SSPC: Baylor Nelson Breaks Down Super-Competitive North Carolina Swim Scene

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Baylor Nelson, the #2 recruit in the high school class of 2022. Nelson tells us about his training during quarantine and his love for swimming that has been fostered since a young age. Nelson has had some phenomenal swims recently, most notably his epic battles with fellow North Carolina-native Sam Hoover in the 400 IM and 200 IM.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

RECENT EPISODES

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

7
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

7 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Breezeway
3 years ago

Great interview Baylor!
Not sure how this got sidetracked to a MSA late night informercial.

Howard
3 years ago

Mac struggling now that it has competition. MSA and Atom have done well and MSA built facilities in a popular area of town. Don’t think they’ll be the Mac of old-still good team but nothing like years past. TAC is now the dominant team in the region

NCSwimFan
Reply to  Howard
3 years ago

Define “region”. TAC is 3 hours away from Charlotte.

MAC is receiving more competition in the Charlotte area, particularly from MSA at the 18U Champs from last month. However it’s not fair to say it’s a complete wash. MAC still has more swimmers qualified for the traditional Summer Junior Nationals than MSA (16-7 by my count) and is more competitive at the 14U meets than MSA. A little competition never hurts and I do think while MAC is having to compete more with more viable teams around town, they’re still the team to beat in the area.

In terms of NC as a state, TAC is certainly the cream of the crop. Obviously their class of 2022 swimmers are unbelievable… Read more »

Howard
Reply to  NCSwimFan
3 years ago

Not saying they aren’t a good team…of course they are. Just not the dominant team of 10 even 5 years ago given the local competition. MSA built two indoor facilities in a good area. Atom has had some elite swimmers recently. Too early to tell right now, really depends on the effect on young swimmers joining but it appears that MSA is definitely gaining ground there.

Point is MAc can’t rely on being the only option anymore

GA Boy
Reply to  Howard
3 years ago

I mean they did win jr Nationals just last year. That seems like they’re still pretty good. I guess we use different metrics, but to me that means they’re literally the best 18u team in the country…..

Howard
Reply to  GA Boy
3 years ago

You’re judging all wrong. You need to look at age group champs to judge the future-lots of those swimmers graduated and their best girl is swimming for Lifetime now?????. Mac wasn’t even in the same league as TAC at age group champs last year.

Again MAC is still a very, very good team. But at one point they were probably top 5 in country every year. Just don’t see that continuing, at least if you look at age group level

Breezeway
Reply to  Howard
3 years ago

Was MSA/ATOM in the same league as MAC at age groups?

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 …

Read More »