When you compete in something as long as I have -- remember, I swam in my first Olympics before I was old enough to drive -- you see just about everything. The aging superstar chasing one more Olympic gold, the teenage record holder who everyone believes is the next big thing. Some succeed. Most fail. Maybe theyre not good enough, dont want to put in the work, or dont care about winning enough to truly push their body to its limit.And then theres Katie Ledecky. It was two years before the 2012 London Games when I first started paying attention to her. Every time she got in the water, it didnt matter what time of year it was, how rested she was, where she was swimming, who she was swimming against -- she was cranking best times, national records. It was incredible. I remember thinking, this girl might be the real deal.But I wanted to see it on the big, big stage. Could she do it in the Olympics?In London, Katie was just 15 years old -- the same age I was at my first Olympics in Sydney. She was quiet, kind of kept to herself. But on the final day of competition, in the 800 freestyle, she won gold by more than four seconds. I won gold in the 100 fly earlier that night and had just received my medal when Katies event began. As I was walking through the interview area, reporters began asking me questions that I didnt even answer. Instead, I pointed to the monitor where Katie was crushing it.This past summer in Rio, she backed it up with four more golds. Right now, shes untouchable. There are swimmers who might push her, but no one is going to beat her. I remember what that feeling was like; its a great place to be. You know that if you put in the work, the reward is going to be there at the end. The challenge becomes longevity. How long can you keep it up?But no one is better prepared for this than Katie. Shes that much better than everybody else. When I watch her swim, its like an art. Its beautiful. She maximizes her distance per stroke. Its just something you dont see in swimming. Beyond that, shes one of the hardest-working people Ive ever seen in training camp. She will swim with the guys and make them look like theyre standing still. I did a set with her once in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Olympic Training Center. We were supposed to go together, but I was thrilled when she decided to lead a lane because I didnt want to get my ass whipped. Shes just special.And beyond that, mentally, she never lets up. She goes all out the entire race. Her mentality is, Im going to crush this field as much as I possibly can. In the first 100 meters, the race is over. Hell, in the first 50 its over. She makes the statement and then backs it up. Its just so remarkable.Yet away from the pool, with her teammates, shes as laid back as anyone. Shes talking, laughing, messing around. Then she gives a few high-fives, goes out and absolutely destroys the rest of the world. Its amazing to watch. You just dont see people like her in the sport. I know. And for me to have shared part of my career with someone so dominant and dedicated, and yet still so determined, is an honor. I mean it. Im a fan of this sport as much as anyone. And I cant wait to see what she does next.More on Katie Ledecky? What makes Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky remarkable Story ?? On this night, appropriately, Ledecky eclipses Phelps?Story ?? Katie Ledecky: Road to Rio training regimen?Story ?? How to be Katie Ledecky?Video ?The IMPACT25 is espnWs annual list of the 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest difference for women in sports. Explore the 2016 list and more content at espnW.com/IMPACT25. China Jerseys . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. http://www.cheapchinajerseys.net/ . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Wholesale Jerseys China . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. NFL Jerseys China . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. This was the sporting equivalent of going to Las Vegas, staying in some high-priced hotels, enjoying everything that Sin City has to offer and still coming back with lots of cash in your pockets because you had a couple of winning nights at the blackjack tables.In other words, this was quite a road trip for the Florida Panthers.Indeed, Florida (10-8-1) just won three out of four games away from home, beating the top team in the Eastern Conference (the Montreal Canadiens), the top club in the Metropolitan Division (the New York Rangers) and a third playoff contender (the Ottawa Senators).Now the Panthers return home to face the Philadelphia Flyers (8-8-3) at the BB&T Center on Tuesday night. The Panthers are a virtual lock to start top goalie Roberto Luongo after backup James Reimer beat the Rangers 3-2 on Sunday night.This was a big boost to our team, Panthers coach Gerard Gallant told reporters after his franchises first win at New Yorks Madison Square Garden in three years. The Rangers are a great team. I thought we held the fort in the first period (trailing 1-0) and played a real good game from there.The Panthers had left home before this trip with just one road win on the season. But then they did what they did -- which included knocking off two of the elite goalies in the league in Montreals Carey Price and New Yorks Henrik Lundqvist.Florida now has 21 points after 19 games. At this point last season, the Panthers had just 19 points, and they went on to win the Atlantic Division.Meanwhile, the Flyers are just 3-4-1 on the road this season and are coming off a 3-0 home loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.Philadelphia has had trouble in on the Panthers home ice, losing its past three BB&T Center matchups.The good news for the Flyers is that they have been able to incorporate youth into their lineup, most notably a pair of 19-year-old rookies: defenseman Ivan Provorov and center Travis Konecny.Both have played well. Provorov is a two-way player, and the speedy Konecny is confident, fearless and quite possibly the most exxciting Flyer, with four goals and seven assists in 19 games.ddddddddddddespite being small of stature, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Konecny digs pucks out of corners and seemingly creates several chances per game with his playmaking.The veterans have made it easy on me, said Konecny, wisely deferring to the Flyers older stars such as center Claude Giroux, left winger Brayden Schenn and right winger Wayne Simmonds. The coaches have allowed me to be confident and just play hockey.Konecny said he tries to play the hard game, getting under his opponents skin.Hes been a high-energy guy all season, Flyers right winger Jake Voracek said. Hes been amazing.Another rookie who could make an impact on Tuesdays game is Anthony Stolarz, a 6-6, 220-pound goalie.The Flyers have co-starters at goalie with veterans Michal Neuvirth and Steve Mason. But with Neuvirth out with an injury to his left knee, the 22-year-old Stolarz could make his NHL debut.If or when he gets in, he would become the first goalie from New Jersey to play in the NHL.Goalie, though, has been a weak position this season for the Flyers, who are last in the NHL with a 3.42 goals-against average. Mason is 4-6-3 with a 3.12 GAA. Neuvirth is 4-2-0 with a 3.54 GAA.The strength of the Flyers is their power play, which ranks second in the NHL. But that unit has gone cold of late, going 0-for-10 with the man advantage in the past three games.And without their power play clicking, the Flyers have not shown enough ability to win games consistently while skating 5-on-5.The Flyers are also dealing with some injuries. Left winger Chris Vandevelde suffered an apparent concussion against Tampa Bay; and center Boyd Gordon was held out due to back spasms.In an effort to shake things up in practice on Monday, the Flyers dropped Simmonds from the first line to the second, where he will play with Konecny and Sean Couturier. Voracek was moved to the top unit with Schenn and Giroux. ' ' '