Brendan wins 50m and 200m Breaststroke

Sorry I dont have much but text messaging is not very exacting. Here is the scoop as texted to me by our fearless leader Michelle:

Bren won 50 breast followed by Gary and Peter Marshall (They are cousins FYI -ed). Randall (Ball) and Aaron (Peirsol) also swam it. Don't think most of them were scheduled to. Don't remember.

ahem.... some of us read BHO yesterday and saw the psych sheet, but Aaron is a surprise to me. The 100m has't been contested yet. That is all I have now and I am on my way to work... So if any of you find out anything please let us know!

Yep.. here are some edits. It seems that Brendan won the 200m inspite of a mishap..... Michelle will elaborate.

Olympic Flavor Added to Gulf States Challenge

SwimInfo put up an article yesterday about the Gulf States Challenge.

"There will be an Olympic feel this weekend to the Gulf States Challenge, sponsored by Crawfish Aquatics. The competition, held Friday through Sunday, will feature special 50-meter races including the likes of Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen."

There is, of course, more to the article, but that is the important part.

Crawfish Aquatics, the host of the event, has the psych sheets up now too. Brendan will be swimming on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Competition starts at 9am on both days. Warm up starts at 8am. (That is the part I like...)

Gallery Updates...and blog desertion

I've added a new desktop wallpaper to the Gallery as well as a couple new avatars (Kissyface Bren by special request). I'm off to New Orleans for a few days and leaving EA, Lala and Lena in charge during my absense. Feel free to have parties, but make sure you clean up after yourselves.

Updates to the Media Gallery

New videos from American Short Course Championships have been added to the Media Gallery. Three vids of Brendan on deck, video of the 4x100 Free Relay and one of him warming down.

All of these vids are compliments of Texas-Gal over at Texas-Trio.com

Hansen to be Inducted Into Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame

By John Lohn

HAVERTOWN, Penn., April 25. IN three days, Brendan Hansen will join an exclusive group of sports figures when he's inducted into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame. The induction will be held Thursday evening.

A graduate of Haverford High School, Hansen is one of the finest athletes to ever emerge from Delaware County, located in the corner of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The world-record holder in the 100 and 200 breaststroke distances, Hansen is one of 12 individuals who will receive induction.

Including the likes of Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti (Penn State) and Mickey Vernon, a two-time American League batting champion, the Delco Athletes Hall of Fame already features three Olympic swimmers. Not bad for a relatively small county.

Prior to Hansen, Carl Robie, Jane Barkman and Tim McKee earned induction. Robie was the 1968 Olympic gold medalist in the 200 butterfly while Barkman was the bronze medalist in the 200 free in 1968, in addition to aiding a pair of United States gold-medal winning 400 free relays (1968/1972). McKee, meanwhile, won silver medals in the 400 I.M. in 1972 and 1976 and claimed silver in the 200 I.M. in 1972.

Before heading to the University of Texas, where he posted career sweeps of the breaststroke events at the NCAA Championships, Hansen was a four-time Pennsylvania state champ for Haverford High in the 100-yard breast.

A triple medalist at the Athens Olympics last summer, Hansen set world records at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials. After popping 59.30 in the 100 breast, Hansen went 2:09.04 in the 200. Hansen was the 200 breast world champ in 2001 and won three medals at the 2003 World Champs. More, he won four gold medals last October at the World Short Course Championships.

Recently, Hansen qualified for this summer's World Champs in Montreal by winning the 100 and 200 breast events at the U.S. Trials.

Where You're From...

Visitors to BHO last week...

Unknown 1,523
Virginia 1,004
California 742
Pennsylvania 585
New York 458
Texas 369
Ohio 223
New Jersey 162
Washington 140
Illinois 94
Indiana 81
New South Wales, Australia 78
Kentucky 78
Wisconsin 76
Missouri 74
Arkansas 67
Ontario, Canada 64
New Hampshire 63
Washington, DC 59
Puerto Rico 59
Louisiana 51
Oregon 51
Arizona 49
Rhode Island 45
Alabama 43
Hawaii 43
Georgia 35
Minnesota 34
Massachusetts 33
Tokyo, Japan 33
Dublin, Ireland 30
Wein, Austria 28
Florida 21
Maryland 20
Tennessee 20
Victoria, Australia 19
Manitoba, Canada 19
Michigan 18
Hong Kong 17
Colorado 14
Delaware 14
Kansas 14
Andalucia, Spain 14
South Carolina 12
Ljubljana, Slovenia 10
North Carolina 10
Iowa 9
Alaska 9
New Mexico 8
Utah 7
Setubal, Portugal 7
Celje, Slovenia 7
Veneto, Italy 7
West Virginia 6
Lansi-Suomen Laani Finland 6
Beijing, China 6
Kyonggi-Do, Korea, Republic of 6
Madrid, Spain 6
São Paulo, Brazil 5
Zuid-Holland, Netherlands 5
Osaka, Japan 4
Cebu City, Philippines 4
Manila, Philippines 3
Western Australia, Australia 3
Miyagi, Japan 3
British Columbia, Canada 3
Nebraska 3
Sabah, Malaysia 3
Islas Balearas, Spain 3
Berlin, Germany 3
Chiang Mai, Thailand 2
Kyoto, Japan 2
Asturias, Spain 2
Wellington, New Zealand 2
Skane Lan, Sweden 2
Guangdong, China 2
Lombardia, Italy 2
Connecticutt 2
Oslo, Norway 2
Haifa, Israel 2
Quebec, Canada 2
Lisboa, Portugal 2
Cataluna, Spain 2
Gauteng, South Africa 2
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 2
Grad Zagreb, Croatia 2
Northern Ireland, UK 2
Uttar Pradesh, India 2
Oklahoma 2
Nordjylland, Denmark 2
Makkah, Saudi Arabia 2
Castilla-La Mancha, Spain 1
Bayern, Germany 1
Rhone-Alpes, France 1
Malopolskie, Poland 1
North Dakota 1
Tel Aviv, Israel 1
Amman, Jordan 1
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 1
Zurich, Switzerland 1
Maribor, Slovenia 1
Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1
Noord-Brabant, Netherlands 1
Gujarat, India 1
Cordoba, Argentina 1
Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany 1
Steiermark, Austria 1
T'ai-Pei, Taiwan, China 1
Kanagawa, Japan 1
Kaolack, Senegal 1
Hamburg, Germany 1
Liguria, Italy 1
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 1
Stockholms Lan, Sweden 1
Noord-Holland, Netherlands 1
Antalya, Turkey 1
Nova Scotia, Canada 1
Sardegna, Italy 1
Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France 1
Distrito Federal, Venezuela 1
Tamil Nadu, India 1
Chiapas, Mexico 1
Pais Vasco, Spain 1
Sachsen, Germany 1
Lazio, Italy 1
Chiba, Japan 1
United Arab Emirates 1
Budapest, Hungary 1
Canarias, Spain 1
Antwerpen, Belgium 1

New Additions to the BHO Blogger Gallery

Brendan seriously has the cutest fans ever (myself included of course ;).

I've added photos for Carla and Christi this morning and for those who missed them earlier in the week Katpenwell and Adeliepenguin have been added as well.

OMGYOUGUYSARESOCUTE! (/atrophy)

Medalists seek to promote sport at Baton Rouge swim meet

By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
Advocate sportswriter

Mention the term "water sports" in Louisiana and most people picture a fisherman in a boat.

Four Olympic medalists, led by world-record holders Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen, might help change that perception at Crawfish Aquatics' Gulf States Challenge from Friday to Sunday at the LSU Natatorium.

The Olympians lead a group of elite swimmers in the U.S. Swimming-sanctioned meet expected to attract 800 age-group swimmers.

"We want to promote swimming in Louisiana, especially in the younger age groups," Crawfish Aquatics owner Jan Ripple said. "U.S. Swimming, and Louisiana Swimming, is hurting in numbers, particularly when you look at the number of males vs. females.

"Swimming has to compete with baseball, football, soccer and other sports. There's a real campaign to get more children involved in the sport, especially boys.

"To have a setting such as this, with Olympic athletes and world champions competing in the same arena as age-group athletes is something very special."

Events begin at 5 p.m. Friday. Morning sessions for 13 and over competitors start at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A series of special 50-meter races for elite swimmers, also including medalists Neil Walker and Nate Dusing, will be held at the end of each morning session. Like Peirsol and Hansen, Walker and Dusing were University of Texas standouts.

An afternoon session for 12 and under swimmers will start at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Ex-Stanford standouts Peter Marshall, Gary Marshall, Randall Bal and Jayme Kramer are also entered.

Four-time Olympic men's coach Eddie Reese of Texas, three-time Olympic men's coach Skip Kenney of Stanford and ex-Alabama coach Don Gambril, a five-time Olympic men's coach, also will be on hand.

Ripple, a former LSU swimmer and world-class triathlete, said the seeds for the meet were planted during a brainstorming session she had with her husband, local dentist and former LSU football player Steve Ripple.

At first, the plan was to bring in one or two top athletes. That's when the Gulf States Challenge really became a fish story.

"We knew if we brought in one guy from Texas, there would still be three others who were medalists last year," Ripple said. "So I called their coach, Eddie Reese. He said the meet would be attractive to all of them, especially because it's in Louisiana where the fishing is great. They all love to fish."

Securing the LSU Natatorium was the next step. Ripple said LSU coach Adam Schmitt, Athletic Director Skip Bertman, and assistant athletic director for Olympic sports Verge Ausberry were receptive to the idea and graciously provided the facility.

The meet has already attracted national attention. U.S. Swimming informed Ripple that FINA, the world swimming association, will send representatives to Baton Rouge to handle drug-testing procedures, in case American or world records are set.

Peirsol won three Olympic gold medals and holds world records in the 100 and 200 backstroke. Hansen was a gold, silver and bronze medalist and holds world records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Dusing and Walker also earned medals in Athens.

Ripple said the friendships her daughter, ex-Parkview Baptist and Stanford swimmer Shelly Ripple Johnston, has with the top swimmers and coaches played in a key role in the development of the meet.

"It really helped that Shelly is friends with all these guys," Ripple said. "Swimmers are really a tight-knit group. I've met them all and watched them for years. They take care of each other and that's what you're seeing.

"Two of the Stanford guys, Peter Marshall and Gary Marshall, turned down the World University Games competition in Turkey to come to Baton Rouge. That's a huge compliment."

Ripple said all the elite swimmers and coaches will be available for autographs and photos during the meet.

Johnston and another top female swimmer with regional ties, Maggie Bowen, will be on hand to advise young swimmers. Bowen, a native of Jackson, Miss., is a former Auburn standout who holds the American record in the 200 individual medley. Bowen's other local tie is that Crawfish Aquatics head coach Jimmy Roberts was her age-group coach when she swam for Jackson's Sunkist team.

Most Louisiana teams are entered in the three-day meet. The two largest local teams, Crawfish Aquatics and Bengal Tiger Aquatic Club, each are set to have more than 100 entries.

Schmitt's new Tiger Aquatic Club which provides summer training for the LSU squad will also get involved, swimming in a 400-medley relay against the ex-Stanford and ex-Texas swimmers.

The goal for all involved will be swimming fast times, Ripple also has an eye on the bigger picture.

"We want the young swimmers in Louisiana to see that these Olympic swimmers are regular people," Ripple said. "Obviously, they have talent, but they also have a great work ethic. And if you have that anything is possible."

Kitajima Qualifies for Worlds in 100m Breaststroke

1 Kousuke Kitajima 1:00.89
2 Genki Imamura 1:01.55
3 Makoto Yamashita 1:01.77

Kitajima Qualifies for Worlds in 50m Breaststroke

1st. Kousuke Kitajima 28.03
2nd. Takehiko Mizuta 28.67
3rd. Genki Imamura 28.79

Shibata Snares Third Victory at Japanese Nationals; Kitajima Bounces Back

Brendan Trivia

Olympic God's is hosting Brendan Hansen Trivia. Y'all should go over and test yourselves to see just how well you know Brendan. Be sure to post your score here afterwards so we can all see just how big a loser you are.

(I might be projecting here. Only 52%!)

Brendan Trivia

Kitajima fails to qualify for 200m Breast

Kosuke Kitajima suffered a shock defeat while Ai Shibata cruised to her first national title as the Olympic champions had mixed fortunes on the opening day of the national swimming championships Thursday.

Kitajima, who won a breaststroke double in Athens last summer, finished third in the men's 200 meters behind Genki Imamura and Daisuke Kimura, and failed to win a place for the discipline in the world championships to be held in Montreal in July.

Imamura, who trailed Kitajima by 0.07 second at the halfway mark, touched the wall at Yokohama International Swimming Pool in 2 minutes, 11.70 seconds. Kimura overtook Kitajima down the final stretch to finish runner-up in 2:13.02, 0.24 second ahead of Kitajima.

Imamura and Kimura met the qualifying standard set by the Japan Swimming Federation and secured spots in the world championships.

"People say no one can beat Kitajima in Japan and it has frustrated me a lot," Imamura said. "Kosuke had more strokes than usual in his qualifying heat and I thought it wasn't his usual race and the chance has come to me."

"I believed that I'd be able to beat him if the race came down to a duel in the final 100 meters, and I thought I could make it the moment I made the halfway turn," said Imamura, who became the first Japanese to beat Kitajima in five years.

Kitajima did not hide his disappointment and said he will make a fresh start for the 50 and 100 meters to be contested later in the championships.

"I screwed it and I'm disappointed," Kitajima said. "I didn't have the strength to keep the momentum throughout the 200 meters. I have more races left and I'm ready to make a switch for better results."

Freestyle swimmer Shibata, gold medalist in Athens in the women's 800 meters, ended the six-year reign of Sachiko Yamada in the 400 as she held off her Olympic team rival by more than 3 seconds to claim her first national crown in 4:07.93.

Yamada, who holds the national record of 4:07.23, finished second in 4:11.37.

"You can't be satisfied with just the Olympic gold and I swam as if I were a challenger," Shibata said. "I'm disappointed that I was unable to break the national record, but I got a confidence boost with my first victory swimming alongside Yamada."

Shibata qualified for the world championships along with Maiko Fujino, who won the women's 400-meter individual medley in 4:41.96 for her first national title in two years and second overall.

In other races, Daisuke Hosokawa took the men's 100-meter freestyle in 50.47 and Megumi Taneda emerged victorious in the women's 200-meter breaststroke in 2:28.62.

Additional Links:

Kitajima Upset at Japanese Trials, Finishes Third
No Kitajima in 200 at world c'ships

Gallery Updates

Mr. H sent in some great shots of Brendan at last Saturday's Little League opener in Havertown. I think Brendan used to be a little Pirate himself. Check the rest of them out in the gallery.





Shannen sent me some videos of Brendan's 100m Breast and the following medal ceremony and post race interview with Rowdy Gaines that she shot at World Trials. I've added them to the media gallery. They rock!

Also, I've added a couple of new photos to the Blogger Gallery - look how cute Katpenwell and Adeliepenguin are!

All good things must come to an end

And I've just added the last 3 Peter Bick photos to the Peter Bick World Trials Gallery of Hotness...(sniffle)

Twofer Tuesday

Three more have been added to the Peter Bick World Trials Gallery of Hotness - including these two...

BHO Blogger Exploits

You people have been busy! John Lohn, Dana Cara, Heather and Lynea had a BHO Retreat in Manayunk Friday night, Crackinup spent 10 days in Tokyo, and Kate swam a mile in Ryan Lochte's swimcap....

First up: BHO Meet-up in Manayunk...
by Lynea, Dana Cara and Heather

Our first impression upon seeing J. Lohn walk in - adorable. His friend Matt- also adorable. Brew Pub was good times; entertainment for the evening provided by drunk moms dancing to Tupac, techno, and Jock Jams. They began dancing at 9:15 sharp, and continued til ?? Def Leppard was requested, but not played. John has good dance moves....we formed a circle around him as he busted out some breakdancing to LLCool J's "Doin It". He and Matt had a dance off. Ok, that didnt happen... but Matt did join Heather and Dana for some shakin' to "Baby Got Back."

Unfortunately, even though a certain Olympic swimmer (whose heavenly abs have so frequently graced the recent threads) was in town, he couldnt make it, and we were of course disappointed that Aunt K and Mrs H, and the rest of the fam couldnt make it either; but for good reason, as they were cheering on the Phillies. You were all missed. :)

It was determined that we would head back to JL's for a beer pong match, whereupon he lost. Twice. There was no dolphin kicking involved. He has filed a protest to the judges under the name A. Peirsol, to no avail, because he failed to fully complete the protest card in FINA-approved pig latin. It may have been the longest match in beer pong history though, so no WR's were broken.

There also was no Cathedral of Brendan. But JL is a Yankees fan. Hallelujah!

John/Dana browsed thru pics, as Lynea and Heather proceed to play every game in JL's house. Winner: Dead Tie. Loser: Coors Lite. At some point, Heather took pictures of herself with SI covers featuring the Sox, in honor of another famous Johnny: Damon. She needed someone to hang out with, as everyone else was looking at Yankees memorablia. We drank the boy dry.

Dana, Lynea and John post on BHO at 3am. See blog. See also picture of us posting on said blog. We are collectively proud of our post's PG rating, especially because it was written after the Brut got opened and you know how those little champagne bubbles can pickle one's inhibitions.

Group returns upstairs for more games. Heather builds a fortress under the beer pong table. Please make sure to ask Heather to describe the fortress in detail, because she doesn't remember anthing about it. Lynea does remember that she looked very comfy under there, and Dana remembers offering to pass her cans and cups so she could build a sculptural piece.

Dave Chappelle? Somehow I remember him making an appearance.... John gives us all blankies and pillows, girls pass out. We wake and survey the damage. John is no where to be found. He did leave a post-it saying "Please for the love of God don't post any of this on the blog." kidding.

All in all, awesome night...Montreal, here we come.

More pictures available upon request.

Crackinup in Tokyo..with proof that good ramen DOES exist...






Kate swims a mile in Ryan's swimcap...literally.



Also added to the Media gallery are 3 video clips of Brendan on the Pool Deck at American Short Course Championships compliments of Texas-Trio.com And a short clip of Brendan waving to the camera after his medal ceremony at 2005 World Trials compliments of Shannen.

Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up

And I've added two more to the Peter Bick World Trials Gallery.

Love that look Pumkin

Two more have been added to the Peter Bick Gallery including this one.

"Look at his FACE girls!"

Three more have been added to the gallery including this one...

TGIF - Happy Tax Day!

Photographer Peter Bick sent me a wonderful tax-day surprise - his photos of Brendan from World Trials. Now, these are waaaay too hot to post all at once so I'll be adding them to the World Trials gallery 2 or 3 at a time.

Today's favorite:

Favorite stories from Trials...

Ok, we had this discussion last week in chat and I was going to do a recap of everything over the weekend and it just never happened. Then it occurred to me - duh - I could just ask you all to tell your stories again here on the blog and save myself a lot of hassle. :p I will go ahead and post a favorite of mine to get the thread rolling...

From alxcar6:

I was watching Brendan swim in the warm down pool and some little kid with his dad ask him for an autograph so Brendan told him that when he was done he would go and give him his autograph so when Brendan finished warmin down he went up to the little kid and sign him an autograph and then the little kid gave him a blue swim cap and brendan put it on and swam with it.

Now, someone tell the Kletus story!

BEST. PHOTO. EVER.

Discuss.

Orange Goggle Awards

The winners have been announced:

Breaststroker of the Year - Brendan Hansen
Best Shoulders - Brendan Hansen
Best Body (overall) - Brendan Hansen
Relay of the Year: 4x100m medley men, Athens
Best Friendship: Peirsol, Crocker & Hansen

Best Tattoo: Michael Phelps - Haters ;)

ATROPHYMEETSAARONOMG!

YOU GUYSSSSSSSSS I MET AARON PEIRSOL OMG OMG OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

It's like, hours later and I'm still GIDDY.

So, lets set up the scene for y'all who weren't lucky enough to be there...

It's about 9 in the morning. I had heard the night before that tickets were sold out. I'm thinking "I won't go. I'm a wuss." Michelle and Sarah tell me if I don't go I'm not worthy. I say "Ah, **** it," and go.

In the car. Halfway there. Almost think about turning around and going home. Get to exit. Try to find lala's work. On my way there, get a call from AimsRos who tells me (literally) "GOGOOGOGOGOGOOGOGOGOGOOGOGOGOGOGOGO." Park at lala's work. lala tells me she'll kick my *** if I don't go to the event. I go.

I get to the event and try and get to the best seat. I see all the racers drive out on the back of a truck, waving to the crowd. I see Aaron. SO YUMMY! They get interviewed by the announcer dude then all get into their cars and do a few easy laps around the track. Then the race BEGINS. In the first lap, one of the actor dudes spins out (HILARIOUS). During the rest of the race, I am RUNNING around trying to figure out where I can stand so I can see him at the very end. I watch the very end of the race (Aaron gets 3rd!), then continue my mission. I go to this gate where a few security guards are and turn into Charming!Atrophy. With my biggest smile and flirtiest voice, I ask one of the guys if he knows how i can meet Aaron Peirsol. The guy was like "Do you want to marry him?" I said "Well, I'll settle for an autograph, but hey, if he wants to go to Vegas..." The guy laughed. Another security guy (Pepe was his name. HI PEPE THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!) comes over and is like "Lets go, I'll take you to the back area." We go to the back where Frankie Muniz (TINY YO) is being interviewed but no Aaron (sigh!). He then takes me to this other area where Amanda Beard and the other people are being interviewed. I beg to be let in. No go. I wheedle. No go. I'm annoyed now. I am a woman ON A MISSION. I am not leaving Long Beach until I meet him.

I wander. I keep wandering. And then... I see him. Atop a balcony, maybe 7 feet above me? Give or take. He's being interviewed by CBS. While I'm on the phone with Michelle and mid-sentence, I yell "AARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRON WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The guy at the merchandise stand that I'm standing next to looks amused and says "You like that guy?" And I say: "YES. DO YOU KNOW HOW i CAN MEET HIM?" (literally. Heh.) He shakes his head and says no.

After Aarons interview, I talk to some media security guy about getting me up there. We have a long talk about how he taught swimming at Novaquatics and met Lenny. He can't get me near Aaron. I go to the HQ of the Grand Prix. They can't get me in either. Apparently, no one was to bother them or something.

Defeated, I go back to the main area where some other celebrity is now being interviewed. And there... I see Aaron DIRECTLY above me on the balcony...

I yell: HEY AARON! He looks down and spots me as I wave to him. I'm wearing my OG "Backstroke" shirt. (This, of course, is on purpose)

So, he looks down at me and yells "NICE T-SHIRT." (lala claims that this means he noticed my boobs too. WOOOO!)

I faint.

No, just kidding. I yell back "THANKS! CHECK OUT THE BACK" and turn around to show him the "PEIRSOL 05" written on the back. He gives me a thumbs up. I think, I can't remember what happens. I yell up "What place did you get?" He flashes me three fingers and then does the "so-so" symbol with his hands. I yell "That's not so bad!"

And then... I go crazy, apparently, and yell "HAS BRENDAN TOLD YOU ABOUT THE RACE!?" But all he hears is "MUMBLEMUMBLE BRENDAN" apparently, and goes "Brendan!? *thumbs up*" And then I'm like "NO, DID HE TELL YOU ABOUT THE RACE!?" and he goes "RACE? WHAT RACE?"

Like, thanks Brendan, LOVE YA TOO.

Anyways, so I yell up "Well. You know Brendan's website? (I think he nods here) I challenged you, Ian and Brendan to a race." Now, I'm not sure if he actually heard that but he kind of chuckled and then turns to talk to someone up there. I get a call from Michelle and answer the phone with "I JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH AARON PEIRSOL". Heh.

So, I head back inside DETERMINED to find a way to meet him. I go up to this security girl and shes like "I'm not sure how to get there, but lets see..." and we head back outside and THERE HE IS. In all his glory. He's on the other side of a chain-link fence signing autographs. I BOLT away from the girl with a "OMGTHX" and then ran to him. He finished signing for some other girl and it seems like he's going to walk away and I kind of blurt/yell AARON IT'S ME WITH THE TSHIRT.

Because, you know, HE CAN'T SEE ME WEARING IT OR ANYTHING. Anyways, he says "Oh yeah!"

So, I reach into my purse as he finishes signing stuff for other people, and get out my ticket and... my business card, which features my work info PLUS my cell #, my email address and my AIM name. (/nerd) I'm all CAN I GET AN AUTOGRAPH. (NERD) and he's like "SURE!" So, I give him my business card and he motions like he's about to sign it, and I go "NO NO that's my business card!" And he goes "You have a BUSINESS CARD!" and I go YES! I work for a mortgage company! I hear you're crashing with Brendan (here he looks me in the EYES SWOON OMG) now!" And he says "Not anymore, I just bought a place!" (here, I hand him my ticket to sign along with a pen YOU GUYS HE TOUCHED MY PEN) and I'm like "Oooh, where?" He replies "Austin, Texas!" (please, I KNOW WHERE AUSTIN IS) and as he gives me back my signed ticket, I go "Awww, you gotta come back to California!" He laughs and goes "Thanks!" and I take off and FREAK OUT.

I didn't get to take a picture with him, but I got a lot of pictures OF him.

YOU GUYS I LOVE HIM.

- Atrophy aka Deena - www.aaronpeirsol.org

Final Prediction Contest Results

I think Dana Cara dolphin kicked. :p But congrats and I'll be getting that gift certificate right out. And BWAHAHAHAHA - it was close but I'm not last. Thanks to Eville Admin for making her minions do the math. - Michelle

1. Dana Cara 466 points
2. Kat 452 points
3. Pixley 440 points
4. Stephie Mc 435 points
5. Jessie 434 points
6. Andrea 431 points
7. Carla 427 points
8. Lala 425 points
9. LongHornLove 415 points
10. Ms of Arc 410 points
11. Janine 405 points
12. Anya8 404 points
13. Melanie 395 points
14. Tinkerbell 394 points
15. JHD 385 points
16. Dearmanda 377 points
17. Michelle 362 points
18. Blairbecky 357 points
19. Kate 356 points

Tickets for Montreal

Tickets go on sale Friday and I believe there is a 15% discount if we can purchase 20 or more at once, not to mention the additional benefit of sitting together. So who's going and needs tickets? And post which days you plan on attending (23rd - 1st for me). Also, several of us are looking into accomodations. Please let me know if you've found something fabulous you can share or are interested in sharing expenses with another BHOer. It's less than 4 months to Montreal!

World Championship Swimming: Hansen's message is he's ready to go

By new uncle, JOHN LOHN
jlohn@delcotimes.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- The results from Indianapolis lead to one conclusion: Look out in Montreal. Brendan Hansen is mining for gold.

Wrapping up his World Championship Swimming Trials in stylish fashion, Hansen gave his world record in the 200-meter breaststroke a scare Tuesday night. Ahead of pace for the opening 150 meters, Hansen settled for a time of 2:10.20, the eighth-fastest mark in history.

Although Hansen fell short of his global standard, the 2:09.04 he popped at last summer's Olympic Trials, his effort was the third-fastest in American history. More important, Hansen made a major statement for the World Championships, slated for Montreal in late July.

Prior to pushing his record in the four-lap breaststroke, Hansen won the 100 breast at the Trials on the first night of competition in Indy. Without a doubt, he's capable of leaving Canada with a pair of world titles.

"I just think that's a really good time for me right now," said Hansen, the University of Texas product who now represents Longhorn Aquatics. "Hopefully, we can take something from (the 200 breast) and go back to the drawing board for the summer."

By qualifying for Montreal, Hansen earned a bid to his third World Championships, complementing appearances in Japan in 2001 and Spain in 2003. In his previous trips, Hansen has won four medals, including gold in the 200 breast four years ago.

In 2003, the four-time All-Delco captured silver in the 100 breast, bronze in the 200 breast and gold as a member of the 400 medley relay that set a world record.

Hansen faced little competition during his near-record swim, as he opened up a one-and-a-half second margin at the quarter pole and led by nearly three seconds at the race's midpoint. Really, it was the three-time Olympic medalist vs. the clock.

Scott Usher, an Athens Olympian, earned the second invitation to the World Champs, as he checked in at 2:13.46. Kevin Swander, meanwhile, finished third in 2:15.84.

En route to qualifying first for the championship final, Hansen strolled through the morning preliminaries. Touching the wall in 2:13.02, Hansen exerted minimal energy while topping the competition by more than four seconds.

In Montreal, Hansen is expected to rekindle his rivalry with Japan's Kosuke Kitajima, the double-gold medalist in the breast events from Athens. Based on his performances in Indianapolis, there's every reason to believe Hansen will sizzle.

"For me, the big thing is to go out and set a world record on an international stage" Hansen said last week. "I'm worried about what I'm doing. There's more to prove."

200 Breaststroke Results

1. HANSEN BRENDAN 2:10.20
2. USHER SCOTT 2:13.46
3. SWANDER KEVIN 2:15.84
4. CRISTE JOHN 2:16.62
5. POGIOLI GIORDAN 2:16.88
6. GANGLOFF MARK 2:17.01
7. SPANN SCOTT 2:17.41
8. CALLAHAN ANDREW 2:17.63

That's a pretty dominating victory yo. Go Brendan! We'll see you in Montreal!
Former Longhorns Hansen and Peirsol highlight final day at U.S. World Championship Trials
April 5 - US World Champs Trials, Day 5: In a Repeat of '04 Olympic Trials, Hansen and Usher Sweep the Men's 200 Breast
Peirsol, Hansen push world records at WC Trials
All-World All-American
Phelps to swim same schedule at world meet as in trials


Prediction Standings after day 5:
1. Dana Cara 438 points
2. Kat 426 points
3. Pixley 408 points
4. Andrea 403 points
4. Stephie Mc 403 points
6. Lala 399 points
7. Jessie 400 points
8. Carla 397 points
9. Janine 396 points
10. LongHornLove 389 points
11. Ms of Arc 382 points
12. Anya8 380 points
13. Melanie 373 points
14. Tinkerbell 366 points
15. JHD 355 points
16. Dearmanda 349 points
17. Kate 346 points
18. Blairbecky 335 points
19. Michelle 330 points (I hate to be cruel, but Michelle your score today is lower than Dana Cara's was yesterday. I'm just sayin.-EvilleAdmin)

Tuesday Night Finals

Tuesday Night Finals

Women's 800m Freestyle
Women's 100m Freestyle
Men's 200m Backstroke
Women's 200m Breaststroke
Men's 200m Breaststroke
Men's 1500m Freestyle

Follow the results live here.
Find results here.

I'm going to be at Archery during the 200 Breast final. ::drama:: ::wuzrobbed::

Also, new additions to the Trials gallery thanks to Suz, Manda and Alison. Thanks girls!




2005 World Championships Team
Second-Place Finishers Added to U.S. World Championships Team
Full Day 5 Prelim Results
US World Champs Trials, Day 5 Prelims: Coughlin, Peirsol, Soni and Hansen Qualify First for Tonight
Peirsol takes centre stage
Jacob Mentele Places 26th In The 200-Meter Breaststroke At The World Championship Trials
Peirsol will take centre stage as Phelps pulls out
2005 WC Trials: Day 5 Prelims Report

Tuesday Morning Prelim Results

200m Breaststroke

HANSEN BRENDAN 2:13.02
CRISTE JOHN 2:17.28
SPANN SCOTT 2:17.56
POGIOLI GIORDAN 2:17.87
GANGLOFF MARK 2:18.16
CALLAHAN ANDREW 2:18.28
SWANDER KEVIN 2:18.30
USHER SCOTT 2:18.30

Wheeee! Go Brendan!

Tuesday Schedule and Day 4 Prediction Standings

Tuesday Morning Prelims

Women's 100m Freestyle
Men's 200m Backstroke
Women's 200m Breaststroke
Men's 200m Breaststroke

Tuesday Night Finals

Women's 800m Freestyle
Women's 100m Freestyle
Men's 200m Backstroke
Women's 200m Breaststroke
Men's 200m Breaststroke
Men's 1500m Freestyle

Prediction Contest Standings

1. Dana Cara 332 points
2. Pixley 323 points
3. LongHornLove 321 points
4. Jessie 317 points
5. Andrea 314 points
6. Kat 310 points
7. Stephie Mc 308 points
8. Janine 307 points
9. Lala 305 points
10. Ms of Arc 303 points
11. Carla 290 points
12. Anya8 287 points
13. Dearmanda 279 points
13. Kate 279 points
15. Melanie 276 points
16. Tinkerbell 271 points
17. JHD 264 points
18. Michelle 262 points
19. Blairbecky 249 points

Also some new photos in the gallery thanks to Kimberly and Suz. Check them out.

Videos and Monday Schedule of Events

Trials video available at Swimstars.org including footage of Brendan on the pool deck preparing for the race, his 100m Breaststroke and his award ceremony afterwards.

Monday Morning Prelims
Men's 100m Freestyle
Women's 200m Butterfly
Men's 200m Individual Medley
Women's 200m Backstroke
Women's 800m Freestyle
Men's 1500m Freestyle

Monday Evening Finals
Men's 100m Freestyle
Women's 200m Butterfly
Men's 200m Individual Medley
Women's 200m Backstroke

Follow the results live here.
Find results here.

Prediction Standings after Day 3

1. Dana Cara 271 points
2. LongHornLove 265 points
3. Pixley 261 points
4. Andrea 259 points
4. Jessie 259 points
6. Janine 253 points
7. Stephie Mc 250 points
8. Lala 246 points
9. Kat 245 points
10.Carla 238 points
11. Ms of Arc 237 points
12. Anya8 232 points
12. Melanie 232 points
14. Kate 221 points
15. Michelle 220 points
16. Dearmanda 219 points
17. JHD 216 points
18. Blair 214 points
19. Tinkerbell 213 points

Predictions Standings Day 2 & Sunday Events

1. DanaCara 189 points
2. Andrea 180 points
3. LongHornLove 179 points
4. Jessie 177 points
5. Stephic Mc 168 points
5. Pixley 168 points
7. Kat 165 points
8. Lala 164 points
9. Janine 161 points
10 Carla 160 points
11. Ms of Arc 155 points
12. Melanie 150 points
13. Dearmanda147 points
14. Kate 145 points points
15. Anya8 143 points
15. Tinkerbell 143 points
17. Michelle 142 points
18. JHD 140 points
19. Blairbecky 131 points

Sunday Schedule:

Women's 100m Breaststroke
Men's 100m Butterfly
Women's 50m Freestyle
Women's 400m Individual Medley
Men's 50m Freestyle

Follow the results live here.
Find results here.

Gallery Updates

84 pictures now in the World Trials 2005 gallery thanks to a ton of new additions from Suz at Swimstars.org, including this lovely one of Kimberly and Manda with the BHO banner.

U.S. swimming trials: Hansen has no problem earning a trip to Montreal

By JOHN LOHN
jlohn@delcotimes.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Brendan Hansen is headed north of the border. That much was determined in a little more than a minute's time. A Haverford High graduate, Hansen captured top honors in the 100-meter breaststroke Friday night, during the opening day of competition at the United States Swimming World Championship Trials.

Touching the wall in 1:00.13, Hansen easily topped the field, as he finished well ahead of Mark Gangloff (1:01.36). The victory supplied Hansen with an invitation to this summer's World Championships in Montreal.

The world-record holder in both breaststroke disciplines, Hansen's time equaled the third-best performance of his career and gave the University of Texas product the five fastest times in American history. Kevin Swander finished third (1:02.13), followed by Gary Marshall (1:02.15) and Ed Moses (1:02.21).

By virtue of his first-place effort, Hansen qualified for his third World Championships, complementing trips to Japan (2001) and Spain (2003). In his previous two World Champs, Hansen has collected four medals, including a world title in the 200 breast in 2001.

In Montreal, Hansen is expected to rekindle his rivalry with Japan's Kosuke Kitajima, who won double-gold at last summer's Olympic Games. Hansen left Athens with a three-medal haul, taking silver in the 100 breast, bronze in the 200 breast and gold on the United States' world-record setting 400 medley relay.

After swimming the fastest time d the morning preliminaries (1:01.08), Hansen took control of the championship final from the start. Ahead of the field by nearly a half-second at the 50-meter mark, Hansen continued to pad his advantage during the final lap.

Although Hansen posted a pair of sizzling times at the American Short Course Championships early last month, these World Trials mark his first major competition of the year. The four-time All-Delco will be back in the water Tuesday for the 200 breast.

April 1 - US World Champs Trials, Day 1: Hansen Breezes in the 100 Breast, Gangloff Grabs Second Spot

World Championship Trials, Day 1 Prelims: Sandeno Qualifies for a Pair of Finals; Phelps Bypasses 400 I.M. in Favor of 400 Free

2004 Olympian Gangloff First Tiger to Punch Ticket to World ...

A Pair of Wyoming Breaststrokers to Compete in World Championship ...

Hansen qualifies first in 100m breaststroke

Sports in Brief | Critics lobbying NCAA on beer ads

World Cup requests hit 10-million mark

Saturday Morning Prelim Schedule

Prelims - 9 am EST
Finals - 6 pm EST

Women's 100m Backstroke
Men's 200m Freestyle
Men's 100m Backstroke
Women's 200m Freestyle
Men's 200m Butterfly

Follow the results live here.

Brendan in the News
Phelps taking different approach at World Championship trials
Texas Swimmers Compete at 2005 World Championship Trials
Phelps taking different approach at Worlds
Usher Finishes Sixth in the 100-meter Breaststroke at the World ...
Great Night For Giordan
Individual swimmers head north for Championship trials
H2O Frogs Send Two Swimmers To World Championship Trials
Phelps trying to get back in groove in pool
Phelps tries to get his groove back in pool

Friday Results

100m Breaststroke Results

1. Brendan Hansen 1:00.13
2. Mark Gangloff 1:01.36
3. Kevin Swander 1:02.13
4. Gary Marshall 1:02.15
5. Ed Moses 1:02.21
6. Scott Usher 1:02.33
7. Caleb Rowe 1:02.72
8. Giordon Poglioli 1:03.36

Yeah, that's more than a full second lead on the rest of the field. We'll see you in Montreal Bren!

And some small photos from Blair's camera phone here.



Finally, the Prediction Contest standings thus far...

After one leg of competition we have some definate favorites....but as you can see from tonight, everyone is here to win. Underestimate No one.

Here is the ranking after one day of competition:

1. DanaCara 101 points
2. Lala 100 points
3. LongHornLove 99 points
4. Jessie 97 points
5. Andrea 93 points
6. Pixley 90 points
7. Kat 88 points
8. JHD 85 points
9. Janine 84 points
9. Stephie Mc 84 points
11. Michelle 81 points
12. Blairbecky 77 points
12. Ms of Arc 77 points
12. Anya8 77 points
15. Carla 76 points
16. Dearmanda 74 points
17. Melanie 73 points
18. Kate 70 points
19. Tinkerbell 71 points

Friday Night Finals

Finals begin at 6pm EST

Women's 100m Butterfly
Men's 400m Freestyle
Women's 200m Individual Medley
Men's 100m Breaststroke
Women's 400m Freestyle
Men's 400m Individual Medley

Follow the races live here.

Morning 100m Breast Heat Results

HANSEN BRENDAN 1:01.08
MOSES ED 1:01.91
GANGLOFF MARK 1:01.98
SWANDER KEVIN 1:02.08
USHER SCOTT 1:02.13
MARSHALL GARY 1:02.72

Find more results Here.