Rockwall, TX (July 1, 2024) – Trained at Rockwall Aquatics Center of Excellence, David Johnston comes into this year’s trials as reigning 2023 champion in 400m freestyle.
David Johnston of Dallas was a determined swimmer at a very young age. Tom Applegate, then swim coach at the Plano YMCA and recent transplant to North Texas, recalls seeing David swim at the age of 6 and thought, “I want to work with that kid.”
Tom got his wish and now 15 years later his former athlete is a member of the Paris 2024 United States Men’s Swim Team! David recorded a personal best and runner-up time of 14:52.74 in the 1500m Freestyle, which cemented his place on the U.S. team.
While David is intensely focused on training camp taking place in North Carolina, we spoke with two of his coaches right here in Rockwall who remain in regular contact with David.
As the story goes, Tom, six-time All-American swimmer from Truman State, was approached by David’s mom Marcy about coaching her older daughter. Carolyn, two years older than David, was a strong swimmer and David wanted to keep up. In fact, David just wanted to go fast and even then, it was obvious he would do whatever it took.
Later, Tom moved to Rockwall Aquatics Center of Excellence, known as RACE, to help coach and run the club level program for Rockwall ISD. The model, created in San Antonio and adopted by many school districts, offers school swim teams combined with club level aquatics programs.
David and Carolyn joined RACE and continued their commitment to the sport, driven from Dallas for every practice by Marcy. With drive and focus, both moved into the RACE Senior level coached by Neil Walker, Director of RACE, and Assistant Coaches, Stewart Carroll and Henry Shim who had significant influence on David’s swim training and land-based strength training component.
Fast forward a few years, Carolyn retired at 16 following her journey to the US Olympic Team Trials. David made nationals and continued his pursuit to the next level swimming for the University of Texas under Eddie Reese, and Mark Shubert in California, both known to be some of the best coaches in the world. His work ethic is setting him up for the Olympic stage.
Coming into this year’s trials, David is reigning 2023 champion in the men’s 400m freestyle. Favored in the trials in Indianapolis, David unfortunately came away from that trial disappointed with a 3rd place finish, just missing his chance at making the team.
Tom calls David mentally tough and believed he would face that adversity and move forward.
Neil, a former Olympian, and medalist in 2000 and 2004, knows that disappointment. He missed the 1996 Olympics by 1/100th of a second!
“We knew David had what it takes to make it,” Neil added, “Perseverance is almost his most impressive trait – moving past obstacles and focusing on what is ahead.”
Asked how and when they knew that David had Olympics in his future, Neil points back to that disappointment. Swimming comes down to milliseconds and the result can be impossible to predict even for the best swimmers. “However, David did exhibit the characteristics of an elite level swimmer being very committed, doing extra work on his own, and being a supportive teammate.”
The number of hours David puts in weekly to be an elite level swimmer is astounding. Spending at least 20-30 hours a week in the pool with what is called “dry land” strength building workouts on top of that. He has been that committed since he was 8 years old putting in 15 hours a week. Tom and Neil agree that not every athlete is that committed or puts in that much time which speaks to David’s character and drive to be his best.
“David is one of the hardest workers and most determined swimmers we have had in our program,” says Tom. “He did all the work, and we are very fortunate to have been part of it.”
The Olympic swimming competition is set to begin July 27. The Men’s 1500m Freestyle heat is Saturday, August 3 with the finals on August 4. Watch and cheer on David, who represents not only swimmers but all athletes showing tenacity, commitment, and perseverance to live out a dream. David has also been added to the Open Water 10k at the Paris Olympics on August 9.
To learn more about the progressive program at RACE, which is open to all swimmers regardless of school district affiliation, visit the Rockwall Aquatic Center site.
Blue Ribbon News Staff Report. Courtesy photos.
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