FSU swimmer Bastian selected for Olympics
NCAA photo
Seminoles.com
Florida State swimmer Izaak Bastian was selected by Bahamas Aquatics to represent his country at this year’s Olympic Games.
Bastian set three national records at the 2021 Bahamas National Championships, which took place from June 24-27 in Nassau.
Bastian started the meet by taking gold in the 200-meter breaststroke behind a personal best of 2:15.14. He followed by turning in the fastest time by a Bahamian at 27.60 in the 50-meter breaststroke, which was also his career best.
In his final race, Bastian swam another huge personal best, touching at 1:00.87, well under the FINA consideration time of 1:01.73. In finals, he was slightly off his time from prelims, touching at 1:01.44 for the win.
Receiving the highest FINA points by a male from the Bahamas, Bastian got the nod to the Olympic team.
“I could not be happier for Izaak,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “He truly deserves this. His work ethic, and attitude are second to none. He is a pleasure to coach. He also has a tremendous team around him, helping him every step of the way.
“From his family, friends and federation in the Bahamas, to his coaches at Saint Andrew’s and all of his folks here at FSU. We’re excited to see what he can do in Tokyo.”
During his junior season, Bastian set the FSU records in the 100 (51.84) and 200 breast (1:53.81), and was an NCAA qualifier. Bastian swam both breaststroke legs on the 200-and – 400-medley relays that earned All-America honorable mention status at the NCAA Championships.
Bastian was chosen to serve as a team captain for the 2021-22 season.
Bastian is the fifth athlete with ties to FSU swimming and diving to earn a trip to Tokyo. Five athletes at a single Games are the second-most in school history behind six in 1996. The Seminoles also had five athletes at the 2004 and 2000 Olympics.
He will join Katrina Young (USA), Ida Hulkko (Finland), Emir Muratovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) and Julio Horrego (Honduras) at the Olympics.
FSU head diving coach John Proctor will also be heading to his second Olympics as a personal coach for Team USA.
Meanwhile, rising sophomore Yordan Yanchev won four medals at the Bulgarian Open Championships that were held from June 24-27.
Yanchev collected three gold medals, winning the 800-meter freestyle (8:20.10), 400-meter freestyle (3:53.08) and 200-m free (1:51.28). He also took silver behind a massive personal best in the 200-meter individual medley at 2:07.77, taking nearly eight seconds off his previous time (2:15.19).
Yanchev competed in the 50-meter freestyle (24.19) and in the 4×100 and 4×200 free relays and as a member of the 4×100 medley relay.
