IRVINE, Calif., July 5 – With two days before the USA Swimming Olympic Trials in Long Beach, California (July 7-14), Head Coach Dave Salo of the Novaquatics Swimming Team based in Orange County (Irvine, Soka University and Fountain Valley) announced his team will take no fewer than 23 athletes to the blocks to compete for 52 spots on the USA Olympic Team. <\/p>\n
Several NOVA swimmer have experienced the thrill of victory in the Olympic Games, many of whom will be contending for their second and for a couple their third Olympic team. The experienced include Olympic Gold Medalists, Jason Lezak, Staciana Stitts, Lenny Krayzelburg, Scott Tucker and Brad Schumacher along with Olympic Silver Medalist Aaron Peirsol. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeirsol probably has the most credentials with three world championships, a handful of world records and several other international titles, but what eludes him in his young, yet storied career is the Olympic Gold Medal,\u201d commented Head Coach Dave Salo. \u201cI think he is ready to take care of that this year in Athens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the 23 athletes that will be representing the NOVA team at the trials will be long-time NOVA standout, Jason Lezak. A member of the team for over 20 years, the recently married sprint specialist approaches these trials as one of the top sprinters in the world. In 2000, Lezak was a member of the Gold Medal Medley relay as well as the silver medal winning 400 free relay. This time around his sights are on individual performances as well as the ever-exciting relay events.<\/p>\n
Lezak will attempt to earn a berth in the 50 and 100 meter freestyles, in which only the top two swimmers will qualify. \u201cJason has been the most consistent improving swimmers in the world at this level\u201d, observed Salo. \u201cFew sprinters make continued progress, he has each year over the past five \u2013 this year should be no different and that will be the difference between winning a medal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salo\u2019s squad will be one of the largest club teams competing at this year\u2019s Trials and will be one of the most formidable groups in attendance. \u201cWe are not going to Trials to sit around and watch,\u201d quipped Salo, \u201cwe hope to make a presence that will prepare us at the Athens Games as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
# # #<\/p>\n
Preliminary Event Highlights:<\/p>\n
Day 1
\nDan Shevchik \u2013 400 IM
\nBeth Goodwin \u2013 100 Butterfly
\nTara Thomas \u2013 100 Butterfly
\nMichala Kwasny \u2013 400 IM
\nDavid Denniston \u2013 100 Breaststroke<\/p>\n
Day 2
\nErin Volcan \u2013 100 Backstroke
\nJeri Moss \u2013 100 Backstroke
\nLara Pease \u2013 100 Backstroke
\nJessica Cruzat \u2013 100 Backstroke
\nScott Tucker \u2013 200 Freestyle
\nAaron Peirsol \u2013 200 Freestyle
\nStaciana Stitts \u2013 100 Breaststroke
\nJessica Hardy \u2013 100 Breaststroke
\nAaron Peirsol \u2013 100 Backstroke
\nLenny Krayzelburg \u2013 100 Backstroke<\/p>\n
Day 3
\nColleen Lanne \u2013 200 Freestyle
\nDan Shevchik- 200 Butterfly
\nMichala Kwasny \u2013 200 IM<\/p>\n
Day 4
\nJason Lezak -100 Freestyle
\nScott Tucker \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nGreg Busse \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nGabe Woodward \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nLuke Anderson \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nBrad Schumacher \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nMichala Kwasny \u2013 200 Butterfly
\nBeth Goodwin \u2013 200 Butterfly
\nDave Denniston \u2013 200 Breaststroke<\/p>\n
Day 5
\nColleen Lanne -100 Freestyle
\nEmily Silver \u2013 100 Freestyle
\nAaron Peirsol \u2013 200 Backstroke
\nLenny Krayzelburg \u2013 200 Backstroke
\nDan Shevchik \u2013 200 Backstroke
\nStaciana Stitts \u2013 200 Breaststroke<\/p>\n
Day 6
\nJason Lezak \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nGreg Busse \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nGabe Woodward \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nLuke Anderson \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nBrad Schumacher \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nDelonte Stephens – 100 Butterfly
\nErin Volcan \u2013 200 Backstroke
\nJeri Moss \u2013 200 Backstroke
\nJessica Cruzat \u2013 200 Backstroke<\/p>\n
Day 7
\nColleen Lanne \u2013 50 Freestyle
\nEmily Silver \u2013 50 Freestyle<\/p>\n
Editor's note: This is another of the many releases we have received from clubs and colleges around the country expressing understandable pride in the accomplishements of their members who have earned their way to the 2004 US Olympic Trials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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