Publication Date: Friday, October 28, 2005
STANFORD ROUNDUP
Ex-Cardinal swim star now in charge
Ex-Cardinal swim star now in charge
(October 28, 2005) Lea Maurer brings Olympic experience and enthusiasm to women's team for two-day meet against Texas this weekend
by Rick Eymer
Lea Maurer knows championships. The former Stanford women's swimming star swam on three NCAA title teams in the mid-1990s, when she was known as Lea Loveless.
Maurer also knows the heart of a champion. The 21-time All-American (19 at Stanford, two at Florida), who earned a gold medal and bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, held the American record in the 100-meter backstroke for nearly 10 years and remains second on Stanford's all-time list in both the 100- and 200-yard back.
Her school records were broken by Olympic gold medalists Catherine Fox (100 back) and Misty Hyman (200 back).
Maurer more than held her own on Stanford teams that included world class swimmers like Jenny Thompson, Summer Saunders and Janet Evans.
"That was a group of truly amazing, excellent athletes," Maurer said. "But whether you are a five-time gold medalist or a walk-on, you're always part of the team. I want these girls to feel part of something bigger than their individual goals. We're taking a unified approach."
Maurer, who came to Stanford via Crestwood, N.Y. (think Yonkers), will be at the helm as the fourth-ranked Cardinal hosts No. 7 Texas in a two-day meet today at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.
"All my emotions are more coach-related," Maurer said. "A tremendous rivalry has existed for a long period of time with Texas and we know they will be prepared. We're talking about what a big deal it is and how serious it is, but we are training through it. It's all about qualifying (for the NCAA meet). I've put them in a hard situation but it's gut-check time. I grew in confidence as a swimmer here, and it's my job as a coach to let them know they can do this."
The Cardinal return 12 All-Americans from a team that finished fifth at the NCAA meet last March at Purdue. Sophomore Caroline Bruce won individual titles in the 100 breast and 200 breast and accumulated five All-American honors.
Bruce may not be available this weekend as she's battling minor injuries.
"She's got all the pieces to be one of the world's best," Maurer said. "She's a great racer, a great trainer and a great teammate. Even if she is available, we won't use her to the full extent."
Senior Dana Kirk has 14 All-American honors to her credit, while sophomore Brooke Bishop, senior Kristin Caverly, senior Laura Davis, junior Cassidy Krug, junior Desiree Stahley, senior Sara Bowling (a Castilleja grad), junior Lauren Costella, sophomore Elizabeth Durot, junior Morgan Hentzen and senior Tami Ransom all have at least one All-American honor.
Stanford has won the past two Pac-10 titles and 16 of 19 overall, and has finished no lower than sixth at the national meet over the past 23 years.
Men's water polo
Third-ranked Stanford and UCLA will duel for the top spot in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both schools are 2-0 in conference play.
The last time the Bruins came to the Avery Aquatic Center, they defeated Stanford in overtime in last year's NCAA championship contest. Menlo School grads Grant Zider and Thomas Foley return for fourth-ranked UCLA from that game, and Menlo School grad John Blanchette, out with an injury last year, will join them in the pool on Saturday.
Stanford senior Peter Varellas is fifth in the MPSF in scoring at 2.13 goals per game. Senior Thomas Hopkins is eighth with a 2.00 average.
The Cardinal (13-3 overall) won't have much time to relax as fifth-ranked Pepperdine visits Avery Aquatic Center at noon on Sunday.
Women's soccer
Stanford can make a move in the Pac-10 standings this weekend with a good showing against two of the top four teams in the conference coming to Maloney Field.
The Cardinal (8-5-2, 2-2-1) host USC (3-1-1, 9-4-2) today at 7 p.m., and No. 4 UCLA (4-0-1, 14-1-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
UCLA meets co-Pac-10 leader Cal (4-0-1, 11-2-2) on Friday.
Stanford is 9-2-1 all-time against USC, but the Women of Troy enter tonight's contest with a four-match unbeaten streak. USC is second in the conference with 2.07 goals per game and 2.13 assists per game.
Palo Alto grad Kat Stolpa and Menlo School grad Kelley Finch return home for the first time as collegians with USC. Stolpa, a sophomore defender, has appeared in every match for the Women of Troy, including nine starts. Finch, a freshman midfielder, has appeared in the majority of USC matches.
The Bruins hold a 6-5-2 advantage over the Cardinal, and haven't lost to Stanford since the 2002 season. UCLA is unbeaten in its last 11 matches.
Men's tennis
KC Corkery defeated Alex Slovic of the University of Washington 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday to win the ITA Regional tournament in Santa Clara.
Corkery receives an automatic bid to the National Indoor Championships, which begin Nov. 3 in Columbus, Ohio.
Menlo School grad James Pade will likely receive an at-large bid after losing in the semifinals to Slovic on Monday.
Men's golf
Stanford finished 17th at the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational, which concluded Tuesday.
The Cardinal shot a three-round score of 925. Georgia defended its title by shooting a final round 14-over-par 302 to finish the tournament at 8-over-par.
Sophomore Rob Grube led Stanford with a 226, good for 32nd overall.
Field hockey
Stanford (3-2, 5-11) ends the regular season with two home matches this weekend. The Cardinal entertain California on Saturday at 1 p.m., and Radford on Monday at 1 p.m.
Stanford dropped a 1-0 decision to California (5-1, 9-7) in Berkeley last month. The Bears hold a five-match winning streak over Stanford.
The Cardinal will travel to Berkeley for the NorPac Championship beginning Nov. 3.
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