COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – National Team Members and 2015 FINA World Championship medalists Kevin Cordes(Naperville, Ill.) and Micah Lawrence (Pflugerville, Texas) led a swim clinic for the students at the Stamford American School in Singapore.
“The visit to Stamford American School provided me the opportunity to give back,” said Cordes. “Singapore has been a great host and I felt this was a good way to show my appreciation. It also provided a good venue to give back to the sport of swimming that has provided me so many great opportunities and experiences.”
The athletes shared stories of their days of youth swimming and the experiences they’ve had competing on an international stage.
“Having the opportunity to pass along knowledge to the younger generation of swimmers is something I delight in,” said Lawrence. “I remember how inspired I was when I got the chance to meet some of the best in the sport. It humbles me to be on the other side of things; to be the one that helps inspire the beginning of another person’s swimming career.”
With around 150 kids participating in the clinic, the National Team members divulged their technique secrets and showed-off their skills with in-water drills. But, Cordes and Lawrence appearance didn’t go without a little friendly competition.
“We had a great time with the kids,” said Cordes. “We had the kids guess how few strokes I could take to get across the pool. Then having them guess the same for Micah. Of course a competition broke out as Micah tried to make it with fewer strokes.”
The athletes will train in Singapore under Coach Sergio Lopez until the start of U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming on June 26 in hopes of qualifying to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Cordes and Lawrence appearance is part of USA Swimming’s Athlete Partnership Program. The program is a platform for National Team swimmers to encourage kids and adults to take up the sport as a healthy and positive activity. These appearances directly promote the sport and the healthy lifestyle it represents. To find more information about how to get started in the sport, visit SwimToday.org.
Swimming news courtesy of USA Swimming.
In the first paragraph, Lauren Neidigh writes “Singapore, Malaysia”. Singapore is it’s own country (though it is VERY close to Mayalsia). Great of these two athletes to show swimmers what elite breastroke looks like, I hadn’t heard about this program offered through USA Swimming
JPL- if you look at the bottom of some of my posted articles, you’ll see that the article is a press release courtesy of the indicated source. I did not actually write this piece, it was passed along courtesy of USA Swimming. But, we have updated it accordingly, as you are correct.