Katie and Kate: Hoff and Ziegler Resurgent

Column by John Lohn, Swimming World senior writer

BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey, July 12. THEY rose to international acclaim together, many times known by the mention of only their first names. Kate and Katie. Katie and Kate. They were the future of American female swimming, multiple-time world champions as teenagers. They were also world-record holders, and Olympic gold medals were expected in Beijing.

Sometimes, though, there is a hiccup in the best-laid plans. For proof, take a look at the past two years of Katie Hoff and Kate Ziegler. In Hoff's case, she left the Beijing Games with three medals, a tremendous collection for most. Yet, because of the hype where some thought she could win as many as six gold medals in China, her performance was viewed as a letdown. The next year, with her training not clicking and illness playing a role, Hoff missed qualifying for the 2009 World Championships in Rome.

In Ziegler's case, she entered the 2008 Olympics with prospects of gold in the 400 and 800 freestyles, but finished 14th in the 400 free and, like Hoff, failed to advance to the final of the distance free, eventually won by Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington in world-record time. Illness, too, plagued Ziegler and she was a non-factor during the 2009 season.

There is a beauty in sports, however, and it is the fact that comebacks make for great tales, and just because a certain period of the calendar didn't work out, that doesn't mean there isn't time to rebound. So, as the United States Nationals and Pan Pacific Championships draw closer, we see Hoff and Ziegler returning to the form we became accustomed to – and doing it together, as teammates in a new setting and under a new coach.

Katie Hoff and Kate Ziegler had tremendous showings over the weekend at the Los Angeles Grand Prix. They did so wearing the swim caps of the Fullerton Aquatic Sports Team (FAST), a United States Swimming gathering ground for top names. For Hoff and Ziegler, it is clear they are well down the road back to what they once knew. And for USA Swimming, this is a great development.

At the L.A. Grand Prix, Hoff, being trained by rising-star coach Sean Hutchison, looked sharp in a number of events, but most notably in the 200 and 400 freestyles, where she clocked world-ranked times of 1:57.58 and 4:06.21, respectively. She also threw in a 2:12.64 in the prelims of the 200 individual medley before scratching out of the final. As for Ziegler, previously pegged as the American heir apparent to Janet Evans in the distance events, she popped an 8:25.89 for victory in the 800 freestyle and took second to Hoff in the 400 free with a mark of 4:09.44. Ziegler, being mentored by the universally-adored Jon Urbanchek, added a sub-2:00 effort en route to third in the 200 free.

The younger ranks of USA Swimming on the female side look good, with the likes of Dagny Knutson, Elizabeth Pelton, Missy Franklin and Chloe Sutton, just to name a few, on the scene. Still, there's something that feels good about seeing Hoff and Ziegler on the comeback trail. Truthfully, no one knew what would come of their careers after they temporarily faded from the scene last year. Now, it is clear: They are rekindling the spark of the past.

In terms of international competition, the United States has to love the prospect of seeing Hoff and Ziegler on the podium again, medals draped around their necks. The potential of that scenario unfolding has been made possible, in part, because Hoff and Ziegler have found FAST and its setting to their liking. The change of scenery for both was needed.

But more than anything, beyond even what Hoff and Ziegler might provide the U.S. in the medal picture, you have to like the feel-good story of these women. As young girls, they were thrust into the spotlight and predicted to do anything they wanted in the pool. Now, as women, they have shown you can recover after being knocked down. They have persevered and are good examples of staying strong, working hard and believing in yourself.

That they've traveled this road together is more than appropriate.

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