In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges, Garrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
We sat down with Jack Alexy, the man who won silver medals in the 50 and 100 free individually as well as gold, silver, and bronze as a part of Team USA relays at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Alexy discusses the changes he made this season that led to improvement in his racing, including staying late to workouts to spend more time in the water and changing his mindset toward practice.
SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Spotify
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Podbean
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Google
- Click here to listen and subscribe on YouTube
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Listen Notes
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher
- Click here to listen and subscribe on iHeartRadio
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Amazon
- Click here to listen and subscribe on Pandora
Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com
Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.
Not to sound like Andrew here, but there is some truth to the point that even a 47.0 seems a little slow for his relay start. 47.3 with a flat start as comparatively bad as his is should put him well under 47 from a flying start (both on reaction time and better momentum)
it’s called being smart and swimming safe when your teammates have given you a massive lead. he was 0.35 off the block
Didn’t consider that point. That being said, hindsight being 20/20, his 47.5 in the 4×100 was a little disappointing. It seemed great in the moment, but obviously slower than he was capable.
Also, being safe certainly slowed his reaction time down, but I think people underrate the added momentum a good relay start should give. I actually think it gives even more of a boost than the better reaction time does.
he is also a very fine young man
Reminds me of a young Nathan Adrian
He stepped up really well in this first international competition. The meet that he had is going to do wonders for his confidence heading to Paris.
Alexy could most definitely be 46 flat start once he cleans up the start/breakout, and turn/breakout off the wall.
True, but if every swimmer improved they’d be faster. It’s not as easy as just if he cleans it up. There’s a reason why he isn’t great at those portions of his race.
Same thing as saying if Missy Franklin could improve her UW kicking. Easier said than done.
Nice handle!
Or .. if Chalmers have Dressel start and speed, WR would be toast.
Etc etc.
Easier said than done.
these things are true, but it’s easier to improve from extremely bad (in elite context) to decent, than it is to improve from good to incredible. So a lot more likely that Alexy can cut a few tenths from his start and turns, than it is for Chalmers to develop a Dressel-like start. But hey that’s why they hold the race. If Dressel gets back into form, and McEvoy can get into 100 form next year… USA and AUS could each have 2 guys w/chance to break 47 flat start. That opening night relay will be amazing.
This guy has some SERIOUS power in the water, but also super strong mentality. I loved seeing him give 100% after that unfortunate dive in semis to get a spot in finals. Very few people could pull that off.
While the world championships certainly highlighted areas of TEAM USA weakness, esp. for the women vs. Aussies, I think the story of Jack Alexy — and others, both women and men — also indicate that TEAM USA can step up and make things work. I found his performances to be wonderful to watch and already truly competitive going toward Paris 2024. We have 11 months to get the job done, and it can be done with superb talent like his.
Never gonna get 2 individual silvers again tbh
You’re right.
After dropping about 1.3 seconds off his pb this year, he might be on trajectory to get some golds!
Thank you for putting positive Andrew in his place!
^ this!!!! One of the best comments/responses I’ve seen in a while. “Underachieving swimmer” = brilliant.
Dude what did Jack Alexy/Cal ever do to you. They’re the undeniable best college swim team of the 2020s, and nobody else is close. Just because you happen to root for someone else doesn’t mean you have to be salty and discredit the top program in the country.
Dave Durden helps swimmers reach their potential
No he doesn’t lol, you are misplacing the credit which is Durden’s assistants and high school club coachea
Can’t use your idiotic underwater merchants insult with Alexy when he does 3 dolphin kicks off a turn so instead you say his high school coach who he hasn’t worked with for 2 years deserves the credit for dropping 1.3 seconds in a 100
Alexy was good enough to get a second swim at OTs in 100 free BEFORE he got to Cal. Let’s stop giving credit to Durden when Durden isn’t even Alexy’s primary coach lol
Who runs the program he swim for?
Andrew, do you ever have anything nice to say about any swimmer, coach etc?
Durden is responsible for assembling a great staff. That’s his job. Less than half a head coaches job is directly coaching swimmers.
Whitley
Correction he helps butterfly, backstroke, and freestylers reach their potential
I mean, he did well with Josh Prenot
Developed transfers Bell & Chuck Katis (Chuck was a 52/1:54 coming into Cal), as well as Connor Hoppe, Louser, Prenot, Seliskar and yes Whitley too!. During Nathan’s era they had the most dominant Breast group in the nation with Mahony, Liivamagi, Alijand, Hoyt, Koon & Dugonjic! Historically, Cal’s Breaststroke group is has strong as all the other disciplines.