Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow, with Olympic Bronze Medalist Cody Miller during the recent clinic held at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

2016 Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Cody Miller signed Dolphin Swim team member Sophia Rowe’s kick board. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025.

This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes.

Miller, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, is widely recognized not only for his achievements in the pool but for his engaging personality and dedication to motivating young athletes. Participants will receive personal instruction on technique, race preparation, mental training, and more.

“Bringing Cody Miller to the AYCC is about more than just fast swimming – it’s about showing kids what’s possible. In a community like ours, opportunities like this can spark a lifelong love of the sport and help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and connection through swimming.” Says Mid-Maine Dolphins Head Coach, Matt Reed.

Mid-Maine Dolphins team member Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow said, “In meeting Cody Miller, I was nervous and I also thought he would have short hair and he did not. I got to take a picture with him and wear his gold medal. It was kind of heavy. I got to race him and I knew he would win, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. My favorite part was him signing my kick board. I learned a lot of things about my worst stroke which is the breastroke. The facts that I learned will help me go faster.”

Miller said, “I’m the lead clinician for the USA Swim Clinics, so I travel around the country and spread the joy and love of swimming that I had as a little kid to young athletes everywhere. I have a YouTube channel where I teach people how to swim better and be better. One of my viewers sent me an email and said, ‘we’d love to bring you out to Maine.’ I was like, ‘yeah, sounds like fun,’ so here I am. I just try to make it as fun as possible. Swimming, and all sports, should be fun. If they’re not having fun, they’re not going to enjoy it, and then they’re not going to remember the things that you say. When I give them a drill or something, I try to make it fun and challenging in a way that stimulates the kids. Keep it exciting, keep it fun because swimming can be monotonous (lap and lap and lap). That’s not how I do things. It should be fun,” said Miller.

Clinic Highlights:

Hands-on instruction with Olympic medalist Cody Miller

Specialized technique and performance sessions

Exclusive meet and greet, photos, and autograph session

Official AYCC Swim Meet participation

Access to a dynamic community of student-athletes from across the U.S. and abroad

This event was hosted by the AYCC’s Mid-Maine Dolphins Swim Team and took place at the AYCC’s indoor pool.