Shane Ryan (swimmer)

Shane Patrick Ryan[1] (born 27 January 1994) is an American-born swimmer who competes internationally for Ireland.

Shane Ryan
Personal information
National teamIreland
Born (1994-01-27) January 27, 1994
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, United States
Height1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle, backstroke
ClubToronto Titans (ISL 2020); National Aquatic Centre
College teamPenn State
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing  Ireland
World Championships (SC)
Bronze medal – third place2018 Hangzhou50 m backstroke
European Championships (LC)
Bronze medal – third place2018 Glasgow50 m backstroke
European Championships (SC)
Bronze medal – third place2019 Glasgow50 m backstroke
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place2017 Taipei50 m backstroke

Career

Ryan was a 16-time All-American and 11-time All-State honoree as a swimmer for Haverford Senior High School.[2] He was a member of the US National Junior Team in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Ryan initially competed at the US Olympics trials in 2012, finishing in 28th, which did not qualify him for the US team. He subsequently switched his allegiance to Ireland. Ryan qualified to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics by swimming under the Olympic Qualifying time in the 100m backstroke at the Swim Ulster Dave McCullagh Meet in March 2016.[3]

College

Ryan competed collegiately for Penn State where he set school records in the 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle and 100 meter backstroke. He won Big Ten Conference championships in the 100 meter backstroke in 2014 and 2015 and the 100 meter freestyle in 2014.[1]

International Swimming League

In spring 2020, Ryan signed to the Toronto Titans, for their inaugural season; the first Canadian-based professional swim team.

World Championships

In December 2018, Ryan won the bronze medal in the 50m backstroke at the 2018 World Short Course Swimming Championships.[4]

At the 2016 Olympics, he made it out of the heats of the 100m backstroke to qualify for the semi-finals with a personal-best time of 53.85.[5] He finished in last place in the semifinal.

Other

In September 2017 at the 2017 University Games, Ryan won the Gold Medal in the 50m backstroke.[6]

In August 2018 at the 2018 European Championships, Ryan took bronze in the 50 m backstroke.[7]

Personal life

Ryan's father, Thomas, emigrated from Portarlington, County Laois, in the 1980s; Ryan has Irish citizenship through him and can therefore swim under the Irish flag.[8] His mother, Mary Beth Bonner, is also of Irish descent and won the Miss Mayo pageant in 1986.[9] Ryan was raised in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a degree in sports management at Penn State University.

See also

References
  1. "Shane Ryan - Men's Swimming and Diving". Penn State University Athletics. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  2. O'Brien, Brendan. "All-American swimmer Shane Ryan takes green leap of faith". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  3. "Shane Ryan Bio". Swim Swam. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  4. "Ireland's Ryan claims world bronze in 50m backstroke final". The 42. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  5. "Rio 2016: Day 2". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. "'My team-mates met my whole family and were like: "oh sh*t, you're actually Irish!"'". The 42. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  7. "Memorable day for Irish sport capped as Shane Ryan wins European swimming bronze". The 42. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  8. Lennon, Barry. "The son of a Laois man, Ireland's American-born Olympic swimmer Shane Ryan recalls weekends in Portarlington". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  9. Foley, Denise. "Local Swimmer Pursues Olympic Dreams in Ireland". IrishPhiladelphia.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
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