The DC Trident of the International Swimming League (ISL) have announced the addition of Serbian swimmer Velimir Stjepanovic to the club’s roster for the inaugural 2019 season of the league. The 25-year old Stjepnaovic was born in Abu Dhabi, and lived most of his life in the UAE, but his parents were Bosnian Serbs, and he opted to represent Serbia internationally.
After swimming at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships and 2012 Olympic Games, Stjepanovic had his big international breakout meet at the 2014 European Championships shortly after his 21st birthday. There, he won gold in both the 200 and 400 meter freestyles. 5 years later, however, those remain his personal best times.
Stjepanovic is the Serbian National Record holder in both the 200 and 400 meter freestyles in long course and short course, as well as the 200 fly in long course and short course.
He was 6th in the 200 fly at the 2012 Olympics; his highest finish at the 2016 Olympics was 13th in the semi-finals of the 200 free. At the 2019 World Championships, he finished 32nd in the 100 free (49.44), 19th in the 200 free (1:47.40), and 17th in the 200 fly (1:57.15). That 200 fly was Serbia’s highest individual male finisher at the meet. He is also the first announced Serbian swimmer to sign with the league.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Velimir to our amazing team of DC Trident athletes, and I know Velimir is equally excited to race in the ISL,” said Trident general manager Kaitlin Sandeno. “Though I’ve been following his swimming career for a short time, it’s clear that his dedication to the sport and determination has brought him tremendous success that I know he will continue onto this team.”
In short course meters, the preferred course of the ISL, Stjepanovic was the 2014 short course World Championship bronze medalist in the 400 free, and the 2013 European Champion in the 200 fly. While most of Stjepanovic’s major hardware internationally has been in long course so far, his times in short course are arguably better.
Best Times in Long Course Meters and Short Course Meters:
| LCM | SCM | |
| 50 free | 23.07 | 22.29 |
| 100 free | 48.50 | 47.57 |
| 200 free | 1:45.78 | 1:42.48 |
| 400 free | 3:45.66 | 3:38.17 |
| 100 fly | 52.85 | 51.68 |
| 200 fly | 1:54.99 | 1:51.27 |
Of the above times, both his short course and long course bests in his best events, the 200 free, 400 free, and 200 fly, are all from 2014 or earlier. He did swim a lifetime best in the 100 free in short course at last December’s World Championships, and his best 100 fly in long course is from the spring of 2018.
The DC Trident now have 14 men and 11 women on their roster for the 2019 season. The Trident are scheduled to kick off their season on October 4th and 5th in Indianapolis, Indiana.
DC Trident 2019 ISL Roster:
| Women | Men |
| Anika Apostalon | Tristan Hollard |
| Brianna Throssell | Zach Apple |
| Lisa Bratton | Kevin Cordes |
| Natalie Coughlin | Jay Litherland |
| Bethany Galat | Cody Miller |
| Sarah Gibson | Abrahm DeVine |
| Siobhán Haughey | Robert Howard |
| Madison Kennedy | Giles Smith |
| Katie Ledecky | Jérémy Stravius |
| Leiston Pickett | Zach Harting |
| Sian Whittaker | Andreas Vazaios |
| Ian Finnerty | |
| Zane Grothe | |
| Velimir Stjepanovic |
Love how this guy always takes it out. Gutsy
Doesn’t mean much if you can’t finish… had a coach who preached this mentality in college, it was disastrous. Our 200 guys would split 44/45 and 50-52 on the way home… freaking painful to watch. We’d have 1 or 2 make finals when we should have had 4 if the guys didn’t race like a single cell organism. Coach would always be happy tho!
“Reminds me of college when I was first at the 25 for the 100 fly at ncaa’s”
“Well what place did you get?”
“8th”
“…?!?!?… ok..”
This guy has fizzled and faded HARD the last 5 years. Not worth the punt.