Bruins looking to claim Pac-10 Championship

Published: Thursday, February 27, 1997

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."