Friday, June 4
Omaha, NE
TBA
George Washington University
vs
U.S. Olympic Trials
A Dream Come True
6/8/2021 12:23:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Patterson shines at hometown U.S. Olympic Trials
In the lead up to the biggest race of his life, Ryan Patterson tried his best to stick to his trusted routine.
For all the focus that went into maintaining that business-as-usual mentality last week at U.S. Olympic Trials, the GW rising senior swimmer found reminders at every turn of the meet's grand stage.
Competing in his hometown before a lively crowd at the CHI Health Center that included family, friends and former coaches last Friday, the Omaha, Neb., native put his best foot forward in the 100-meter backstroke, posting a time of 56.56 seconds to place 21st out of 60 Olympic hopefuls.
Beyond his strong swim under the guidance of GW Head Coach Brian Thomas, Patterson made the short trip home from the national meet with a collection of memories worth savoring, from watching a good-luck video sent by his Buff and Blue teammates to an emotional hug with his parents before warmups to a post-race press conference in front of a Team USA backdrop and many more pinch-me moments.
"It was always a dream to get here, but it was always kind of just that – a dream," Patterson said. "I never thought I would get to achieve it."
Five years ago, Patterson was a recent transplant from California and still new to the sport of swimming when he was in the stands for the 2016 Trials cheering on a group of friends who'd earned a place competing among the sport's elite.
"It was one of the most inspiring moments of my life," Patterson remembered. "I think that was the point where I decided, 'Hey, I want to do this, too.'"
It's taken a lot of hard work and patience to get there. Patterson, who only started swimming competitively once he entered high school, has made big strides to be able to make an impact within the Atlantic 10 and now on the national scene.
After the Tokyo Games were pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he earned his spot at U.S. Trials with a career-best 100 LCM back swim of 56.30 seconds at the Toyota U.S. Open last November.
That success set Patterson up for a busy spring: In April, he helped the Buff and Blue clinch their third Atlantic 10 title in four years by qualifying for A finals in all three of his events at the conference championship via personal-best efforts in the 100 back (:48.65), 200 back (1:47.02) and 50 free (:20.59).
Last month, he was back in action at a TYR Pro Series meet in Indianapolis, where he swam a personal best in the 200 LCM back (2:03.79) vs. a decorated field.
Patterson was ready to go fast again last week at the Wave I meet as part of the modified Trials format, this time boosted by the bright lights of a 14,000-seat arena and a hometown following. He missed out on a PR but improved his seed by eight spots and missed out on a finals berth by just 14-hundredths of a second.
"We weren't sure how my body would react to the three rest phases in a row, but it reacted very, very well," Patterson said. "I was very pleased. I really liked my race."
The hardest part, Patterson found, was keeping his emotions in check. It was not just another race, of course.
The night before, he was nearly moved to tears by the well wishes of his teammates sent in from around the globe.
On meet day, he was glad to have his family watch him race in person for the first time in more than a year, and he was proud to share the experience with so many who've helped him along the way, especially the group from his hometown Aquatic Club of Elkhorn who now count him as the first U.S. Trials qualifier in program history.
"Coming back here to compete, I knew what it meant, but I guess I wasn't sure what it meant to other people," Patterson said. "Seeing that was the really special part."
Following his Friday morning swim, Patterson returned to the competition pool for his cool-down. It was then that he finally took time to gaze at the gigantic videoboard overhead, row-after-row of now-empty seats and Team USA logos everywhere to fully appreciate the scene.
"That was when I let the emotions roll a little bit," Patterson said. "That's when I let myself go, 'Wow, I'm here. I actually got to achieve my dream.'"
Later, Patterson chatted with the assembled media as part of a press conference that included the four local products in the men's 100 back. He returned to the water on Saturday for a 50 free time trial and posted a personal-best time of 24.36 seconds, as well.
All in all, it was an unforgettable few days sharing a pool deck with established stars and up-and-coming prospects hailing from coast to coast.
"I just tried to take everything in," Patterson said. "Because you know it only happens once."
For Patterson, the immediate future is a bit of time off before he resumes summer training in Foggy Bottom around an internship writing for a travel blog ahead of his senior season.
Patterson is the first GW swimmer to compete at U.S. Trials since Marshall Seedorff swam the 50 free in Omaha shortly after his graduation in 2012, and he's confident that there will be more Buff and Blue representatives next time around vying for the 2024 Games.
"I didn't think that I would be the one here – I definitely didn't," Patterson said. "I'm really proud of that, but hopefully, we can pass on the torch and have more athletes here next time. I know so many kids on the team are capable of getting Trials cuts. It's just a matter of getting it done."
For all the focus that went into maintaining that business-as-usual mentality last week at U.S. Olympic Trials, the GW rising senior swimmer found reminders at every turn of the meet's grand stage.
Competing in his hometown before a lively crowd at the CHI Health Center that included family, friends and former coaches last Friday, the Omaha, Neb., native put his best foot forward in the 100-meter backstroke, posting a time of 56.56 seconds to place 21st out of 60 Olympic hopefuls.
Beyond his strong swim under the guidance of GW Head Coach Brian Thomas, Patterson made the short trip home from the national meet with a collection of memories worth savoring, from watching a good-luck video sent by his Buff and Blue teammates to an emotional hug with his parents before warmups to a post-race press conference in front of a Team USA backdrop and many more pinch-me moments.
"It was always a dream to get here, but it was always kind of just that – a dream," Patterson said. "I never thought I would get to achieve it."
Five years ago, Patterson was a recent transplant from California and still new to the sport of swimming when he was in the stands for the 2016 Trials cheering on a group of friends who'd earned a place competing among the sport's elite.
"It was one of the most inspiring moments of my life," Patterson remembered. "I think that was the point where I decided, 'Hey, I want to do this, too.'"
It's taken a lot of hard work and patience to get there. Patterson, who only started swimming competitively once he entered high school, has made big strides to be able to make an impact within the Atlantic 10 and now on the national scene.
After the Tokyo Games were pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he earned his spot at U.S. Trials with a career-best 100 LCM back swim of 56.30 seconds at the Toyota U.S. Open last November.
That success set Patterson up for a busy spring: In April, he helped the Buff and Blue clinch their third Atlantic 10 title in four years by qualifying for A finals in all three of his events at the conference championship via personal-best efforts in the 100 back (:48.65), 200 back (1:47.02) and 50 free (:20.59).
Last month, he was back in action at a TYR Pro Series meet in Indianapolis, where he swam a personal best in the 200 LCM back (2:03.79) vs. a decorated field.
Patterson was ready to go fast again last week at the Wave I meet as part of the modified Trials format, this time boosted by the bright lights of a 14,000-seat arena and a hometown following. He missed out on a PR but improved his seed by eight spots and missed out on a finals berth by just 14-hundredths of a second.
"We weren't sure how my body would react to the three rest phases in a row, but it reacted very, very well," Patterson said. "I was very pleased. I really liked my race."
The hardest part, Patterson found, was keeping his emotions in check. It was not just another race, of course.
The night before, he was nearly moved to tears by the well wishes of his teammates sent in from around the globe.
On meet day, he was glad to have his family watch him race in person for the first time in more than a year, and he was proud to share the experience with so many who've helped him along the way, especially the group from his hometown Aquatic Club of Elkhorn who now count him as the first U.S. Trials qualifier in program history.
"Coming back here to compete, I knew what it meant, but I guess I wasn't sure what it meant to other people," Patterson said. "Seeing that was the really special part."
Following his Friday morning swim, Patterson returned to the competition pool for his cool-down. It was then that he finally took time to gaze at the gigantic videoboard overhead, row-after-row of now-empty seats and Team USA logos everywhere to fully appreciate the scene.
"That was when I let the emotions roll a little bit," Patterson said. "That's when I let myself go, 'Wow, I'm here. I actually got to achieve my dream.'"
Later, Patterson chatted with the assembled media as part of a press conference that included the four local products in the men's 100 back. He returned to the water on Saturday for a 50 free time trial and posted a personal-best time of 24.36 seconds, as well.
All in all, it was an unforgettable few days sharing a pool deck with established stars and up-and-coming prospects hailing from coast to coast.
"I just tried to take everything in," Patterson said. "Because you know it only happens once."
For Patterson, the immediate future is a bit of time off before he resumes summer training in Foggy Bottom around an internship writing for a travel blog ahead of his senior season.
Patterson is the first GW swimmer to compete at U.S. Trials since Marshall Seedorff swam the 50 free in Omaha shortly after his graduation in 2012, and he's confident that there will be more Buff and Blue representatives next time around vying for the 2024 Games.
"I didn't think that I would be the one here – I definitely didn't," Patterson said. "I'm really proud of that, but hopefully, we can pass on the torch and have more athletes here next time. I know so many kids on the team are capable of getting Trials cuts. It's just a matter of getting it done."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
No Bag Policy PSA
Tuesday, August 19
25-26 GW Basketball Sizzle Reel
Wednesday, June 18
2025 SAMH Campaign Video
Tuesday, May 20
2025 The Georgeys Recap Video
Wednesday, May 07