June 16, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

The 'other' Kirk splashes to breakthrough victory

by Keith Peters

At this point in the season, timing is everything for those hoping to make the U.S. Olympic swim team.

That means athletes like Stanford's Dana Kirk and her sister, Tara, should be feeling pretty confident heading into the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials that begin July 9 in Long Beach.

The Kirk sisters were among the many current and former Stanford swimmers who made some solid statements during the annual Janet Evans Invitational that wrapped up Sunday in a Long Beach parking lot.

The meet not only served as the final major tuneup before the trials, but also provided a test-run for those who'll be competing next month in the same pool.

The pre-fab pool and temporary stadium were built on a parking lot across the street from the ocean. There's no roof and the facility is open to the elements.

"I don't necessarily it's a fast pool," said Lenny Krayzelburg, the world recordholder in the men's 100 backstroke. "I don't think the times have been that spectacular."

He might get an argument from Stanford's Dana Kirk, who just finished her sophomore year at Stanford and had a breakthrough race in the 200-meter butterfly with a career-best time of 2:08.40.

"It was the first time I swam under 2:10," Kirk said. "But, I think I've been on the verge of it for a long time."

Kirk's time ranks her No. 5 in the world this season and No. 1 in the U.S. It also puts her No. 18 on the all-time top 25 performers' list and the No. 4 all-time performer in U.S. history. She now ranks behind only American recordholder Misty Hyman (2:05.88), former world recordholder Mary T. Meagher (2:05.96) and Mary DeScenza (2:08.38 in 2003).

DeScenza, by the way, competed during the weekend in Charlotte, N.C., and swam 2:11.34 in winning the 200 fly. Hyman was fifth in Long Beach in 2:12.77.

"That was impressive," Ted Knapp said of Kirk's swim.

Knapp, a Stanford men's assistant coach, was on hand for the meet in Long Beach and kept an eye on all the Cardinal swimmers.

He saw Tara Kirk win both her breaststroke races, the 100 in 1:08.50 and the 200 in 2:28.46 - beating 2000 Olympian Staciana Stitts in both races. Kirk won the 100 breast on Sunday, given up the chance to walk through Stanford's graduation ceremonies that afternoon.

Kirk, who never lost a collegiate race over 100 yards or meters, is still unbeaten in the 100 breast and likely will remain that way heading into the trials.

Knapp also liked the effort by Stanford's Jayme Cramer, who finished fourth in two races against some world-class competition. Cramer clocked 1:50.05 while trailing world recordholder Ian Thorpe of Australia (1:45.63) in the 200 free. Cramer also grabbed fourth in the 100 fly (54.55), but was the No. 1 American finisher in the field.

"I thought Jayme Cramer was outstanding," Knapp said. "Jayme really raced well."

Cramer may be one of better "unknown" U.S. swimmers vying for an Olympic berth next month.

"He hasn't been to the Olympics or the World Championships," Knapp said. "He's not a household name."

At least not yet.

Speaking of household names, former Stanford great Jenny Thompson made an appearance in Long Beach and let it be known she'll be a factor in the Olympic selection next month. Thompson finished third in the 100 fly on Sunday in 59.21, but was the top American. Dana Kirk was fifth in 1:00.45 and Cardinal grad Shelly Ripple-Johnston was sixth.

In the men's 100 back, the 28-year-old Krayzelburg showed he's not ready to give up his Olympic crown just yet by winning in 55.28 - well off his world mark of 53.60. Stanford grad Randall Bal was second in 55.61, Cardinal grad Dan Westcott was fourth in 56.46, current Cardinal Hongzhe Sun was fifth in 56.62 and former Stanford great Jeff Rouse was seventh in 56.80.

"Jeff had a little health issue," Knapp explained. "He had a head cold and just didn't feel comfortable in the pool."

Bal, meanwhile, was all over the lane lines at the finish, which might have cost him the race.

"I never get out of the pool and say, 'If I didn't hit the lane line, I would have won,'" Bal said. "You can't do that. Hopefully, with more rest, I will swim on the surface and see the lane line out of my peripheral vision."

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