Ed Moses went from an unknown swimmer to world-ranked in ten months. The 1998 Lake Braddock graduate won two state titles, but his accomplishments go far beyond the high school pools and competition.
"He was very competitive by nature, and that is what made him really good," said Matt Brado, a 1998 graduate of Lee High School. Brado, a state title winner himself in 1998, trained with Moses at the Curl-Burke Swim Club from 1997 to 2004.
Since graduating from Lake Braddock, Moses went on to win 11 National titles, two Olympic medals and set a number of world records. In January of 2002, Moses set five world records in a span of three days while competing in a World Cup series. He was recognized as the swimmer of the series for the accomplishment. Collegiately, Moses was a three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion, a two-time NCAA champion and a six-time All-American at the University of Virginia. He was also named the 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year and the 2000 NCAA Swimmer of the Championship.
"Winning the gold medal was my favorite moment, but it is more than just that, it is also the people I met," said Moses.
Moses did not spend as much time in the pool as his accomplishments may suggest. The world record-crusher only started swimming year-round during his senior year of high school.
"He was naturally very gifted, so it wasn't a shock that he became so good," said Mark Faherty, in his eighth year of coaching at Curl-Burke. "It was fun watching him as a coach and a friend go from great high school athlete to a nationally recognized one in a short time."
PETE MORGAN coached Moses while he was at Curl-Burke. He said Moses went from nowhere to world-ranked in about ten months. Morgan said Moses's athletic mindset and commitment separated him from his competitors.
"It was easier for him to commit [to a demanding training schedule] because of his athletic mindset," said Morgan.
The training schedule Moses endured did not allow for a social life. Early training, proper diet and a tough physical commitment took over his life.
Brado said the two did not mind living a different lifestyle from their peers. He said they trained approximately 30 hours per week.
"It was far more important to make an Olympic team [than go out with friends]. You only have a small window, about five or six years, during which you can train like [we did]," he said.
Morgan said Moses grasped instruction quickly, a sentiment Faherty echoed.
"We were amazed how well he took instruction," said Faherty. He added that Moses possessed the work ethic to compliment his athletic ability. Faherty also said Moses was hyper-competitive, not just in swimming but in everything he did. "When he got into the pool, he wanted to eat up that yardage," said Faherty.
However, something that truly separated Moses from his competitors was his will to try new methods of training in order to stay ahead.
"He was a student of the sport," said Morgan. "He was always on the cutting edge, and would try anything to give him an edge over his opponents. It was kind of his trademark." For example, Moses occasionally slept in a room in which he could regulate the levels of oxygen. The design allows users to create an environment experienced at higher elevations.
"He was constantly trying to be at a better level, and he was always trying to improve," said Faherty.
MOSES EXCELLED in breaststroke events, something seen during his time at Lake Braddock. His two high school state titles are in the 100-yard and the 100-meter breaststroke. In 1998, as a senior, Moses swam the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:03.35, which is still the state record for the event. In 2001, Moses was ranked first in the world in 50-meter breaststroke and 200-meter breaststroke, and second in 100-meter breaststroke. He has also won a number of relay medals, including Olympic and World Championships golds in 2000 and 2003, respectively.
"The breaststroke really is about rhythm, and he knew how to put it together," said Faherty.
"You can't just have talent to take it to the top," said Moses.
AFTER FINISHING fifth in the 100-meter breaststroke at the World Championships trials in 2005, Moses retired from swimming. He has turned back to golf, the reason he did not pursue swimming year-round until his senior year at Lake Braddock.
"He really loves golf, and everything he learned from swimming is going into golf," said Faherty. According to Morgan, Moses recently moved to the Orlando, Fla. area, where he is hoping to join the PGA tour — golf's pro tour.
Major Accomplishments
Gold and silver medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
Broke five world records over three days in 2002 in the World Cup series
Ranked top-3 in the world on six occasions in different events
Gold at the 2003, and bronze at the 2001, World Championships
Gold and Silver in the 1999 Pan American Games
11 U.S. National Titles
Two-time NCAA Champion - 100 and 200-meter breaststroke and both in world record times - and six-time All-American at the University of Virginia
Ed Moses is 14 in a survey of the area's Top 100 Athletes by Connection Newspapers in 2000.