By: Colin Terrill | UChicago Athletic Communications
INDIANAPOLIS – University of Chicago swim and dive was featured on the national stage when the spotlight focused itself on Indiana's state capital and what would be the largest crowd to ever witness the USA Swimming Olympic Trials at a converted Lucas Oil Stadium. Normally the home of the Colts, Team USA for the 2024 Paris games would be decided inside and among those battling for a spot was none other than Maroons student-athlete Garrett Clasen.
"Leading up to the race, I was extremely excited. Once I arrived in Indianapolis, you could tell this just wasn't any old swim meet," said Clasen. "The entire city was centered around the trials, and you could feel the energy everywhere you went."
In attendance to see him race was Maroons head coach Jason Weber. He knew what a special moment it would be for not only Garrett, but the UChicago swimming program, and knew he had to be there to see it in person. "It was an awesome experience, and we were so excited to be able to be in attendance to cheer on Garrett and see him and his family represent UChicago Swimming and Diving," said Weber. "There were very few current or former D3 swimmers who qualified to compete at this year's competition so Garrett can say that he is not only one of the best D3 swimmers but one of the best swimmers in the country."
The 100-meter breaststroke started off with the preliminary races which would determine who qualified for the semifinal rounds and eventually the finals to determine who would represent Team USA. Clasen tried to go into action with a mindset of it being just another race but knew that would be difficult. "I probably was more conscious than I normally would be during a typical race. It was honestly tough to turn my brain off because of everything going on around me. On the second 50, I remember thinking of all the people watching and all the sacrifices that were made by others to help me be at my best for this race. That really motivated me to give it absolutely everything I had."
He swam consistent to all his other efforts in the 100m throughout the years and finished in a time of 1:01.44 and placed 31st overall. "After the race, I honestly felt some disappointment. It's tough to make so much sacrifice and put everything into something and not have the result that you hoped for, but that's just the nature of our sport." However, Clasen knew that there was something much more positive to take away from the event than just the disappointment. "If you would have told me four years ago that I would have had the most incredible collegiate swimming experience at UChicago AND went a 1:01.44 in the 100-meter breaststroke at my second Olympic Trials, I would have been over the moon. I have come a long way and have a lot to be proud of."
Weber wasn't surprised that Clasen ended up on the national stage after his final year in Maroon & White and knew he was a special swimmer the moment he stepped on to the Hyde Park campus. "Garrett came in as a very good swimmer, but his hard work and determination helped him continue to improve every season and become one of the best swimmers in the country, so qualifying for and competing at the Olympic Trials is a well-deserved accomplishment." As far as what this accomplishment means for the program overall? "It's just another amazing moment that a swimmer from our program has achieved, continuing to exhibit the success we have had. The top student-athletes in the country see this and UChicago becomes a viable option in their mind. Continuing to attract those top-level swimmers and divers will keep us among the best programs in D3 for years to come so Garrett's success will have a lasting positive impact."
Clasen agrees with his now former head coach having recently graduated and hopes to see the program propelled even further up the national standings. "Competing at the trials is the pinnacle of the sport of swimming, outside of the Olympics of course, and it was everything I could have ever dreamed of. I think my experience here can tell current and future Maroon swimmers that the hard work and training we put in can extend far beyond the college season. Our team has come a long way since I joined in the fall of 2021, and I hope I am able to pave the way for future maroons to be competing in the 2028 trials and beyond!"
For up-to-the-minute University of Chicago Maroons news, visitwww.athletics.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Twitter@uchicagoathand@uchicagoathleticson Instagram.
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