K. A very Busy Season... and Lots of New Experiences - Fall 2002

Short Course Yards

Times from the first meets of the fall can sometimes reflect the improvements gained over the summer. Swimming yards for the first time since March, Kate started rattling off best times almost immediately, notably 9:54.10 in the 100 free at the RMSC Kickoff (previous best: 10:00.90), as well as a split of 4:52.06 for her first 500 (previous best: 4:54.33). And at the November Open Kate's 16:28.58 in the 1650 shattered her previous best of 16:45.78 from the previous December. Here are Kate's final National Age Group Short Course Rankings for 2002:

 

            13-14 Girls                500y Free                  4:54.33                     8th

                                           1000y Free                10:00.90                     5th

                                           1650y Free                16:45.78                     7th

 

National Select Camp - Olympic Training Center

During the height of the sniper attacks in the Washington D.C. area, Kate traveled to Colorado Springs for the 3-day National Select Camp. Selected on the basis of her 1500 (one of the two fastest 16 and younger swimmers in the country for 2002), Kate visited the Olympic Training Center for the second time. (Her first visit was in June for the National Distance Camp.)

While at camp, Kate got to listen to National Athlete Colleen Lanne, and meet members of the Performance Science, including Jonty Skinner and Dr. GenadijusSkolovas (affectionately known as "G'). Jonty tested Kate in the flume, and Kate became yet another subject G's lactate and strength testing.

United States Swimming is proud to point out that, historically, several members of these camps go on to qualify for the National Junior Team, and at least one or two go on to make the Olympics. What elite company!

 

Short Course Meters

Not knowing what to expect, Kate traveled to Long Island in late November for the World Cup. These meets are always held in short course meters... kind of like summer league in the winter... against Olympians and International Stars. Against the backdrop of intensely bright TV lights, Kate was part of the parade for finals in the 800 free on Friday night, and finished 6th. Determined to get another swim in finals the next night, Kate finished 6th in prelims for the 400 free on Saturday morning. Once again, the finalists were paraded out and introduced to the crowd... and the youngest swimmer in the meet finished 6th again.