Fellow, Swim Aids, grab your Kleenex because the last of the Vanderkaays, Dane, just swam his last home dual NCAA meet at Michigan! That’s right. It’s been a decade of Vanderness and it is soon to be no more.
When I saw Mama VK at the Tri-Meet, the other week, I asked her how she was doing since this was indeed the last time around for her. She’s been “The Michigan Mom” for so long! It’s probably not really going to hit her until this October, when she isn’t headed to Canham for the first meet of the season.
What this really underscores to me is how freaking fast time flies! I remember seeing tiny, lil Dane in Montreal for the 2005 World Championships and now he’s a senior in college! (BTW, Dane was like a carbon copy of Pete back then. Now he looks JUST LIKE Alex!)
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!?!?!?!
The only thing this reunion was missing was our fave, Pete. He’s training in Florida, which we’re still not used to seeing, but undoubtedly won’t have to for much longer. Mama says his lease is up at the end of July, and then that’s likely the end of that era as well.
So, go ahead and watch the sweet video that was featured on Michigan’s website. Love that Mama’s campaigning for some grand babies. Imagine that. Baby Vanderkaays? Say it with me: “AWWWWWWW!”
(H/T: Our buddy Tim, who moonlights as the Michigan Team manager)
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m pretty sure I just went cross-eyed lol.
Shoutout to the homey, Mike Gustafson for this amazing video. If you’re not fortunate enough to know him (like we Swim Aids do), or at least follow him on Twitter, then you are not winning. That is all.
Look! Another post? It’s like Christmas all over again, eh?
Not much news has been going on in the swimming world, as you may know. But we Swim Aids can still find stuff to blab about! It’s a gift.
Well, this isn’t a “swimming update” post per se. It’s more like a shout out. A shout out to the current reigning Miss South Dakota. “Why?” you ask. I give you three reasons:
She’s an accomplished swimmer, holding numerous titles
She goes to the same school I do, South Dakota State University (I was gonna say SDSU, but let’s not confuse my SD with Kiwi’s SD)
And well, because we can!
Recently, Alexandra represented South Dakota in Las Vegas, placing in the top fifteen in the Miss America competition. She’s the first person in sixteen years to win Miss SDSU and Miss South Dakota! Girl’s breaking records in AND out of the pool.
So let me introduce you to Miss South Dakota, Alexandra Hoffman:
Height: 6’2 From: Eureka, South Dakota Trains: During season, about 7,000-10,000 yards/day Birth date: November 10, 1987 Club: Eureka Area Swim Team High School: Eureka High School College: South Dakota State University Platform: Don’t Risk It: Keep Sports Healthy Continue Reading »
So, USA Swimming did right by us, earlier this summer, when they published a feature on Alex Vanderkaay. We liked the recognition for him because he had more than earned it.
But what we really wanted was a 20 Question Tuesday. In the back of our minds we thought AVK might be able to give T-DUB a run for his money in terms of 20QT entertainment. If you haven’t ready it, you are missing out. It truly is the Holy Grail of 20 Question Tuesday interviews.
Pssst, USA Swimming, you frequently repeat the swimmers you interview for 20QT. Time for a new one with Mr. Tarwater!
Anyway, today we were pleasantly surprised to see that today’s 20 Question Tuesday interviewee was none other than Alex! (link) And we were wrong in hoping that he’d unleash his sense of humor during the interview. He’s keeping it under wraps and y’all are missing out. We’re sorry. Around here, we know how funny AVK can really be. It’s just a fact. Perhaps next time. Yea, next time!
SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN
The University of Michigan gave its entire athletic website a facelift! Check it out! It was long overdue and looks wonderful!
Moving from an angry Vanderkaay story to a celebratory one!
Just got word that the other VK brother we show love to (no, not that one. He’s still a hater) has won his first international medal over in Bangkok. Competing at the 2007 World University Games, AVK had already raced the 200 Fly and 800 Free. But his podium appearance came courtesy of the 400 IM, where he turned in a 4:17.34 performance to score the silver medal.
So we take a moment to salute a Vanderkaay named Alex for representing the USA the only way he knows how; like a P.I.M.P.
So we’re sure you’re all well aware that we like pointing when other mess up. It makes us feel better about our own shortcomings. So now it’s time to point out another goof:
After all the blazing times being posted at the Pan Ams, I wandered over to the FINA site to see how some of those swims stacked up against the current world rankings. Then I happened upon the men’s 400 Free rankings. FINA thinks that Alex Vanderkaay competed at Worlds and then Pete took over at Duel in the Pool. While we would have enjoyed seeing AVK compete at Worlds, it did not happen. So the 6th and 7th fastest times in the world this year both belong to PVK. Oh FINA!
P.S. There’ll be no more CVK posts around here. We just found out that he’s a hater. Can you believe that? Who knew?! We’re watching you, CVK! Be afraid. Be very afraid!
ESPN is in search of ultimate sports athlete. They have compiled a list of thirty-two well known athletes of the day, pitting two athletes in a bracket tournament. During Sportscenter every night for the month of July, two athletes will be compared and the fans will chose. The following night the winner will be revealed and move on to the next round.
These are the brackets:
The Complete Bracket
MICHAEL JORDAN BRACKET
July 1: (1) Tiger Woods def (8) Matt Leinart
July 2: (4) Dwyane Wade vs (5) Shaun White
July 3: (2) LaDainian Tomlinson vs (7) David Beckham
July 4: (3) Steve Nash vs (6) Serena Williams
MUHAMMAD ALI BRACKET
July 5: (1) Peyton Manning vs (8) Amanda Beard
July 6: (4) Dale Earnhardt Jr vs (5) Chuck Liddell
July 7: (2) Alex Rodriguez vs (7) Terrell Owens
July 8: (3) Kobe Bryant vs (6) Ronaldinho
BILLIE JEAN KING BRACKET
July 9: (1) LeBron James vs (8) Kelly Slater
July 10: (4) Jeff Gordon vs (5) Barry Bonds
July 11: (2) Derek Jeter vs (7) Sidney Crosby
July 12: (3) Reggie Bush vs (6) Danica Patrick
BABE RUTH BRACKET
July 13: (1) Tom Brady vs (8) David Ortiz
July 14: (4) Maria Sharapova vs (5) Vince Young
July 15: (2) Roger Federer vs (7) Tony Parker
July 16: (3) Shaquille O’Neal vs (6) Michael Phelps
And yes, you are reading correctly. Two – count ‘em – TWO swimmers are on the list.
To read more about the Ultimate Sports Star or to vote, log on to ESPN.com.
The Swim Aids haven't been to a meet in what feels like an eternity! They aren't sure where they'll make their triumphant return, but it'll happen. You can count on it!
Sandeno Swim Club It's new, and you should be signing your kids up for it. Kaitlin = awesome x 43570972
Jaguar dumps Rice after Twitter slur Disappointed in Steph. Public figures need to be more aware of how social media can affect their lives & others (ABC Sport)
Height: 
So, USA Swimming did right by us, earlier this summer, when they published 
Perhaps next time. Yea, next time!
Moving from an angry Vanderkaay story to a celebratory one!
