Is Van Mathias the Next Big Thing in American Breaststroke? A Circuitous Journey to the Top
The Rise of a Non-Traditional Breaststroker
In the world of swimming, Van Mathias is a name that has been making waves, especially in breaststroke circles. But what sets Mathias apart is not just his impressive times; it's the fact that he's not your typical breaststroke specialist. His journey to the top is a testament to the power of adaptability and a unique background in butterfly.
Mathias, who is not primarily an athlete, has been making headlines with his recent performances. He set a pair of best times in long course, with 26.57 in the 50 breast and 59.45 in the 100 breast. But his story doesn't stop there. After posting swims of 49.93 and 49.54 in yards, he soared up the rankings, becoming one of the fastest directors of operations in the nation. However, his path to the top was not an easy one.
A Non-Traditional Background
Breaststroke was not Mathias' initial focus. As a junior, he was more inclined towards butterfly, and even through his first four years in the NCAA, he was primarily a fly swimmer. He finished second in the 200 fly at the Junior Pan Pacs in 2018, and his transition to breaststroke was a significant leap. The crossover from butterfly to breaststroke is relatively rare, as breaststroke remains the most specialized stroke, with successful converts being few and far between.
The Crossover Effect
However, Mathias' background in butterfly might have played a crucial role in his switch. After all, butterfly was derived from breaststroke, making the transition a logical step. But the fact that there are few elite swimmers who have successfully made this crossover is not a symptom of butterfly. It's the nature of breaststroke that makes it a challenging stroke to master.
The Numbers Speak
Among the 50 swimmers who have achieved a 2:10.00 or better in the 200 breast over the last three years, only three swim another stroke at a high level in long course: Daiya Seto, Kosuke Makino, and Leon Marchand, all medley swimmers. This rarity of successful conversions highlights the difficulty of mastering breaststroke.
The Breakout in Yards
Mathias' initial breakout came in short course yards, where he capped off a fine final year at Indiana with a 2nd-place finish in the 100 breast in a time of 50.60 at the 2023 NCAA Championships. However, his transition to meters was not immediate, as he did not swim a long course meet through the entirety of his fifth year at Indiana.
The U.S. National Championships and Beyond
It was after the U.S. National Championships in June last year that Mathias and the Indiana Coaching staff saw an opportunity for him to shine. Eight weeks later, he made his first senior National team with a 26.76 in the 50 breast, cementing a spot on this year's Pan Pacs team. His fly chops have not fully deserted him, as he recently clocked 23.06 in the 50 fly at the Pro Swim Series.
The Rise in Meters
Since then, Mathias has shot up the global and U.S. rankings in meters. His improvements in yards were not immediately realized in long course meters, but his trajectory has been steep. In just seven months, he has sliced almost two seconds off his 100 breast and dropped a 26.57 50 breast at the Pro Swim Series last month, soaring to #14 all-time.
The Numbers Speak Again
Here's how those improvements look, with the date scale encompassing just seven months.
100 Breast (LCM)
50 Breast (LCM)
100 Breast (SCY)
You can almost track his improvements in real time, with his long course 100 breast dropping nearly a hundredth of a second per day, and his 50 breast improving at an even faster pace.
The Future is Bright
Although U.S. Nationals will not be used to select any U.S. international teams for this summer, Mathias is likely to continue his progression in both the 50 breast and the 100 breast. His unique background and adaptability make him a force to be reckoned with, and his story serves as an inspiration to all swimmers who dare to explore new strokes and push the boundaries of their sport.
