The Warm Down Pool Podcast

09/12/2026

A Whole New Lane: Is the CSL College Swimming’s Big Break?
Episode Summary:

Get ready to reimagine fall racing. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the launch of the College Swimming League (CSL), the brand-new enterprise co-founded by Robert Kent and Kyle Sockwell that promises to overhaul collegiate swimming. Modeled after the high-octane International Swimming League (ISL), the CSL pairs fast-paced short-course yards (SCY) racing with ISL-style events—including Skins and high-stakes Relays—packaged into TV-friendly, four-team dual meets.

We break down what this means for the sport: can full travel coverage for university programs, major broadcast deals with ESPN+, and a $1 million launch pool genuinely fix college swimming's commercial model? Plus, we analyze the 12-team inaugural lineup—featuring powerhouses like Virginia, Stanford, and Indiana—and look ahead to the multi-stop circuit culminating at the historic IU Natatorium in Indianapolis.

Key Discussion Topics:

- The ISL Blueprint: How the CSL translates professional league gamification and broadcast-ready production into NCAA swimming.

- Show Me the Money: Breaking down the CSL's commercial strategy, university cost coverage, and brand-new revenue pathways for swimming programs.

- Meet the Teams & Schedule: A tour through the coast-to-coast venue slate—from Westmont to Stanford and the final showdown in Indy.

- The Athlete Perspective: How CSL matches count toward NCAA Championship qualification while raising the public profile of collegiate swimmers.

Make sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast so you never miss an episode!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/zCYWNfvZoBk
Spotify: http://tiny.cc/ehda101

08/08/2026

Episode 29 – 2026 USA Swimming Nationals Recap & Pan Pacs Preview

The summer championship season is reaching its peak! In this episode, Skelly & Dan break down all the top swims, standouts, and surprises from the 2026 Toyota USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine, California. Then, the guys turn their attention to the main event of the summer: the upcoming 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships!

In this episode, we cover:

- Nationals Recap: Highlighting key performances—from veteran stars like Caeleb Dressel and Gretchen Walsh to breakout record-breakers like Anna Moesch and Isabelle Stadden.

- Emerging Talent & Standouts: Breaking down the big wins from young stars like Luka Mijatovic and Ryan Erisman on the men's side.

- Pan Pacs Preview: What to watch for as Team USA takes on international powerhouses Australia, Japan, and Canada back at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.

- Roster Dynamics & Predictions: Key storylines, major athlete matchups, and what these results mean heading into the rest of the Olympic quad.

Make sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast so you never miss an episode!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ncbmnnRX6lQ
Spotify: http://tiny.cc/yr88101

07/31/2026

Join Skelly & Dan as they sit down with ASCA Hall of Famer and 31-time ACC Coach of the Year, Mark Bernardino. With nearly five decades of coaching experience—including 35 iconic years at the helm of the University of Virginia—Coach Bernardino brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and unfiltered honesty to the show.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

The Origin Story: Coach Bernardino’s background, his swimming roots, and the foundational experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy.

Building a Dynasty: How he transformed Virginia into an ACC powerhouse (winning 27 conference championships) and what it really takes to build long-lasting relationships with student-athletes that endure far beyond the pool.

The Evolution of College Recruiting: A candid discussion on how recruiting has shifted over the decades, where it’s headed in today's NIL and Transfer Portal era, and what high school swimmers and coaches need to know moving forward.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or swim fan, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, culture, and the state of college swimming.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so you never miss an episode!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0_hbLWuVx20

Spotify: http://tiny.cc/hhn7101

07/23/2026

As another summer championship season winds down, things in the pool are only heating up! From Sectionals and LSC Championships to NCSAs, the summer meet calendar is packed—but is it too much?

This week, Skelly & Dan unpack the packed calendar and break down what’s to come with US Senior Nationals, Pan Pacs, and Junior Nationals. Plus, the guys tackle two major story lines shaking up the swim world:

- US Junior National Team Selection: The controversy surrounding the new selection process and what it means for the next generation of swimmers.

- Sports Betting Hits the Pool: From NCAA gambling scandals to dedicated betting data coming to major meets, swimming is no longer immune to sports betting. We discuss what this means for the future of our sport.

Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/uI-9YutZp0k
Spotify: http://tiny.cc/p1i6101

07/10/2026

History has been made. This week, Skelly & Dan break down the massive news of Summer McIntosh shattering the final remaining women’s "super suit" World Record.

Plus, the guys dive into:

• The Super Suit Era: How a brief period of high-tech gear changed swimming forever, and why its shadow still hangs over the record books.

Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/YXN2YGxNDmA

Spotfy: http://tiny.cc/p1i6101

05/23/2026

Skelly & Dan sit down and talk with University of the Idaho Head Women's Swimming & Diving Coach, Dr. Mark Sowa. We will hear about his unconventional path to coaching as well as his return to academia in the form of earning his PhD. Dr. Sowa will walk us through his process as he talks about his dissertation which focused on alleviating anxiety and increasing coping skills of collegiate female swimmers.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oa320DLvs9A

Spotify: http://tiny.cc/x9y3101

05/07/2026

Skelly & Dan are back at this week with the latest episode. The guys recap the 2026 Ft. Lauderdale Open and talk about the latest coming out of the CSCAA Annual Meetings.

Spotify: http://tiny.cc/b713101
Youtube: https://youtu.be/7IcVXtAlW3Y

Skelly & Dan recap the highlights from the 2026 Fort Lauderdale Open and discuss the latest coming out of this years CSCAA Annual Meetings.

04/24/2026

Skelly & Dan delve in to the world of college recruiting. With uncertainty surrounding college athletic, the guys talk about their experiences with the new world order of recruiting Including the transfer portal, roster limitations and what swimmers can do to help navigate this weird time in college sports.

Spotify: http://tiny.cc/41d2101
Youtube: https://youtu.be/1ESaDqwNvDM

04/17/2026

Skelly & Dan talk training this week in the wake of Cam McEvoy's historic take down of the Men's LC 50m Freestyle world record. You can follow us both on Spotify & YouTube for all of our content.

Spotify: http://tiny.cc/kap1101
YouTube: https://youtu.be/UowcbwLpeTM