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Reaction Time: Interactive Commentary from USA Swimming National Championships -- July 31, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 31. SwimmingWorldMagazine.com is bringing its readers wall-to-wall coverage of USA Swimming's National Championships held at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis this week. As part of the already deep, rich and up-to-the-minute coverage of the actual racing, our team of reporters are also available via this new interactive web site element, Reaction Time.
Feel free to react to anything you see or observe throughout the meet in this location, and we will do our best to keep you updated on our observations of some interesting tidbits emerging from the meet that may not make our standard meet coverage. Also, look here first for Breaking News items that we discover during our time talking with the best of the best on deck and in the stands.
Additionally, we are available for special requests throughout the meet. So, if there is something you are dying to know, click below to React through Reaction Time and we will do our best to fulfill that request.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 7:30 a.m. Well, we're off! After getting to the pool a bit early to get acquainted with the pool again after hosting a meet or two at the IU Nat in my previous job at Indiana University, I've had the chance to run into quite a few people already. First person I ran into, and this is typical, was Brian Barnes of Auburn. I get embedded in the National Club Swimming Association's (NCSA) All-American meet in Hawaii - Brian is there. I get to Nationals early, Brian is there. I wonder if he has a body double.
Also had the chance to chat with Jason Roberts of the Northern Kentucky Clippers and Jeff Cooper of the Oakland Live Y'ers - two more NCSA All-American buddies. Fun times.
Once again, feel free to post any special requests via Reaction Time as we bring you wall-to-wall coverage of the meet.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 8:30 a.m. The stars are definitely out this morning. With top coaches like David Marsh, Dave Salo, Skip Kenney, Bob Bowman and Teri McKeever patrolling the deck, as well as superstars Michael Phelps, Brendan Hansen, Tara Kirk and Kim Vandenberg warming up this morning should be fun to watch.
As for Marsh, it is a bit different to see him sporting the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club colors instead of the typical Auburn University polo.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 9:10 a.m. The 200 Fly Prelim Heat 2 of 9 is illuminated only by sunshine through the skylights, as the swimming is so fast that it literally and jokingly "blew the lights out." The scoreboard and wireless networks are resetting while the scattered crowd enjoys the earthly feeling of shady coolness. It'll be a hot one outside today, as Indianapolis is looking forward to near-record temps in the 90s.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 9:30 a.m. Wire-to-wire prelim speed from Dana Vollmer in the 200 Fly, as she led her heat by a body length at the 100 and touched in 2:09.82. Meanwhile, visible college presences on deck include Stanford, Virginia Tech, Auburn and Cal, with the bright blue of Club Wolverine and the red-orange of Sun Devil also dotting the landscape.
Other 200 Fly prelim times under 2:12 included Kim Vandenberg (2:10.03), Kathleen Hersey (2:11.33) and Mary Descenza (2:11.39). Teresa Crippen earns a nod for a solid 2:12.58 showing, earning a spot in tonight's final in the immediate wake of Pan Am Games. As a layperson might say, that woman must be tired.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 9:38 a.m. David Woods of the local paper The Indianapolis Star is in the building. He's written in previous issues of Swimming World Magazine and wrote a great piece about the history of the IU Nat this week. Nice to see an old friend of mine.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 9:45 a.m. IUPUI deserves an A for Effort in spectator comfort. A tiki hut adorned with leis is set up just outside the pool entrance, serving up Kona coffee and muffins - perhaps a bit unexpected in terms of theme in Indianapolis, but much appreciated. Meanwhile, the volunteer staff inside is busily aiding with ventilation, hydration, and crowd management on deck.
Also notable this morning are the first appearances of known names under different training allegiances. Klete Keller is smiling ear-to-ear on deck, suggesting some happiness found at Trojan, while Andrew Langenfeld effectively became a hometown hero, launching the first heat of the men's 200 Fly this morning in a Purdue Boilermaker cap, a shift from his former West Virginia.
John
July 31, 2007 - 9:53 a.m. Glancing ahead to this evening's championship session, look for Kate Ziegler to make an assault on Janet Evans' world record of 8:16.22 in the 800 freestyle. Having taken down Evans' 1500 world standard earlier this summer, Ziegler seems poised to add the other distance-free record to her portfolio. She enters the night as the world champ, thanks to a swim of 8:18.52. It should help that Ziegler will have Katie Hoff swimming alongside.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 10:05 a.m. Hottest news on deck is the reinstatement of Nort Thornton at Cal-Berkeley, an override of the previous decision, with the reprieve apparently granted by the school's chancellor. This move is agreed to be the best possible outcome and justice much deserved. Thumbs-up to Nort from the staff of Swimming World. Click here for more context. John Lohn will post a more detailed editorial take on this development as part of a notes package later this afternoon.
Gil Stovall's 1:57.48 set the preliminary standard in the men's 200 Fly; looking forward to seeing what kind of speed carries into tonight.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 10:30 a.m. In a sport where training often involves commitment from an entire family, it's not uncommon to see dynasties both existing - Peirsols, Kellers and many more - and potentially emerging - as we watch Caitlin Meehan win Heat 7 of the women's 200 Breast in 2:33.94, good for the top spot in tonight's C Final. Caitlin is Brendan Hansen's maternal cousin, and she now swims for Bill Dorenkott at Penn State. Her extended family's whistling and cheering can be heard throughout the venue.
As the Spin Doctors' "Two Princes" blasts through the sound system, we now comically declare this meet officially started from a musical perspective.
A nod to the presence of Phil Whitten on deck: Phil is the former Editor in Chief of Swimming World Magazine and the current Executive Director of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Phil's devoted work in preserving college programs has come to the forefront this year, as Syracuse and Rutgers have found their athletic program cuts challenged.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 10:55 a.m. Megan Jendrick's 2:30.30 to win Heat 12 of the women's 200 Breast suggests that we'll see quality action tonight. Caitlin Leverenz lit up the board in Heat 13 with a 2:29.24 qualifying time, noteworthy for her after a busy morning, as she also swam the women's 200 Fly less than two hours ago, posting a 28th-place 2:16.01. The closing 14th Heat of the women's 200 Breast was all Rebecca Soni in 2:28.37. Talk on deck included complimentary references to her short, efficient stroke. Tara Kirk will swim in tonight's B Final, qualifying 10th in 2:32.21.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 11:05 a.m. Over 300 foreign swimmers will appear at this week's meet, in a clear expression of U.S. grace. As the men's 200 Breast prelims unfold, we'll have a welcome opportunity to check out Mike Alexandrov, Andrew Bree, Bradley Ally and others.
There's murmering among several coaches on deck that the chlorine levels in the on-site warm-up pool seem very high. We aren't aware of any test results, but anecdotally speaking, the smell is noticeably strong and becomes more intense in the uppermost sections of crowd seating.
It's far too early to gauge the performance of teams, but we can say that both Club Wolverine and Longhorn Aquatics look terrific, and we're looking forward to tonight's men's 200 Breast, into which Brendan Hansen looked relaxed and calm as he qualified in 2:11.50 - the fastest time by over two seconds. It should help to have Eric Shanteau, his fellow Longhorn and roommate here in Indianapolis, swimming alongside as the second qualifier. Michael Phelps (2:15.81) will appear in tonight's B Final.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 11:49 a.m. The SwimmingWorldMagazine.com crew wanted to extend a special thanks to the USA Swimming media relations group. Jamie Fabos has run an excellent meet so far today, while Erin Greene (our former assistant newsmaster) is in the house. Additionally, Chris Young has been incredible with supplying almost anything we've asked for as our designated runner for the bulk of the meet. Good job, USA Swimming!
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 11:58 a.m. Just had the chance to meet Brendan Hansen's parents in person. Miriam and Buzz seem to be incredible swim parents who really enjoy the sport. I'm glad that I had the chance to chat with them heading into time trials. They also look pretty remarkable after having just pulled a 9-10 hour drive last night to get here from Pennsylvania.
Also, Lauren Nave of Deckchange.com, who took our sub-cover photo on July's issue is here. I've been talking to her for quite awhile via the wonder of the web, but this is the first time to meet the gracious one in person.
That's one of the great things about this sport - it is filled with amazing people.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 12:17 p.m. Just for fun, BJ Johnson beat Mikey Larmoyeux, 2:21.57 to 2:22.59, for the first alternate position (25th-place) during a men's 200 breaststroke swim-off after tying with matching 2:20.12s in prelims.
Jason
July 31, 2007 - 3:24 p.m. The joy of a parent. What a beautiful thing to witness. Had the chance to see Lindsay Brackens' parents explode in excitement after Brackens claimed her second Olympic Trial cut, this time in the women's 800 free. The 17-year-old from the Memphis Thunder clocked an 8:49 to clear the time standard. Talk about a dedicated parent, sitting through several heats of the 800 and 1500s just to scream and shout for their progeny.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 5:30 p.m. Echoing Jason's point about swim parenting, a glance around this facility about a half-hour pre-finals reveals dozens of parents, some immediately recognizable from past coverage and resemblance to former Olympians, and others easier to spot by the "Toyota Parents Lounge" admission tags proudly worn around their necks. Kate Ziegler's parents, Don and Cathy, will sit with best-view of the blocks in order to watch their daughter take a shot at history tonight: Janet Evans' 1500 free mark of 8:16.22 has stood for nearly 18 years, but many of us anticipate a challenge before this night is over. We asked Don how he was approaching the race: "we said a prayer, gave Kate a kiss, and told her to have fun out there!"
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 6:04 p.m. And we're off, perfectly on schedule, a testament to USA Swimming's strong planning.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 7:20 p.m. Ziegler is 100 meters into the 800 free and is hovering almost a second under world record pace. The crowd hasn't yet collectively realized what might be in front of them, but the deck is nearly silent, all heads turned toward lane 4. The announcer's voice is climbing about a half-octave with each lap.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 7:23 p.m. Halfway point and the crowd has jumped in; Ziegler's about a half-second over WR pace. Katie Hoff is right at her shoulder.
Dana
July 31, 2007 - 7:25 p.m. Perhaps showcasing why she's likely to be a female media icon of the 2008 Olympics, Katie Hoff pulls even with Ziegler at the 550 and coming in to the finish, the two are neck and neck, with Ziegler touching the wall for the win at 8:22.33. It's just off the list of all-time top 10 performances in this event: truly, exceptional. Katie Hoff can't be disappointed with an 8:22.80; she just became the eighth-best performer of all time in this event, in front of such current notables as Kaitlin Sandeno, Kalyn Keller and Hayley Peirsol.
The crowd looks a bit deflated. Much like Yankees fans behave today awaiting Alex Rodriguez's 500th HR, about 10% of this facility stood up, climbed the stairs and prepared to visit the facilities once the 800 free had concluded - expecting to make it back in time for the end of the 1500 free, about to launch at 7:34 PM.
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Reaction Time Comments
July 31, 2007 Sounds like the meet's been a blast so far. I'm really bummed that I couldn't be there, but I trust you will all have an amazing time with some great swimming as well. The Hansen's are wonderful people, aren't they? Everyone I have met in relation to this sport have been absolutely great. We're pretty lucky. Submitted by: Sarah E
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