USA Swimming Long Course Nationals: Dana Vollmer Granting “Make A Wish”

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Column by Erik Boal

PALO ALTO, California, August 6. DANA Vollmer solidified her status as one of the world's elite butterfly and freestyle swimmers the past two weeks, but the California Aquatics standout has spent the summer creating her own individual medley outside the pool.

Vollmer, 23, will complete a hectic two-week schedule Saturday night by competing in the 100-meter freestyle final after posting the fastest qualifying time in the prelims.

It will be the last significant competition for Vollmer until the Duel in the Pool in Atlanta in December, since the World Championships gold medalist and U.S. national champion will be shifting her focus away from the pool to enjoy her Aug. 20 marriage to fiancée Andy Grant.

Organizing all the details with her wedding planner and the families created some chaotic days leading to her departure for the U.S. national team training camp in Australia and competition at the World Championships in Shanghai.

"I tried to get as much done as possible before I left for Shanghai because I wasn't going to have a phone and I didn't know if I was going to have e-mail, but our wedding planner saved my life," Vollmer said. "Thankfully, all the big things have been taken care of. Now there's only small things to deal with, but I'm really trying to enjoy all of it as much as possible."

Vollmer was able to put any worries about flower arrangements, cake tasting and honeymoon plans aside competing in Shanghai and it showed. Vollmer captured her first individual world title in the 100 butterfly, then competed on the American-record 400 medley relay that captured gold as well as the 400 freestyle relay that took silver.

"Worlds were such a great distraction for me," Vollmer said. "It made it so I took a lot of pressure off everything else and just allowed me to focus on racing."

Vollmer hasn't limited her focus to just competition and planning for a wedding. She has also done plenty of charitable work with Make-A-Wish Foundation, highlighted by Saturday's time spent with Andrew O'Dorisio, a 19-year-old from Tiburon whose wish is to attend the 2012 Olympics in London.
Andrew, who is battling sarcoma, was given his own bag and warm-up outfit by Speedo, which has also recognized Vollmer's partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation. He will be given behind the scenes access to everything from Vollmer's preparation for her final championship race to taking part in the medal ceremony to sitting in the NBC/Universal Sports booth and interacting with analyst Rowdy Gaines.

"Speedo has been amazing and it's been so great having the chance to work with Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide this opportunity for Andrew. I'm just hoping he has a good experience," Vollmer said. "I know his goal is to go to the Olympics and Make-A-Wish has granted that. I just hope he comes and watches swimming. That would be really cool to have him here and then to see him again in London."

Although the past year has produced its share of obstacles for Vollmer, who has worked with USA Swimming nutritionist Anita Nall to alter her diet in an attempt to overcome recurring fatigue and illness, it has been surpassed by the enjoyment of producing the best swimming of her career and being able to celebrate her upcoming wedding and honeymoon in India.

"Obviously I'm thrilled with how things went at Worlds. I still get goosebumps when I think about winning the 100 fly," Vollmer said. "And being able to come back, even though I was exhausted, and win here at nationals (in the 100 butterfly) means a lot. But through all the training and the racing, it really didn't matter how I swam because I was getting married in (two weeks). Andy has been a huge influence because I know he'll love me no matter what happens. He's taken a lot of pressure off and allowed me to have fun with it."

Franklin looks to cap exceptional run
Colorado Stars' standout Missy Franklin put herself in position to win a second individual title – only Bluefish Swim Club's Elizabeth Beisel has won more this week with three individual championships – by tying for the third-fastest qualifying time (54.98) in prelims in the 100 freestyle with Swim Atlanta's Amanda Weir.

Franklin, 16, won the 100 backstroke national title Wednesday, which followed her gold medal in the 200 backstroke at World Championships in addition to being part of the victorious 400 medley and 800 freestyle relays.

Vollmer, who produced the top prelim time at 54.20, is also seeking her second individual title Saturday, along with Minnesota Aquatics Ashley Steenvoorden in the 800 freestyle. Steenvoorden won her first national crown in the 400 freestyle Tuesday.

Grevers looks to double up
Tucson Ford's Matt Grevers, who won the 100 backstroke championship Wednesday, is looking to add the first 200 backstroke national crown to his resume after clocking 2:00.22 in the prelims.

Longhorn Aquatics' Brendan Hansen is also seeking a double by winning the 200 breaststroke, which would be his first title in the event since 2007. Hansen qualified second (2:13.30) in the prelims behind California Aquatics' Sean Mahoney (2:12.17).

Meanwhile, Nick Brunelli threw down a 22.04 during time trials in the men's 50 free to move up the world rankings.

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