Ed Moses Qualifies for Olympic Trials on 2 Practices in 4 Years

Ed Moses has qualified for the Olympic Trials on only 2 practices in the past 4 years. Moses swam the 100 breast in a time of 1:03.35 at the 2016 Speedo Grand Challenge. Moses will be turning 36 on June 7.

 

Moses came in 4th in the event behind 3rd place finisher Connor Hoppe (1:03.01). Azad Al-barazi won the event (1:02.07), closely followed by Jason Block (1:02.20).

When asked about his motives, Moses said it was as much about attending his 5th-straight titles (with 4 of those 5 being as a competitor).

“When (Ryan) Lochte asked me if I was going a few weeks ago, I realized I had to do something,” Moses said. “So last week I posted on social media asking what the time to qualify in the 100 breaststroke was and what the last day (for qualifying was). Someone said 1:03.69 and June 20th.

“So I looke up to see if there was a meet and (the meet in) Irvine was 10 days away. So I called up the Golden Road Rebels and asked if I could swim for them since they are just over the hill in Hollywood, and if I could join them at the Irvine meet.

“(Coaches) Mario (Marshall) and Mike (Lucero) welcomed me out, registered me on the team, and called up the Meet Director and asked if they could get me entered.”

The Meet Director was shocked by the offer, pointing out that Moses hadn’t raced in 4 years. Moses says that Marshall corrected him, pointing out that Moses hadn’t SWUM in four years, but that he’d be fine.

Moses said that after that build up, he “obviously had to step up,” so he trained twice and did “like 1500 yards.” He then called up Speedo and asked for a racing suit, showed up at 8am, warmed up for 200 meters, did a 32.5 pace 50, and told his new coach Lucero that he was ready to go (joking he didn’t want to get sore from doing too much more than that).

“I was in heat 1, lane 8, and I took off. It felt real smooth the entire 100 and when I turned halfway the only person I could even see to my side is (Syrian Olympian) Azad (Al-Basari), and I knew he would be quick, so I got excited and just raced the 2nd 50, and saw a 1:03.3 when I finished.

“I was pretty damn excited, honestly. Everyone loves cheering for the old guy.

“But for real, it was great to be on deck and see some old faces and coaches; memories and stories were coming out. The swimming community is so close-knit, it’s like a second family. I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow because I didn’t warm down, but it’s still pretty cool to be going to my 4th Olympic Trials as a competitor.”

As for his goals, Moses confirmed that he intends to actually race the 100 breast, not just show up as a spectator. “I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve gotten from friends and fans saying ‘so are we going to Rio?!?!?!’ My answer to them is ‘of course…if you buy my plane ticket!'”

While he’ll be back in the same place racing as he was four years ago, Moses’ focus over the last year has turned to pursuits outside of the pool.

“I’ve been so caught up and busy finishing business school at UCLA. I graduate and get my MBA in 2 weeks. All I was doing was studying and running a business and constantly fitting in work outs, in gym of course. I started a sports statistics software app 8 months ago called StatFuel and have been raising money for it this whole spring. So between school and the company obviously swimming was never an option. But would never miss swimming Olympic Trials as I believe it’s the most pressure packed intense sporting event out there.”

And in his typical west-coast style, Moses summed his excitement up best with a closing “This Trials is going to be siiiiiiick.”

Moses is a former Olympic gold medalist for Team USA. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Moses won a gold medal on the world record-setting 4×100 medley relay, on which he swam breaststroke. Moses also earned a silver in the 100 breast at the Olympics. Previously, Moses swam for the University of Virginia, where he won the 100 and 200 meter breast at NCAA Championships in 2000, and set world records in both events.

After Moses retired from swimming, he started a career as a semi-professional golfer. He also co-founded MoJo Marketing & Media, a creative content consulting company, where he has served as vice president.

He made a comeback for the 2012 Olympic Trials but failed to make it out of prelims in the 100 and 200 breast.

The live results for the 2016 Speedo Grand Challenge can be found here

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John K
7 years ago

He should create another TV series for the 2016 trials – anyone remembers watching Against the Tide that he filmed for 2012 Trials comeback?

wowo
7 years ago

Does anyone have a video of this!?

Larry Weisenthal
7 years ago

Every bit as incredible is Steve West’s 1:04.38 … At age 44! In 1996, Steve went 1:02.60 in finishing 4th at US Olympic Trials in Indy. In his better event, the 200, the ex-Michigan Wolverine was barely touched out of a ticket to Atlanta, finishing a heart breaking 3rd. How great is it to see these old guys still swimming these quality times 🙂

Charlotte
7 years ago

Proof that US Olympic swimming trial qualifying times are too slow. In track and field it would be like a 49+ second 400 meter runner going to Olympic trials.

Nathan
Reply to  Charlotte
7 years ago

Lady no one cares about track and field you’re on a swimming article

tea rex
7 years ago

Maybe he hasn’t been in the water, but he’s OBVIOUSLY been working out. He looks CUT in that photo.

PACFAN
7 years ago

Watch this guy drop a 59. @ trials and qualify for Rio.

Then go a 57 in the 100 there.

#beatyPeaty2k16 #Mosessupposes

stephen
Reply to  PACFAN
7 years ago

Delusional comment of the year…it’s common on this website

TAK
Reply to  stephen
7 years ago

Some comments on this website are made in jest – for the enjoyment of people who love swimming.

samuel huntington
7 years ago

Ed Moses was 18 when he set the NVSL record!! http://www.mynvsl.com/records. in 1998, when he was 18

djalbertson
7 years ago

That is incredible. Just by doing his thing- he has inspired alot of people and has everyone talking. Great for swimming and great for him. Good Luck! Wow!

About Aaron Schwartz

Aaron Schwartz

Aaron Schwartz Aaron Schwartz has been swimming since age 10 at CCAT Club Team. Although he's dabbled with many events, he prides himself as being a sprint breastroker and freestyler. He has always been interested in technology, and wants to attend the Goizueta Business School At Emory University. At Emory, Aaron …

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