In every Olympic cycle, there is a tendency for top caliber swimmers to cluster in places. The reasoning is simple, if a particular coach or place distinguishes itself as a great environment, the best want to train there. In the Open Water swimming world, Knoxville, TN and Tyler Fenwick have achieved that status.
The video highlights the array of Open Water swimming talent that has set up shop to train in University of Tennessee facilities. Among them are Canada’s Richard Weinberger, who won bronze in the London Open Water. Also in the video is Japan’s Yasunari Hirai, who finished 15th in London.
The video also highlights the training possibilities in Knoxville. The Open Water athletes are able to utilize the pool for specific Open Water training, as well as other natural water surrounding the campus.
The title of this post comes from the ever present Alex Meyer, who despite falling out of Olympic contention continues to train and compete well internationally. Meyer should be in action this coming week when the USA Swimming Open Water National Championship takes place in Miromar Lakes, Florida.
The competition will draw more than just the best from the US. Also expected to attend are the aforementioned Tennessee international contingent, as well as Ous Mellouli and Feery Weertman. Meyer will try and win his third straight title in the 5k. Jordan Willimovsky, last year’s 10k champion, doesn’t appear on the entry list.
In the women’s competition, Haley Anderson will return to defend her 5k title and with Becca Mann absent is the top returner in the 10k as well.
Wonderful Tyler! Keep on building.