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?

Showing a little love to the UM Swimming & Diving program because they killed it at Big Tens last weekend. So, they didn’t win. Almost only counts in horse shoes. Mark my words that they will dominate next year when they host the meet.

Were it not for that stupid winter storm, I would have been able to see some of this meet. But mother nature was not cooperative and then duty called me out to Missouri instead. All my absence really meant is that a certain Vanderkaay (not named Peter) isn’t going to receive individual pictures of himself. Somewere in Ann Arbor, he is crying because he was ready for a new facebook profile picture. I keep it real.

But anyway, as we’ve been preaching for a while because Club Wolverine Owns Us, y’all really need to get out and support those boys. Not because they need it per se, but because they deserve it!

While you have most likely seen our video of Mike’s reaction to breaking his own world record in the 200 Fly at the Missouri Grand Prix, you most likely have not seen any pictures like this. Why? Because hardly ANY media were present at the meet prior to this race. They all decided to make the trip after Mike broke the WR. We were already there, cuz we know what’s up. So I present to you this picture timeline of Mike from the second he hit the wall until the new Word Record had sunk in.

Note: There are 7 pictures in this post, so click the ‘continue’ link to see all of them.

Just touched the wall. Now checking his time as he usually does after a race

Taking a second look, because the time couldn’t have been THAT fast…

“SAY WHAT?!”

So, as we walk onto the deck tonight, we ran into Mike…literally. He was counting laps for our favorite Vanderkaay during his 800 Free.

He was immersed in conversation, but still said hello and waved. We ended up sitting next to him while on deck too, but that’s another story for another post. And kiwi shall the honors of writing that one.

Anyway, just wanted to let you we got in safe, and were politely acknowledged by “The Phelps“. I’m glad the boy has learned. Now if he only stop hovering…

So, an ex-OSU swimmer that my brother and I know came up to us at the meet yesterday. Guess what he said to me?

Guess people just know who I rep for. Word is out on the streets. However, in this weekend’s case, I was really there to see Grevers, but that’s a minor detail…

Anyway, in honor of Club Wolverine owning me, it is time for another picture post featuring shots of AVK, Grant Burtch, Matt Patton, and Chris DeJong (AKA The Asian)

Alex’s 200 Fly

Mattie P. before his 200 Back race

Grant’s 200 Breast

Guess who? That’s right, Mr. DeJong! (Sorry, he did no GQ poses)

Time for me to get on my soapbox again. I am usually quite quick to point out mistakes when it comes to athletes’ names. We have to, though. How on earth is the general public going to take the sport (and its athletes) seriously when the publications that cover the sport don’t get simple things like a swimmer’s name right?

So we all know that Davis Tarwater trains with Club Wolverine, right? It’s pretty much common knowledge; especially with certain newspapers who follow the happenings of the club on a regular basis. The Detroit Free Press has a great relationship with the club, coaches, and some of the team as well. So why is it that they published a story today where Davis was “David Tarwater”? Could be a typo or just a simple oversight, right? I’m not sure how it works at news publications, but I assume there are people on staff to proofread and edit stories before they are published. I even saw the article posted on another swim-related blog; typo intact.

I know that the people at the Detroit Free Press are aware that it is “Davis Tarwater” and not “David Tarwater”. However, a mistake like this is a disservice to the countless hours Davis spends in the pool as one of the brightest talents in the sport. He deserves proper recognition just like everyone else.

BTW, can I get a “T-DUB!!”?

People just can’t get things right, can they? First we pointed out the DeJong brother goof, and now we have a Vanderkaay brother one, brought to us by the Cal Bears athletic department. Seems they can’t tell the difference between AVK and PVK. Whatever happened to fact checking before publishing press releases?

So it must be said: Can Alex Vanderkaay please get some respect?

Geez.