World Cup NY Psych Sheet Up and that means.....

PREDICTION CONTEST! WHEEEEEEEE!

Grand Prize will be a tshirt from the event autographed by everyone I can manage. Deadline for entries is obvious - gotta be posted before the prelims start on the 3rd (next Friday). Good luck y'all!

Men 100 SC Meter Freestyle
Women 200 SC Meter Freestyle
Men 50 SC Meter Breaststroke
Women 100 SC Meter Breaststroke
Men 400 SC Meter IM
Women 100 SC Meter Butterfly
Men 100 SC Meter Backstroke
Women 50 SC Meter Backstroke
Men 200 SC Meter Butterfly
Women 200 SC Meter IM
Men 400 SC Meter Freestyle
Women 50 SC Meter Freestyle
Men 200 SC Meter Breaststroke
Women 800 SC Meter Freestyle
Men 100 SC Meter IM
Women 200 SC Meter Backstroke
Men 50 SC Meter Butterfly
Women 100 SC Meter Freestyle
Men 200 SC Meter Freestyle
Women 50 SC Meter Breaststroke
Men 100 SC Meter Breaststroke
Women 400 SC Meter IM
Men 100 SC Meter Butterfly
Women 100 SC Meter Backstroke
Men 50 SC Meter Backstroke
Women 200 SC Meter Butterfly
Men 200 SC Meter IM
Women 400 SC Meter Freestyle
Men 50 SC Meter Freestyle
Women 200 SC Meter Breaststroke
Men 1500 SC Meter Freestyle
Women 100 SC Meter IM
Men 200 SC Meter Backstroke
Women 50 SC Meter Butterfly

A few of the swimmers who will be in attendance....

BRENDAN HANSEN!!!, Ed Moses, Scott Usher, Neil Walker, Michael Phelps, Kaitlin Sandeno, Randall Bal, Margaret Hoelzer, Tara Kirk, Claudia Poll, Klete Keller, Fred Bousquet, Nick Brunelli, Thiago Pereira, Rachel Komisarz, Kate Ziegler, Anatoly Polyakov, Jayme Cramer, Peter Marshall, Filippo Magnini, Robert Margalis, Brent Hayden, Therese Alshammar, Scott Dickens and many, many more.

ETA:A new psych sheet is up for those who'd like to make predictions with the updated entries. One BIG change is the addition of ROLAND SCHOEMAN! (pronounced ro-land skooo-maan for those who missed chat. That first name of his can be difficult so sound it out ;). I haven't really done a compare/contrast yet to see who else might have been added or dropped out. Those of you who have already posted predictions just cut and paste into a new post in this thread, make your changes and we'll use your final version for the contest. GOOD LUCK Y'ALL!

Happy Birthday links...

Schoeman Stalking World Record in 100 Free Includes a lovely photo by our own Peter Bick who is leaving for Antarctica on Tuesday with a brief stop in Argentina to meet our own Lena. I wish I were going too! To Argentina, not Antarctica. Have a great trip Peter! And good luck to Roland in breaking that record.

2006 World Cup NY Event Page Check here later this week for news and results. Wheeeeee!

Belated Birthday wishes to Francesca and Alexandra, Tinkerbell and Carolina Blue! Sorry I missed you all last week. I need to get a lot better at remembering to check the birthday page yo. And an early Happy Birthday to LonghornLove.

Phelps headlines list of stars to compete in NY

The Breaststroke Showdown

The breaststroke events have the potential to be the marquee races of the meet, as five U.S. Olympians are entered.

The men's side will feature a match-up between Brendan Hansen (Havertown, Penn. / Longhorn) and Ed Moses (Burke, Va. / Curl Burke), both world record holders and both Olympic gold medalists. Hansen owns the long course world records in the 100m and 200m breast, while Moses is the reigning short course world record holder in the 100m and 200m distances. 2004 Olympian Scott Usher (Grand Island, Neb. / Wyoming Aquatics) should also factor into the medal race.

New Photos from Wheaton Swim Clinic and LRF Bash

Thanks to the folks at LRF for sending more photos from Brendan's swim clinic and the following LRF Kids Bash.



Brendan with an adorable friend. See more in the Gallery.

Ripple effect

Robyn Sheldon
Olympic medalist Brendan Hansen gives young swimmers pointers on the butterfly stroke Jan. 14 during a clinic at Wheaton College. About 120 young swimmers ages 8 and older participated in the afternoon event, sponsored by the Wheaton Swim Club and the Leukemia Research Foundation.

Olympic champion encourages young swimmers while helping a cause

By Hank Beckman
SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Gold medalist Brendan Hansen was able to accomplish what most parents and teachers only dream about: He got more than 100 children to sit still and listen.

The three-time medalist in swimming at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the fastest breaststroker in history visited would-be champions Jan. 14 at Wheaton College. Hansen led an Ultimate Technique Swim Clinic, a USA Swimming-sanctioned event designed to give young swimmers an afternoon of training and motivation.

Proceeds from the event, which cost $60 in advance and $70 the day of the event, went to the Leukemia Research Foundation. The Glenview-based nonprofit organization funds research against the disease and helps patients who have financial challenges because of the costs of treatment. The Wheaton Swim Club co-sponsored the clinic.

The event lasted four hours, including a motivational talk with Hansen relating stories from his journey from Haverford, Pa., to the Olympics. Speaking of his early career, he told the crowd he had plenty of setbacks.

"When I started out, I was not very good, and it was really hard for me," he said. "But I never let it bother me."

Hansen talked about his first state championship meet as a freshman, when he was somewhat intimidated by the senior he was up against.

"Then I thought, 'There's no reason I can't beat this guy,' before I beat him," he said. "On any given day you can win any race."

While many of the participants were local swimmers, particularly from the Wheaton Swim Club, many came from as far as Centralia and Goshen, Ind.

"You know I'm excited," said Trevor Holm, a sophomore from Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School. "I came all the way from Centralia."

Connie Hsu, 11, a member of the Wheaton Swim Club and a six-time Illinois state champion in the under-10 age group, was excited to be there, too.

"It's good to help other people," she said.

Her coach, Jacob Ayers, said the clinic was a learning experience beyond swimming.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for kids to be aware of people who are in different circumstance than they are," he said. "It's in line with the outreach mission of Wheaton College, and we're happy to do something in line with their goals."

Nathan Duell, an English teacher at Goshen High School in Indiana and a 1994 graduate of Wheaton College, brought his 10-year-old daughter, MacKenzie, whom he also coaches.

"She will get to hear some of the same things we say to her every day, but now it comes from someone she considers an authority," Duell joked. "It keeps her excited about swimming."

Organizers hope Hansen's visit also will raise awareness of those who are fighting disease.

"Brendan really sort of adopted us," said Kevin Radelet, executive director of the Leukemia Research Foundation. "A world-renowned athlete like Brendan has tremendous impact on others, including youth and adults."

Hansen decided to get involved with the fight against leukemia and other blood-related disorders after visiting a children's hospital in his hometown of Austin, Texas.

"A lot of these people don't know what these kids go through," Hansen said.

The commitment takes an emotional toll on Hansen, who has gotten to know some of the patients.

"It's been a tough year," he said. "I've lost two kids this year."

Hansen hoped to show leukemia patients that there is hope.

"I try to relate to them that my career has had ups and downs."

A golden message

Olympic champion aids fight against leukemia at Wheaton swim clinic

By Joshua Welge
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Sunday, January 15, 2006

Brendan Hansen had a simple question for the 120 young swimmers in front of him:

"How many of you have never lost a race?"

No one raised their hand. That was his point.

"No swimmer is always going to swim their best race. It's how you react that makes you a better swimmer," he said.

Hansen, a gold medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and world record holder in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke, was at Wheaton College Saturday for a clinic hosted by the Wheaton Swim Club.

Proceeds from the clinic went toward the Leukemia Research Foundation.

He told of the heartbreak he experienced before realizing his Olympic dreams.

Hansen never lost a race in high school in Pennsylvania. But at the Olympic Trials for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, he missed advancing by a mere .01 of a second.

He took that devastation to the University of Texas, where he never lost a collegiate race. Four years later, Hansen set the world record in the breaststroke at the Olympic Trials, won a gold medal in the 400 medley relay, silver in the 100 breaststroke and bronze in the 200.

"In swimming, you will always get out of it what you put into it," Hansen said. "You need to figure out what you're doing wrong and use it to motivate you to swim faster."

Hansen also got in the pool Saturday to work on the technical aspects of swimming, from streamline to pullouts to starts on every stroke.

His message was equally instructive.

"He's so positive," said Katie Johnson of Glen Ellyn. "He makes every negative into a positive."

Added Wheaton Swim Club teammate Lauren Zafir: "He has a really good attitude, which is especially good because there are so many younger kids here. He is so positive and so humble about his accomplishments."

Hansen has served as a spokesman for the Leukemia Research Foundation for a little over a year. After returning from the 2004 Olympics, he visited cancer patients in an Austin, Texas, hospital with other athletes, including cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.

Shortly after that, when speaking at a dinner in Pennsylvania, he asked that they forward the check for his appearance to his "favorite charity," the Leukemia Research Foundation.

"It really touched me, really hurt me how these kids were living their lives and I wanted to help," Hansen said.

Leukemia is the leading cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 15; more than 178,000 Americans are living with Leukemia.

Leukemia Research Foundation Executive Director Kevin Radelet said Hansen's support is an enormous benefit to the organization, which is based in Glenview.

"Brendan is a one-of-a-kind person and has a tremendous impact on a number of people," Radelet said. "With his visibility in swimming and the Olympics, he can touch people in the states and worldwide."

ETA: Happy Belated Birthday to Camille (cdubb) and Quirky Brunette! Sorry I missed you on Wednesday - it's been a little hectic this week. Thank goodness lala actually pays attention.

Pics from Wheaton Swim Clinic Added to Gallery

Everyone say "Thank You Melissa!"

FINA World Cup Series

The World Cup series is starting up in Swedan today and will be in New York just a couple of weeks from now. Brendan is scheduled to be there as well as a pretty large group from BHO. Those who can make it should definitely come. The official hotel is the Marriott near Eisenhower Park (1-516-794-3800 for reservations). I can't wait to see everyone!

World Cup Schedule:

Jan 17-18
Swimming World Cup 4
Stockholm (SWE)

Jan 21-22
Swimming World Cup 5
Berlin (GER)

Jan 25-26
Swimming World Cup 6
Moscow (RUS)

Feb 3-4
Swimming World Cup 7
New York (USA)
(the best and most fun one)

Feb 10-12
Swimming World Cup 8
Belo Horizonte (BRA)

Hansen advocates for kids with Leukemia

Hansen advocates for kids with Leukemia (1/13/2006)
USA Swimming

As someone who hasn't experienced the personal or family heartache and heartbreak of disease, Brendan Hansen counts himself among the fortunate.


"I've been a lucky guy. Not much bad has happened to my family and friends in my life," Hansen said. "Because of this, I wanted to find a way to give back some of the good fortune I've had."


Shortly after winning gold in the 400m medley relay at the 2004 Athens Games, Hansen met Kevin Radelet, executive director of the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF), and found his cause to champion. The LRF is a Glenview, Illinois-based organization that provides research grants to scientists and researchers worldwide searching for a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers.


For the second consecutive year, the world champion breaststroker will conduct a swim clinic at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., to raise money as well as awareness for leukemia research. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 14) and is hosted by the Wheaton Swim Club.


"From a funding standpoint, it takes a lot of money to fund researchers pursuing a cure and the LRF provides more than $1 million each year to scientists from around the world," Radelet said. "Brendan's support offers the LRF the opportunity to get into doors and meet people that we might not normally have the chance to meet. Thanks to that entree, it's our hope that corporate decision-makers and fans of Brendan will follow his lead and offer additional donations to help our cause."


The Ultimate Technique Swim Clinic, presented by www.USASwimmer.com, will feature in-water stroke and technique drills, an instructed session on dry-land training and a motivational talk, plus Olympic stories for the participants. The national spokesman for the LRF, Hansen also will make a large personal donation to a cause that has become very dear to his heart.


"Before I became involved with the foundation, I visited kids with leukemia at an Austin hospital and it really touched me to see the fight and desire they had to be well," Hansen said.


"These kids don't really get the chance to live a normal childhood, and they got stuck with a tough road. I'm just glad I can lend my talent and sports celebrity to raise money to help the kids."


As a group, leukemia accounts for about 25 percent of all childhood concerns and affect roughly 2,200 American children each year. It is the No. 1 cause of death by disease for children up to age 14, yet it is diagnosed 10 times more often in adults than children. Fortunately, the chances to cure children with the disease are very good. With treatment, most children are free of the disease without it coming back.


"This is a curable disease. It's not something that can't be overcome," Hansen said. "I really respect LRF because the foundation concentrates its funding toward actual research.


"I have always wanted swimming to have an ambassador to travel throughout the United States and excite swimmers, parents and the community in general about the great sport that I have dedicated my life to promoting, and I now have that opportunity. It's such a noble cause that I can't imagine everyone not wanting to support it. I want to continue doing this indefinitely."


There's still time to register for the clinic, which includes instruction, in-water drills and an autograph from Brendan. To register, go to the Wheaton Swim Club website, www.wheatonswimming.com.

You can also make a donation to the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF) via Brendan's website, www.brendanhansenonline.com.

ETA: I spoke with Kaitlin Sandeno tonight and she told me that she and Kalyn Keller will be at the Belmont Pool in Long Beach, California tomorrow Jan 14 around 5 pm taking donations for Erik Namesnik's Memorial Fund or Snik's Kids. If you would like to donate in person and live in the SoCal area, this is the time to do it.
The trust fund has been set up for the children of Eric and Kirsten:
SNIK'S KIDS (official name: Eric Namesnik Memorial Fund -- both are fine on the check)
United Bank and Trust
2723 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Peter Bick Shoots Timmay and Brendan Swims for a Cure!

Timmay has been shot. By our own Peter Bick!
Timtheswimmer was surprised earlier this week by a photo shoot by the illustrious Peter Bick. When Timmay arrived to compete at his high school swim meet he was surprised to find that he was going to be the subject of a photo shoot. Peter's pictures are always so amazing and what a great surprise! He has been thrilling us with his pictures for some time now. Here are a couple of the pictures:





The rest of the pics can be found in the Blogger Gallery.

The Leukemia Research Foundation, Ultimate Technique Swim Clinics and Wheaton Swim Club present:

Brendan Hansen Swim Clinic

"Swim for a Cure" is an interactive clinic for swimmers 8 and Up where you can learn how Brendan became an Olympic Gold Medalist and much more! Each registered/paid swimmer will receive an autograph, clinic entry, and group instruction from one of the best in the world!

Brendan's Clininc is on Saturday, January 14th in Wheaton, Illinois.

The Foundation's Mission: To conquer leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes by funding research into their causes and cures, and to enrich the quality of life of those touched by these diseases.


I can't believe Michelle put me in charge of this place! Woot Woot!!
My mission: To break BHO before Michelle comes back! Weee!

ETA: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACLYN!

News Links

Sorry I haven't been around much this week but it's my first week back at school full time and I'm a little overwhelmed. I'll be leaving for St. Louis tomorrow to attend the US Figure Skating National Championships and will be back on Sunday. Until then, lala is in charge.

Reese named swimming coach of the quadrennium

The Austin, Texas resident was bestowed the Terao based on the performances of three of his swimmers during the four-year span: World Record holders Ian Crocker, Brendan Hansen and Aaron Peirsol. Under Reese's tutelage, these three have not only combined to lower the World Record in the 400-medley relay, but have also achieved the following:

Crocker is the World Record holder in the 100-meter butterfly (50.40), having first taken hold of the mark from phenom and fellow American Michael Phelps in winning the 100 fly at the 2003 World Championships. At the 2003 Worlds he also finished second in the 50 fly. In 2004 he was named the Athlete of the Year buy the American collegiate organization, the NCAA, after winning both the 100 free and 100 fly in World Record times (short course meters), and at the Olympics earned three medals-gold in the 400 medley relay, silver in 100 fly and bronze in the 400 free relay-after lowering his own World Record in the 100-meter fly at the USA Olympic Trials earlier in the summer.

Hansen is the World Record holder in the 100- and 200-meter breaststrokes (59.30 and 2:09.04). In 2001 he won his first World Championship title in the 200m breast, and won his second in 2003 in the 100m breast. In 2004, Hansen was named Male Swimmer of the Meet at the Short Course Worlds, after winning all three breaststroke races and swimming on the winning medley relay, and at the Olympics he medaled in both the 100 breast (2nd) and 200 breast (bronze) and established an Olympic record in the 100 breast semi-finals.

Peirsol is the World Record holder in the 100- and 200-meter backstrokes (53.17 and 1:54.66). He won both backstroke events at the 2004 Olympics, the 2004 Short Course Worlds, and 2003 World Championships; and won the 200 back at the 2002 Short Course Worlds. Aaron has been the fastest man in the world in both events since 2002.

20 Question Tuesday with Kevin Swander

3 What did making the finals at the 2004 Olympic Trials do for you?
Kevin: That was a confidence boost more than anything. It was like, "Okay, I've gotten a little taste of what it's like to be good," and I wanted more. I had left Auburn. They were great, and I wasn't, and I had a hard time being the bottom guy on the totem pole. Those are great people there, but it just wasn't the right fit for me. When I came home, I was kind of burned out, but still, what I'm getting at is that Auburn experience was good for me because I had a taste of what it was like to be a part of something great. I had that same feeling coming off of 2004, that maybe I could do something, that it was more than just pure luck. I was in the heat where Brendan Hansen did the fastest swim ever. That was an eye opener, and I realized I had more in me than I had shown in my career.

17 How does one get fast in the breaststroke?
Kevin: It depends on the person, because there are different ways to be good at the breaststroke. Watch the 2004 Olympics, and each guy swam it differently. Hansen has an unbelievable catch and kick. His catch is wide and he's powerful through the water. That's what we're working on for me, but again, that might not work for others.

Eric Namesnik Is Pronounced Dead
This is just such heartbreaking news.

Going for the Gold - Olympic medal winner instructs swimming clinic

Going for the Gold
January 08,2006
Cari Hammerstrom
The Monitor

Olympic medal winner instructs swimming clinic

McALLEN - Three-time Olympic medal swimmer Brendan Hansen made a splash at the McAllen Rowe High School natatorium Saturday morning during a technique clinic he presented to about 50 eager swimming students from all over South Texas.

Hansen helped children, adults and high school swimmers who will soon be going into the final stretch of their competitive season learn new drills and practice their freestyle, back, breast and butterfly strokes.

'It's totally different when an Olympic-level athlete comes in to demonstrate (strokes),' said Roxanne Balducci, head coach for both the McAllen Swim Club and McAllen Memorial High School.

McAllen Swim Club, a nonprofit USA Swimming-sanctioned club that is open to people of all ages, raised funds for and organized the event.

By hearing from someone who is on top of his sport, swimmers learn the importance of hard work and pick up nuances their coaches can't show them. Plus, Hansen is incredibly motivating, she said.

'At this point in the season, that's what it takes,' Balducci said of the competitive swimmers who participated in the clinic.

Hansen, 24, is a December University of Texas at Austin graduate, and until 2004, he was part of the UT swim team.

In 2004, he medaled three times at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, taking the gold in the 400 meter medley relay, silver in the 100 meter breaststroke and bronze in the

200m breaststroke. He also currently holds world records in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Students learned at the Q&A session after the clinic that Hansen set both his records after eating instant oatmeal, and that his favorite pre-race snack is peanut butter Powerbars.

When Hansen said ask anything, the swimmers did.

The Pennsylvania native talked about his strenuous training program as he was building up for the Olympics, which consisted of 10 workouts a week - three or four of which were breaststroke workouts. He also fit in three land workouts and three sessions of weight training.

Morning and night was dedicated to swimming, but standing on the block during the medal ceremony for the few minutes the National Anthem played made all the hard work worth it, he said.

People give great swimmers the utmost respect, he told the crowd, because it is baffling how someone can train for eight months out of the year for an event that is over in 59 seconds.

'You get what you put into the sport,' Hansen said.

Sometimes you may have to wait for the sacrifice and hard work to pay off, but it does in the long run.

His advice to swimmers: 'Never limit yourself.'

Those interested in joining McAllen Swim Club should visit the Nikki Rowe High School natatorium at 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays to talk to a MSC coach.

Trip Around the World - Pick Your Cities

A fun game I found on another site.

You've been given a gift - a trip around the world. However, you can only visit one city/town on each continent. You can do day-trips outside that city, but you have to return to your hotel in the city each night. So, pick your cities:

N. America:

S. America:

Australia:

Europe:

Asia:

Africa:


My Picks -

N. America: Vancouver

S. America: Buenos Aires (get a guest bed ready Lena!)

Australia: Sydney

Europe: Such a tough call but I gotta go with London simply because I could do day trips to Paris and Edinborough from there so it's like 3 for 1 (Rome, Barcelona and Paris being my back-ups. We should really get to choose more than one European city. Unfair.)

Asia: Bombay

Africa: Capetown

Happy Birthday Aunt C!

I love this photo. So sweet.

Events next weekend:

Auburn Versus Texas Matchup Creeping Closer

Brendan Hansen Swim Clinic

Rose Bowl!

I know many of you are very excited for this game tomorrow so I thought I'd give you a thread to discuss it in. Trojans or Longhorns y'all?

Some Links:

Official Tournament of Roses website
ESPN Event Page
Texas Football
USC Football
Official Gear

Happy Birthday JENNY! An early Happy Birthday to Holly and Aunt C who will be celebrating Thursday and Friday. Lot's of January babies on the blog.

Happy New Year!

The past 12 months have been a time to shine for Lone Star sports

Swimming: Former UT swimmers and current Austinites Brendan Hansen and Ian Crocker also won gold in the 2004 Summer Olympics, but not in their individual events. Crocker and Hansen both found redemption at the world championships in Montreal, winning their specialties, as did backstroker Aaron Peirsol. Crocker set a world record while swamping Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly, and Peirsol set a world record in the 200 backstroke to go with the 100 backstroke record he set earlier in the year. Peirsol was honored by USA Swimming as its athlete of the year while Crocker's swim earned him the performance of the year award. UT men's Coach Eddie Reese was named coach of the year.

Hopes for the New Year: Part II

By John Lohn

ASTON, Pennsylvania, December 31. A little less than a week ago, we revealed a few hopes for what will unfold during the upcoming year. Here is the second part of that feature. Also, to all of our readers at SwimmingWorldMagazine.com, thanks for your interest and attention and may 2006 treat you well.

**When the NCAA Men's Championships get rolling in March, let's hope that the 800-yard freestyle relay lives up to the hype that will undoubtedly surround the event. There's a legitimate chance that at least three schools will crack the NCAA record of 6:16.25, held by the University of Florida. Aside from the Gators, expect Arizona and Michigan to make a record run. And don't count out Texas.

**Here's to a second man dipping below the 48-second barrier in the 100 freestyle, a feat accomplished only by Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands. While Italy's Filippo Magnini is the reigning world champion, South Africa's Roland Schoeman appears to be the best bet, as he possesses plenty of front-end speed. Here's to Schoeman also lowering Alex Popov's world record in the 50 free, which currently stands at 21.64. Schoeman won the world title in 21.69 last summer.

**With the Australian Commonwealth Games Trials just around the corner, sizzling swimming is expected from Melbourne. As for the women's 100 free, maybe the competition will produce a trio of athletes under the 54-second mark for the two-lap sprint. Yes, there's a possibility that Libby Lenton, Jodie Henry and Alice Mills could each go 53-plus.

**A presence on the international scene since 1986, Great Britain's Mark Foster has enjoyed an illustrious career in the sprint freestyles. For one of his final hurrahs, here's to the 35-year-old earning a medal at the World Short Course Championships in Shanghai. It would be a great accomplishment for the veteran, who was wrongly denied a berth to Athens in 2004 due to the stringent standards set forth by National Performance Director Bill Sweetenham. The great ones deserve better.

**Let's hope that the upcoming year reveals the truth about the breaststroke events on the international scene. With a dolphin kick now legal off the start and turn, there should be time drops in the event on an across-the-board basis. For some of those athletes who don't lower their times, it can be suggested that they've been getting away with using the dolphin kick prior to its legalization.

**For 11 years, Tom Dolan's NCAA and American record of 3:38.18 has gone untouched in the 400 individual medley. Perhaps this is the year that the standard goes down, particularly with Southern Cal's Ous Mellouli back as the defending champion. More, maybe Neil Walker's 100 back record (44.92) is in jeopardy due to the presence of Florida's Ryan Lochte and Northwestern's Matt Grevers.