Pullman swim champ to compete at Olympic Trials

PULLMAN — The McCoy last name is well-known throughout the Palouse for swim, and the latest to add their name to the legacy is Jake McCoy.

Jake will be swimming in the Olympic Trials for Team USA at the upcoming trials in Indianapolis, in front of a crowd of nearly 40,000 people.

The Olympic Trials sees 1,200 to 1,500 people out of 400,000 in USA swimming.

McCoy placed 11th overall in the USA Junior National Championships after competing in the 400 meter individual medley, posting a time of 4:25.02. The Olympic Trial qualifying time was 4:25.19.

The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan saw American Chase Kalisz take gold in the 400 meter individual medley with a time of 4:09.42. Alberto Razzetti took eighth in the event with a time of 4:11.32.

USA Swimming legend Michael Phelps, one of the most dominant and decorated athletes of all time, swam the 400 meter individual medley at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His time in the event was 4:03.84, a time that was a record from 2008 until July of 2023, when it was just broken by French swimmer Leon Marchand. His time and new world record is 4:02.50. The record that Marchand broke was the longest standing swimming world record until July.

As mentioned earlier, Jake comes from a strong family of swimmers. His sister, Taylor, has swam in both the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Trials for the 200 meter backstroke. Taylor also swam for the Washington State University (WSU) Cougars from 2017-2022. She now swims professionally for SoCal Aquatics.

Jake swims for Cougar Aquatics, a year-round swim club team, as well as swimming for Pullman High School. Last season, Jake was a State Champion, as well as an All-American.

The Olympic Trials will take place June 15-23 in Indianapolis. The 400 meter individual medley heat time at the trials is set for Sunday, June 16. Should Jake qualify for the finals, it will be later that day as well. The Paris 2024 Olympics take place starting July 26, and running until August 11.