One of our favorite parts of major international meets is the wardrobe that Team USA sports at them. We enjoy making fun of some of the shirts, much like the Hawaiian shirt of fug from Montreal. Yeaaaaa, remember that? I remember riding up an escalator behind Kaitlin the day Team USA was wearing them. Someone asked her why she wasn’t wearing it and she said “I didn’t feel like it”. I remember my admiration for Miss Sandeno growing even more that day. I mean, I am glad someone takes the fashion statements they make seriously!

Anyway, what is with the shirt Mr. Crocker is sporting? Where did the eagle (or whatever it is) come from? Is this going to be a permanent fixture alongside the USA Swimming logo? I’m puzzled.

But at least it’s not an ugly swim cap or a Hawaiian shirt that is hard on the eyes.

So even though we poorly predicted the Women’s signings last week, we thought we’d give it a shot with the men this weekend! The only thing I’m willing to say with certainty is that we will be wrong…a LOT.

This is a long post, so, to see my predictions you have to look below the cut.

So let us begin.
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We told y’all that you need to watch out for the Wolverines, did we not?

Well a Vanderkaay named Alex has stepped up and claimed his first individual NCAA title in winning the 400y IM. He came in to NCAA meet with the fastest time in the nation and with his when, he’s putting the doubters on notice that he is for real. Not only that, but he knocked over 3 seconds off of his lifetime best time in the event. How’s that for making a statement.

We tend to crack Alex jokes from time to time, but make no mistake that we are extremely proud of him! Maybe PVK was right when he told me last year that “Alex is the man” . He would know, wouldn’t he?

We cannot wait to hear from Mama VDK. She was sooo excited last week at AVK’s chances at NC’s. We’re sure she’s literally bouncing off walls!

Anyway, congrats, Alex!

BONUS: Take a listen to Alex’s thoughts on his race courtesy of Swimming World Magazine. [DOWNLOAD]

P.S. Is it me or does Alex not sometimes sound just like Pete when he speaks?

The word of the past 24 hours is “WOW”.

Out of the women’s signings, I’ve only been right about one thing. I am not going to quit my dayjob, I’ll tell you that much!

Since I haven’t seen the news posted anywhere, I’ll take pleasure in knowing I’m the first to report on these 2 items. It’s not the first time I’ve broken news, but I just want you all to remember this when everyone else picks up these stories, mmk?

Anyway…

Hayley Peirsol has indeed turned pro. And the one thing that I predicted correctly is that she is now represented by PMG sports. Now it’s time for the bombshell. Hayley has signed an swimear contract with TYR! No, not Speedo, but TYR. Color me shocked! I thought Speedo had her on lock! But TYR does make their own “Hayley Suit”, so she will still be at home while competing. I’m still trying to digest all this, so please bear with me.

That brings me to the next signing. One that I wasn’t expecting to be reporting until this time next year! Our girl, Jessica Hardy has forfeited the remainder of her college eligibility and turned professional! This was even more shocking to me than Hayley signing with TYR! I really thought she’d complete her junior year competing for Cal and then turn pro leading up to Beijing. WRONG AGAIN! So far, Jess is being repped by PMG, but doesn’t have a swimwear contract. I have a feeling it won’t be long before she signs though. I want to predict Speedo for Jess, but clearly I don’t know what I’m talking about when it comes to professional signings, so I’m sure I will be wrong again!

See, we really do suck at predicting these things, don’t we?

So we totally thought Kara Lynn Joyce would sign with PMG. WRONG!

She signed with StantonShade Inc, based in NYC. This was effectively a wild card as we’ve never even heard of them!

StantonShade, Inc. is a women’s sports marketing agency focused on promoting female athletes and developing strategic marketing programs around women’s sports. Both representing female athletes and working with brands/companies to develop effective sports marketing programs, StantonShade, Inc. is generating awareness and momentum in the women’s sports industry.

http://www.stantonshade.com

Now we await which swimwear company KLJ signs with…