This is the opportunity for which they swim. Eight Bruin women
will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Long
Beach from July 7-14 for the opportunity to represent the United
States in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
“This is just an awesome experience,” coach Cindy
Gallagher said. “There’s so much drama and
anything can happen, so we’re going in optimistic and looking
to enjoy the competition.”
Bruin swimmers qualified in nine different events: the 100-meter
and 200m butterfly; the 50m, 100m, 400m and 800m freestyle; the
100m and 200m backstroke; and the 200m breaststroke. Only two girls
from each event go on to the Olympics. Â
Junior Kim Vandenberg and graduated senior Kristen Lewis, both
competing in the 100m and 200m butterfly, are among several Bruins
who are expected to do well at the trials.
“On paper, they have a good chance of doing well,”
Gallagher said.
“There’s no pressure, we’ll just try to keep
things fun.”
Lewis, a co-captain of the 2003 Bruin team, placed 17th in the
100m butterfly at the U.S. Nationals last summer, while Vandenberg
placed 18th in the 200m.
Naoko Watanabe, a senior competing in the 100m and 200m
backstroke, sees the competition as a culmination of her hard work
as a swimmer.
“I think that as a senior, going to the trials can make me
feel sad that swimming will be a part of my past,” Watanabe
said. “But I believe that there is no better way to end this
than knowing I gave everything I had.”
Watanabe heads into the trials having already recorded
a personal best of 1:04.55 in the 100m backstroke and a time
of 2:17.95 in the 200m.Â
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the seasoned Watanabe
is Katie Nelson. As a freshman competing in the 800m freestyle,
Nelson sees the trials as a new and exciting experience.
“This is an honor,” Nelson said.Â
“I’m really excited and just hoping to do
well.”
Nelson has recorded a personal best of 8:46 in the 800m
freestyle, but hopes to shave six seconds off that time. If
accomplished, she believes she will be in a good position at the
trials.
Others competing in the trials are Jane Imagane in the 400m and
800m freestyle, Sara Platzer in the 50m and 100m freestyle, Cathy
Coler in the breaststroke, and Jackie Lobdell in the 400m
freestyle.
While many Bruins will take to the pool this week to follow
their dreams, UCLA’s Katie Arnold and Jeana Fuccillo, who
both qualified, will not be able to compete, due to shoulder
surgery and a virus, respectively.