Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 23, 1993 TAG: 9312230395
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Gators had a good number of swimmers, but even more importantly, their swimmers turned in good numbers.
"We took 56 kids," Gators coach Doug Fonder said. "And as a team, we did very well from top to bottom."
In a meet featuring 1,200 swimmers and 81 teams, the Gators placed first, beating out the Lake Erie Silver Dolphins from Cleveland.
Leading the Gators' charge were Brian Marsh, Brooke Adams, and Carolyn Bucher, who posted times exceeding junior (under age 18) national standards in 10 events.
National standards for junior and senior levels are established by the United States Swimming Association and the United States Olympic Committee. Those who exceed senior standards have taken the initial step toward qualifying for Olympic competition.
Marsh, 16, made junior national standards in six events - 100-meter butterfly and breaststroke; 200-meter butterfly and breastroke; and 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys - at Pittsburgh.
"That's one of the strongest showings ever in Gators' history," Fonder said. "He's one of the top sophomore swimmers in the U.S."
Marsh, who attends Patrick Henry High School, has swum with the Gators for nine years. He shaved his head for the Pittsburgh meet, and attributed part of his performance to the decreased resistance.
"It definitely made a difference," Marsh said. "I'm going to shave at nationals, too."
Marsh's ultimate goal is to beat Melvin Stewart, the world record holder in the 200 butterfly. "Everyday, before practice, I get a tape player and his picture out, and listen to some music," Marsh said. "It's a daily ritual that psyches me up for practice."
Marsh's personal best in the 200 butterfly is 2:08, about 12 seconds off Stewart's record. "I've got a way to go," Marsh admitted. "But Stewart's 23 or 24, and I'm 16."
Adams, a 17-year-old senior at Lord Botetourt High School, joined the Gators when she was 7. In Pittsburgh, Adams made junior national standards in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke.
"People don't understand how much dedication is involved in swimming," she said, ticking off practice session times that total more than 20 hours per week.
Adams, seeking to graduate in the top 15 of her academic class, has been recruited by several colleges. She lists North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan State, Alabama and Georgia as possibilities.
"Oh, and Arizona State," Adams added. "That's a long shot. But I definitely am going to swim for a Division I program, and I'd love a full scholarship."
The Gators have a long history of its alumni earning swimming scholarships. Three former Gators are serving as captains of their respective college swim teams: Daniel Summerlin at UNC, Ashley Roe at the University of South Carolina, and J.J. Freitag at Stanford, defending national champions.
Bucher, 13, is an eighth-grader at James Madison Middle School. She made junior national cuts in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys.
Bucher has set a handful of age-group state swimming records in the past two years, and was named state Swimmer of the Year in the 11-year-old and 12-year-old brackets.
"My goal is to make the senior cut in the 400 individual medley in the spring in Ft. Lauderdale," Bucher said. Her best time of 4:30.45 is less than six seconds away from the senior standard.
"There are no age limits on senior competition," Fonder said. "You're competing against college kids, people who've finished college, even Olympians.
"In Pittsburgh there were 13 heats in the 400 IM for senior women," Fonder said. "Carolyn won the whole thing."
by CNB