U.S. World Champs Trials, Day 2 Finals: Hoff Adds Another Win by Taking 200 Free; DeScenza Continues to Flourish

By John Lohn
Photos by Peter Bick

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 2. BY the time the World Championship Trials come to a close Wednesday, Kate Hoff might need more than one hand to count her invitations to Montreal.

One night after winning the 200 individual medley in American-record time, Hoff topped the field in the 200 freestyle, as her 1:59.56 performance was slightly quicker than the 1:59.93 turned in by Mary DeScenza. Whitney Myers was third in 2:00.14 and Caroline Burckle was fourth in 2:00.16.

After emerging last year as a future star for Team USA, Hoff might be prepared to take the role of premier American woman. That's a major statement, but the way Hoff is swimming, it might be right on target. Although she has two events down, the NBAC standout is far from finished.

In seventh after the first 50 meters of the 200 free, Hoff moved up to fifth at the midpoint of the race. By the time she reached the three-quarter mark, Hoff was in first and commanding the race. Still to come for the 15-year-old are, barring no scratches, swims in the 400 I.M., 200 backstroke, 200 butterfly and 100 freestyle.

By placing second, DeScenza earned her second invitation to Montreal. On the opening night of action, the Georgia Bulldog was second to Rachel Komisarz in the 100 butterfly. For Myers and Burckle, their finishes guaranteed relay qualifications. Myers had already qualified for Montreal in the 200 I.M.

Kaitlin Sandeno (2:00.33) and Komisarz (2:00.42) were fifth and sixth and likely will be added to the World Champs Team for the 800 free relay. On Sunday, Sandeno will be seeking an individual bid in the 400 I.M.

Event 10 Women 200 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 1:56.64 8/3/2002 Franziska van Almsick, GER
American: A 1:57.41 7/24/2003 Lindsay Benko, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:58.02 7/15/2000 Claudia Poll, CRC
Oly Trials08: T 2:03.39
Meet Cut: 2:04.49
Name Age Team Prelims Finals FINA
==================================================================
=== A – Final ===

1 Hoff, Katie 15 North Baltimore 2:00.68 1:59.56T 945
r:+0.77 29.12 59.42 (30.30)
1:29.66 (30.24) 1:59.56 (29.90)
2 Descenza, Mary 20 Athens Bulldog S 2:01.03 1:59.93T 936
r:+0.72 28.69 59.30 (30.61)
1:30.06 (30.76) 1:59.93 (29.87)
3 Myers, Whitney 20 Unattached/U of 2:01.09 2:00.14T 931
r:+0.68 28.63 59.28 (30.65)
1:29.95 (30.67) 2:00.14 (30.19)
4 Burckle, Caroli 18 U of Florida/Lak 2:01.25 2:00.16T 931
r:+0.82 28.76 59.10 (30.34)
1:29.90 (30.80) 2:00.16 (30.26)
5 Sandeno, Kaitli 22 Trojan Swim Club 2:01.33 2:00.33T 927
r:+0.72 28.99 59.55 (30.56)
1:30.25 (30.70) 2:00.33 (30.08)
6 Komisarz, Rache 28 Lakeside Swim Te 2:01.62 2:00.42T 925
r:+0.70 28.69 59.27 (30.58)
1:30.29 (31.02) 2:00.42 (30.13)
7 Piper, Carly 21 U of Wisconsin 2:01.25 2:01.07T 910
r:+0.83 28.99 59.51 (30.52)
1:30.76 (31.25) 2:01.07 (30.31)
8 Hill, Elizabeth 19 Dynamo Swim Club 2:02.02 2:02.76T 873
r:+0.78 29.13 1:00.28 (31.15)
1:31.90 (31.62) 2:02.76 (30.86)

=== B – Final ===

9 Medina, Lauren 22 California Aquat 2:02.17 2:01.55T 899
r:+0.83 28.63 59.00 (30.37)
1:30.54 (31.54) 2:01.55 (31.01)
10 Chandler, Ashle 20 California Aquat 2:02.10 2:01.66T 897
r:+0.79 28.69 59.31 (30.62)
1:30.29 (30.98) 2:01.66 (31.37)
11 Nymeyer, Lacey 19 Unattached/U of 2:02.50 2:01.91T 891
r:+0.99 28.03 58.51 (30.48)
1:30.25 (31.74) 2:01.91 (31.66)
12 Ziegler, Kate 16 The Fish 2:02.33 2:02.07T 888
r:+0.79 29.11 1:00.26 (31.15)
1:32.05 (31.79) 2:02.07 (30.02)
13 Mason, Emily 22 Unattached/U of 2:02.09 2:02.41T 880
r:+0.85 28.87 1:00.03 (31.16)
1:31.44 (31.41) 2:02.41 (30.97)
14 Dwelley, Kate 16 Terrapins Swim T 2:02.51 2:02.75T 873
r:+0.84 28.62 59.32 (30.70)
1:31.08 (31.76) 2:02.75 (31.67)
15 Weir, Amanda 19 Swim Atlanta/UGA 2:02.52 2:03.25T 862
r:+0.80 28.65 59.76 (31.11)
1:30.83 (31.07) 2:03.25 (32.42)
16 Vollmer, Dana 17 Fort Worth Area 2:02.10 2:03.43 859
r:+0.92 28.77 1:00.05 (31.28)
1:31.73 (31.68) 2:03.43 (31.70)

=== C – Final ===

17 Blackman, Canda 19 Southern Methodi 2:03.61 2:02.09T 887
r:+0.73 28.96 1:00.11 (31.15)
1:31.45 (31.34) 2:02.09 (30.64)
18 Retrum, Leah 19 U of Florida/Don 2:03.60 2:02.45T 879
r:+0.72 29.02 1:00.10 (31.08)
1:31.30 (31.20) 2:02.45 (31.15)
19 Ohlgren, Ava 17 Bulldog Aquatic 2:03.40 2:02.46T 879
r:+0.71 29.13 1:00.51 (31.38)
1:32.04 (31.53) 2:02.46 (30.42)
20 VanAssen, Jenni 23 Team Carolina Sw 2:02.96 2:02.78T 872
r:+0.69 28.69 59.45 (30.76)
1:31.12 (31.67) 2:02.78 (31.66)
21 Nauta, Chelsea 16 TampaBayAquatics 2:02.88 2:02.96T 868
r:+0.71 29.22 1:00.41 (31.19)
1:31.79 (31.38) 2:02.96 (31.17)
22 Hayes, Jessica 22 Unattached/U of 2:03.37 2:03.04T 867
r:+0.64 28.69 59.86 (31.17)
1:31.41 (31.55) 2:03.04 (31.63)
23 Smith, Lindsey 20 U. Of Michigan/A 2:02.61 2:03.53 856
r:+0.81 28.97 1:00.17 (31.20)
1:31.80 (31.63) 2:03.53 (31.73)
24 Miller, Anna 18 Athens Bulldog S 2:02.62 2:03.87 849
r:+0.67 28.90 1:00.21 (31.31)
1:32.06 (31.85) 2:03.87 (31.81)

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