Bruins looking to claim Pac-10 Championship

Thursday, February 27, 1997

SWIMMING:

Women hope to overthrow conference, national leader Stanford

By Anthony Carter

Daily Bruin Contributor

The 11th-ranked UCLA women’s swimming and diving team begins its
quest today for its first Pacific 10 Championship.

The Bruins will compete in Federal Way, Wash., at the
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, Thursday to Saturday (Feb.
27-March 1).

The road block for the Bruins in previous years has always been
current conference and national champion Stanford. The Cardinal
always seems to have enough kick to pull out the victory at the
Pac-10 Championships and this year they host the event. Last year
UCLA recorded its seventh second-place finish at the Pac-10
Championship, coming in ahead of USC but behind Stanford.

Missing from last year’s squad are Olympian Annette Salmeen, who
won the 100-meter and 200-butterfly last year and placed second in
the 500- freestyle, and Amy Sloan, who claimed the title in
three-meter diving.

But junior Lindsay Etter, who placed second in the 100 and
200-breaststroke last year and has qualified for the 1997 NCAA
Championships in those two events, will lead the team.

Joining Etter on the front lines will be freshman Keiko Price,
who has starred for the Bruins this year. Price has qualified for
the NCAA Championships in the 50, 100 and 200-free, 100-fly and
200-free relay.

Junior Jill Jenkins, who has been a significant part of UCLA’s
six dual meet wins, won’t participate in the Pac-10s. Having
already qualified for five events in the NCAAs, though, Jenkins
will rest her back until she competes in the nationals in the 50
and 100-free, 100-fly, 100-back and 200-free relay.

Teaming with Price on the 200-free relay team and also
qualifying for the 100-free are Susan Trainer and Jaclyn
Castellano. In addition, Trainer will swim the 200-free as
Castellano will compete in the 50-free.

On the boards for the Bruins will be Rose Huelskamp, who has
placed first on the three-meter board in seven of eight meets so
far.

"They’ve been training hard all year," UCLA assistant coach
Byron Davis said. "Now it’s time for them to reap the benefits of
all that hard work."