2008: The year the Olympic Swim Trials was moved to Omaha, Nebraska. The year that I would attend my first trials experience, and the year my admiration towards Nathan Adrian began. I would say I am an OG Adrian fan, he might've gotten fourth in the trials in 2008, but that didn't stop my keen "crush-worthy" radar from picking up his signal. I have attended the 2008, 2012, and this year's trials, and each time, deep-down I wish that I would somehow run into him, though I would probably be too "snervous" to actually say anything to him. Aside from his statuesque looks and soaring height, Nathan Adrian might be one of the goofiest, most down-to-earth swimmers the USA team has to offer. So here are my list of reasons Nathan Adrian should be on your "bae-watch."
1. He's a phenomenal athlete
Starting with the obvious, Adrian has been swimming since he was 5-years old, influenced by his older siblings. His physique is that of a prime swimmer; flexible shoulders, long torso, and flat-feet. His weight and muscular strength make him an extremely powerful swimmer, in contrast to Phelps' streamlined strokes. For his sophomore, junior, and senior years at UC Berkeley, he won the sprint crown of the year for both 50 and 100-meter sprints. He was a five time NCAA individual champion by the time he graduated in 2012. On top of winning four gold, one silver, and two bronze medals in his Olympic career, he has won a number of athletic and academic awards, including being inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame and recipient of the Neufeld Scholar-Athletes Scholarship at Cal Berkeley, given to one man and one woman (both graduating varsity athletes) with the highest GPA. Impressive, right?
2. His family is his guiding force to winning
In an interview with ESPN for their Olympian Body Issue, he jokingly stated that his brother beating him up when he was a kid was what brought out the competitive nature in him, after losing for so many years. His parents, family, and friends are central to his life. He's obssessed with his two nephews and one niece, he gives so much credit to his parents for driving him to swim practice 40 miles away from their hometown everyday when he was younger, and he says that his mother never pushed him in swimming, that she knew it was the coaches job to do that, and she helped him understand that "motivation had to come from him internally."
3. He's a class-A goofball
I mean, just look.
Not sure his nephew is feelin' the goofiness entirely.
I'm no face shaving expert, but I don't think that's right. But you do you!
This picture makes me wonder how many double-chins he cut out of the frame.
Captioned "Miiiiiiike Wazowski!" And, of course, his little segment in the US Olympic swim team's "Carpool Karaoke."
4. He's also really, really hot-dorable.
My heart.
It's illegal to look this hot just coming out of the water after an exhausting race. Like how.
The heart eyes are immense!
Six-feet, six-inches, and 225 pounds of pure godliness. I'm dead. This one killed me.
5. He's an all-around good guy
According to his teammates, coaches, and others associated with Nathan, he is a respectful, humble, and genuine leader. He and buddy Olympian Matt Grevers are part of USA's Swimming Foundation, a program that raises money to support programs and help kids become champions in and out of the pool. Interviews I have watched with him go to show he really isn't about the fame of being an Olympian, he cares a lot about how well he personally does and motivating his peers to be the best them that they can be, and if that doesn't sell you on Nathan Adrian, then you need to get your priorities straight, honey.
