THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407270120
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BARBARA SPICUGLIA, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Ryan Rose, a 17-year-old senior at Norfolk Christian High School, swims with the Old Dominion Aquatic Club's 15- to 18-year-old elite group.
Rose has been dominant in the 200 and 400 freestyle, placing second in these events at a recent meet. He also placed second in the 200 breaststroke.
Rose used to swim in Maryland, but after he and his family moved to Virginia Beach 10 years ago, he was contacted by ODAC and began to develop his swimming technique there. During his freshman year Rose competed in varsity and cross country, but now he focuses on swimming.
``When I began to swim with the elite group, I had to train a lot, so I had to withdraw from the other sports and spend my time swimming,'' said Rose. ``At first, swimming was just something I was good at. Now it's a big part of my life. I like the competition and the hard work ethic that swimming has instilled in me.''
Rose said that his strength is the freestyle, especially the 200 and 500 events, but admits that he ``really needs to work on endurance in the butterfly and backstroke.''
Steve Bialorucki, Rose's coach, tends to agree.
``Ryan has shown consistency with his efforts and attendance at the practices,'' Bialorucki said. ``He is competitive and aggressive, and he has his own set of goals for himself.''
Rose is mainly working on his stroke technique in the butterfly and freestyle, and according to his coach, he ``puts forth a lot of effort. That quality I've seen in Ryan emulates what we want here at ODAC. I'd say Ryan is finding success, and that he's getting out of it what he puts into it.''
Bialorucki, 34, is ODAC's new head coach, and he's guided the 15-18 age group for a few weeks after having recently moved to the Hampton Roads area from Pensacola, Fla.
ODAC coach Mike Powell has trained Rose for the past five years, and over the many hours of work in the pool, has gotten to know his pupil.
``Ryan has a big heart and is a determined, hard worker,'' Powell said. ``He understands what it takes to improve. There are qualities that can't be taught, but what Ryan lacks in natural ability, he makes up by hard work and dedication.''
Rose's goal this season is to work on his times.
``I hope to be in the National Junior Olympics,'' he said. ``Steve thinks there's a pretty good chance of it.''
If Rose places in the Junior Olympics, he would be among the top half of all the swimmers in the nation in his age group.
Rose lives in Great Bridge and is an honor student.
``I'd like to swim in college, maybe even be admitted to college because of my swimming,'' Rose said. ``I haven't talked to any coaches yet, but I'm going to start soon. I'd really like to attend the Naval Academy.''
Even though he has certain athletic gifts, Rose attributes his success to God.
``My Christian faith definitely puts things in perspective,'' he said. ``I have abilities and gifts, but they have been given to me by God.''
Joan Chang, former publicity chairperson for ODAC, is one of many who have a high opinion of Rose.
``Ryan's a good kid,'' Chang said. ``He has really got a lot going on, and somehow he manages to keep it all together.'' by CNB