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Two perspectives of Olympic hopeful Derek Toomey
Nineteen seconds. For most of us, that is not a lot of time to accomplish much, maybe fill up a glass of water, walk up the stairs, or get a leash for the dog.
For aspiring Olympian Derek Toomey, that is enough time to swim two laps of the pool.
Mr. Toomey, who just finished his college swimming career at the University of Minnesota, moved to Los Angeles this fall to train for the 2016 Olympic Trials. He swims with the Trojan Club at USC under coach Dave Salo.
He is aiming to compete in the 50 freestyle — an event in which he holds the school record. He became the first swimmer in Big Ten conference history to finish in less than 19 seconds. Mr. Toomey also swam the race in the 2012 Olympic Trials, tying for 36th place.
When he is not pushing himself in the pool, he is inspiring others to do the same as a swim coach for Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), a Masters swim team that holds practices at eight locations, including the Culver City Plunge.
The program offers weekly stroke clinics and ocean workouts as preparation for triathlons, ocean competitions and pool meets. Practices can fit many work schedules as they take place morning, noon and night.
The average SCAQ coach has as much, or more, swimming experience as Mr. Toomey: Five are Olympians, and almost all had college All-American times. The casual swimmer should not be intimidated. SCAQ has a workout for every level, from novice to Olympian.
Even if your 50-free clocks in at more like a minute and 19 seconds, a lane is open for you at Southern California Aquatics.
Find a practice near you on our website, http://www.swim.net/scaq.cfm.
See you underwater.
Ms. Artley may be contacted at elizanneartley@gmail.com
