National Sports Festival : Olsen Wins 4th Swimming Event, One Short of Woodhead’s Record

A few years ago, during a grueling summer workout with the Longhorn Aquatic Club, Jeff Olsen was acquiescing in fatigue’s attempts to get the better of him.

“I was slowing down because it was a tough set,” said the high school senior from Austin, Tex. “But then I heard someone coming up behind me and it was Rowdy Gaines. He kept saying, ‘Come on Jeff don’t let me catch you, don’t let me catch you.’ ”

Gaines, who collected gold in Los Angeles in 1984, wasn’t at the Louisiana State University Natatorium to whisper in Olsen’s ear, Monday night, but the 16-year-old athlete showed tremendous poise and courage to hold off Andre duPlessis of New Orleans in the 400-meter freestyle event during competition at Sports Festival VI.

The victory was Olsen’s fourth of competition, one shy of the Festival record of five set by Cynthia (Sippy) Woodhead in 1979. Olsen, swimming for the West team, had two chances for a fifth but saw them both fizzle.

In the men’s 4x200 freestyle relay, despite his strong leg, the West team finished fifth. Then he failed to gain a spot on tonight’s West’s 4x100 relay team, losing a qualifying race.

But four titles, in the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle events and the 200 butterfly, has made swimmers across the country take note. Maybe not next week at the U.S. Nationals at Mission Viejo, but soon.

“Looking strictly at times, he’s not a record-breaker yet,” said former gold medalist John Naber, who is analyzing the competition for ESPN. “And if I’m a record holder, I’m not going to be scared, either. ‘But we’re looking two years down the road, here.

“But I like what I saw. He was behind, took the lead and then really dug down and held on. He showed me a lot of maturity. He kept a cool head when he had to.”

Olsen will be severely tested next week at Mission Viejo, but he felt it was too early to start worrying.

“When I got off the plane I had to admit I went looking at a record book cause I wanted to get Sippy’s mark,” he said. “And it was nice to win against some quality competition.

“I don’t think I’m very well known nationally and I don’t think people are going to be asking for autographs in Mission Viejo. But after this, I think a few more swimmers will know who I am.”

A year ago Monday, Nancy Hogshead and Carrie Steinseifer tied for first place in the women’s 100 freestyle at Los Angeles, the first tie in Olympic swimming history.

Hogshead was in Baton Rouge, Monday to pass out some awards and the memory of the golden summer of ’84 was still fresh.

“I do still tingle inside a little when I think about it,” said Hogshead, a senior at Duke University. “How can you not be excited? I’ll never forget it.

“I was just in L.A. for the anniversary party Sunday and it all comes rushing back. It was wonderful to win.”

In a preview of Wednesday night’s gold-medal basketball game, the South led by guard Mike Porter of Pulaski, Va., edged the North, 85-81. Porter, who had 18 points, has not committed to a college, but is leaning toward Virginia Union or Houston’s San Jacinto junior college.

The North was led by center Danny Manning, who had 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

“These kids are really playing together and they really want to win,” said South Coach Dave Whitney of Alcorn State. “You put John Williams and Tom Hammonds on the same court together and it creates a very enjoyable situation. I’m having fun.”

In addition to being a fine basketball coach, Whitney’s other claim to fame is that he was the man who replaced Ernie Banks at shortstop, when the Hall of Famer left the Kansas City Monarchs to join the Chicago Cubs.

The West lost its third game in a row, falling to the East, 94-88. Chris Sandle, formerly of Long Beach Poly, led the West with 19 points.

The West baseball team evened its record at 1-1 Monday, rolling over the East, 15-7. Ed Sprague of Stockton, tied a Festival record with three doubles in five trips to the plate. The West meets the North this morning.

Say the word basketball and ESPN’s basketball commentator Dick Vitale is off on a coast-to-coast, fastbreak dissertation.

The former coach, turned commentator, has one of the quickest tounges in the country and more color than the wonderful world of Disney.

“The best five here?, he asked. “OK, here’s the Vitale Dream Team (at the National Sports Festival).

“Danny Manning (Kansas). He’s such a finesse player. His game is diverse, he’s got size and agility. He can pass and create. So flexible, so smooth.

“John Williams (former Crenshaw star, now at LSU). We’re talking about the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. He can do it all. You have to love him.

“Tom Hammonds (Georgia Tech). He’s going to be a tremendous impact player at Tech. He’s outstanding. He and Williams (John of LSU) together on the South. Ouch!

“Rod Strickland (DePaul). Along with Pooh (Jerome Richardson), who’s going to get off the plane in L.A. and start for four years for Walt Hazzard at UCLA, we are talking the two best point guards in the country. I like Pooh because he can hit the jumper. Watch Strickland, he’s a magician.

“My last guy is going to surprise you but I like Doug Roth (Tennessee). He’s going to be like Tom Boerwinkle reincarnated. Big, strong and aggressive. Don DeVoe (Tennessee basketball coach) is going to get the most out of him and it could be a lot.”

What about Tom Lewis, the All-American from Mater Dei, who is heading to USC in the fall?

“The media made him an All-American and the kid scored a lot of points,” Vitale said. “But when he got in the all-star games, all the other kids were expecting a lot and it wasn’t there. He couldn’t find his shot and he got lost. Here, he’s not doing much at all.

“But you put Lewis in a steady program and in four years he will be a solid college player, who will make a contribution. Not right away as a freshman, but he’ll be there. But hey, he’s not the kind of player who’s taking anyone to the Promised Land.”

Sports Festival Notes

The Sports Festival will change its name next year. It will be known as the U.S. Olympic Festival. . . . Forty-five of the 60 boys competing in field hockey are from California. . . . In women’s water polo, Cathy Sanderson of Hacienda Heights scored three goals to lead the West to a 10-7 victory over the East. Carmen Smith of Downey, scored three goals for the East. In the other game, Amy Caulkins fed Robin Dressel with just nine seconds left to lift the South a 6-6 tie with the North. Caulkins of Nashville, Tenn., is the sister of swimmer Tracy Caulkins. However, the big story for the South was the play of Huntington Beach’s Maureen O’Toole, who scored four goals. After two games she has a total of 11. . . . Michelle Mras of Anaheim and her partner Diane Merrett of Richardson, Tex., reached the final of the women’s doubles competition. In the boys’ doubles, unseeded Steve Jung of Hacienda Heights, who played at Los Altos, and Mark Keil also reached the final. . . . In Taekwondo, the most interviewed athlete has been Kareem Ali Jabbar, a fireman from Chicago.