From Indiana U operations desk to Pan Pacs podium: Van Mathias’ 4-medal breakout in the pool

Irving, California (AP) — Van Mathias has made a significant splash in his U.S. senior national team debut at the Pan Pacific Championships, the most prestigious international swim meet of the year for the Americans. Mathias, who serves as the operations director for Indiana University's swimming and diving program, earned two gold medals and two silver medals in four events prior to the final night of competition on Saturday in the outdoor pool, located 40 miles from the site of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Mathias, who turns 26 later this month, has a unique background. After competing for Indiana University for five years, he left the sport and pursued various jobs, eventually returning to Beaverton, Oregon. He later took up weightlifting with his mother and uncle, both former competitive lifters. Mathias' career took a turn when IU coach Ray Looze reached out to him, seeking an operations director.

Mathias accepted the position and began overseeing team travel, recruiting visits, and other administrative tasks for the Division I program.

During the Pan Pacific Championships, Mathias swam the breaststroke leg on the Americans' winning 4 x 100-meter medley relay, setting a world record. He also won the 100 breaststroke, achieving a championship record time. Additionally, he earned silver medals in the 50 butterfly and tied for silver in the 50 breaststroke. Mathias expressed his appreciation for these accomplishments, stating, "I don’t take this for granted."

Mathias initially competed in the butterfly event at the U.S. trials for the Tokyo Olympics but did not qualify. However, he switched to breaststroke in his final collegiate season, finishing second in the NCAA Championships. Last year, Mathias and Looze began considering Mathias' potential return to competitive swimming, especially considering the declining state of men's breaststroke in the U.S. and the addition of specific breaststroke events to the 2028 Olympic program. Within a few months, Mathias qualified for the Pan Pacific Championships.

Mathias's easygoing attitude, likely influenced by his unconventional swimming career, comes through in his comments about breaststroke. He joked, "Maybe to be this good at breaststroke, you got to not swim it for six years." Despite his winding path to the podium, Mathias remains confident, projecting, "Hopefully I just keep getting better and better." He hopes to continue improving and find himself on the podium at the Los Angeles Olympics.