LSU’s Matthew Klotz Re-Breaks American Deaf Swimming Record in 50 Free

2018 ART ADAMSON INVITATIONAL

  • November 14-16, 2018
  • College Station, TX (Texas A&M Natatorium)
  • SCY
  • Live results

Update: in finals, Klotz swam a 19.77, which not only re-breaks his own Deaf Swimming National Record, but it jumps him to sole possession of 9th-place in LSU program history.

As part of an electric first session at the 2018 Art Adamson Invitational at the Texas A&M Rec center Natatorium, LSU junior Matthew Klotz broke yet another USA Deaf Swimming Record. Klotz swam a 19.82 to qualify for the final 3rd, which is his first time under 20 seconds and the first time any registered American deaf swimmer has been under 20 seconds in the event.

Klotz’s old best (and probably the old record, though USA Deaf Swimming is slow to update their record books) was a 20.04 done in a time trial swim at last year’s SEC Championship meet. More significantly for the Tigers, it ties as the 10th-fastest time in school history, is the fastest time by a Tiger this season, and ties as the fastest time by an LSU swimmer in the last 3 seasons.

Klotz also holds American Records in the 200 free, 500 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM in yards; plus the 50 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM in meters. He was also a member of the record-setting mixed 400 free and mixed 400 medley relays in meters.

 

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Maverick
5 years ago

He isn’t deaf as most people would think. Just legally…. He can hold a conversation with his teammates/coaches. (Bring on the downvotes)

Mom
Reply to  Maverick
5 years ago

Actually Maverick he is deaf. He cannot hear a thing on the pool deck. He struggled and had very intensive speech therapy to learn to talk. Without hearing aidshe cannot hear ar all and lof course cannot use them near water. Even with he hesrs 60% of conversation and not all sounds. Regarfless of his speech he is still deaf on the pool deck!

Maverick
Reply to  Mom
5 years ago

Sounds like He isn’t deaf. Being able to hold conversations with teammates. Coaches…. etc gives you an advantage over someone who can’t hear a dang thing. Him and someone who can’t hear ever regardless of where are classified the same, which is kind of ridiculous.

I see he’s at a disadvantage for sure.. but….. he can hear at all times except for when in the pool…? Correct? Which you don’t need to hear anyways after the start (which is aided by lights).

Mom
Reply to  Maverick
5 years ago

Wow. No he cannot hear everything. He is deaf and he lips reads. There is no advantage over other deaf athletes. ALL are deaf and equal in the water. You are compleyrly ridiculous and be grateful you don’t have to walk in his shoes. He has had more obstacles than most. Because he has speech does not make him any less deaf. Marcus who we love is also oral. Did you criticize his successes or just matthew?

running start to touch backstroke flags
5 years ago

Is there a light for “take your marks” too?? How does he know about the other commands?

Anonymous
5 years ago

How does he know when to start?

Splash
Reply to  Anonymous
5 years ago

I believe they place a strobe light by the athlete’s block that signals the start at the same time the beep goes

PVSFree
Reply to  Splash
5 years ago

Some new pools also have lights that flash green by the athlete’s foot, regardless of whether or not they’re deaf

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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