Olympic Champion, Nathan Adrian, Joins Fastest Man in Texas Battle for $10,001

The Fastest Man in Texas competition just rose to a whole new level of competition.

2012 Olympic 100 free Olympic Champion, and five-time individual NCAA Champion, Nathan Adrian has joined the Josh Davis-founded Fastest Man in Texas competition which runs on November 9th in San Antonio, Texas.

Nathan Adrian, 100 freestyle medalist, 2013 World Championships (Victor Puig, victorpuig.com)

“I couldn’t be more excited about competing in the Fastest Man in Texas Shootout,” Adrian said. “What Josh has done to honor his mom serves as a beautiful reminder to everyone in the sport to appreciate what their parents have done for them.”

Davis, when announcing last week that 14-year old phenom Michael Andrew was also joining the meet, thought that a 19.2 might win. With Adrian in the mix, though, the proverbial price of poker just went up.

Adrian is the 4th-fastest 50 yard freestyler in history, and has been better than 19 seconds 13 times in his career – more than anybody else in history. That includes an 18.82 at last year’s Winter National Championships most recently.

Adrian joins a star-studded lineup that includes Adrian, Jimmy Feigen, and Josh Schneider, which is three of the top 5 finishers in the 50 free at the 2013 World Championship Trials. Feigen, Adrian, and Schneider combined to win every 50 freestyle NCAA Championship between 2009 and 2012.

Joining them will be Michael Andrew, the fastest 14-year old 50 meter freestyler in history; SMU standout Ryan Koops, Texas sophomore John Murray, three-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Crocker, and of course the man himself, Josh Davis.

We caught up with event founder and host, Josh Davis, who had this to say about Adrian’s participation:

“We always felt that the winner of the Fastest Man in Texas is also the fastest in the world. Now with Nathan Adrian in the Shootout who ever wins will have huge bragging rights for the next two years.  That $10,001 will be rightly earned and the swim fans of San Antonio, TX will be in for a treat to see America’s best and biggest sprinters go head to head at High Noon!  We are excited to show Nathan some Texas hospitality even though Nathan is one of them Northern Californios with their fancy ways.  Don’t get me wrong he’s good, obviously the best in them parts and I respect him.  He even gave me a whippin’ last year that still has my tail between my legs.”

Josh continued: “…but my money is still on our hometown hero, our Texas Ranger, Jimmy “The Sheriff” Feigen.  Jimmy’s no sugarfoot.  He’s been the Fastest Man in Texas for several years now and he aims to keep it that way!  If somehow Nathan does win he should put those Fastest Man in Texas Boots on his mantle right next to that big shiny London gold medal of his!”

Fastest Man in Texas Shootout details below:

THE WINNER OF THE FASTEST MAN IN TEXAS SHOOTOUT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9TH AT THE JOSH DAVIS NATATORIUM IN SAN ANTONIO, TX WILL HAVE MAJOR BRAGGING RIGHTS AND IS GOING TO BE $10,001 RICHER!  

That’s right, it’s no typo, winner takes home $10,001!!  This is the largest cash prize for a swim race offered in the United States!  The Shootout will consist of two 50 yard races: a prelim round at 11:30am and a final round will take place right at high noon like the shootouts in the old west.

Whoever wants to claim the prize will have to go through defending champion and pool record holder Jimmy Feigen.  This is Feigen’s home pool and Jimmy just got 2nd in the 100m free at the World Championships in Spain.  Other athletes committed so far is 2-time Olympian and Masters champion-Josh Davis, UT sprint star-John Murray, SMU sprinter-Ryan Koops, and Olympic Butterfly Legend Ian Crocker. Coming from outside the Lone Star State is one of Jimmy’s fiercest rivals, Josh Schneider, the former football player turned NCAA swimming champion from Ohio.

Josh Davis crowns Jimmy Feigen the Fastest Man in Texas at the Fastest Man in Texas Shootout (Image courtesy of MOO BOCS)

Josh Davis crowns Jimmy Feigen the Fastest Man in Texas at the 2012 Fastest Man in Texas Shootout (Image courtesy of MOO BOCS)

Josh Davis crowns Jimmy Feigen the Fastest Man in Texas at the 2012 Fastest Man in Texas Shootout (Image courtesy of MOO BOCS)

In addition to the $10,001 grand prize the Fastest Man in Texas will receive a commemorative belt buckle and boots. Other prizes are $3000 for second and $1000 for third.  Shootout is limited to 16 athletes total.  Only those who are done with college eligibility will receive prize money. We will announce additional racers for the Fastest Man in Texas Shootout as they contact Josh and commit.  The race will be held at the Josh Davis Natatorium which is a 25 yard by 25 meters pool with an average depth of 11 feet with surface level gutters.  The blocks are huge SR Smith launching pads and there is seating for 750 people on each side for a total of 1500 fans right on top of the action.  Simply put, this pool is fast and perfectly suited for a Fastest Man Shootout!  The Shootout format will consist of qualifying match races by the participants around 11:30 and then the final race of the top 8 will take place right at High Noon!   19 seconds later someone is walking away with a $10,001 check!

The “Fastest Man in Texas” Shootout will take place in conjunction with the Joan Davis Memorial Invite which is also called the Battle for the Crown because it is the only invitational for all of the Texas Private and Parochial High Schools.  The Joan Davis/Battle for the Crown Invite started by Coach Kevin Gallivan is named in honor of Josh’s mom who lost her fight against cancer in July 2012.  There will be over 250 high school swimmers from 15 different Catholic and Private schools from all across Texas racing from 9am to 12pm that day.   Tickets to attend the joint event are $10 for adults and $5 for 18 and under.

Josh explains why the Fastest Man in Texas Shootout means so much to him:

“WHEN THE OLYMPIANS RACED IN MY MOM’S HONOR AT THE FIRST FASTEST MAN IN TEXAS SHOOTOUT TWO YEARS AGO IT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HER LIFE.  I HAD NO IDEA WE WOULD LOSE HER SO SOON JUST 8 MONTHS LATER.  ALL SWIMMERS SHOULD THANK THEIR SWIM MOMS FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT.  THE FASTEST MAN IN TEXAS SHOOTOUT IS HONORED TO PARTNER WITH THE JOAN DAVIS/BATTLE FOR THE CROWN INVITE EVERY TWO YEARS TO HONOR MY MOM’S MEMORY AND IN A SMALL WAY TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SWIM MOMS OUT THERE.”

Brendan Hansen, Josh Davis (& his mother), Jimmy Feigen, Ian Crocker & Aaron Peirsol at the Fastest Man in Texas Shootout (Image courtesy of MOO BOCS)

Josh started hosting clinics 17 years ago after he won 3 gold medals in the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games.  He has been the director of the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! Swim Clinic Tour for the last 7 years and is set to celebrate its 600th clinic later this year!  Mutual of Omaha is a major sponsor of USA Swimming and the leading provider of Olympian clinics across the country.  For more information on bringing an Olympian to your team check out: www.breakoutswimclinic.com

HERE IS A LIST OF CLINICIANS/OLYMPIANS TO CHOOSE FROM TO INSPIRE YOUR SWIMMERS:

MEN

Jason Lezak

Conor Dwyer

Matt Grevers

Ian Crocker

Brendan Hansen

Jimmy Fiegen

Matt Mclean

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Aaron Peirsol

Eric Shanteau

David Walters

Dax Hill

Tyler Clary

Clark Burckle

Rowdy Gaines

Davis Tarwater

Josh Schneider

Peter Vanderkaay

Mark Gangloff

Randall Bal

Tom Shields

Charlie Houchin

Austin Surhoff

Darian Townsend

Roland Schoeman

Tyler McGill

WOMEN

Dana Vollmer

Kate Ziegler

Christine Magnuson

Alyssa Anderson

Misty Hyman

Kathleen Hersey

Karlee Bispo

Kim Vandenberg

Kristy Kowal

Brooke Bennett

Amanda Beard

Annie Chandler

Madison Kennedy

Lacey Nymeyer John

Megan Jendrick

Jessica Hardy

Christine Marshall

Katie Hoff

Ariana Kukors

Chloe Sutton

Laura Sogar

Lauren Purdue

Micah Lawrence

Margaret Hoelzer

Caroline Burckle

Janet Evans

Dagny Knutson

About Josh Davis

Josh Davis is a world-class motivational speaker, broadcaster and swim clinician. Josh reaches thousands of young swimmers as the embodiment of the sport’s values.

2000 
Silver 400m freestyle relay
Silver 800m freestyle relay

1996
Gold 400m freestyle relay
Gold 800m freestyle relay
Gold 400m medley relay

Follow Josh Davis on Twitter here.

Fan the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic on Facebook here.

MOO BOSC is a swimswam partner.