Now Comes Hard Part: Waiting for Trials

Now everyone go to a neutral corner.

After four days in the pool, and a chance to measure up the competition at the Janet Evans Invitational swim meet, the United States’ top swimmers will wind down their training and rest for the Olympic trails, Aug. 9-16 in Indianapolis.

“I think most of the finalists at the trials will come from this meet,” said Dave Salo, coach of the Irvine Novaquatics.

The last four days, those swimmers have been sparring.

“If you look at the 100 and 200 backstrokes, 60% of the final at the trials will probably come from this meet,” said Lenny Krayzelburg, the world record-holder in both the backstrokes. “This was a chance to compare yourself against the people you’ll be swimming against four weeks from now.”

Now comes the hard part. The waiting.

“Basically, you stop training now and try to polish some things,” USC Coach Mark Schubert said. “I think most swimmers have an idea of their potential at this point. But you still have to stand up on the blocks and put it together a month from now.”

Some, though, try not to stress too much.

“I don’t try to think too far ahead,” said the Novaquatics’ Byron Davis, who is trying to make the team in the 100-meter breaststroke. “I have to worry about what I have when I’m there. I can’t put too much pressure on myself.”

At this point, though, most know if they have a chance.

“I’m sure there are a few swimmers going ‘Where am I?’ the last few days,” Salo said. “But those who have put in the time and worked hard can see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point.”

Whether that’s an on-rushing train is still to be seen. But, basically, if they aren’t ready now, they won’t be in a month. This is not like a final exam. You can’t cram.

What is left to do is plan the strategy. “You more or less do management from now on,” Salo said. “You have to make sure each kid is ready for their primary event.”

And decide just what event that will be. The Novaquatics’ Gabrielle Rose is a Exhibit A.

Rose’s best event may be the 200 individual medley. Yet, it might not be her best shot at making the Olympic team.

“They take six swimmers in the 200 freestyle and two from the 200 IM,” said Salo, who trains Rose. “The events are held on the same days. Gabby’s best chance is in the freestyle, but she is swimming really well in the IM right now.”

Rose finished seventh in the 200 freestyle on Saturday and third in the 200 IM on Sunday. She trailed only Canada’s Joanne Malar, who set a meet record (2 minutes 15.12 seconds), and Kristine Quance-Julian, a member of the United States’ 400 medley relay team in the 1996 Olympics.

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Reports of Krayzelburg’s demise were greatly exaggerated.

Krayzelburg lost in the 200 backstroke Friday, when he finished second to Newport Harbor’s Aaron Peirsol. It was the first time in more than two years that Krayzelburg has lost in the 200 backstroke.

He dominated the 100 backstroke Sunday, finishing first with a meet-record time of 54.60. Peirsol finished sixth.

“I definitely felt a lot better today,” Krayzelburg said. “Coming off that loss, this gives me a lot of confidence to do good stuff.”

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Poland’s Bart Kizierowski, who swims for the Mission Viejo Nadadores, finished second in the 100 backstroke, a strong showing since his best events are the 50 and 100 freestyles.

Kizierowski also swam the 100 backstroke at the European Championships two weeks ago. He finished sixth.

“It was something to try,” Kizierowski said. “Who knows, maybe it will be another Olympic event for me.”

Maybe. In Sunday’s race, he beat Team Poland pal Gordan Kozulj, who won the event at the European Championships. Kozulj finished fourth Sunday.