World Champion swimmer Megan Romano, after a vagabond year that saw her test out several of the country’s elite programs, has settled on Carol Capitani and Longhorn Aquatics.
This comes after a year where Romano tested out the water in several different locations, including the pro training groups at Georgia (where she went to college), a few camps with NBAC and Bob Bowman in February and June, SwimMAC with David Marsh, and a stint after the Austin Grand Prix at Texas.
Romano says that while she enjoyed her year trying out different clubs, and was grateful for the opportunities, that “all along, she had a gut feeling that Texas and Carol were the place to go.”
Specifically, Romano says that Capitani’s program felt the most “Georgia-like.”
That makes sense, as Capitani was an assistant at Georgia for the first three years of Romano’s undergraduate career as the associate head coach, leaving just after Romano’s breakthrough junior season that included an NCAA title and American Record in the 200 yard freestyle.
“Even after she left Athens, I remained very close with Carol, and I feel like she wants me to succeed almost as bad as I want to succeed,” Romano said.
Romano says that she couldn’t have asked for more out of her time in Athens, but that she was ready to make a new home.
“Athens has been a great place for me for 6 years,” Romano said. “But it’s a college town, it’s where I went to college, and I need a change of scenery. I love Jack (Bauerle) and he’s taken me a long way in swimming, but I think Austin will be good for me.”
“I know Ryan (Lochte) had so much success with coach (Gregg) Troy, who’s another outstanding coach, but now he’s moved on to SwimMAC too. At some point as an athlete, it’s good to try something different.”
Internationally, Romano has four World Championships (two short course and two long course) on her resume, all of which came in relays. She was also the 2012 World Championship silver medalist in the 100 free individually.
While she had a difficult summer in 2014, and missed the National Team, the Pan Pac team, and the World Championship team, the year before saw her biggest international success. She swam an incredible anchor leg for the American 400 free relay to chase down Australia’s Alicia Coutts, one of the best swimmers in the world, and to bring the Americans one of the most unlikely gold medals of the 2014 World Championships.
Capitani currently has a small post-grad group at Texas, including another former NCAA Champion Laura Sogar.
“Tell them I’m going to switch to breaststroke,” Romano joked about the reaction of swim fans to the move. “But really, I had a tough decision to make after this summer. I wasn’t sure where to go with my career. I spent some time after Nationals doing some soul-searching, and I realized that I’m not ready to give up yet. I love this sport, I love swimming, and I’m going to fight and do whatever I can to make it to Rio.”
Mental strength not there….you heard it here first.
Maybe if she would stop “trying out elite clubs” and actually make a commitment to settle and work hard she would see more success. Its not about the club. Its about the wrk ethic.
I’m a big fan of Megan’s, and I love watching her race, especially in relays. I think she would be a tremendous asset for us in 2016, so get busy girl! Have fun in Austin too.
Welcome to Austin! She’ll love being a part of this community with so many former Olympic swummers and medalists.
Simply amazing. Great swimmer, great choice for a coach and program! Can’t wait to see what Romano and Capitani are able to do together.
Hopefully Miss Romano will get back on track to be at best in 2 years.
I would like to see her in Rio. At least in the 4X100 free relay team.
We NEED Megan to swim at her best in Rio! I hope she’ll be happy and train hard in Austin! And tell Laura Sogar her fans want her to find a way to improve her times and compete well in the 2016 Trials too!