USA Swimming Prioritizes Increased Racing Frequency for National Team Success

USA Swimming is shifting its approach to training and competition, with National Team Director Greg Meehan announcing a new priority: increasing the frequency of racing for athletes. Speaking on the *Unfiltered Waters* podcast, Meehan shared findings from data scientist Corey Manley, who confirmed a clear link between racing more and achieving higher levels of success in competition.

## Data Reveals Racing Frequency as Key to Success

Manley, who has worked with USA Swimming in various roles since 2022, analyzed performance data and found that gold medalists race more frequently than non-gold medalists, and medalists in general race more than other finalists. This trend extends down the competitive ladder, with semifinalists racing more than those who do not advance.

Meehan noted that while they suspected a correlation between racing frequency and success, Manley’s data provided concrete evidence. The findings were shared at the national team coach seminar, reinforcing the importance of race reps in training.

## Coaching Philosophy and Staff Changes

Meehan, who took over as National Team Director in April 2025, has emphasized a coach-forward approach, replacing former director Lindsay Mintenko, who held a more administrative role. Since his appointment, Meehan has expanded the coaching staff, bringing in former Wisconsin head coach Yuri Suguiyama and former Stanford assistant Kim Williams to the National Team.

The University of Virginia’s women’s program, known for its high racing frequency, serves as an example of the approach Meehan advocates. The new strategy aligns with the belief that more reps at race pace will better prepare athletes for competition.

## Manley’s Career and Contributions

Corey Manley’s career has spanned coaching, data analysis, and sports broadcasting. He worked with USA Swimming from 2022 to 2024 before briefly coaching Masters Swimming and serving as a statistician for NBC Universal during the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a stint as an assistant coach at Arizona State and a role at data analytics firm System2, Manley returned to USA Swimming in January 2026 as a full-time Performance Scientist.

His data-driven insights have become a cornerstone of USA Swimming’s new training philosophy, with Meehan and the coaching staff now prioritizing increased race frequency to enhance athlete performance.