Get to Know...Scott Weltz

When Scott Weltz won the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 200 Breaststroke after being seeded 12th, he may have shocked the swimming world, but he really didn’t surprise himself:  “When I look back, I remember how prepared I felt.” Weltz now works to instill that confidence in swimmers as a college coach for UC Davis, a rec coach for the Aqua Monsters and a clinician on the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour Presented by SwimOutlet.com.

Weltz’s wealth of swimming experience combined with his fun and unique teaching style have made him one of the most popular clinicians on the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour. He teaches athletes from the elite level down to beginning age group swimmers how to swim more powerful Breaststroke and how to execute faster transitions and more explosive starts. Recently, Weltz lead several clinics on “The Fifth Stroke,” Underwater Dolphin Kicking. These clinics give swimmers at every level  an opportunity to improve and excel at the fastest part of the race, underwater kicking off the walls.

Stroke-wise, when Weltz teaches Breaststroke, he emphasizes the feeling of “swimming downhill” and pressing the chest. If someone’s stroke feels off, the key is to teach the connection between the chest and the hips and to focus on undulation.” One of his favorite drills is to alternate between one stroke of Butterfly and one of Breaststroke. This helps with swimmers rhythm and timing.

In addition to technique, Weltz draws on his personal story and experience when teaching swimmers. “We all have different paths, and I think it’s really cool for kids to see that. It’s one of the things I love about the tour.” Weltz’s swimming story is one of a less traditional route than most of his elite peers. He chose a Division II school because of the value he saw in it: “I was comfortable there. I trusted the coach and saw I could progress.” He steadily improved every year; his best collegiate finish being 15th at NCAAs. When the UC Davis men’s team was cut, he decided to continue to train by himself with his coach Pete Motekaitis. Weltz sees this part of his story as an opportunity to play up any weakness until it becomes a strength. He explains that “Training by yourself can make you more mentally tough.”

Weltz encourages swimmers to learn from his first experiences at Trials in 2008 where he wasn’t nearly as successful.  “From the outside, it was an epic fail. I added time in all my events. Looking back, I’m so glad I went because in 2012, it was the same pool; I understood how there would be 15,000 people and a Jumbotron and lights on me.” Weltz used his 2008 Trials as a learning tool to be more successful and more prepared than ever for 2012.

With training, Weltz emphasizes the need for swimmers to be consistent with their efforts:  “When it comes to the year leading up to Trials, you always want to make sure you’re getting something out of every single practice. Sometimes you are too tired and your times aren’t on, but you’re never too tired to execute an awesome turn every lap. Make sure you’re getting something every day out of what you’re doing. As long as you’re doing that, you’re not going to have any regrets.”

When Weltz looks back on his 2012 experience, he says “I wouldn’t change a thing.”  He won the 200 Breaststroke and went on to final at the Olympics. “My favorite memory was my first race. At prelims, walking out, having that flag on the side of my cap and being introduced as ‘The United States of America.’ That was the dream come true moment. You’re representing your country. Your entire life of hard work has paid off.”

Going into 2016, Weltz looks forward to continuing his work with athletes in the swimming community. He plans to continue coaching and teaching at UC Davis, the Aqua Monsters and the Fitter and Faster Tour.

Learn from Scott Weltz at Upcoming Fitter and Faster clinics:

Click here to read more about Scott

Nov. 8, 2015
Essential Breaststroke, Fast Underwater Dolphins and Flip Turns - 11 and Under
Burlington, IA

Nov. 8, 2015
High Performance Breaststroke, Fast Underwater Dolphins and Flip Turns - 12 and Over
Burlington, IA

Nov. 21, 2015
Fast Breaststroke and Back to Breast Turns - 11 and Under
Webb City, MO

Nov. 21, 2015
High Performance Breaststroke and Crossover Turns - 12 and Up
Webb City, MO

Nov. 22, 2015
Fast Backstroke and Back/Breast Crossover Turn - 11 and Under
Kansas City, MO

Nov. 22, 2015
High Performance Backstroke and Back/Breast Crossover Turn - 12 and Up
Kansas City, MO