Josh Liendo on Speed, Setbacks & Success Episode 221
Sneakily one of the fastest men to ever sprint, Canadian and Florida Gator Josh Liendo is coming off a career year in 2024. His sophomore campaign at UF included 3 individual event wins at NCAAs, along with leading the Gators to 2 relay wins, building on the already solid freshman year (100 free + 3 relay wins). Somehow that wasn’t enough to earn him a Swimmer of the Year, only topped by Leon Marchand with his record performances.
Josh continued the momentum in Paris, earning a silver medal with his statement 100 butterfly that nearly won gold, dipping under 50 seconds with a 49.99, only the 5th to ever do that, and at the same time making him the first black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal. Josh nearly had 2 medals, with an under the radar 4th place in the 50 just missing the podium. The perfect Olympic results to feel major accomplishment, while still wanting more.
Taught to swim in Trinidad and Tobago til age 11 before moving north, Josh automatically ascended to the exclusive list of Luke’s favorite pod guests before we started, but cemented that place during this fun conversation.
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1:01:29
Jonny Kulow The Wyoming Freestyle Rocket Episode 220
The man, the myth, the legend: Jonny Kulow. We sat down with the ASU super sprinter and dug into his journey from a small town in Wyoming to become a freestyle rocket. We discuss his training secrets (or lack thereof!), his signature gym moves, and his favorite Wyoming State record.
Plus, we get the inside scoop on the ASU-UofA rivalry, relive the thrilling double swim-off against Adam Cheney at Olympic Trials, and hear Jonny's predictions for the upcoming ASU season, including which underclassmen are poised to make a splash.
Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe for weekly podcasts and daily shorts!
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53:14
Owen McDonald is ready to smash NCAAs Episode 219
In this episode of Social Kick, we welcome IU standout swimmer Owen McDonald. We delve into his journey from Atlanta to Arizona State, and finally to Indiana University. Owen shares his training secrets, including his favorite event to watch (the 200 IM!), and reveals some hilarious stories about his teammates and coaches.
We also discuss his eating habits (hint: it involves a lot of food!), and his intense training regimen with his brother and legendary coach Ray Looze. Plus, Owen gives his predictions for the upcoming NCAA Championships, where he believes it will be a tight race between IU and Texas.
Don't miss this insightful and entertaining conversation with one of the brightest young stars in college swimming!
Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe for weekly podcasts and daily shorts!
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1:07:42
The Best Swimming of 2024 Episode 218
In this special year-end episode, the Social Kick crew recaps the most memorable moments of 2024 in swimming. We discuss the best individual swims (including Jordan Crooks's historic sub-20 50 free and Leon Marchand's 4:02 500 free), the most thrilling relays (like the US Women's Medley and the Great Britain Men's 4x200 free), and the most exciting meets (including the NCAA Championships and the Paris Olympics). We also delve into breakout performances from swimmers like Gretchen Walsh and discuss the impact of records like Pan Zhanle's 46.40 100 free.
Join us for a lively and insightful discussion as we reflect on a year filled with incredible swims and unforgettable moments. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe for weekly podcasts and daily shorts!
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Rex Maurer Rocketing American Record Holder Episode 217
So that’s a thing now. Rex Maurer has shown the world that even college-aged swimmers can drop nearly 7 seconds in their best event as if he hit a growth spurt. Maybe he did.
The Texas sophomore is only a summer and fall semester into his time in Austin following his transfer from Stanford where he had a solid freshman year. But this Longhorn mid-distance crew is different. It is stacked with hitters, as demonstrated with Carson Foster breaking the American Record in the 500 about an hour before Rex decided he’d like that title on his CV. Maybe this reset the 500 freestyle has seen in recent years (see also Leon Marchand’s otherworldly underwater freak show 4:02 from 2023) will translate to the long course 400 and finally deliver the much-awaited sub 3:40 that has eluded the world’s greatest swimmers since Thorpee.
Rex Maurer, the son of an Olympic swimmer and head USC coach Lea Maurer, swam lifetime bests in the 400IM, 1650, and 200 freestyle, all at a mid-season invite, and he is now expected to haul in points for Texas at the 2025 NCAAs as one of THE swimmers to watch in March.
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