With eye on Olympics, UCLA swimmers dive into Southern Cal
Invitational
By A. Cique Carter
Daily Bruin Contributor
The Southern California Invitational held at McDonald’s Swim
Stadium on the USC campus this weekend showcased an array of swim
talent. UCLA sent five swimmers to the event with the idea of
tuning up for the Olympic trials. Since all Pacific 10 meets take
place on 25-meter courses, this was one of the Bruins’ few chances
to compete on a 50-meter course.
The four Bruin team members each swam in one event, while UCLA
assistant coach Kristy Heydanek competed in two.
Freshman Emmanuelle Schick swam well, recording a 1:02.13 in the
100 meter freestyle.
"Emmanuelle doesn’t swim the freestyle. She (swims) the IM, so
this was great for her," UCLA head coach Cyndi Gallagher said.
Sophomore Cindy Bertelink, competing in the 200 meter freestyle,
swam five seconds faster than she did in January. With her time of
2:09.71, Bertelink placed first in the consolation final.
Placing fourth in the 200m backstroke, Heydanek swam a 2:19.71.
while her time of 1:04.83 was enough for a second place finish in
the 100m backstroke.
Senior Annette Salmeen almost swam a lifetime best in the 100m
butterfly. Her time of 1:02.90 placed her third in the competition
and was just .011 of a second off the Olympic trial qualifying
time. Salmeen did not swim the 200m because she’s saving as much
energy as possible for the Pac-10 championships this weekend.
Sophomore Lindsay Etter swam a lifetime best 2:35.24 to place
second in the 200m breaststroke championship.
Said Etter: "I was all right. This is an awkward part of the
season. It’s close to the end, but it’s not over. I’m still trying
to get the right race strategy together."
"(Lindsey’s) doing great," assistant coach Brad Burnham said.
"But, more importantly, she’s willing to do what it takes to be
great."Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu