After strong performances by the UCLA women’s swimming
team at the Janet Evans Invitational two weeks ago, the Bruins are
poised to make a mark at the U.S. Nationals in Irvine this week.
Consistent training throughout the long hot summer months has
proved beneficial for the team, as nine swimmers are set to race in
the national competition starting Wednesday. Traditionally, the
Bruins have sent fewer girls to the national competition, but this
year is different, as UCLA coach Cyndi Gallagher is confident the
nine athletes can compete with some of the nation’s best
swimmers. “This is the biggest group we have ever had at
nationals,” Gallagher said. “I am looking forward to
seeing some very fast swims this week and a lot of points
scored.” Gallagher can say that with a renewed sense of
confidence because of the performances of many at the Janet Evans
Invitational, held at USC. Three Bruins ““ Kim Vandenberg,
Chiemi Yamamoto and Katie Arnold ““ had top-five finishes for
the Bruins, while a total of 11 times were fast enough to be in the
top 10. “We had a great meet at the Janet Evans
Invitational,” Gallagher said. “Some of the girls swam
lifetime bests. Everyone swam fast.” Along with Vandenberg,
Yamamoto and Arnold, UCLA is scheduled to send six others ““
Katie Nelson, Jane Imagane, Jeana Fuccillo, Krista Daley, Eileen
Seissen and Isabel Miesner ““ in hopes of securing a top spot
for the Bruins among the national competition. With four of the 11
top-10 times at JEI, Arnold will likely tally points for the team
in both the fly and backstroke at the long course event. “I
was pleased with my individual performance,” Arnold said.
“I have been just below where I’ve wanted to be all
summer, and JEI put me where I want to be.” Contrary to most
on summer vacation, the swimmers have been training hard daily,
competing regularly on weekends, and the routine training was
reflected in the recent performances at the invitational. “I
think the Janet Evans Invitational definitely did boost the
confidence level of the team,” Arnold said. “It was a
turn-around time for the team, as we all did really well. We are
all very excited to see how we compete at nationals.” The
successes earlier this month will serve as a starting point for the
Bruins to build off of, and the team is hopeful that the momentum
gained there will carry over to Irvine this week as the swimmers
look to capture national titles and bring them home to UCLA.
NO REST FOR VANDENBERG: One Bruin poised to capture a national
title is senior Vandenberg, who claimed the national title in the
200 fly last summer. As Vandenberg has the opportunity to claim a
second consecutive national title this week in Irvine, it will be a
test to keep her mind from wandering to Turkey, where she will
travel to on Aug. 7 to compete in the World University Games.
“I am excited for nationals, but the competition in Turkey is
what I’ve been training for,” Vandenberg said.
“Nationals will help me get ready for the World University
Games in terms of racing and being competitive. It’ll be like
a warm up.” Due to the meet in Turkey, where Vandenberg will
be swimming the 200 fly and possibly a relay, she has not followed
the usual swimming program, which focuses on resting with light
training going into a big meet such as the national championships.
“Kim isn’t fully rested for this meet,” Gallagher
said. “Her goal at nationals is to just get out there and
race. We’re really focusing on the World University
games.”
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Sophomore Nicolette Teo spent the past two
weeks representing her native country of Singapore when she swam
the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke at the World Championships
in Montreal. Teo placed 38th in the 100m and 34th in the 200m.
After finishing final exams in June and traveling to Singapore to
train, Teo spent roughly two weeks out of training. A lack of
training so close to the meet, as well as the incongruity that
comes with changing coaches, has not been conducive to the aspiring
World Championship point scorer. “There wasn’t a whole
lot of consistency going on there with her training,”
Gallagher said. “I know that schedule isn’t exactly
what you want to do in preparation for the World Championships.
This may be a lesson learned, but she does belong there.”