Olympian and 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant Ryan Lochte stars in local charity swim event

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

Current “Dancing with the Stars” contestant and four-time Olympian Ryan Lochte faced off teamed up with a group of youngsters and Masters swimmers (Team USA) against U.S. Swimming Masters world record holder Charlie Lydecker and his team (Team America) in the Rematch after Rio event on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Ormond Beach YMCA.

Sponsored by the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation, the charity swim competition drew 300 supporters who were excited to see the 12-time Olympic medalist in action. Lochte said he hadn’t been in a pool since the Rio Olympics.

The two teams raced in two contested in two separate races — a medley and freestyle relay, and the two stars anchored both duels.

In both races Lydecker returned off the wall with a lead, but Lochte made his comeback underwater and then emerged to the sounds of cheers. While awaiting the second race, he completed a 50-yard swim underwater, which he finished in 20.6 seconds.

Lochte’s name has filled the tabloids since the Olympics, due to the scandal concerning him and some of his teammates in Rio. He claimed to have over-exaggerated a robbery story before leaving the country and his teammates.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC Olympic commentator Rowdy Gaines MC-ed the event.

Meet the swimmers

The student-athlete relay swimmers were: Emily Vischer, Caleb Wooten, Jonathan Cotton, Micayla Cronk, Noelle Dragstedt, Drew Dyett, Liam Esposito, Nelanee and Zoee Fulton, Zaydin Keeler, Isabella Lojewski, Kai McMeeking, Elizabeth Meyer, Mackenzie O’Keefe, Camden Pickering, Malakai Saxon-Walker and Kirra Stone.

Masters relay swimmers were: Dr. Arun Dhand, Sara McLarty, Patricia Pappas and Joe Petrock.

Lochte and Lydecker accomplishments

Ryan Lochte is a four-time Olympian and a 12-time medalist. He’s won seven individual medals in Men’s Swimming and is the current world record holder for the 200 and 400 individual medley. Lochte has been named Swimmer of the Year twice (2010 and ’11). He has won a total of 70 medals in major international competition, including 45 first-place finishes.

Charlie Lydecker holds three U.S. Masters Swimming world records. He is a member of the Smith Point National Lifeguard Champions Hall of Fame. Lydecker defeated Lochte at the Lydecker vs. Lochte Splashdown in 2009.