U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES 1991 : NOTEBOOK

Wet poet: Swimmer Kari Lydersen, competing in the 800 meter freestyle, may not be poetry in motion in the pool, but she’s a published poet and playwright.

Lydersen, a 14-year-old from Encinitas, had her first poem published at age 11. She has also had two plays published. Although swimming is a frequent subject of her poetry, Lydersen says her “good stuff” is inspired by nature. That is reflected by the titles of two of her published poems, “A Walk on Rialto Beach” and “Backpacking in Point Reyes.”

Lydersen, who has qualified for the Olympic Trials, says writing is just a hobby. She wants to be a marine biologist.