Ultra Swim Swimmer of the Month is a recurring SwimSwam feature shedding light on a U.S.-based swimmer who has proven themselves over the past month. As with any item of recognition, Swimmer of the Month is a subjective exercise meant to highlight one athlete whose work holds noteworthy context – perhaps a swimmer who was visibly outperforming other swimmers over the month, or one whose accomplishments slipped through the cracks among other high-profile swims. If your favorite athlete wasn’t selected, feel free to respectfully recognize them in our comment section.
The incredible versatility of Kate Douglass was on full display throughout the month of January, as the University of Virginia junior won all six of her individual events over the course of three dual meets.
Douglass placed first in the women’s 100 free (48.11) and 100 breast (1:00.01) against Virginia Tech, claimed wins in the 100 breast (59.48) and 200 breast (2:05.67) against North Carolina, and then topped the 50 free (21.85) and 100 fly (51.30) while battling NC State.
Douglass’ Flat-Start Swims, January 2022
- 50 free, 1st – 21.85, (vs NC State)
- 100 free, 1st – 48.11, (vs VT)
- 50 back, relay – 24.30 (vs VT)
- 100 back, relay – 51.84 (vs UNC)
- 100 breast, 1st – 59.48 (vs UNC)
- 100 breast, 1st – 1:00.01 (vs VT)
- 200 breast, 1st – 2:05.67 (vs UNC)
- 100 fly, 1st – 51.30 (vs NC State)
Douglass, the reigning NCAA champion in the 50 free, swam times fast enough to make the NCAA ‘A’ final last season in the 50 free, 200 breast and 100 fly during the month, was just .05 what it took in the 100 free, and added personal best times in the 50 back (24.30) and 100 back (51.84) on relay-leadoffs.
For good measure, the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist threw in a 20.99 anchor leg on UVA’s 200 medley relay against NC State that finished in 1:33.74 – a time that would’ve placed second at NCAAs last season.
At last year’s NCAAs, Douglass opted to swim the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly individually, leaving some of her best events, such as the 200 IM and 200 breast, on the table. She ended up winning the 50 free and taking second in the 100 free and 100 fly over a tightly-contested three-event series with Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil.
It remains to be seen which direction Douglass will go in come March, but whatever she swims, she’ll be a title challenger given the excellent form she showed in January.
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