The Coaches Behind Bobby Finke’s Swimming Success

Darius Washington

Bobby Finke, the American competitive swimmer, has been coached by two notable coaches throughout his career: Fred Lewis and Anthony Nesty. These coaches have played a crucial role in Finke’s remarkable achievements, including his Olympic gold medals and NCAA championships.

Fred Lewis: Laying the Foundation

Fred Lewis, Finke’s early career coach at the Saint Petersburg Aquatics club team (SPA) in Saint Petersburg, Florida, played a pivotal role in Finke’s development as a swimmer. Under Lewis’s guidance, Finke achieved significant milestones, including breaking the Florida Age Group State Championships (FLAGS) records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events.

Anthony Nesty: The Mastermind Behind the Olympian

Finke’s college coach at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, Anthony Nesty, has been instrumental in his continued success. Nesty, who is also the head coach of men’s swimming and diving for the Florida Gators, has coached Finke from 2018 to 2022 and continues to train him as a professional.

Nesty’s coaching expertise is not only evident in Finke’s achievements but also in his own remarkable career as a swimmer. Nesty is significant for being the first Black swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal, a feat he accomplished in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Finke’s Impressive Statistics and Achievements

Under the guidance of these two exceptional coaches, Finke has amassed an impressive array of achievements:

Statistic Achievement
Olympic Medals 2 gold medals in the 2020 Summer Olympics (800m and 1500m freestyle)
NCAA Championships 2-time NCAA Champion in the 400yIM and 1650y Freestyle (2021) and 1650y Freestyle (2022)
All-American Titles 11-time All-American

Real-Life Incidents Highlighting the Coaches’ Impact

The impact of Finke’s coaches can be seen in various real-life incidents throughout his career:

  1. 2020 Olympic Trials: Finke qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by winning both the 800m and 1500m freestyle events at the US Olympic Trials, showcasing the foundation laid by Coach Lewis.

  2. 2024 Olympic Performance: At the 2024 Olympics, Finke won a silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle, with Coach Nesty reminding him that the competition had been training to beat him, highlighting Nesty’s ability to motivate and prepare his athletes.

The combination of Fred Lewis’s early guidance and Anthony Nesty’s continued coaching excellence has been instrumental in shaping Bobby Finke into the world-class swimmer he is today. Their dedication, expertise, and the unique perspectives they bring to the table have undoubtedly played a crucial role in Finke’s remarkable achievements.

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