On to the swimmers-
Some of the most BAD ASS dudes around- who have affectionately and will forever be dubbed:
THE TEXAS TRIO
Brendan Hansen-
Age: 27
DOB: August 15th 1981
Height: 6'0"
Hometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania
Current Residence: Austin, Texas
Coach: Eddie Reese
College: University of Texas ‘05
Club: Longhorn Aquatics
Major: Kinesiology
Where have we seen him?: Brendan first hit the Olympic scene in 2004 qualifying for the Olympic games in Athens with world record times in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke. He went on to win silver in the 100m BR and bronze in the 200. The most notable of his performances in Athens was his participation in the 400m medley relay where the US won GOLD in one of the most amazing world record setting swims. Brendan’s split was one of the fastest splits in history.
In 2008, Brendan also won gold in the 400m medley relay and placed fourth in the 100m BR.
Records Held: Brendan holds a number of World and American records and National Titles. In college he was a FOURTEEN time NCAA champion and SIXTEEN time ALL AMERICAN never losing a breaststroke race on the national or college level.
Best time: 59.13 in 100m BR- set in 2006
Olympic Standings: a total of 4 medals- 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze in the 2004 and 2008 games.
Hobbies: camping, photography, hunting, fishing
Favorites-
City: Austin
Band: Coldplay
Celebrity: Owen Wilson
International Location: Paris
Movie: Big Lebowski
TV Show: Two and a Half Men
Nickname(s): B because not many people can say his name right.
Most influential people in his life: Parents
Training: Swims 12,000m a day, four hours a day, six days a week
Did you know?:Brendan has one of the most identifying breast-strokes because he manages to kick a much more narrow kick than other swimmers. He has had a very publicized rivalry with Kosuke Kitajima of Japan. Since Athens Brendan has held onto the WR for the 100m BR but Kitajima took the 200m BR record back right before Beijing in June of 2008.
In 2004 Texas teammate, Aaron Peirsol spoke out against Kitajima’s swim in the 100m BR. Both Hansen, Peirsol and teammate Jason Lezak felt that Kitajima had used a dolphin kick to propel himself at the start of the race. Hansen placed second finishing 17 hundreths behind Kosuke. The US team was unable to appeal the results because the race had already ended and no disqualification was called by the judges at the start of the race.
Just weeks ago Brendan made an official announcement that he will be taking a break from the swimming world. He assures his fans that he still has goals he will like to achieve but needs to take some time away from the pool. While many athletes took a break after performing in Athens, Brendan pushed himself harder than ever and continued training straight through Beijing.
In his spare time Brendan does charity work for the Leukemia Research Foundation visiting hospitals, and raising money working with children in swim clinics. It is apparent he has a very big heart and his charity work proves just that. We cannot wait for him to return to the swimming world.
Aaron Peirsol-
Age: 25
DOB: July 23rd, 1983
Height: 6'4"
Hometown: Irvine, California
Current Residence: Austin, Texas
Coach: Eddie Reese, Kris Kubik
College: University of Texas ‘06
Club: Longhorn Aquatics
Major: Government
Where have we seen him?: Most recently Aaron became the proud owner of two gold and one silver medal at the Beijing games.
Records Held: most recent-WR in the 100m BK, WR in the 400m MR (at Beijing games) He also holds various other WR and AR and National Titles set throughout his career
Best time(s): 52.54 100m BK set in 2008, 1:54.32 200mBK set in June 2008
Olympic Standings: a total of 7 medals- 5 gold, 2 silver; 3 time Olympian 2000, 2004 and 2008
Hobbies: going to the beach, surfing, reading
Favorites-
City: Newport Beach, CA
Band /Artist: Mason Jennings
International Location: Barcelona
Nickname(s): Pinesol
Training: Swims 10,000m a day, three hours a day, six days a week
Charities: Spokesperson for Oceana- largest international ocean advocacy group, Surfrider Foundation Ambassador- increase awareness of coastal environmental issues, Clean Water Ambassador for Global Water Foundation
Did you know?:In Athens Piney was almost stripped of his gold medal in the 200m BK. French judges tried to say Aaron had made an illegal turn but the US coaches as well as Peirsol knew he had done nothing wrong. The claim was quickly dropped because the disqualification paperwork was improperly filed.
Aaron first learned to swim in the ocean and loves to surf. It is very apparent he is a California native because his laid back surfer like attitude is present on the pool deck before and after races.
Peirsol does not like to consider himself a sprinter. He feels he lacks the speed that most 100m BK swimmers have. He feels he is much better suited for the 200m.
Aaron will be returning to the pool this weekend swimming in his first post Olympic meet. He will be competing in the Austin Grand Prix alongside fellow Longhorn Aquatic teammates Garrett Weber Gale and Eric Shanteau. No word if fellow USMOST teammate Ryan Lochte will be competing in Austin. If he is we’ll be expecting another showdown in the 200m BK. We wish Aaron the best luck this weekend and continued success inside and outside of the pool.
Ian Crocker-
Age: 26
DOB: August 31st, 1982
Height: 6'5"
Hometown: Portland, Maine
Current Residence: Austin, Texas
Coach: Eddie Reese
College: University of Texas ‘05
Club: Longhorn Aquatics
Major: Sociology
Where have we seen him?: Crocker competed in the Beijing Olympics winning gold in the 400m MR and placed 4th in the 100m FLY.
In 2004 you may remember Michael Phelps gave up his spot on the 400m MR FINAL to Ian so he would have a shot at gold while competing in Athens. Phelps has said he did it because Ian had earned it just as much as he did.
Records Held: Ian holds the WR in the 100m FLY and is the holder of various AR. He won the NCAA championship 4 years in a row while attending the University of Texas.
Best Times: 22.74 50m FR in 2007, 49.06 100m FR 2004, 23.12 50m FL 2005, 50.40 100m FL 2005
Olympic Standings: a total of 5 medals- 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. He is a three time Olympian- 2000, 2004, 2008.
Hobbies: music, playing guitar, working on his car, photography
Favorites-
City: Austin
Musician: Bob Dylan
Movie: Sling-Blade- He is a huge fan of Woody Allen and the Cohen Brothers.
TV Show: The Office and Good Eats
Most influential people in his life: Coaches
Training: Swims 6-12,000m a day, two to five hours a day, six days a week.
Charities: National Mental Health
Did you know?: Ian Crocker and Michael Phelps have been battling for wins in the 100m FLY since 2003? Crocker was the first man to ever swim under 51 seconds.
Ian taught himself to play the guitar. He asked for one for Christmas as a child and hasn’t put it down since. He said he enjoys his time away from swimming and playing music allows him that escape. The first song he learned to play was “Since I’ve Been Loving You”- Led Zeppelin.
Ian was the first Olympic swimmer to come out of Maine. As a child he trained in a four lane pool that was 25 m long and nicknamed the “hole in the ground.”
He absolutely loves cars. His car named Berta a ‘71 Buick Riviera is his pride and joy and he spent seven years restoring it.
Ian has made no further announcement on when he is returning to the pool. As far as we know he is not competing in any upcoming meets but we are hoping he returns to the pool soon. He’s a fierce competitor and we hope to see him return in the coming months.
Labels: aaron peirsol, brendan hansen, ian crocker, texas trio
