Cullen Jones returned to his former New Jersey swim team this week. (Associated Press photo)
Here is a brief rundown of the biggest stories from U.S. Swimming over the past week.
Cullen Jones returns home to New Jersey and will speak in a special presentation. NJ.com reported that the Olympic gold medalist practiced with his former swim team, the Jersey Gators.
He has scheduled an appearance next Saturday (Feb. 20) where he will address his swimming journey, sign autographs and take photos. According to the article from MyCentralJersey.com, Jones will publicize his Make-A-Splash foundation as well as promote a new swim lessons program.
Lauren Heller holds three of the top times in the nation amongst her age group peers. Heller, a 11-year old girl from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, holds nationwide top times in three of her age-group events and is in the top five in two other ones.
Her best events, as noted by the Akron Beacon Journal, include the 50 yard freestyle (24.64), 100 yard freestyle (54.15) and the 200 freestyle (1:59.01)—ranked No. 1 in all three in the nation.
Heller will participate in the YMCA National Championships in April. The article notes that she is the fastest 11-year-old swimmer in the nation.
Two-time All American diver Ryan Hawkins wins second consecutive NC4A state championship. Hawkins, who won the NC4A state championship last year, won his second championship yesterday at the Pullen Aquatic Center in Cary, N.C.
One of the most impressive things about Hawkins’ accomplishments is that he was born with a club foot and though he underwent surgery, his right leg is not as strong as his left.
Matthew Lamping breaks an S-10 classification Paralympic American record. Swimming World Magazine is reporting that Lamping, an 18-year-old from Boca Raton, Fla., broke the men’s 200 yard fly record (S-10 classification — 2:19.04) at the St. Andrew’s School Scotty Invite this past weekend.
What are your thoughts on these stories? Were there any other stories that caught your attention this past week?
stats corner
