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. Scarpe Nike Shox NZ Uomo Nere/Cremisi . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Nike Shox Nz Uomo .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.nikeshoxoutletitalia.it/nike-shox-oz/nike-shox-oz-d.html . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Scarpe Nike Shox Gravity Uomo Luxe Nere/Sciopero Verde AR1470-003 . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Nike Shox R4 Uomo . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. The last time the Chicago Cubs won 100 games, Franklin Roosevelt was president, the U.S. had 48 states and night baseball was just arriving in the major leagues.That was 1935, when the Cubs went 100-54 before losing to Detroit in the World Series. This years team is on pace to reach that milestone and exceed it. Chicagos victory Sunday improved its record to 88-48, and the Cubs lead second-place St. Louis by 16 + games in the NL Central.Chicagos march toward a division title seems like a mere formality now, and the Nationals and Rangers also have sizeable leads in their divisions. Cleveland has won six in a row to take a 5 +-game advantage in the AL Central.For all the other teams chasing postseason spots, the final month of the regular season should be full of highs and lows. Division titles in the AL East and NL West are still very much up for grabs, and there are several teams in the hunt for wild cards in both leagues.Here are a few things to watch over the last few weeks of the regular season:L.A. STORYThe Dodgers are in good shape to make the postseason one way or another -- they lead the NL West by three games, with a wild card a potential safety net. This should be an eventful stretch run in Los Angeles, thanks to Clayton Kershaws return, Vin Scullys impending retirement and a division race with the rival Giants that could go down the wire.Kershaw is set to pitch Friday at Miami after spending over two months on the disabled list with a herniated disk.LAST HURRAHDavid Ortiz is heading into retirement with a flourish. His OPS of 1.033 is the third-highest of his career.These next few weeks will determine if hell have one more chance to leave his mark on the postseason. The Red SSox are a game out of first place in the AL East, and they hold the first wild card in the American League.ddddddddddddBut Boston is only two games ahead of Baltimore and Detroit, who are tied for the second wild card.IMMEDIATE IMPACTThe New York Yankees traded away some of their key players before the deadline and were expected to fade from the playoff picture in the AL. Instead, rookie Gary Sanchez went on a tear, hitting .389 with 11 home runs in August. The Yankees are only 3 + games out of the second wild card.Sanchez is one of several rookies who could make a difference for teams fighting for postseason spots. Others include Michael Fulmer of Detroit, Aledmys Diaz of St. Louis and Yoan Moncada of Boston.PATCHWORKThe New York Mets entered the season with an embarrassment of riches on the mound and have had their depth severely tested by injuries. Matt Harvey is out the for the season, and Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are both sidelined now, leaving the likes of Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman and Rafael Montero making crucial starts for the defending National League champions.Still, the Mets have won 11 of their last 15 and trail St. Louis by one game for the second wild card.BALTIMORE BASHERSThe Orioles could end up with the major league leader in home runs for a fourth straight season. Mark Trumbo is setting the pace at the moment with 41, and nobody else has more than 36.Chris Davis (2015 and 2013) and Nelson Cruz (2014) were the other Orioles who have led the big leagues in homers during this stretch.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '