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TAC announces new pool opening

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GRAND OPENING OF TAC’S 50M OUTDOOR POOL JULY 11TH

The Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC) is extremely pleased to announce the opening of our brand new 50M Outdoor Pool.  The event will take place on Monday, July 11th at 3:00pm.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Festivities will begin with welcome speeches from four Triangle area dignitaries and follow with the “First Dive” at approximately 3:30. We will offer refreshments and guests are welcomed to tour the new pool and building. 

This fourth pool on the TAC campus shows our commitment to the Triangle area’s requirements for additional aquatic spaces for the health, safety and competitive needs of our residents and guests.  The increased lane capacity will go a long way to help make this happen.  The pool features both heating and cooling of the water, a canopy over two sides of the pool to allow for covered swimmer instruction while in the water, new restrooms and a large pool deck.  TAC plans to operate the pool year-round and will offer open swim times each day while there are no indoor events at the Facility.

Please join us for our Grand Opening and see the latest addition to our campus! 

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Team USA sets medal count record at World Championships

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Justin Ress, top qualifier in the men’s 50m back, went on to win gold.

Swimmers with NCS connections contributed to a medal count record for Team USA at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Budapest.

On the meet’s final day, Justin Ress (formerly with NC State and MOR) won the men’s 50m back, out-touching teammate Hunter Armstrong to win the gold medal. Erika Brown (formerly with SwimMAC) earned a bronze medal in the women’s 50m free. Ryan Held (formerly with NC State) added to his relay medal collection with a silver in the men’s 4×100 medley relay and Claire Curzan (TAC Titans) anchored the winning women’s 4×100 medley relay, earning her second relay gold. On Friday, another NCS swimmer, Katharine Berkoff (NC State) won silver in the women’s 50m back. Click here for complete meet results.

The final day’s haul brought the United States’ team-leading meet medal count to 45–17 of them gold–and set a new record for medals at a World Championships. The previous record of 38 pool medals–also by the United States and also in Budapest–came in 2017. 

Ryan Murphy, who’s been a member of the past four World teams, credits strong teamwork for this unparalleled feat. 

“It was an incredible eight days with this team,” said Murphy, who swam the opening backstroke leg of the silver-medal-winning 400 medley relay with teammates Nic Fink, Michael Andrew and Ryan Held. “I feel like we just put our heads down, handled business, and when we looked up at the end of the meet, it was, by at least one metric, our most successful team ever. 

“I think that’s something really special. That’s not one person. That’s not one performance. That’s a collective as a whole, and that comes down to people executing session after session, and that’s really hard to do over an eight-day meet.” 

How deep and dominant was the United States this year in Budapest? Not including relays, 26 different swimmers won medals. Second-place Australia won 17 total medals. 

On Saturday, Justin Ress and Hunter Armstrong started the final session with a bang, going 1-2 in the 50-meter backstroke. Originally disqualified, Ress and the United States appealed, and he was reinstated as the victor. 

Ress won in 24.12, while Armstrong was a close second in 24.14. Armstrong even donned the medal to Ress after the swim happened.

In the 1500m freestyle–an event he won last summer in Tokyo–Bobby Finke won silver, his second medal (gold in the 800 free) of the meet. 

He and the rest of the field chased gold medalist Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy from start to finish – but Finke’s time of 14:36.70 set a new American record by almost three seconds. 

“In the beginning, I was just trying to keep up with him, but he just kept getting further and further ahead,” Finke said. “Hats off to Greg. I wasn’t able to run him down. He had a great race, and I’m really proud of him.”

In the last sprint of the meet, newlywed Erika Brown of the United States touched in 24.38 to tie for bronze with Australia’s Meg Harris. 

Brown’s medal marked the third-straight Worlds where a U.S. woman stood on the podium, following Simone Manuel’s bronze in 2017 and gold in 2019. 

“I was in shock,” Brown said of learning she won bronze. “I was really just trying to focus on having my own race and getting my hand on the wall. I can’t even explain how excited I was when I saw that. 

“I have gotten to swim on a lot of relays (at Worlds), and that really got me even more excited for the 50.”

Tokyo Olympians Katie Grimes and Emma Weyant also added to the United States’ medals Saturday with silver and bronze, respectively, in the women’s 400m individual medley. Grimes’ time of 4:32.67 was just eclipsed by fellow teenager Summer McIntosh (4:32.04) of Canada. 

Weyant, who won silver in this event on the first day of the Tokyo Olympics last summer, finished third in 4:36.00 despite the long wait to compete on the final day of the meet.  

“It was definitely a difficult feeling (having to wait),” she said. “I got to watch the meet for a good part of it, but I was ready to race today and was happy I walked away with a medal, especially against this field.”

Grimes, the silver medalist in the 1500 freestyle earlier this week, said she’s sees good things for herself and the United States in this event in the future.

“Last year, there were still some bumps in the road with that race (400 IM),” she said. “But I think this year, I’ve gotten a little bit stronger, and my coach and I have worked on my weaknesses, so it’s coming together really nicely. 

“I went in knowing my strengths and weaknesses. I went over everybody’s splits and kind of learned how they swam the race. I just knew that if I got to the breaststroke turning into the freestyle with them, then I could have a chance at a medal. I was just having a good time racing.”

The final two events of the meet– the men’s and women’s 400m medley relays–both finished in exciting fashion.

A strong favorite for gold, the U.S. men were out-touched by the Italian team – 3:27.51 to 3:27.79. Ryan Held, who won gold as a member of the 400 freestyle relay, made a furious dash over the final 50 meters but couldn’t catch the Italian swimmer. 

In the women’s final, despite swimming in lane 1, the U.S. women won their second relay (800 freestyle relay) of the meet by outpacing silver-medalist Australia. The United States won in 3:53.78. 

“We have crushed it this whole week,” said Regan Smith, who won the 100m backstroke earlier in the meet and started the United States off strong in the relay with teammates Lily King, Torri Huske and Claire Curzan. 

“I really just wanted to go out and do my best for Team USA on this relay, and I know these girls wanted to do the same. And I think we really did that, and we went out on a good note.”

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NCS Coach: PRIDE Month Trailblazer

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Jamie Bloom, head coach of the YMCA of the Triangle Area Swim Team (YOTA), was recognized as a PRIDE month trailblazer in the following article on the USA Swimming website. Congratulations, Jamie!

Swimming impacts individuals in different ways. For some, it is a fun hobby. For others it is simply a workout. For many it is a life skill. For Jamie Bloom: “It has been the foundation for who I am and what I do.”

Growing up in Lexington, Massachusetts, Bloom played multiple sports, citing their presence in her family’s home. Her parents played tennis and both of her sisters played sports at the collegiate level. Her siblings swam in the summer, but for Bloom, swimming was an all-year focus. 

When the head coaching position at YOTA presented itself, Bloom transitioned into that title and stepped down from William Peace. She has been serving as the North Carolina Swimming’s Safe Sport Chair and is about to transition into the North Carolina Swimming’s DEI Chair as well. Bloom has spent many hours educating others on swim safety and is a huge advocate on club teams becoming Safe Sport recognized. In addition to these roles, she is also vice-chair of the Coach Advisory Committee, been on staff for multiple LSC and Zone camps as well as been both head manager and head coach at the National Diversity Select Camp. 

One of her passions is getting younger coaches involved and helping create more representation among swim coaches. Bloom exclaimed, “Kids just need to see people that look like them.”

In order to create more representation, it is important to convince individuals why coaching is worth it.

“We need to talk about the sport. We need to talk about the benefits of being a coach, of all the great opportunities that you have to influence lives,” suggests Bloom.

Diversity is another topic that Bloom feels strongly about. “It’s never been a secret. I’ve never shied away from identifying myself. I certainly don’t introduce myself as ‘Hello, I am Jamie, I am a lesbian.’ But, especially at this point in my life, it is something that I am proud of.”

Thinking back to the beginning of her swimming and coaching career, “As far as gay and lesbian athletes go, there weren’t a lot that were out. Swimming seemed at the time to be a little bit of the last frontier,” Bloom explained.

Bloom suggested one approach to creating more representation is to go into communities where swimming isn’t present.

“Competitive swimming is scary to people who aren’t comfortable around the water; who don’t have access to the water,” she said. “I think that we need to do our best to make ourselves part of the communities that we want to be involved in our programs.”

Swimming can be crucial in not only saving lives but adding value to them. Bloom acknowledged, “Sports for me have always been stabilizing. It has always been something that I knew the structure of and could always go back to, could depend on.” 

Bloom wants others to have the same access to the sport that has positively impacted her. “I think that sports should be for all. I think that we should be giving opportunities to anyone that wants to participate.”

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NCS official at World Championships

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Trish Martin, NCS General Chair and USA Swimming official, was selected as a meet official for the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, representing USA Swimming and North Carolina Swimming. Congratulations, Trish!

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NCS swimmer adds to World’s medal count

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Regan Smith and Claire Curzan with gold and bronze medals in the 100m back

Claire Curzan of the TAC Titans added to her medal count at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, anchoring Team USA to a gold medal in the 4x100m mixed medley relay. Curzan swam the freestyle leg and was joined by Hunter Armstrong (back), Nick Fink (breast) and Torrie Huske (fly) in claiming the victory. Yesterday, Curzan joined gold medalist Regan Smith on the medal stand, with a bronze in the 100m back. Earlier, Curzan claimed a bronze in the women’s 4x100m free relay. Good luck the rest of the way!

Click here to view more on the World Championships, including complete results.

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NCS athletes earn medals at Worlds

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Several athletes with North Carolina Swimming ties earned medals on the first day of the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Ryan Held (formerly with NC State) and Justin Ress (formerly with NC State and Marlins of Raleigh) joined Caeleb Dressel and Brooks Curry on the gold medal-winning men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team. Erika Brown (formerly with SwimMAC) and Claire Curzan (TAC Titans) teamed up with Torre Huske and Kate Douglas to capture bronze in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

Congratulations swimmers and good luck the rest of the way!

Click here to view the USA Swimming article

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2022 FINA World Championships: Broadcast Schedule

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This week, many of the world’s fastest swimmers will compete at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The pool competition will take place June 18-25 followed by the open water events from June 27-30. 

NBC recently announced its broadcast schedule for the meet. Be sure to tune in using the information below. In addition to the below, morning prelims (beginning daily at 3 a.m. ET) and open water events will be streamed on fina.org. 

For more information on the U.S. athletes and storylines, head to www.usaswimming.org/2022Worlds.

Day Session Time (ET) Network 
Sat., Jun 18 Day 1 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock 
Sun., Jun 19 Day 2 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock
Mon., Jun 20 Day 3 Finals  Noon  Olympic Channel, Peacock
Tues., Jun 21 Day 4 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock
Wed., Jun 22 Day 5 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock
Thurs., Jun 23 Day 6 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock
Fri., Jun 24 Day 7 Finals  Noon Olympic Channel, Peacock
Sat., Jun 25 Day 8 Finals  Noon  Olympic Channel, Peacock
Sun., Jun 26Highlights  Noon  NBC 
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2023 NCS Zone Team: Application Form

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The 2022 Southern Zone Age Group Championships will be held at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, NC on July 26- July 29, 2023.  See the meet information below for details:

2023 ZONE MEET INFORMATION

2023 SOUTHERN AGE GROUP ZONE TEAM INFORMATION

KEY DATES

Submit Zone Applications by:Deadline – July 14, 2023
NCS Age Group ChampsJuly 13-16, 2023 (TAC)
Southern Zone MeetJuly 26- July 29, 2023 (Cary, NC)
Zone Team DepartureJuly 25, 2023 – The team will meet in Cary, NC. Athletes and staff will receive Team apparel prior to the meet upon arrival.
Zone Team ReturnJuly 29, 2023 – Zone Team will be picked up after the team dinner at conclusion of Finals and Team awards.

ZONE TEAM TRANSPORTATION, LODGING, MEALS AND FEES

The 2023 NCS Zone Team will check in at designated location Tuesday evening, July 25. The team will meet the coaching staff, check into the hotel in Cary, NC. More details will be announced later.

Breakfast will be served each day at the hotel.  Chaperones, under the direction of the team manager, will coordinate and prepare other meals.  Swimmers are expected to contribute toward group meals and will be able to visit a local grocery store for personal need items at least twice during the stay.

The fee for Zone Team athletes is $650 – plus roughly $30-$40 spending money per day for meals, snacks, and incidentals.  Should athletes have food allergies or any condition causing difficulty eating certain types of food, you are asked to clearly communicate that on the application form.

2023 ZONE TEAM APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit the online application for the appropriate age group and mail the check for $650 to: Amy Faulk, 413 Kenilworth Road, Statesville, NC 28677-3107.  Swimmers who are selected to the team and their parents/guardians will receive the required agreement and release forms to review and sign after the selections are made.

2023 NCS ZONE TEAM APPLICATION: Ages 11-14

Completed applications along with checks will be accepted until 10:00 am on Saturday, July 16 for 11-14 athletes.  However, due to the complexity of the selection process, applicants are strongly urged to get the applications in earlier, if possible.

ZONE TEAM SELECTION POLICY

For the 2023 Southern Zone Championship, 24 athletes (12 males and 12 females) will be selected in each age group—11-12 and 13-14—to represent North Carolina Swimming.  For details, view the selection policy below.

NCS ZONE TEAM SELECTION POLICY

The zone team can also select up to three male and three female disability athletes. See the selection policy below for details:

ZONE TEAM DISABILITY ATHLETE SELECTION POLICY

QUALIFYING TIMES FOR NCS ZONE TEAM APPLICANTS

Athletes ages 11-12 and 13-14 may use any long course meters time achieved from December 1, 2021, through the end of Sundays finals (July 16, 2023) at the 2023 NCS Long Course 14 and under Age Group Championships.  All swims prior to the 14 and Under Championships must be listed in the USA Swimming SWIMS database.

*NOTE: The age group of a swimmer is determined by his/her age on the first day of the Southern Zone Championship Meet (July 26, 2023).  Whatever age group the athlete is in on that day is their age group for the entire meet.

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

All athletes applying must complete the online Zone Team Application form, other required forms, and a mail check for $650 by the deadlines previously listed.

Eligibility:  All NCS registered year-round athletes with at least two “AAA” times are eligible to apply for the team.  Please note that any athlete who has achieved the current USA Swimming Long Course Junior National qualifying time standard (does not include the bonus cut) in any long course event on or before Sunday, July 9th is not eligible to compete in the 2023 Southern Zone Championship meet.

Payment: The cost of transportation, lodging, team outfitting, chaperone expenses, and meet entry fees will cost each athlete $650.  A check for $650 payable to “North Carolina Swimming” must be submitted with all applications. If a swimmer is not selected to the team, the $650 check will be returned or shredded at the Team Manager’s discretion.  If a swimmer is selected to the team and then chooses not to attend, the $650 check will be forfeited if an alternate for the spot cannot be secured. NOTE: Food for athletes is not covered by this fee.

Zone Team Application Form:  Please complete the online Zone Team Application form on the previous page. All the requested information is important for communication, reporting, and ordering apparel.

COVID-19  PRECAUTIONS

All staff, chaperones, and athletes 12 and older must be fully vaccinated or must prove a negative test 48 hours prior to travel. North Carolina Swimming strongly recommends that partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals continue to wear face coverings.  Others are welcome to wear face coverings for personal comfort. NCS members are expected to comply with  all COVID-19 safety guidelines from USA Swimming, NC Swimming, state and local jurisdictions, and aquatic facilities.

MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PROTECTION POLICY 

The Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy (MAAPP) is in effect for the Zone Team. All Zone Team staff members, chaperones and applicable adults are required to submit an acknowledgement form agreeing to comply with the contents of the policy.

2023 ZONE TEAM COACHING STAFF (TBA)

Coach Amy Faulk will be the team manager.  Additional staff members will be announced later.

CHAPERONE INFORMATION

Chaperones: Our plan is to have up to four chaperones, in addition to our coaching staff, accompany the Zone Team.  The chaperones for all age groups will be notified immediately after the respective championship meets. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please check that box on the swimmer application or contact Amy Faulk at mailto:coachamyfaulk@gmail.com.  Chaperones must be registered members of USA Swimming. If you are not currently a member and are interested in being a chaperone, contact Amy on how to register with USA Swimming.

Chaperones work most of the time while on this trip and are involved with meal planning, transportation, overseeing the athletes at all times, seeing to their needs, and working at the swim meet as timers.  Officials chosen as chaperones may or may not be allowed to work at the meet, but, if so, must be prepared to fulfill chaperone duties, as well.  There will be a complete list of chaperone duties emailed to all chaperone applicants.  The selection of good chaperones has had an enormous impact on the Zone Team in previous years.  Please come ready to provide positive support throughout the week.  Team Manager, Amy Faulk, will direct the activities of all chaperones.

Chaperone financial responsibilities:

  • Chaperones pay for their own food
  • Chaperone hotel and transportation expenses are covered by NC Swimming.
  • Chaperones will assist the coaching staff in collecting meal money from athletes and purchasing/preparing meals.

Other Chaperone responsibilities:

  • Chaperones help keep swimmers fed, hydrated, and organized. The team will have up to four adult chaperones to assist the coaching staff in managing the team during the competition at the pool as well as away from the pool.
  • Chaperones must understand that they are there to assist all Zone Team swimmers, not just their child.
  • Chaperones may be asked to help do laundry, drive a van, fill up water bottles, sit in team areas to hold spots during warm-ups, organize food runs, clean up food area, check hotel rooms at check-out time, keep up with any medical needs ….the regular 24/7 chaperoning job.

Correspondence:

The NCS Zone Team manager welcomes correspondence from any potential volunteer chaperones wishing to make this a special trip for NC Swimmers.  Please e-mail Amy Faulk any time between now and the departure if you are interested in serving a chaperone

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QCD earns Safe Sport Club Recognition

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The Queen City Dolphins Swim Team earns Safe Sport Club Recognition Status

Congratulations to the Queen City Dolphins Swim Team (QCD), the latest North Carolina Swimming club to earn USA Swimming’s new Safe Sport Club Recognition! The Safe Sport Club Recognition program distinguishes USA Swimming clubs that demonstrate their commitment to creating safe, healthy, and positive environments for all of their members through the development and implementation of Athlete Protection Policies, Safe Sport Best Practices, and Safe Sport education.

QCD has been highlighted as a Safe Sport Recognized Club with a banner on its team listing in the USA Swimming Find-a-Team Search and will receive a medallion for their club’s website as well. Clubs can apply for the Safe Sport Recognized Club program through their Club Portal on the USA Swimming website.  Here’s a link to the Safe Sport Recognized Club program information: https://www.usaswimming.org/ssrp

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