NCAA Format Shakeup: Why We Need B-Finals Back & The Combined 6-Day "Dream Meet" | Episode 292

The 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving season is officially in the books! Bryan and John are back from Atlanta (Georgia Tech) to recap a wild week of record-breaking performances and controversial format changes. From the Virginia Women securing an epic 6th straight title to the Texas Men going back-to-back, the dynasties are alive and well—but the sport is changing. We dive deep into the "no B-finals" experiment, the decision to open the meet with the 1650 Freestyle, and why Josh Liendo and Hubi Kos setting NCAA records in the morning was met with "crickets" in the stands. We also discuss our Social Kick Afterparty at Margaritaville with Olympic Champ Daniel Wiffen and our vision for turning the NCAAs into a 6-day combined "festival" of swimming.

What happens when a top-tier athlete hits a plateau after five years in the same environment? Isabelle Stadden joins the crew to discuss her "reset" move from Cal to the University of Virginia. After nearly walking away from the sport last summer, Isabelle is back and faster than ever, dropping a massive 2:05 200 Backstroke at Westmont. We dive deep into the differences between the Dave Durden and Todd DeSorbo training styles, the "trauma" of training with Ryan Murphy at altitude, and why she’s suddenly swimming with the endurance of her high school self. From specific caffeine protocols to the psychology of "Social Kick," this is a masterclass in elite athlete longevity.

What happens when you’re the first alternate for an Olympic final and get the call only 40 minutes before the blocks? Israeli star Anastasia Gorbenko joins the Social Kick crew to break down the "Paris Drama," her transition from the professional ISL ranks to the Louisville Cardinals, and the story behind the most famous flip turn in breaststroke history. Anastasia discusses the intensity of the "American way" of training, the emotional weight of representing Israel during a time of war, and how she maintains range from a 29.3 50 breaststroke to a world-class 400 IM. Whether you're here for the technical breakdown of relay starts or the "rapid-fire" segment on her favorite snacks (spoiler: it’s mango), this episode is a deep dive into the mind of one of the most versatile swimmers on the planet.

Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen join the Social Kick Podcast to discuss the training, mindset, and recovery behind elite 1500m freestyle swimming. Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen, one of the fastest distance swimmers in the world, shares the unusual recovery routine—including a famous 15-hour nap cycle—that helped power his rise in Olympic swimming. In Episode 288 of the Social Kick Podcast, Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen break down their journey from Loughborough’s high-volume training environment to the marginal gains philosophy at Cal Berkeley swimming. The Wiffen brothers explain how distance swimmers manage brutal training weeks, how race tactics like negative splitting in the 1500 freestyle shape championship performances, and how they approach the mental challenge of world-class distance racing. The conversation dives into elite distance swimming training, recovery science, and the psychology of Olympic preparation. Daniel Wiffen also discusses working with top coaches and how technical details like body position and efficiency can determine success in the 1500m freestyle. Whether you’re a competitive swimmer, coach, or fan of Olympic swimming, this episode with Daniel Wiffen and Nathan Wiffen offers an inside look at what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport. Topics: Daniel Wiffen, Nathan Wiffen, Olympic swimming, 1500m freestyle, distance swimming training, swim recovery, Cal Berkeley swimming, elite swimmer mindset.

Gabe Jett is more than just a 1:54 butterflyer; he is a film major, a quiche enthusiast, and a man who has looked the 200 fly yips in the eye and won. In this episode, Gabe joins the Social Kick crew to discuss his evolution from a collegiate standout at Cal to a seasoned professional. He gets remarkably honest about the mental plateau that followed his early success, the fear of the last 50 meters, and how building a life involving film and personal relationships actually made him a faster swimmer. We also dive into the technical details of his training odyssey in Australia, the specific dolphin kick progression that built his legendary underwaters, and why he is officially boycotting Netflix in favor of indie theaters. Whether you are struggling with your own plateau or looking for the secret to a faster 200 fly, Gabe’s perspective on swimming free is a masterclass in sports psychology.

Charlotte Crush isn’t just the top high school recruit in the nation — she’s one of the most promising young swimmers in the world. In Episode 286 of Social Kick, we sit down with the Team USA standout and Lakeside Hawks star to explore the mindset, training, and discipline driving her rapid rise. Coming from a family of NCAA champions and elite athletes, Charlotte knows expectations follow her everywhere. But rather than shy away from the pressure, she’s learned how to channel it — maintaining a professional approach to the sport while still navigating the realities of high school life. In this episode, Charlotte opens up about her commitment to the University of Tennessee, the influence of her swimming family, and the unconventional backyard pool sessions that helped sharpen her elite underwater skills. She breaks down the technical evolution of her backstroke, her shift toward greater aerobic strength, and the mentality that keeps her pushing forward even when a race feels “perfect.” The conversation is insightful, honest, and full of personality — offering a rare look inside the mind of an athlete many believe is shaping the next generation of American swimming. In this episode: 🏊 Life as the nation’s #1 recruit 🇺🇸 Representing Team USA at a young age 🔥 Managing expectations and self-pressure ⚡ The technical secrets behind elite underwaters 🍊 Why Tennessee felt like the right fit Whether you're a swimmer, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode gives you a front-row seat to a future star building a legacy entirely her own.

Jacob Mills is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young sprinters in world swimming — and for good reason. Standing 6'6" with elite power and rapidly improving efficiency, the British freestyle rising star joins Social Kick after a breakout season that has put the global sprint scene on notice. In this episode, Jacob breaks down the technical transformation that changed his career — cutting his stroke count dramatically, refining his “big man” freestyle, and learning how to balance raw strength with precision in the water. He shares how his rugby background built the discipline and toughness that now fuels his training, why he made the bold decision to stay in Manchester rather than pursue the NCAA route, and what it’s like preparing alongside some of Britain’s biggest names. We also dive into sprint strategy, back-half speed in the 100 free, altitude camps, the daily grind of British training culture, and his long-term vision for the LA 2028 Olympics. Insightful, technical, and packed with personality, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the mindset of a swimmer chasing world-class speed — and just getting started. 🎧 In this episode: 🔥 The stroke overhaul that unlocked major time drops 🇬🇧 Training with Britain’s elite 💪 The “big swimmer” approach to sprinting 🏅 Olympic ambition and the road to LA 2028

Ryan Erisman is having one of the most eye-opening freshman seasons in college swimming — and he proved it on the world stage. Fresh off a dominant performance at the 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin, the Cal freshman joins Social Kick to break down what it takes to beat Olympic medalists, manage insane race schedules, and thrive inside the legendary Cal system. Ryan talks about winning the 200 and 400 free, dropping massive time in the 1500, and racing everything from the 200 fly to the 100 free — often in the same session. We get into his rapid transition from high school standout to NCAA threat, training under Dave Durden, long-course vs short-course racing, and how he’s building momentum with Nationals and NCAAs ahead. If you want a look at what the next generation of U.S. distance and middle-distance freestyle looks like, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Freshman breakout 🔥 Pro Swim Austin wins 🏊 Beating Olympians 🐻 Life inside Cal swimming

Skyler Smith is swimming some of the best races of her career — right now. In this episode of Social Kick, the UNC senior and U.S. National Team pool member opens up about finding momentum, building confidence, and racing fast without waiting for the perfect taper. From dropping personal bests at the Pro Swim Series to navigating NCAA pressure and setbacks, Skyler shares what it actually takes to stay dangerous across a long season. This conversation goes deep into breaststroke — how it works for her body, why technique myths persist, and what matters most when racing at a high level. Skyler also reflects on confidence, consistency, and learning to trust the process after meets don’t go as planned. Along the way, we get plenty of personality: rapid-fire questions, training war stories, pop culture, and what’s next as she balances elite swimming with grad school and life beyond the pool. If you’re a swimmer, coach, or fan who wants to understand how elite athletes think, adapt, and keep progressing, this episode delivers.

What does it take to keep going when you’ve already given everything you have? In this episode of Social Kick, we sit down with Andy Donaldson — ultramarathon swimmer, world-record holder, fastest man to swim around Manhattan Island, and the first male swimmer to complete the Ocean’s Seven in a single calendar year. Andy shares the realities behind the swims most people only see in photos: long hours in dark water, brutal conditions, sickness, fear, and the moments where progress feels impossible. He opens up about a swim that nearly ended in defeat — before turning into one of the most meaningful experiences of his life, finishing just four minutes outside a world record on the rocks of Scotland. This conversation goes beyond times and results. It’s about: Defining your “why” when things start to unravel Learning that you don’t have to do it alone The shift from chasing personal achievement to creating purpose Using swimming as a platform to inspire others and elevate communities From swimming around Manhattan to a groundbreaking relay around Bahrain, Andy reflects on how his motivation has evolved — and why impact now matters more than records. Sometimes the finish time isn’t the point. Sometimes the real win is what the journey reveals. 🎙 Social Kick Podcast