San Antonio Grand Prix Features Big Names

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, N.J., November 9. THE chance to test the short-course waters will present itself to a handful of United States Olympians this weekend when USA Swimming continues its Grand Prix Circuit at Palo Alto College in San Antonio from Friday through Sunday. With the meet situated in Texas, it will be headlined by the Longhorn Aquatics triumvirate of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and Ian Crocker, who combined for five individual medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Ultimately, the focus of the threesome revolves around next year's World Championships in Melbourne, slated for March. For now, Peirsol, Hansen and Crocker will get some racing under their belts, having been idle from the competitive scene since putting on a show at Summer Nationals and the Pan Pacific Championships. At those meets, Hansen set three world records in breaststroke action, including a pair in the 200 breast, while Peirsol lowered his global standard in the 200 backstroke.

While the trio will see at least some action in their prime events, they've also been entered in a handful of events in which fans don't get the chance to see them swim. In addition to the breaststroke events, Hansen is entered in the 400 individual medley and 100 butterfly. Meanwhile, Crocker and Peirsol are expected to square off in the 200 freestyle. The 200 free is an event that hasn't seen much of Crocker and Peirsol in recent years, but it's a discipline in which the tandem excelled in younger years. Peirsol is also slated for the 200 I.M. and Crocker for the 50 free.

One of the other headliners on the male side will be Cullen Jones, the sprint-freestyle sensation who appears to be the next great American in the 50 and 100 freestyles. Jones will swim his prime events and it will be interesting to see how low Jones will go in the 50 free. Only Fred Bousquet has ever cracked the 19-second mark in the event and Jones certainly seems to be the next man in line to accomplish the feat, although it's unlikely to occur at this point in the season.

On the women's side, Margaret Hoelzer and Tara Kirk are the top names, with Hoelzer entered in a number of events, including the 200 backstroke, 200 butterfly and 200 freestyle. As for Kirk, she's the top seed in the 100 breaststroke, her No. 1 event. Both women will represent the United States at the World Championships. One event to keep an eye on among the women is the 500 freestyle, where Kelsey Ditto and Flavia Rigamonti are expected to duel.

Brendanhansen wins 100 Breastroke

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