past, but I really feel deeply that I'm going to be better than ever. It doesn't hurt that I have a great coach who tries to keep the whole training experience interesting, so going to workout isn't such a drag!

4. What do you love to do when you aren't swimming?

When I'm not swimming, my favorite pastimes are eating and sleeping! But for health reasons and reasons of trying to keep a life, I'm not able to do that all the time, so I like to watch movies, play xbox 360 with the guys, and go spear-fishing as much as possible. Whenever we play games we're always playing against each other so we're always in competition even outside the pool, its great! Gary Hall Jr. is not as bad as one would think!

5. You aren't just a pretty face but a very well educated one as well. What was the last book you read and how was it?

Thanks for the compliment :) The last book I read was not too long ago, and I want you to know it doesn't reflect my thoughts or beliefs, but I read a book on starvation/fasting called "Gladovanje" by a russian author. It was in Serbian I should add... basically I'm fascinated by the medical implications of healing through fasting. Its pretty controversial, but really interesting... It'd take me a few paragraphs to explain some thoughts behind it, but I'll just save you the energy of having to read it. :)

Photo courtesy of Bottomline Aquatics

So now I not only have to buy the book, but learn Serbian as well. GREAT! I love that photo of him spear-fishing so much I can't even tell you. Next week, Jo Fargus and Jason Lezak! We MIGHT even get some answers from Brendan before too long. Stay tuned...

Q and A with Tara Kirk

I can't possibly list all of her accolades so I'll do my best just to quickly summarize. Tara Kirk possesses an accomplished NCAA career in which she is the only woman in history to have won the NCAA 100 yard Breaststroke Championship all 4 years and was named 2004 NCAA Swimmer of the Year. She holds American records in all breaststroke distances both short course meters and yards, three National titles and is the only woman to have gone sub-58 in the 100 yard distance. She has a 2004 Olympic Silver medal in the 4x100 Medley Relay and countless World/International Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the 50, 100, and 200 Breaststroke distances, both short course and long course. In addition to her numerous athletic accomplishments, she is one half of the first sister duo to qualify for the US Olympic Swim Team (Athens 2004 with sister Dana) and she holds a Masters degree from Stanford in Anthropological Sciences where her master's thesis was entitled "Reflections: Using Avian Influenza to Investigate the Pandemic of 1918". Pretty freaking impressive.


AP Photo - Tara accepting the 2003-2004 Honda-Broderick Cup

1. How do you feel with where your training is overall right now? Are you still tweaking your stroke/training program or do you know what needs to be done and it's just a matter of implementing now?

I think that I am still working on maintaining my stroke, especially when I get stressed out. I know I have a pretty good stroke but sometimes I slip into my old habits. I have to be constantly vigilant to prevent that from happening. As for training, I think that I'm coming around on that. The fall was rough but after making the realization of "If I keep training like this, I'm not going to make the team" things have been going A LOT better.

2. Ok, the question I'm asking all Breaststrokers...How have you adapted to the new dolphin kick and what were your feelings regarding the rule change? Overdue or unnecessary?

I'm still working on getting as much from the dolphin kick as possible. If everyone is going to do it then I am going to try and do it the best. As to whether I like the rule change or not - I'd rather have the dolphin kick legal for everyone to do than have one or two people cheating and getting away with it. It would have been better if the officials could just call it but if they weren't calling it then the only option was to make it legal.

3. Are we all going to die from bird flu?

No, I don't think that we are all going to die from bird flu. But I wouldn't totally discount it either. Over recorded history, influenza has proven itself to be both ever changing and deadly. The best way to prevent disaster is to invest in a better health care system, that way regardless of what comes our way, we are ready to respond.

4. Your sister Dana is both your National team and Stanford teammate, as well as a great cheerleader for you. Is she your secret weapon at a big meet?

No, Dana isn't my secret weapon at a big meet. She is my very obvious weapon (chocolate is my secret weapon). Usually, I swim great when she's there cheering for me. However, I get stressed out when she is swimming because I want her to do well so badly.

5. Give us the wedding scoop! When is it going to happen? What kind of dress? Church or outdoor? Who is the lucky guy?

The lucky guy, Greg, is currently a grad student at Stanford. We met while we were both undergrads and living in the same campus run house (kind of like a frat house but run by the university with 25 guys and 25 girls living there and an awesome chef to cook us food). As we say at Stanford, it was dormcest. Greg and I are tentatively thinking of a wedding date in August 2009 at a resort in Washington where they do weddings a lot. I just don't want to be stressed out by the event so I wanted a place where they would take care of almost everything. I haven't looked at dresses yet but I am eliminating anything puffy. I am to stocky already to have anything that makes me look any wider.

Photo courtesy of lala - Tara and Brendan kick it at Duel in the Pool

The women's breaststroke events at Trials will be insanely competitive, dare I even compare the women's breaststroke field to the men's backstroke field? Tara's 2007 World Silver medal in the 100 Breast certainly demonstrates her ability and I know we all wish her the best of luck. Be sure to check out her Blog over at WCSN.

Q and A with Felicia Lee

Felicia Lee is one of our up-and-coming National Junior Team members who will be competing in her first Olympic Trials next summer. Training under Paul Yetter at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club she's already won two National titles in the 100 fly and just finished up a very successful summer winning her first international gold at Junior Pan Pacs and traveling with the US team to Japan for their new Grand Prix event. Sports Illustrated has already recognized Felicia in their "Faces in the Crowd" section and has predicted her to be a future Olympic star. I'm not going to argue with them.



1. Going into this year which are you most excited about - your first Olympic Trials or your 16th birthday?

Haha, that's pretty tough. I would have to say I'm more excited about my first Olympic Trials since that only comes around once every four years and the opportunity to race in one of the fastest meets ever is definitely exciting. But then again I'm pretty stoked about my 16th birthday because I can have a sweet sixteen party and finally being able to drive.

2. You are probably what some would call a long shot for a spot on the 2008 Olympic team but you've often been called a precocious swimmer and you have quite a precocious coach as well. What is your attitude going into your first Olympic Trials and what goals have you set for yourself?

Going into trials, I'm just going to have fun, be confident, and swim the best that I can. Basically I want to treat trials like any other national meet. As for goals, again, I just want to swim to the best of my ability and see what happens from there.

3. You had a great summer of firsts representing the United States on your first Junior National Team and winning your first international medal in the 100 fly at Junior Pan Pacs. You also swam a new personal best of 59.46 in the 100 fly at the Japanese Grand Prix. Was this your breakout year or will everyone be looking at 2008 as the year Felicia Lee took the pool by storm?

The past year has definitely been great for me. Representing the US was an awesome experience and I hope I can do more of that in the future. As far as the breakout year, I feel that this year was a learning experience for me and I know I can improve on certain things with my stroke. So after some adjustments, I'm hoping next year will be my breakout year.

4. Much like Brendan, you don't have to look far to find inspirational training mates. How does being in the pool with swimmers such as Katie Hoff and Courtney Kalisz effect the way you train?

Being in the same pool and training with Katie and Courtney definitely affect the way I train. Having the best swimmers in the country training with you creates this competitive atmosphere in practice, and I love it. Katie and Courtney, as well as the other members of our training group, are there pushing me and motivating me to swim faster every single practice.

5. The latest trend is to ask for the top 5 hottest male/female swimmers, but I'm more interested in hearing some other superlatives.

Nicest?

Elizabeth Beisel and Katie Hoff

Funniest?

Hands down, it's gotta be Allison Schmitt.

Smartest?

Tara Kirk

Most likely to win 8 gold medals in Beijing?

Probably Michael Phelps.

ok, ok....Hottest?

Haha, Ryan Lochte.

Felicia also asked me to give a special shout out to our own Timtheswimmer. He's famous like that y'all.

Tara Kirk up next week!

Q and A with Megan Jendrick

Megan Jendrick is a two time Olympic Gold Medalist and ten time US National Champion. As one of our top Breaststrokers, she's going to be fighting some stiff competition to make the US Olympic team, but her 2007 World Silver medal proves that she's got more than enough talent to do that and more.


Photo credit: Nathan Jendrick

1. You had an amazing first Olympics, winning two gold medals in Sydney and then JUST missed making your second Olympic team in 2004. Now you have another shot at it. What have you learned about yourself since 2004 that will help you in 2008?

I think the biggest thing I took away from 2004 Trials was that my confidence level has to be 100% on. To be entirely honest, going into Long Beach, I wasn't sure that the training I had received in the couple of prior years was what I needed to make that team. It wasn't a comfortable situation I came out of; I was training by myself and the atmosphere wasn't one that just urged high-level swimming. In 2000 if someone asked me about making the Olympic team I said, "Yes, I'm going to make the team." In 2004 it was, "I hope so." Now, going into 2008, it's back to "Yes, I'm going to make the team." I think you'll find just about every athlete at our level who does great things has that same attitude, and I think it's necessary.

2. You were dealing with several stress fractures back in 2006. Have you fully recovered from them now? How is your training going?

I have actually been dealing with multiple stress fractures since very early 2005. They hurt all the time (one in my knee, two in my opposite fibula) and aside from affecting my training in the pool, they pretty much rendered my lower body useless when it came to dry land training. For quite awhile I couldn't even walk long distances without pain.

The longest break I've had since coming back to swimming was just over two weeks, and my doctors say I need 6-8 weeks off at the least, assuming I haven't made them worse, to let them heal. Obviously, that isn't going to happen, but for the most part the only one that still bothers me is in my knee. When it's really flared up, pushing off the wall is extremely painful, but most of the time it's ok. My trainer has had to do some major revamping to my weight routines since I can't do squats or leg pressing movements, but luckily he's very good and has found a way to have me get all of the work I need in with movements I can do.

3. A question I've been asking all the breaststrokers - How do you feel with the new dolphin kick on the pull-out? What was your feeling about the rule change - Overdue or unnecessary?

I could actually answer that both ways. At first I was against it merely for the fact that it just doesn't seem right to have a dolphin kick in breaststroke. In that sense, I feel it's unnecessary because breaststroke had so many beautiful components on its own without it. But in the way of it being overdue, I think they had to add it to make it fair. The athletes who were doing it when it wasn't legal were cheating those who were swimming fairly, and they weren't getting disqualified for it. So, to make it a level playing field, it was one way to do it. It was either that or really step up the officiating of the rule, which may have just caused a lot of problems, I don't know. But, just like morning finals, it's one of those things we can complain about now but that won't change anything, so we adapt and everyone has the same requirements.

4. FINA has pretty much said that underwater cameras in officiating is inevitable but that they won't have it in place for Beijing despite already testing them last season. How do you feel about the addition of underwater cameras?

I would love to see underwater cameras in officiating. We already know of one major butterfly race that would have seen a different gold medalist, and there are some breaststrokers too who do several dolphin kicks during their actual race but don't get disqualified for it. I think it could do a lot of good. As for there being a delay, I'm not sure why it would be hard to implement. There are already dozens of cameras on the bottom of the pool and so many ways to watch them, but I'm sure they have their reasons, one of which may be differentiating what is considered "Natural movement" of the legs after the kick. Whenever they do get put to use though, I say it's for the better.

5. Are there any other athletes you've met during your career that made you feel a little starstruck?

Just two. Leading into the Sydney Olympics, I was on several occasions in newspapers and on television, called the "Muhammad Ali of swimming" because of the things I said. Ali would say what he was going to do, and then go and do it. I feel I did the same leading into Sydney and at the Games themselves. Well, then I saw him in person, and I was so much in awe that I couldn't even introduce myself! Then, awhile back, Jack O'Callahan (1980 US Olympic hockey team) was doing a presentation, and even though I've been asked for my autograph thousands and thousands of times, I was too nervous to ask him for his!

You can read more about Megan on her website or go over to Swimroom.com and check out her blog.

Q and A with Joe Bartoch

Joe Bartoch is possibly the hottest Canadian to ever come out of London, Ontario. Heck, I'll take it a step further, Joe Bartoch may be the hottest Canadian EVER. So, I must ask, where is his SwimStars blog? Why hasn't he made the Timed Prelims "Who's Hot" list? (An obviously flawed polling method is being employed. Come on...Aaron Peirsol? ;)

Joe is a member of Canada's Senior National Team and is a favorite to make their 2008 Olympic team next summer...his first. While at UNLV he set new school and conference records in the 100 free and 100 fly and as a Senior was the Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Year and a three time All American. He led the UNLV Rebels to back-to-back league Championships in 2005 and 2006 and swam on 13 conference championship relays. He was known by his teammates as both a comedian and a leader. While finishing up at UNLV he was also making his mark on the Canadian National and International scenes by winning the 50 free and the 100 fly at the Ann Arbor Grand Prix and achieving a new personal best and provincial record at the Pan Pacific Trials (53.13). Now a graduate he is training full time and has just finished up a busy summer winning a Gold medal in the 100 fly at the Canadian Swimming Championships, finishing 2nd in the 100 fly at the Bell Grand Prix and traveling overseas to compete in the Pan Am and World University Games.

Joe Bartoch's time HAS COME! Spread the word.



1. When was the first time you thought to yourself "I can make it to the Olympics" and how does going into the Olympic season as the number one Canadian flyer help/hinder you if at all?

The first time I thought that I could make it to the Olympics - would have to come from the 2004 trials. I was like .8 off the relay time standard and came second after Mike "Tank" Mintenko. It really opened my eyes because I had no expectations for that meet but had a huge drop so I knew that I was going to commit for the 2008 trials. I knew Mike was not going to stick around that long so I felt if I waited it out my turn would come. Coming into this year I am not the "overall" fastest anymore. Daryl Rudolf had a breakthrough summer dropping more then a second to claim the fame. This takes pressure off me now as it's hard to be the number one guy (it's harder to defend a championship than it is to fight for one). So now I have something to strive for again. This summer I was just on my bests [in the 100 fly] but had some best times in other events...so I am looking forward to training this year as I know what I have to work on.

2. Can you take us through a typical training day for you?

A typical training day starts at 4:30 with breakfast then in the water from 5:30-7:30...then it's back home for another breakfast. I sleep during the day unless I have stuff to do. Usually, I wake up again at 2, eat lunch then head to the pool for a 3:30 to 5:30 afternoon workout, then it's home to eat dinner. Then there are my weight training days and dry land training days scattered throughout the week. The key for me is LOTS OF SLEEP!

3. Now that you've graduated from UNLV how do you spend your time when not training? Do you coach? Have hobbies?

I spend a lot of time in bed, hahaha. I graduated from UNLV with a PE degree and a minor in coaching. I have volunteered to work with the University of Western Ontario's swim team that is amalgamated with my club team the London Aquatic Club. So I am getting my foot in the door for my life after swimming. I am really excited and can't wait to be a coach! As for hobbies...still working on that. I hang out here and there with friends but spend a lot of time with family. I am working on getting involved in the "Big Brother/Big Sister" organization.

4. Unlike many other sports, swimmers seem to come from swimming families. Is that the case with you as well? Were either of your parents swimmers? Your siblings? How did you get involved in the sport and how old were you? I've read about Team Bartoch shirts in the stands - how important is that support to you at a big meet?

Yes, I definitely came from a swimming family. I have three older sisters that all swam before me. We grew up with a backyard pool and spent a lot of time at the beach. My parents were definitely not swimmers, but were both pretty good athletes growing up. I started with the London Aquatic Club when I was 4, I was a nationally ranked breaststroker WAY back in the day for my age group believe it or not. Anyway, one of my sisters still swims masters but the others have long forgotten the swimming ways but have put their kids into the sport. Swimming has always brought my family together which is awesome. Team Bartoch started back in 2004 during trials. My mom made shirts for all my family and extended family and it's just continued on and has become a symbol of our togetherness as a family. It extends far beyond swimming now. It's hard to have my family there. I put a lot more pressure on myself to perform. I want to make my family proud.

5. You have at least 2 tattoos. Can you tell us about them? When you got them and for what reason?

I got "polska" when I was 17 with my sister..she got one and I got one (she got a sunflower, not polska hahaha). I am half Polish, Bartoch is from the Polish side. I was raised to have a lot of pride and so I am really proud of my heritage especially of my grandparents that were forced labour during the war. So I grew up to respect my name and show it off with pride. The one on my back is Japanese. It means "Swimming"...my coach at UNLV (Kunio Kono) is from Japan. We clicked so well it was sort of in honor of him. HE tells everyone it is "Kunio Kono". hahaha

6. What was your favorite halloween costume you have worn..and how old were you?

I can't really remember my costumes, hahaha. This year I am dressing up as a boxer with these muai thai kick boxing shorts I got in Thailand and one of my Team Bartoch robes.

You can see more of Joe in the Gallery.

Q and A with Duje Draganja

Yves Herman/Reuters/Corbis

As a kid growing up in Croatia Duje Draganja missed a year of school due to civil war in the former Yugoslavia and trained in a pool that had bullet holes in it. Now at 24 he's a Croatian National hero and International medalist many times over, including a 2004 Olympic silver medal in the 50 meter free and a Gold at 2006 SC Worlds in the same event. At the age of 17, after an accomplished swimming career in Europe that included seven gold medals at the European Junior Championships, he was recruited by Mike Bottom for Berkeley and went on to be an All American and set an NCAA record in the 100 yard free. He won 10 Pac-10 swimming titles and 8 NCAA National championships before graduating in 2005 and is now training down in Florida at The Race Club with Gary Hall, Jr. and several of his former Berkeley teammates.

It was rumored earlier this year that Duje would be switching his nationality to Qatar and competing for them in Beijing so I took the opportunity to ask him about that, and a few other things...

1. How is your training going? Are you still training with Mike Bottom?
Are you excited about the possibilities going into this Olympic season and
how is it different from any other season, if at all? Can you clarify if
you'll be swimming for Qatar or Croatia in Beijing?

It is going well. I am training with Mike Bottom (who is now head coach of Croatian swimming team) down in the Florida Keys at Race Club. We have an interesting team and it is a lot of fun so far. Next season will be different just because