As one of the nation’s premier open water swimmers, Fran Crippen knows what it’s like to battle currents crashing against him during miles of racing. He knows defeat, and the calls toward retirement when your dream seems lost. The waves weren’t on his side in 2008 as the honor of an Olympic berth went unrealized. So what does he do? Rededicate himself to another four years, another Olympic vision, and an amazing 2009.

During the six months the Conshohoken, Pa.-native Crippen took from August 2008 until February 2009 away from the pool, he grappled with the decision to retire. In reflecting on his career, there was much to think of.

Crippen had five national titles to his name since 2001 already- two in the 800m freestyle, one in the 5km open water, and two in the 10km open water. For years he had been regarded by USA Swimming as one of the best distance swimmers in the sport-receiving the Kiputh Award at the 2002 Spring Nationals to honor his dominance at the meet that year.

Internationally, he had worn the American flag proudly on his cap. In 2001, he was the 1500m freestyle bronze medalist at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. 2003 brought two more international medals for Crippen when he earned silvers in both the 400m and 1500m freestyle races at the Pan American Games.

On the collegiate level, Crippen had also thrived. Attending the University of Virginia and graduating in 2006, he became an 11-time NCAA All-American, and was a two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year. Leaving Virginia, he gained valuable lessons and appreciation for teamwork and commodore that left a lasting impression on his career.

After graduation, Crippen went looking for the next adventure in his career and found it across the country in California, training for renowned open-water coach Bill Rose of the Mission Viejo Nadadores. It was there that his career transformed from pool racing to the open waters. The change proved to be a success, as he captured a silver medal for the USA at the Pan Pacific Championships in the 10km race in 2006. The following year, he reached the highest honors at the Pan American Games in Rio, Brazil, winning the open-water 10km-a testament to his endurance and strength outside of the lane lines.

Back home in 2008 he was staring the decision to hang up his suit and towel after his narrow defeat in the US Open Water Olympic Trial. With a tremendous support system behind him-including older sister Maddy, a 2000 Olympic swimmer, and his two younger sisters who also were building successful careers for themselves- he chose to keep going. Resuming training at his long-time club team Germantown Academy Aquatic Club (GAAC), he resolved that as long as the will and passion were there, he had no reason to walk away.

Fast forward to the fall of 2009, and Crippen’s career has skyrocked. After being in the water for a short time, he took his sixth national title in the 5km to qualify him to once again represent Team USA at the World Championships in Rome, Italy. It was there that he was reunited with Rose and took a bronze in the hotly contested open-water 10km race. The accomplishments he achieved this year after flirting with the idea of ending his career and only having months to bounce back received praises by the USA Swimming community. To honor his feat, he was nominated for a 2009 Golden Goggle Award in the perseverance category.

The open water is endless, and as far as Crippen is concerned, so are the possibilities for his career. Currently training and coaching young swimmers who are mastering the basics of the sport, his appreciation for the day-to-day is never greater. That is a feeling that will outlast the medals, the times, and the awards. That is what makes him so good.