Darian Townsend has been on a quest this fall setting 7 FINA masters world records over the past month. Last weekend he dropped the 25 – 29 year old age group records in the 50 fly 23.53 and the 100 free 48.29 at the Ron Johnson Invitational in Tempe; just a week after the Minnesota Grand Prix where he took the title in the 200 IM (1:43.73) on the final day of competition.
Townsend, a three time Olympian and Olympic Champion from the 2004 Athens games, knows that a quadrennial cycle takes both physical and mental preparation. The year after the Olympics can for many be the hardest, but Darian has found renewed passion for the sport through his training with the Tucson Ford Masters team, an active clinic schedule that has included stops in southern California and Wisconsin, as well as being one of the age group coaches at the Tucson Ford program.
Darian has also recently joined the ranks of a strong group of world class swimmers representing the New York Athletic Club (NYAC). We had a good opportunity to catch up with Darian from his home in Tucson to learn more about his plans for the future and the factors that have aided him in his long term success.
Long or short course?
Short course meters. Dude was quick and so efficient in the water.