Four of China’s fastest female swimmers and one of its top divers will be attending college and competing in the United States. All five women will be attending the University of Nevada.
Joining the Nevada Wolf Pack in January will be Sun Jialin of Shanghai, whose best time in the 50m free (lc) is 25.5. She also has a relay split of 56.7 for the 100. Also representing Nevada will be Rao Lang of Beijing, national champion in the one- and three-meter diving events. Already on campus and swimming for Nevada is Liu Bichun, ranked twelfth in the 200m backstroke in 1995.
Next Fall, the Wolf Pack will boast one of the biggest names in Chinese swimming–Liu Limin. In addition, two other very high ranked Chinese women swimmers also plan to swim for Nevada.
The Chinese athletes were recruited by You Jianlin, Nevada’s diving coach the last two years and former Chinese national diving coach, according to head coach Mike Anderson. Anderson hopes the Chinese, as well as two Australian swimmers and several prime domestic recruits will boost the Wolf Pack at the NCAAs. Nevada broke into the NCAA scoring in 1996, finishing 36th; this year it placed 19th.
Several years ago, 1992 Olympic silver medalist, Wang Xiaohong, swam in the US, first for Utah, then UNLV. However, in NCAA competition she never approached her times performed while a member of the Chinese national team.