Connections are everywhere: from close friends to complete strangers, a common thread is not hard to find. The same can be said for SwimRVA when looking at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming roster. Of the 46 Olympic swimmers selected to represent the United States, nearly half of the roster has competed at SwimRVA, as 20 swimmers across the men’s and women’s rosters have visited our facility during their swimming career.

Women
On the women’s side, nine athletes have swam in at least one meet at SwimRVA’s Collegiate School Aquatics Center:

Katie Ledecky – One of the biggest names on the list, Katie Ledecky competed in the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series here in Richmond, sweeping the 200 through 800 freestyle events. Her picture can still be seen printed on one of our facility doors, and her former club team, Nation’s Capital (NCAP), regularly attends meets at SwimRVA. 

Kate Douglass – University of Virginia great Kate Douglass brought her talents to SwimRVA in 2020, as she competed in the US Open and collected the high point award on the women’s side. She recorded a personal best time in all three events that she competed in.

Simone Manuel – Another huge name in the history of the sport, Simone Manuel competed in the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series. Competing in three events, she took first in the 100 Freestyle and second in the 50 Freestyle.

Torri Huske – An Arlington native, Torri Huske has been a familiar face to the state of Virginia. She recently swam at SwimRVA in the 2021 TYR 18 & Under Spring Cup, winning every event that she was entered in. Torri also competed at the 2020 US Open hosted by SwimRVA, capturing three first-place finishes and posting four personal best times.

Paige Madden – A member of the University of Virginia Women’s Swimming & Diving team, Paige Madden visited SwimRVA twice, competing in the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series and the 2020 US Open. At the US Open, she dominated the mid and distance freestyle events, winning the 200, 400, and 1500 Free.

Claire Weinstein – Claire Weinstein was a regular to SwimRVA in 2021, competing in four major meets hosted at SwimRVA: Futures, Super Sectionals, TYR 18 & Under Spring Cup, and TYR Pro Swim Series. She also competed the previous year in the 2020 US Open.

Alex Walsh – You may be noticing a pattern with the UVA Women and their dominance in the sport. Alex Walsh visited SwimRVA in 2020 to compete in the US Open. At the time, she swam a personal best in the 100 Fly with a 59.58.

Erin Gemmell – Another fellow NCAP alum, Erin Gemmell has swam many meets throughout Virginia, and most recently competed at SwimRVA in the 2023 Speedo Sectionals, 2021 Futures, TYR 18 & Under Spring Cup and TYR Pro Swim Series, and the 2020 US Open. Her father, Bruce Gemmell, also frequents SwimRVA meets as the Head Coach of Nations Capital and is the former coach of Katie Ledecky.

Katharine Berkoff –  A notable participant at the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series in Richmond, Katharine Berkoff swam a sub-minute 100 Backstroke, earning the top seed in the morning and claiming second at finals.

Men
Across the men’s roster, 11 athletes have brought their talents to SwimRVA:

Thomas Heilman – Perhaps the most familiar face to our facility, the Crozet, Va. native has been to numerous meets at varying levels here at SwimRVA. Just this past year, he competed at Eastern Zone Super Sectionals, VSI SC Senior Championships, and the VA SRVA Commonwealth Cup. Heilman is a notable member on this year’s roster, as he is the youngest male swimmer.

Charlie Swanson – A Richmond, Va. native, Charlie Swanson is an exciting local swimmer to cheer on. He was a frequent visitor to SwimRVA during his high school years through 2015, swimming in the VA Independent School S&D Championship and the VA LSC Long Course Senior Championships, among numerous other meets.

Caeleb Dressel – A big name in the sport, Caeleb Dressel visited SwimRVA in 2019 for the TYR Pro Swim Series. He collected four first-place finishes and two personal best times across the six events that he competed in. 

Ryan Murphy – Competing in the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series, Ryan Murphy collected two first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 Back, mirroring the events he qualified to compete in the upcoming 2024 Olympics.

Nic Fink – Representing the Athens Bulldog Swim Club, Nic Fink was a top competitor in both breaststroke events at the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series. He earned second place in the 200 Breaststroke and third in the 100 Breaststroke to collect two podium finishes across the meet.

Chris Guiliano – 2024 ACC Swimmer of the Year Chris Guiliano competed in the 2020 US Open, earning (at the time) four personal best times in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, and the 100 Back.

Jack Alexy – Going back to age group swimming, Jack Alexy traveled to SwimRVA for the 2015 VA Eastern Zone LC Championships. Competing in the 11-12 age group, he recorded a personal best in all six events that he swam.

Matt Fallon – Also competing in the 2015 VA Eastern Zone LC Championships, Matt Fallon collected four gold medals and one silver while recording five personal best times as an 11-12 age group swimmer. 

Josh Matheny – Josh Matheny last competed at SwimRVA in 2021, earning a gold and silver medal in the TYR 18 & Under Spring Cup. He also competed in two meets during 2020, sweeping the men’s breaststroke events at the US Open and earning a top-eight finish in the 50 Freestyle at the TYR Pro Swim Series.

Ryan Held – At the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series, Ryan Held earned a gold-medal finish in the 100 Freestyle while collecting three season-best times across the four events he competed in. 

Chase Kalisz – Chase Kalisz made his SwimRVA appearance at the 2019 TYR Pro Swim Series. Competing for Athens Bulldogs Swim Club, he earned first place in the 400 IM and second place in the 200 IM and 200 Fly. 

From Richmond to Paris, SwimRVA can’t wait to cheer on Team USA! Catch all the action on NBC and Peacock with opening ceremonies starting Friday, July 26th. For the full Olympic schedule and links, CLICK HERE.