OLYMPIAN: Tyler Clary wins gold and returns home to Riverside for a ceremony in his honor.
By Chase Ballard, Staff Writer
Swimmer Tyler Clary (class of 2007) won Olympic gold this summer in London and continues to win the respect and love of those from his hometown of Riverside.
Clary is an alumnus of Poly High School, where he had an outstanding swimming career before attending college at the University of Michigan. He had an exceptional career in college, where he was the 2010 national champion in the 400-yard individual medley, his signature event. This four-time All-American and 2010 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year was destined for greatness as he began to compete in national championships in hope for a shot at the Olympics.
Delving deeper into a professional swimming career, Clary placed second in both the 200-meter butterfly and the 400-meter individual medley at the 2009 National Championships, which qualified him for the 2009 World Aquatics Championship in Rome. This Aquatics Championship was the beginning of the long friendship and rivalry between Clary and fellow American swimmer Ryan Lochte, as they met and raced each other there for the first time. Clary placed second behind Lochte in the 400-meter individual medley and fifth in the 200-meter butterfly in Rome. The fifth place in the butterfly was a big disappointment for Clary, but he rebounded at the 2010 National Championship, where he finished second in four different events (all behind Lochte). He continued to power through all obstacles, winning three silver medals at the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships as well as silver and bronze medals at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai.
Clary was watched closely at the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, as he had become prominent within the swimming world, but the spotlight generally shone on “golden boy” Michael Phelps and Lochte. Clary qualified for the 200-meter backstroke seconds behind his rival, Lochte, as well as for the 200-meter butterfly behind Phelps. There was a sense of disappointment from the crowd as Clary came just short of qualifying for the 400-meter individual medley behind Phelps and Lochte.
More disappointment came to fans when Clary did not make the podium in the 200-meter butterfly in the Olympic finals. This put one thought in his head: he only had one more chance to place in this Olympic Games. This last chance was the 200-meter backstroke.
Prior to the Olympic Games, Clary held a personal best of 1:54.53 in this event, set in 2009. Despite this fast time, Lochte was still considered the favorite to win the gold, as he was the defending Olympic and World Champion in this event. In the final of the 200-meter backstroke, Lochte led Clary throughout the race, and at the 150-meter mark, Clary was 0.12 seconds behind him. During the last 50-meters, Clary came home with a split of 28.48, overtaking Lochte and winning gold. This medal was the first international gold he had ever won in his career.
Back in Clary’s hometown of Riverside, people had feelings of tension as he came down the home stretch, and endless screams were heard when he touched the wall first.
Recently, the city of Riverside hosted a celebration in Clary’s honor. At 10:00 a.m. on September 8, Riverside honored Clary for all of his achievements at the Riverside Aquatics Complex. Our very own Poly High Marching Band led guests into the complex, as Clary flaunted his gold medal against the background of a billowing American flag hanging atop the diving tower overlooking the glistening pool. All of the attending fans and residents got to relive the moments Clary’s winning event when they watched the footage at the ceremony. The Riverside City Council declared the date Tyler Clary Day, and many lucky residents were able to ask questions and take pictures with the Olympian. Clary truly is a local legend, and, as he told The Press-Enterprise, “I’m proud to call myself from Riverside.”
photo courtesy of topnews.in