Beard Tops Off a Busy Week

After an exhausting week in and out of the pool, Amanda Beard remained unbeatable when she swam the 100-meter breaststroke Friday at the Speedo International Grand Challenge Swimming Invitational at Irvine.

Swimming on her home turf at the Heritage Aquatic Complex, the U.S. Olympic team member had little trouble winning the event in 1 minute 12.13 seconds.

Beard is ranked first in the world in the event and second in the 200-meter breaststroke.

During the last week, Beard has not only been working out hard with her swim club, the Novaquatics, and going to school, but the Irvine High freshman was on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” Tuesday and returned from a major swim meet in Arizona last Sunday.

Her coach, Dave Salo, said Beard will stay close to home the next month and get plenty of rest.

“I’m going to have to give her a little pep talk this week,” Salo said. “But she’ll be fine.”

Beard also swam the 200 individual medley and finished second to Shannon Cullen of Redlands, who won in 2:23.05.

In other events: George Giziotis, who swims with the Greek national team, set a meet record in the 50 freestyle (23.90). Polish Olympic team member Bart Kizierowski won the 200 individual medley in 2:09.74 and Trojan Swim Club teammates Lenny Krayzelburg (200 backstroke) and Jeff Julian (400 freestyle) won their specialties.

Dave Huston, swimming unattached, won the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.23.

Nicole Bernard, 14, of the Shilshole Swim Club in Seattle, beat Olympic medal winner Angie Wester-Krieg of Stanford in the 400 freestyle (4:25.31). Nicole Beck of Buena Ventura won the 200 back (2:21.72) and her teammate, Kimberly Schneider, won the 50 free (27.82).