October Swimmers of the Month

As the month of October winds down, I have another list of this month's top swimmers. Most of the performances recognized come from the Commonwealth Games and the four October stops on the World Cup.

Pacific Rim Women’s – Alicia Coutts, Australia

Won five golds at the Commonwealth Games, including the 200 IM, in which she posted the fastest textile suit time in history (2:09.70)

Pacific Rim Men’s – Geoff Huegill, Australia

Capped off his remarkable comeback with Commonwealth gold in the 100 fly (51.69) and 400 medley relay, as well as silver in the 50 fly (23.37)

African Men’s – TIE Cameron van der Burgh, South Africa and Roland Schoeman, South Africa
van der Burgh:

Swept the 50 and 100 breast at the Commonwealth Games, with the world’s top time in the 50 (27.18) and third-fastest time in the 100 (1:00.10)

Schoeman:

Won three medals (one silver, two bronze) at the Commonwealth Games and has posted eight World Cup wins in October; holds the top short course times in the world in the 50 breast (26.09) and 50 fly (22.39)

European Women’s – Therese Alshammar, Sweden

Currently leading the World Cup standings, having posted nine wins in four stops this month; posted the world's top 50 fly short course time (25.24)

European Men’s – James Goddard, Great Britain

Won the 200 back at Commonwealth Games in 1:55.58, making him the fourth-fastest performer this year, while also winning the 200 IM (1:58.10)

American Women’s – Dana Vollmer, United States

Set four American records at the World Cup in Berlin, the 200 free (1:53.67), 100 fly (55.59) and 100 free twice (52.71-prelims; 52.50-finals); in the 100 fly, she missed the world record by a mere half second

American Men’s – Brent Hayden, Canada

Swept the sprints at the Commonwealth Games, including his 47.98 100 free, the only swim under 48 seconds this year

U.S. Men’s – Conor Dwyer

Posted blistering times at the Florida-Georgia duel meet on Friday, winning the 1,000 free (9:00.48), 200 free (1:37.77), and 500 free (4:25.46) in succession, before leading of Florida’s victorious 400 free relay in 44.88.

Special mention once again to Fran Crippen. Now laid to rest in his hometown of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the swimming community continues to honor his many contributions to the sport. Everyone has heard the story, and we have all shed tears. For now, this blog commemorating the top performances in the month of October, is dedicated to Fran Crippen.