Bruin named to National “˜B’ team
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 3, 2005 9:00 p.m.
After a summer of difficult training and some impressive
swimming, senior Kim Vandenberg has been named a member of the USA
Swimming National “B” Team. USA Swimming announced the
32 members of the National “A” and “B”
teams (16 men and 16 women) on Thursday, Sept. 29, basing its
decisions on the performances of the athletes during the 2005
season. “Being named to the team is definitely an
honor,” Vandenberg said. “This honor gives me even more
motivation to work harder and train harder to make it to the next
level.” After a disappointing performance at the USA
Nationals early August in Irvine, a well-rested Vandenberg captured
the silver medal by swimming a lifetime best in the 200-meter
butterfly at the World University Games held in Turkey.
“Turkey was a great experience,” Vandenberg said.
“It was my first international competition and the hard work
I did throughout the summer paid off and it was definitely worth
it.” It was Vandenberg’s swim in Turkey that solidified
her chances of gaining a position on the National Team. Vandenberg,
who spent the summer in Los Angeles studying and training for the
World University Games, never lost sight of her goal to excel in
Turkey, despite trying swims in Irvine. “I don’t like
not doing well,” Vandenberg said. “I wasn’t
rested or ready for Irvine and I knew that, but it was still tough.
I wasn’t ready then and I knew it wasn’t my time.
“Two weeks later was my time.”
MEN’S GOLF: The UCLA men’s golf team began its
competition successfully yesterday in the Pac-10/Big 10 Challenge
in Glenview, Ill. The Bruins were 5-over par after the first round
of competition and 6-under par in the second round. Sophomore
Daniel Im was 3-under par in the second round before darkness
settled in and Im was forced to mark his ball with three holes left
to play. The Bruins were tied for third place with Ohio State and
Northwestern with a score of 1-under par when play was suspended.
Joakim Renstrom, after shooting a 6-over 78 in the first round,
rebounded to shoot a 4-under 68 in the second round.
Renstrom’s second-round score was the low 18-hole score of
the day for the Bruins, although Im still has three holes to play.
The tournament also features two Bruin freshmen: Erik Flores and
James Lee. Flores shot impressive scores of 70 (-2) in the first
round and 72 (E) in the second round. Lee shot a first round 74
(+2) and a second round 75 (+3).
FORMER BRUIN SIGNS: The Charlotte Bobcats announced Monday they
will not match the Miami Heat’s offer sheet for the
restricted free agent forward and former UCLA basketball standout
Jason Kapono. He is getting a two-year deal, believed to be worth
about $1 million for this season and slightly more for 2006-2007.
Kapono joins his third team in three years. The former Bruin
averaged 8.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 81 games last season with
the Bobcats. He also had 35 double-digit scoring games and ranked
13th in the league in 3-point shooting. Since the Heat lost Damon
Jones, Eddie Jones and Rasual Butler ““ a trio that made 422
of Miami’s 475 connections from 3-point range last season
““ acquiring some shooters was an absolute must. The top
returning 3-point shooter for the Heat is Dwyane Wade, who made
only 13 tries from behind the arc all season. “Everyone has
their role, so obviously I know that I was brought in here to fill
that void,” Kapono said.
