Cesar Cielo set a new meet record in the 100 free (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
It’s been a fun few days here in central Florida for the latest stop of the USA Swimming Arena Grand Prix, Orlando. There’s been some fast swims in the water and fun and excitement around the YMCA Aquatic Center. Again we go through the lens of sport photographer Mike Lewis for these images from the meet.
Swim MAC Elite team member Katie Meili with Coach Jack Roach before the 200 IM prelims (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Katinka Hosszu having a little fun behind the blocks before the start of the 200IM (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
T2 Aquatic’s Justine Bowker on the breaststroke leg of the 200 IM (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Caitlin Leverenz (top) on the backstroke leg of the 200 IM prelims (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Bringing it home during the 200IM prelims (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Ryan Lochte (left) off to strong start in his first race back since his knee injury last fall (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Cesar Cielo sits ready before the prelims of the men’s 100 free (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Caitlin Leverenz with strong AM swim in the 200 IM (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Bolles Shark Jessica Hodgson (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Canadian Eric Hedlin with a quick AM warm up before the evening finals of the 1500 (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Elizabeth Simmons (left) and Katinka Hosszu (right) start the 200 back (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Chloe Sutton (the champ in both the 400 and 800 free) with her coach John Payne (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace keeping cool going into the women’s 100 Free final (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Saint Andrew’s Rachael Bradford-Feldman in the prelims of the 200IM (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
The man behind the Stars – Coach Todd Schmitz (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
warm up (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
In typical Florida fashion the place was buzzing when Lochte showed up on Saturday; and in typical Lochte fashion he and Clary and many (all) others from the US and other National teams signed autographs and took pictures seemingly all session long.
All the young/inexperienced kids and their coaches are appreciative with not only the act of talking,signing, and smiling — but the selfless vibe that comes with it. One thing is for sure: when these guys swim at Worlds and the Olympics, they have many of the world’s young swimmers pulling for them.
The 7th photo isn’t Alia Atkinson.
Cool to see again Todd Schmitz.
It must be a little hard for him since Missy is in college.
He used to win so many big races with much pression as a coach.
Hopefully he will quickly find another young prodigy to train.
He deserves it.
Great coach and very interesting to listen in interview.