Is Van Mathias the Next Big Thing in American Breaststroke?
The Road to the Top: A Circuitous Journey
Van Mathias, the Indiana Swimming Director of Operations, is making waves in the US breaststroke scene. With a remarkable background in butterfly, he has made a successful crossover to breaststroke, achieving impressive times in both long course and yards. But how did he get here?
Mathias' journey to breaststroke excellence began with a focus on butterfly. However, his success in butterfly led him to explore other strokes, eventually settling on breaststroke. His initial breakthrough came in short course yards, where he set personal bests and qualified for the NCAA Championships.
The Crossover Conundrum
The crossover from butterfly to breaststroke is not common, as breaststroke remains the most specialized stroke. Successful converts are rare, and most swimmers who swim breaststroke and another stroke are generally medley swimmers. Of the 50 swimmers who have achieved a 2:10.00 or better in the 200 breast over the last three years, only three swim another stroke at a high level in long course - Daiya Seto, Kosuke Makino, and Leon Marchand, all medley swimmers.
The Rise of a Breaststroker
Mathias' rise in yards and subsequent explosion in meters have been meteoric. He dropped five seconds in his final year in the NCAA, echoing the ascent of Julian Smith last year. His decision to switch up his event lineup and focus on 50 free/100 free/100 breast paid off, as he became a three-time individual All-American.
The Global Impact
Mathias has shot up the global and US rankings in meters (and yards) since last summer. His initial improvements in yards were not immediately realized in long course meters, as he did not swim a long course meet through the entirety of his fifth year at Indiana. However, since the Indy Cup Time Trials, he has been on a steep upward trajectory, slicing almost two seconds off his 100 breast time.
The Future is Bright
With his impressive times and rankings, Mathias is likely to continue his progression in both the 50 breast and the 100 breast. His success in breaststroke has been a testament to his versatility and adaptability as a swimmer.
The Controversial Take
While Mathias' success in breaststroke is impressive, some may argue that his background in butterfly gave him an advantage. Others may question whether his success is sustainable in the long term. The crossover from butterfly to breaststroke is not common, and some may wonder if his success is a fluke.
The Question for You
What do you think? Is Van Mathias the next big thing in American breaststroke? Or is his success a result of his unique background and adaptability? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
