Practice + Pancakes: Stanford Women Go Thursday PM 400 IM, Underwater Work

SwimSwam took a visit to sunny Palo Alto, where the Stanford women were putting in work on a Thursday afternoon. Typically at this time in the week, the women split into 3 groups: Distance, 400 IM, and Underwater.

Head coach Greg Meehan took the 400 IM/Distance women, writing a moderate set for the 400 IMers that tried to get them in the work zone of what a 400 IM stroke will feel like. This group was highlighted by World Champion in the 100 fly, Torri Huske.

Associate head Tracy Slusser had the underwater group, which is her time to get creative and try new things according to what sort of athletes are in the group each season. They were doing dolfin kicks with fins while holding a medball over their heads into underwater on a resistance band into fast swims with and without fins. There was a lot going on, highlighted by Huske’s world champion teammate in the 400 medley relay, freshman Claire Curzan.

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Vincent Trinquesse
1 year ago

Hello. Obviously we don’t have a lot of footage; however I’m surprised by the lack of specific and technical info given by Meehan. He screams split times – like any other coach in the world…but there are no instant and quick words on how to correct and improve something right on the spot. I’m still not very used to the US swim coaching style so this could explain my comments

Dee
1 year ago

Just curious what was the undwewater set, looked like a couple push offs with bands, then some 25s, just wondering when the med balls were used during the set

Chris
1 year ago

Theyre going to be nasty if Curzan and Huske has a good season but I dont see them being able to take down the Hoos at NCAAs with Doug and 2 Walsh sisters on team.

Mackboron
1 year ago

Are those paces about 400 speed for them? Those girls are quick!

So confused
1 year ago

I always think those poor Stanford Men get no love. It looked like the women got twice as many lanes and someone who cares enough to come watch a practice while they are in the same pool. Forget about the music chose guys the ladies get that too. Sorry guys but I’m hopeful your education is why you went to Stanford.

VB Swim dad
Reply to  So confused
1 year ago

You are just wrong (and petty). There are 56 lanes if set up for yards at Avery Aquatic Center in the two 50 meter pools and the Competition pool. The men get their share of lanes. By the way there are only 26 men and 24 women on the teams. I think both teams can squeeze in just fine. I watched three practices last week and there was always space. Just in case you are worried about the divers, all 8 of them have space in the diving well.

anonymous
1 year ago

That Stanford womens team is absolutely loaded. Not sure if the editing swayed my impression, or if the coaches really do just spend that much time focusing on 2 swimmers. I’m hopeful it was in editing…

RMS
Reply to  anonymous
1 year ago

Makes sense to interview the most recent world championship individual medalists.

curious
1 year ago

was this before or after Isabel Gormley quit

neffry
1 year ago

Very cool to see coaches experimenting with that “5th stroke”. One wonders how much volume of UW work/variety coaches should be implementing with age group/high school athletes.

CraigH
Reply to  neffry
1 year ago

I’ve heard a good rule of thumb is at least 20%.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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