Rio In Rearview Mirror, What Awaits Katie Ledecky As Pursuit Of Tokyo 2020 Begins?

What’s next? It’s a common question in the what-have-you-done-lately world of sports? Never mind the world records she just set. What’s next? Never mind the four gold medals she collected. What’s next? Never mind she just joined an exclusive two-woman club. What’s next?

The Rio Reign of Katie Ledecky is more than a month old, her exploits at the Summer Olympics forever a part of history, but still difficult to digest. Simply, it’s tough to wrap the mind around what she did in South America – a golden sweep of the 200 freestyle, 400 free and 800 free, along with a pair of relay medals. Add in world records of 3:56.46 for the 400 distance and 8:04.79 for 16 laps, and the gravity of what she accomplished pulls on the brain even more.

Yet, as we attempt to find a way to fully grasp her excellence, the insatiable sporting public wants to know what she has planned for an encore. How much faster can she go? What will her days at Stanford University produce? Will her program undergo any alterations, or experience any additions. These are just a few questions surrounding the 19-year-old, who just might be the most dominant athlete on the planet.

The College Route: What Ledecky Felt Was Best Option

The temptation had to be there. With the end of the most recent Olympiad coinciding with the start of her freshman year of college, Ledecky certainly had options in front of her. She could have scooped up a bundle of cash from endorsement deals and turned professional. She could have pushed any swimwear brand she desired, and other opportunities would have flowed in at a rapid rate.

Much like Missy Franklin before her, Ledecky wasn’t swayed by dollar signs. Rather, she possessed a desire to race at the collegiate level and enjoy the camaraderie so prevalent in the American system. The fact that education is of significant importance to her family also played a role in her decision, and the combination of high-level academics and elite competition took Ledecky to Stanford University.

Perhaps Ledecky will turn pro before her eligibility is up in Northern California. Perhaps she’ll represent the Cardinal for four years. Whatever path she follows, Ledecky is intent on maximizing the opportunities she encounters. By moving across the country from Washington D.C. to Palo Alto, California, Ledecky has undergone a coaching change. She’s now training under the watch of Greg Meehan, the head man at Stanford, but to think Bruce Gemmell will simply fade away is ridiculous. After all, the partnership between Ledecky and Gemmell has been nothing short of phenomenal, among the best-working tag teams the sport has seen.

Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak – by Patrick B. Kraemer

The dynamic at Stanford will be different than what Ledecky knew with the Nation’s Capital Swim Club. On The Farm, Ledecky is part of a stacked team, one heavily favored to capture the NCAA team championship in March. A scan of the Cardinal roster reveals fellow American Olympians Simone Manuel and Lia Neal, Manuel coming off her own stellar Olympiad. While Ledecky won five medals in Rio, Manuel captured just one fewer, her two-gold and two-silver haul highlighted by a co-title in the 100 freestyle with Canadian teenager Penny Oleksiak.

“I want to have the college experience, swim NCAA and be with my teammates,” Ledecky said. “I want the chance to compete collegiately and I think it’s going to be a great experience. It’s going to be what helps me improve both in swimming and in school, and I get that opportunity through competing collegiately and …

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