Olympic Trials Qualifier Spotlight: Curl-Burke; City of Charleston Southern Marlins

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 17. RECENTLY, we published a list of the more than 300 clubs sporting an Olympic Trials qualifier and asked that each of those clubs contact us to spotlight those qualifiers who will be heading to Omaha. This week, we are shining the light on Curl-Burke and the City of Charleston Southern Marlins. We've asked each of the qualifiers head coaches to tell us something interesting about each swimmer.

If your club appears on the list and you would like to see your Olympic Trials qualifiers spotlighted, please contact us at Newsmaster.

CITY OF CHARLESTON SOUTHERN MARLINS
The City of Charleston Southern Marlins Racing Team (SMRT) is located in Charleston, S.C. The team currently has a pair of qualifiers in Lindsey Olson and Katy Motsinger. More information on the team can be found at its web site.

Lindsey Olson (3 cuts)
200 free (2:03.37), 100 fly (1:02.22) and 200 fly (2:15.85)

"Lindsey Olson sets the standard for SMRT in attendance, work ethics, and commitment," head coach Dan McDonough said. "One thing people don't know about Lindsey is she is a little sensitive about her suit tags. While standing behind her at a swim meet, I noticed her tag was hanging out. Historically, swimmers have had me remove their tags because they were irritating. Thinking I would do her a favor, I swiftly removed the tag just as you would a band aid not knowing it was intentionally left out. The next swim was not a best time. Lindsey did not speak to me for several days."

Katy Motsinger (1 cut)
100 back (1:04.52)

"Katy is a late bloomer and if she maintains her goals, she will be a USA Swimming star for many years to come," head coach Dan McDonough said. "Throughout the majority of her swimming career, Katy played basketball. We all assumed it was because of her height and ball handling. After a water polo game one Friday night that ended with several bloodied boys, we realized she was on the basketball team because of her brute competitive aggressive nature. Katy is the best head-to-head swimmer I have coached."

CURL-BURKE
The Curl-Burke Swim Club is located throughout various facilities in Virginia, Maryland and the D.C. area. The team currently claims eight qualifiers: Elizabeth Kemp, Ryan Hurley, Sven Hinrichsen, Christopher Pool, Ellyn Baumgardner, Andy Brake, Mei Christensen and Matt McLean. More information on Curl-Burke can be found at its web site.

Elizabeth Kemp (1 cut)
100 free (57.07)

"Liz is a sophomore at the University of Florida, and graduate of Good Counsel in Wheaton, Md.," head coach Tim Kelly said. "She is a great racer, and is a very versatile sprinter. She can swim any fly, back or free event from the 50 to the 200. She has an unusually high capacity to train for a sprinter, and this also allows her to be good at the 200 free, 200 fly and 200 back. She also was a member of the United States Junior National Team."

Ryan Hurley (2 cuts)
100 breast (1:03.39), 200 breast (2:13.24)

"Ryan is a senior at the University of Virginia, and a graduate of Georgetown Prep High School in Bethesda, Md.," head coach Tim Kelly said. "Ryan is redshirting this school year to focus on the Olympic Trials. He is hoping to improve on his top eight finish at the 2004 Olympic Trials, where he finished eighth. Ryan made his first National Team this past summer, and earned a silver medal at the World University Games representing the United States in Bangkok, Thailand."

Sven Hinrichsen (1 cut) (nicknamed Phil)
200 fly (2:03.65)

"Phil is a sophomore at Stanford University, and a graduate of the German School in Potomac, Md.," head coach Tim Kelly said. "Phil is coming off an injury-filled year that included shoulder surgery, a shoulder dislocation and mono. This would be enough to frustrate many to quit, but he pressed through, and had a fantastic summer of training and competition to remake his Trials cut in the 200 butterfly."

Christopher Pool (1 cut)
100 fly (55.36)

"Christopher has paired his keen ability to focus on details of stroke technique, and pacing together with consistent practice attendance in order to reach his goals," head coach Kerry Ellett said. "Christopher, an avid surfer, has traveled to surf the coasts of North America, Central America, and South America."

Ellyn Baumgardner (1 cut)
100 breast (1:11.56)

"Ellyn is a junior at Fairfax High School," head coach Pete Morgan said. "She pulls a five-gallon bleach bucket attached to a diving belt and tether to improve her kick strength. She also is prepared each day to bring her sport to a new level with her dedicated training."

Andy Brake (2 cuts)
200 IM (2:07.29), 400 IM (4:27.50)

"Andy, who is a freshman at North Carolina, trained 11 sessions a week during his peak training phase in preparation for swimming an Olympic Trials cut in the 400 IM," head coach Pete Morgan said. "Andy refused to allow any of his teammates to beat him in practice during his final year in high school, and his results rewarded his toughness."

Mei Christensen (1 cut)
100 back (1:03.68)

"Mei is a sophomore at the University of Virginia," head coach John Flanagan said. "Mei has been a dedicated part of the Curl-Burke Tyson's group since she was 9 years old, and watching her journey has been fun, and exciting. Mei began competing in local "B" meets, then went on to be the 2006 Junior National Champion in the 100 backstroke, a 2007 NCAA Qualifer, and finally qualifying to compete in the fastest meet on the planet, 2008 Olympic Trials, and watch out as there is much more to come!"

Matt McLean (2 cuts)
100 free (51.44), 200 free (1:52.03)

"Matt is a freshman at the University of Virginia," head coach John Flanagan said. "He rose from a pretty good 14 year old to ranked third in the nation in the 15-18 age group in the 200 free with a Top 16 time of 1:36.83, which he achieved at the 2007 National Club Swimming Association's Junior Nationals meet in Orlando, Fla. Is it any wonder that he had 110 percent attendance during the 2006-2007 season? Keep your eyes on Matt!"

As a special treat, McLean also offered his thoughts.

"What people don't really know is that I am really a sprinter in disguise that can negative split a 50," McLean said.

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