Dutch Superstar Ranomi Kormowidjojo to be inducted as Honor Swimmer on May 16, 2026
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) is a triple Olympic champion, winning the gold medal in the 4 x 100-freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympic Games, and then in London, in 2012, she took gold in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, as well as a silver in the 400 free relay event. She set most of her world records primarily in the short course (SCM) 50m freestyle and on various Dutch relays, though she still ranks amongst the fastest ever. She has won an astounding 178 FINA/World Aquatics medals in international competition during her career, 70 gold, 62 silver and 46 bronze.
Learn more about Ranomi Kromowidjojo and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 Northeast 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33304
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ PURCHASE THEM HERE!
~ISHOF Class of 2026~
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
Make your Hotel reservations Now! The Host Hotel ~ Special Rate $219
Photo Courtesy: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
Embassy Suites 17th Street, 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Use QR Code to make your Hotel Reservations
Tickets for Friday Night’s Masters Induction, ISHOF Aquatic and Specialty Awards
Use QR Code to buy tickets to Friday night, May 15th Masters and Awards Night.
Click link below to see all award winners
ASCA/ISHOF Coaches Clinic Featuring Honoree Gregg Troy:
https://web.cvent.com/event/95f72cfc-f855-4e4d-bfb4-856f4b86ddc
Richard Burns to be first Masters Swimmer to be inducted into ISHOF since 2015
Richard Burns (USA) will be the first Masters Swimmer to be inducted into ISHOF in ten years. He has competed in 11 age groups, 30-34 through 80-84, which he is currently competing in. He has broken an amazing 97 world records as of December 2024, and those are only his individual WR. Rich has competed in six different FINA/World Aquatics Masters World Championships, winning 13 gold, eight silver and two bronze medals, again all individual events. There’s more to add when we start considering his relays. As of December 2023, Burns had added a mind boggling 3,215 FINA Masters World points. Rich was inducted into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2010. At the time he had amassed 37 FINA World Records. Since then, he has added 60 additional World Records to his count.
Learn more about Rich Burns and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 Northeast 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33304
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ PURCHASE THEM HERE!
~ISHOF Class of 2026~
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
Make your Hotel reservations Now! The Host Hotel ~ Special Rate $219
Photo Courtesy: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
Embassy Suites 17th Street, 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Use QR Code to make your Hotel Reservations
Tickets for Friday Night’s Masters Induction, ISHOF Aquatic and Specialty Awards
Use QR Code to buy tickets to Friday night, May 15th Masters and Awards Night.
Click link below to see all award winners
ASCA/ISHOF Coaches Clinic Featuring Honoree Gregg Troy:
https://web.cvent.com/event/95f72cfc-f855-4e4d-bfb4-856f4b86ddc
ISHOF is looking for swimmers for its Corporate Swim Challenge, which is going to be a great FUN Event on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 3:00-6:00pm.
ISHOF is looking for up to 36 swimmers for our inaugural event, the ISHOF Corporate Swim Challenge. The event will be held, Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center. The format of the event will be: Each team of four will swim as many laps as they can in the 45 minutes time limit; Any of the four swimmers on the team can substitute for one another as many times as they like during the forty five minutes; Just try and get in as many laps as you can in to win.
It will be a great day filled with music, fun, food, prizes and friends!
If you would like to participate and be a part of this great event, email Devin at Devin@ishof.org or call 631.880.2539.
Come join the Fun!!!
ISHOF ANNOUNCES RECIPIENT OF 2026 “ESTHER” AWARD: “The Dual We Missed”
Fort Lauderdale – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) recently announced the recipients of the 2026 “Esther” Award, named after 1966 ISHOF Honoree and Hollywood legend, Esther Williams. The award which recognizes outstanding achievements in the film and entertainment industries that promotes a positive image of swimming as a key to fun, fitness, good health, a better quality of life and an essential water safety and lifesaving skill.
“We are extremely proud that Ms. Esther Williams has lent her famous name to this award,” said Bruce Wigo, Historian of ISHOF. “As one of America’s iconic film stars, she did more through her films to promote swimming than anyone else in history.”
Esther Williams was a national swimming champion in 1939. Unable to compete in the 1940 Olympics because of WWII, she turned professional and swam alongside Olympic Champion and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller in the Billy Rose Aquacade in San Francisco. The Aquacade brought her to the attention of MGM talent scouts and the rest is history. She starred in 27 major Hollywood films and as a businesswoman organized traveling water shows and ran a swimwear company with her name. Esther was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966 and received ISHOF’s Gold Medallion Award in 2006.
This year, ISHOF will present the 2026 Esther Award to “The Dual We Missed” from a category intended to revive interest in a historically significant film: “ This movie tells the story of Brian Goodell of the USA and Vladimir Salnikov of Russia, the two greatest long distance swimmers in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s who never got the chance to race because of politics. One of our favorite writers, John Lohn, Editor of Swimming World Magazine penned this article about the film back in November:
Brian Goodell vs. Vladimir Salnikov: ‘The Duel We Missed’ Documentary Receiving Academy Award Consideration
By: John Lohn, Editor, Swimming World Magazine
Documentary films, at their core, take a deep dive into a specific topic. They are detailed. They offer emotion. They introduce engaging characters and storylines. They take the viewer behind a curtain, often revealing elements of a tale that were never before presented, or might have gone overlooked.
“The Duel We Missed” checks those boxes, However, due to political inerference, a duel between Goodell and Salnikov – with both men at the peak of their powers – was left to the imagination. “The Duel We Missed” delves deeply into the careers of Goodell and Salnikov, and their shared chase to become the first athlete in history to swim the 1500-meter freestyle in under 15 minutes.
The documentary, produced by Bravo Films and directed by Ilnur Rafikov and Edward Staroselsky, also examines several complementary storylines – the political influence and boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, athlete mentality, training of the era and the respect developed among individuals with like-minded goals.
At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where the United States men won all but one gold medal in the 13 events contested, Goodell stormed to victory in the 400 and 1500 freestyle events, world records established in both. In the 1500 freestyle, Goodell was timed in 15:02.40, not far off the 15-minute barrier that was a target. Salnikov, a rising 16-year-old at the time, was fifth in the Montreal final, and while he finished off the podium, his prodigious talent suggested big things to come, including a rivalry with Goodell.
However, in the years ahead, multiple factors prevented Goodell and Salnikov from meeting while the men were at the top of their prowess. Goodell missed the 1978 World Championships, where Salnikov won gold medals in the 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, the longer event not far off Goodell’s world record. And as the 1980 Olympics neared, a hammer dropped on a potential duel in Moscow when U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced the United States would boycott the Games due to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Through the use of current-day interviews, highlighted by Goodell and Salnikov, “The Duel We Missed” takes both a wide-ranging and topic-specific look at the era. The feelings of Goodell and Salnikov were repeatedly shared, and their status in the sport was examined, including through the lens of Hall of Fame coach Mark Schubert, who was the mentor of Goodell. Also weighing in were Olympians John Naber and Rowdy Gaines, each sharing a perspective. Naber won three gold medals during his Team USA days and transitioned into a broadcasting career, which allowed him to interact with Salnikov and hear the Soviet star state that he was not a “true champion” without competing in a fully attended Olympic Games.
As for Gaines, now known as the Voice of Swimming for his work with NBC Sports, he provided personal stories about how the boycott impacted his life and career. Ultimately, Gaines returned to training after a brief retirement and won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and he spoke about seeing his dream through. Yet, Gaines also poignantly discussed the heartache of the Olympic hopefuls who did not get their chance on the biggest stage in sports.
Vladimir Salnikov. Photo Courtesy: Dutch National Archives
The documentary, which was perfectly organized, spanned 1976-1988, as it examined Salnikov dealing with the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Games and his triumphant return to win gold in the 1500 freestyle at the 1988 Games in Seoul. The film also provided footage of Salnikov cracking the 15-minute barrier for the first time, an accomplishment that will live on as a distinguished achievement in the sport.
Among other standout moments from the documentary:
Footage and interviews from a Soviet Union trip to the United States which allowed for training under Schubert’s guidance. The memories shared from this time were genuine and both illustrated respect among athletes, and how the Soviet Union learned about the intensity of Schubert’s workouts in Mission Viejo, California.
Schubert, in this current era, telling Goodell that he wished he had not retired following the boycott, and Goodell stating that he had a few reservations about his decision as the 1984 Games neared.
The playing of the Soviet national anthem following Salnikov’s victory at the 1988 Olympics, one of the final times the anthem was played before the breakup of the USSR. More, the story of Salnikov being lauded by his fellow athletes in the dining hall in Seoul on the night of his 1500 freestyle victory elicited goosebumps, and emphasized the appreciation Olympians share for each other.
The illustrations and graphics used during the documentary were sensational, providing the feel of a comic book and celebrating the individuals and moments featured.
The emotion expressed throughout the 90-minute documentary was tremendous. Tears flowed. Words were sometimes difficult to find. Admiration was constantly evident.
A phone call late in the film between Goodell, Schubert and Salnikov was a wonderful touch, and further emphasized the respect that permeated the film and the careers of all three men.
“The Duel We Missed” is an extraordinary film, exactly what a special documentary should be. Years of work, research and interviews went into making this film and bringing the story of Goodell and Salnikov to viewers. Swim fans, especially those with an understanding of the rich history of the sport, will appreciate it. But casual viewers will also find themselves engaged, enraptured by a story that has emotion, intensity, goal-chasing and more.
Sadly, a showdown between Brian Goodell and Vladimir Salnikov in their prime was missed. But “The Duel We Missed” pays beautiful homage to the athletes and the era, and what might have been.
ISHOF will present the Esther Award for this film during the 2026 ISHOF Honoree Induction Weekend, May 15, at the Embassy Suites, 17th Street, in Ft. Lauderdale. ISHOF is holding a special viewing of the documentary on Saturday, May 16, at 3:00 p.m. free of charge, at the Embassy Suites, 1100, S.E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316. After the showing of the film, Brian Goodell and coach, Mark Schubert will be available for a question-and-answer type forum.
For more information, contact Meg Keller, at meg@ishof-org or call 570.594.4367 or Bruce Wigo at Bruce.wigo@yahoo.com or call 954.559.1622.
To buy tickets for the 61st Annual Honoree weekend, click here:
2025’s Honor Coach Gregg Troy to be inducted into ISHOF this year with Class of 2026 along with his swimmer, Lochte
Gregg Troy (USA) is a three-time Olympic Coach for the USA, 1996, 2008 and 2012. He has coached many Olympians and Olympic gold medalists including Ryan Lochte, Caleb Dressel and Elizabeth Beisel to name a just few. He was the Head Coach of the Bolles School, 1977-1997, and the University of Florida Gators from 1998-2018, winning the Women’s NCAA’s in 2010.
Learn more about Coach Troy and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 Northeast 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33304
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ PURCHASE THEM HERE!
~ISHOF Class of 2026~
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
Make your Hotel reservations Now! The Host Hotel ~ Special Rate $219
Photo Courtesy: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
Embassy Suites 17th Street, 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Use QR Code to make your Hotel Reservations
Tickets for Friday Night’s Masters Induction, ISHOF Aquatic and Specialty Awards
Use QR Code to buy tickets to Friday night, May 15th Masters and Awards Night.
Click link below to see all award winners
ASCA/ISHOF Coaches Clinic Featuring Honoree Gregg Troy:
https://web.cvent.com/event/95f72cfc-f855-4e4d-bfb4-856f4b86ddc
After the Applause – April 2026 – Michelle Calkins (CAN) Honor Synchronized Swimmer 2001
You were inducted in 2001, tell us what you have been up to since then?
The induction was very special, and to happened 23 years after winning gold at the World Aquatic Championships in Berlin. It flooded me with so many wonderful moments. We were living in London at the time, out of coaching and out of touch with sport. The induction was so much more than the recognition of my success, it was a huge nod to our sport and all the athletes, coaches and officials involved in Synchronized Swimming. Thank you so much for the Honor.
What do you do for work / as a profession?
After retiring, I coached and trained as a professional coach under Debbie Muir and the Coaching Association of Canada. Working with Junior athletes, including future Olympians, Michelle Cameron, Cari Read, Karen Fonteyne and Karen Clark. Towards the end of my coaching career I successfully coached/lead the Canadian National team to a silver medal at World Aquatic Championships in Rome 1994. Coming full circle.
Are you still involved in artistic swimming in any capacity?
With a focus now on family and marriage I retired, and we moved first to London and later to Houston Texas. We have two grown children, both with Master degrees, one a clinical psychologist and one initially an environmental scientist, but now a director/scientist for an Agricultural company, both in the US. Happily both are swimmers, skiers and tennis players!
Do you still stay in touch with any synchro swimming friends from your competition days, if so, who?
I do keep in touch with fellow Hall of Famer, Debbie Muir, Paragon Award winners Mary Ann Reeves and Margaret McLennan. We try to do an annual trip as friends and fellow synchro enthusiasts. There is a bit of banter about the changes and evolution of synchro to artistic swimming, but it is all positive! The artistic component to the sport has always held a special place for me and the collaboration with the swimmers, the music, the water, always was a key love of the sport. There are so many memories , probably the first time, nobody forgets, like when I swam my first mile, recorded my first 9 score, my first duet partner, and the first time they played the National anthem. I think it is the totality of the experience as swimmer and coach that stays with me today.
Michelle attending ISHOF’s 2022 Honoree Induction Ceremonies with fellow synchronized swimmer Judy McGowan
If you have children, do your kids swim, if yes, tell us about them, if no, tell us about what they are involved in (sports, arts, etc.)
When we lived in London I started tennis lessons, another incredibly technical sport, which is the aspect I love and of course I am still extremely competitive. I play doubles and love the chance to work with another player to be the best we can be. I play in numerous leagues in Houston TX and love the social interaction and celebration of a new sport.
What is best memory of your days in swimming? (You can have more than one)
The summers I spend in Canada on my farm, growing vegetables, another important part of my life.
Seeing the changes that have occurred in swimming/aquatics now versus when you were competing, do you wish you could have competed now, or are you glad you competed when you did and why?
I would love to go to LA Olympics and attend the artistic swimming, to celebrate and cheer the next champions.
Any advice to all the future want-to-be Olympic artistic swimmers out there?
Words for future,” have courage, use your imagination and remember. “
To read Michelle’s 2001 ISHOF biography, click here: https://ishof.org/honoree/honoree-michelle-calkins/
French Paralympic Swimmer Beatrice Hess to be inducted as only second Paralympian to enter ISHOF following Trischa Zorn in 2023
BEATRICE HESS (FRA) is a five-time Paralympian, winning a total of 25 medals, 20 of them gold. She has cerebral palsy and competed in the S5 disability classification. In addition, she has seven (7) world titles and 18 European titles and is the most decorated French Paralympic swimmer. Hess shot to stardom on her Paralympic debut at the New York 1984 Paralympic Games, earning four gold medals in as many events. From there, she was unstoppable, topping the podium 16 more times before closing the curtain on her career after Athens 2004. Hess was the flag bearer at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Learn more about Beatrice Hess and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 Northeast 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33304
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ PURCHASE THEM HERE!
~ISHOF Class of 2026~
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
Make your Hotel reservations Now! The Host Hotel ~ Special Rate $219
Photo Courtesy: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
Embassy Suites 17th Street, 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Use QR Code to make your Hotel Reservations
Tickets for Friday Night’s Masters Induction, ISHOF Aquatic and Specialty Awards
Use QR Code to buy tickets to Friday night, May 15th Masters and Awards Night.
Click link below to see all award winners
ASCA/ISHOF Coaches Clinic Featuring Honoree Gregg Troy:
https://web.cvent.com/event/95f72cfc-f855-4e4d-bfb4-856f4b86ddc
Texas, Again: Longhorn Men Prevail at NCAA Championships for Second Straight Year, 17th Overall Title
Texas celebrates another national championship — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick]
by David Rieder – Senior Writer
28 March 2026
Throughout the four days of the NCAA Men’s Championships, the Texas Longhorns were not exactly showing peak form. Hubert Kos delivered a performance best described as legendary, pushing Josh Liendo to the limit in the 100 butterfly before swimming the fastest time ever in both backstroke events, but results for Rex Maurer, Will Modglin, and Nate Germonprez, top seeds entering the competition, were mixed. Several members of the team’s supporting cast could not replicate their sensational midseason times, particularly after the team dealt with multiple bouts of illness following the SEC Championships.
Meanwhile, the Florida Gators were making a run, enough to make head coach Bob Bowman nervous. Liendo won three sprint titles while distance aces Ahmed Jaouadi and Ahmed Hafnaoui each came through with dramatic victories. Florida briefly took the lead over Texas during Friday’s finals, and although the Longhorns would quickly restore order, the margin was just 9.5 points at the end of the night.
But simply, by meet’s end, Texas had too much. The team set the tone with an opening-night win in the 800 free relay with Rafael Fente-Damers, Camden Taylor, Maurer and Baylor Nelson. Maurer set an American record in his winning effort in the 400 IM with Nelson taking second. Maurer and Nelson each added another top-three finish, Maurer in the 500 free and Nelson in the 200 IM. Campbell McKean and Germonprez picked up a 2-3 finish in the 100 breaststroke, and Germonprez came in fifth in the 200 breast.
Modglin swam in three championship finals, finishing fourth in the 100 back and 200 IM, and Cooper Lucas came in sixth in the 400 IM. Sprint freestyle has been a weakness all season, but the relays came through, all finishing in the top six. Diving did its part, as per usual under longtime diving coach Matt Scoggin, with Nick Harris and Luke Forester placing sixth and seventh, respectively, in 3-meter.
The last day was especially critical, with Texas putting three swimmers and one diver into championship finals and getting five more scoring points between ninth and 16th place.
Bob Bowman rooting on his team at the NCAA Championships — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
“With the challenge Florida gave us, I wasn’t confident that we might be able to win until after this morning session,” Bowman said. “I never once thought we would win until maybe after the prelims this morning. They were swimming very well. They improved quite a bit off of their seeds. We did not. We didn’t swim particularly well in a number of places here. I just thought we showed great resilience and toughness and just stayed with the task until we got it to a point where it was manageable.”
The Longhorns finished the meet with 445.5 points, 29 ahead of second-place Florida, to secure their second consecutive NCAA title and 17th all-time. Bowman has now guided his teams to three consecutive national titles after previously winning with Arizona State in 2024. Eddie Reese, who guided the program for more than 40 seasons, was responsible for the first 15 titles.
“It’s a lot of fun, actually,” Bowman said. “It’s pretty gratifying because for me as a coach, all of my real success in the first half of my career was in long course meters. I was the coach at Michigan for four years in there, but I had no idea what I was doing. Sorry, boys. I figured it out later. We had some kind of success there with long course, not really in the college system.
“When I got to ASU, I had nine years to kind of figure this thing out, and it’s just fun now to understand the game, even as it changes week to week, and just try to learn how to put together a roster and then develop that. Gratifying, but really just fun.”
Florida scored 416 points to capture second place, the team’s highest finish since 1985. Indiana’s impressive final day lifted the Hoosiers to third place with 351 while Arizona State rode four relay wins to 328 points and a fourth-place finish. Tennessee claimed fifth with 272 points, just ahead of NC State (258.5). A rebuilding campaign for California put the Bears in seventh (231), followed by Michigan (220), Virginia (192) and Stanford (136).
This latest title-winning team fully embraced their head coach’s motivational tactics that have previously directed some of the greatest swimmers in history. Bowman knew his team was heavily favored entering this meet, expecting a different scenario than the knockout fight with Cal last season that was decided by just 19 points. Still, he steered the team toward daily incremental improvement, assuming that every point would count at the end.
“I think we try to keep the same mindset either way,” Maurer said. “We don’t really focus on external projections or external expectations on what we need to do. Our goal is to win by as many points as possible, no matter if we are expected to or if we’re expected to win by one point. I think just keeping our foot on the pedal for this entire meet until that last relay finishes is our goal no matter what.”
Each day when Bowman gives his swimmers their workouts, the sheet includes his favorite catchphrase: “Do your work.” Those three words perfectly capture the level-headed intensity he expects from his athletes, and the results, evident for decades, continue to show up. His rapid rebuilding of Texas into the country’s premier program ranks among his greatest accomplishments, even in a career that has included years mentoring Michael Phelps and Leon Marchand.
“Just do your work because that’s the only thing you can control,” Kos said. “You do your work, then everything else will fall into place, and there’s nothing else you can really control.”
Sprinter Nathan Adrian (USA) to be inducted into ISHOF as one of three swimmers of the Class of 2026
Nathan Adrian (USA) is a three-time Olympian, and five-time Olympic gold medalist who specializes in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events. He has won thirty-two medals in major international competitions, twenty gold, seven silver, and five bronze in such competitions as the Olympic Games, the FINA World Championships, and the Pan Pac Championships. A graduate of Cal Berkeley, Adrian is an 11-time individual NCAA Champion, competing for the Bears and was part of the 2010 men’s team championship.
Learn more about Nathan Adrian and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: War Memorial Auditorium, 800 Northeast 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33304
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ PURCHASE THEM HERE!
~ISHOF Class of 2026~
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
Make your Hotel reservations Now! The Host Hotel ~ Special Rate $219
Photo Courtesy: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
Embassy Suites 17th Street, 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Use QR Code to make your Hotel Reservations
Tickets for Friday Night’s Masters Induction, ISHOF Aquatic and Specialty Awards
Use QR Code to buy tickets to Friday night, May 15th Masters and Awards Night.
Click link below to see all award winners
ASCA/ISHOF Coaches Clinic Featuring Honoree Gregg Troy:
https://web.cvent.com/event/95f72cfc-f855-4e4d-bfb4-856f4b86ddc
Cesar Cielo’s World Record finally falls after 16 1/2 years
After 16 1/2 years, the final World Record of 2023 ISHOF Honoree Cesar Cielo’s Sprint career fell on opening day of the China Open in Shenzhen, China.
Australian, Cam McEvoy broke Cielo’s long standing 50 free world record as he swam to 20.88 blistering Cesar Cielo’s 2009 record to the history books at the China Open.
The brazilian’s record of 20.91 had stood since December 2009 as the supersuit era creeped towards its end. Cielo had surpassed Frenchman Fred Bousquet’s 20.94 WR that had been set in April of that same year with the Cielo and Bousquet being the only two to ever break the 21 second mark.
31 year old McEvoy made history by becoming the first person to finally break Cielo’s long standing world record, doing so with wife Madeline and son Hartley in the stands cheering him on.
Until today, American Caeleb Dressel was the fastest man in textile, swimming a time of 21.04 twice in 2019 and in 2021, with the third fastest time in history, 0.02 ahead of McEvoy who swam 21.06 in Japan at Fukuoka in 2023, at the World Championships.
The beauty of these records falling is the support the athletes get from the former record holders themselves. We at ISHOF know what a stand up human Cesar Cielo is and he just went on to prove it again.
When McEvoy breaks the record and posted to social media, saying:
“WORLD RECORD!! 20.88s
Cielo posted a personal message, saying: “Congrats, Cam! Lightning fast swim! Incredible! I saw a phrase a while ago that perfectly captures what you’ve been doing. You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Congratulations!”
To which McEvoy replied: “Thank you @cesarcielof – “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” and you my friend are a giant in this sport 🤝 full respect for your 17 years. I will do my best to uphold your example!”
Cielo congratulated McEvoy as “The sprint king!!! Congrats, Cam!!! 👑⚡️🏊🏻♂️” after World Aquatics posted on social media.
Adam Peaty, Ariarne Titmus, Bruno Fratus and James Guy were among those to offer their congratulations on top of Cielo’s sprint king message. Fellow Australian Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers – who was third in the world record race – described his teammate’s swim as “insane” while Tom Dean and Yohann Ndoye Brouard also offered their praise.
Swimming Australia posted to social media, saying:
All-Time Performers
1] 20.88: Cam McEvoy, China Open, march 2026
2] 20.91: Cesar Cielo, Brazilian Championships, December 2009
3] 20.94: Fred Bousquet, French Championships, April 2009
4] 21.04: Caeleb Dressel, World Championships, July 2019
4] 21.04: Caeleb Dressel, US Olympic Team Trials, June 2021
6] 21.11: Ben Proud, European Championships, August 2018
Big congratulations to Cam McEvoy on his new World Record and to 2023 ISHOF Honor Swimmer Cesar Cielo for holding the World Record for 16+ years!