Dara just one the national title in the 100M Freestyle in 54.4 at the ripe old age of 40. Simply Incredible. :applaud: :woot:
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is.
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On the news yesterday they mentioned how a 16 year old girl (who looked more like 12) placed fifth in one of the track events at Olympic Trials and apparently this was a big deal. Isn't it strange that high schoolers rarely reach the highest levels in track but they do in swimming? On the other hand, there have been lots of track stars that continue to excel into their 30s. Haven't seen many in their 40s, though.
edit: correction. She finished fifth in her heat to advance to today's finals. Here's a story about her: sports.espn.go.com/.../story
This doesn't surprise me that much. It seems that although high school track has more participants than high school swimming there are far fewer year round track athletes. The club program(s) seem so few and far between. It could mean that we are missing an opportunity to develop track athletes.
As for Torres embarrassing USA swimming.....I just don't see it. Yes it says something that we have no NCAA sprinters as fast as Torres. It could say that Torres is cheating. Or it could say that her 180 degree opposite training style and complete professional dedication to her events is the roadmap to follow.
And we have some emerging young superstars like Beisel (and Hoff before her). They just aren't sprinters.
On the news yesterday they mentioned how a 16 year old girl (who looked more like 12) placed fifth in one of the track events at Olympic Trials and apparently this was a big deal. Isn't it strange that high schoolers rarely reach the highest levels in track but they do in swimming? On the other hand, there have been lots of track stars that continue to excel into their 30s. Haven't seen many in their 40s, though.
edit: correction. She finished fifth in her heat to advance to today's finals. Here's a story about her: sports.espn.go.com/.../story
This doesn't surprise me that much. It seems that although high school track has more participants than high school swimming there are far fewer year round track athletes. The club program(s) seem so few and far between. It could mean that we are missing an opportunity to develop track athletes.
As for Torres embarrassing USA swimming.....I just don't see it. Yes it says something that we have no NCAA sprinters as fast as Torres. It could say that Torres is cheating. Or it could say that her 180 degree opposite training style and complete professional dedication to her events is the roadmap to follow.
And we have some emerging young superstars like Beisel (and Hoff before her). They just aren't sprinters.
