IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 2. IT'S been quite a breakthrough summer for Leila Vaziri, the Indiana University standout from Coral Springs who is making her name known on the national backstroke scene. Vaziri clocked 1:01.69 to take top honors in the 100 back and wrapped up a berth to the Pan Pacific Championships later this month.
With a win over Natalie Coughlin at the Eric Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix and a decision of Katie Hoff at the Charlotte UltraSwim, Vaziri entered Nationals as a title contender. Vaziri used a strong back half of the race to knock off Lauren English (1:01.86) and Margaret Hoelzer (1:01.93).
"This is definitely my first title, and is my first finals at nationals, so this is a lot of firsts," Vaziri said. "Tonight, I was just like I am going to go out and race and see what happens. I have not had a real consistent training regimen the last two years. I just wanted to go out there and race today. It is incredible. I am just taking it one meet at a time. This might be my last long course season. It is satisfying."
In the consolation heat, Terrapins Swim Team’s Lauren Rogers took a slim advantage at the turn with a 30.94. Bluefish Elizabeth Beisel tracked her down to take first in 1:03.25, while Rogers placed second in 1:03.42. Auburn’s Margo McCawley rounded out the top three in 1:03.51.
In the bonus consolation heat, Patriot Aquatics’ Sarah Bateman took an early lead at the 50-meter mark with a 31.14 split. She nearly made it stand up with a second-place 1:04.22. Meanwhile, Tucson Ford’s Kathryn Thompson garnered first in 1:04.07, while Stanford Swimming’s Andrea Axtell finished third in 1:04.27.
Event 8 Women 100 LC Meter Backstroke
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World: W 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
American: A 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
U.S. Open: O 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, Cal/USA
LC Nationals: M 59.58 8/13/2002 Natalie A Coughlin, CALIFORNIA AQ.
Oly. Trial: 1:04.59
Sum. Nat Cut: 1:05.39
US Open Cut: 1:06.69
Name Age Team Prelims Finals FINA
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=== A – Final ===
1 Vaziri, Leila 21 Coral Springs Sw 1:02.27 1:01.69 933
r:+0.60 30.71 1:01.69 (30.98)
2 English, Lauren 17 Cougar Aquatic T 1:02.30 1:01.86 926
r:+0.58 30.10 1:01.86 (31.76)
3 Hoelzer, Margar 23 Auburn Aquatics- 1:02.49 1:01.93 923
r:+0.65 30.33 1:01.93 (31.60)
4 Bishop, Brooke 19 Stanford Swimmin 1:02.18 1:02.20 911
r:+0.65 30.20 1:02.20 (32.00)
5 Kukors, Ariana 17 King-PN 1:03.30 1:02.51 897
r:+0.60 30.73 1:02.51 (31.78)
6 Descenza, Mary 21 Athens Bulldog S 1:02.97 1:02.65 891
r:+0.70 30.81 1:02.65 (31.84)
7 White, Brielle 23 Nova of Virginia 1:03.62 1:03.54 854
r:+0.64 30.75 1:03.54 (32.79)
8 Smit, Julia 18 Three Village Sw 1:03.87 1:03.81 843
r:+0.71 31.88 1:03.81 (31.93)
=== B – Final ===
9 Beisel, Elizabe 13 Bluefish Swim Cl 1:04.03 1:03.25 866
r:+0.58 31.19 1:03.25 (32.06)
10 Rogers, Lauren 19 Terrapins Swim T 1:04.13 1:03.42 859
r:+0.64 30.94 1:03.42 (32.48)
11 McCawley, Margo 19 Auburn Universit 1:04.07 1:03.51 855
r:+0.54 31.17 1:03.51 (32.34)
12 Iversen, Caitli 18 Greenwood Tiger- 1:04.04 1:03.72 847
r:+0.69 31.18 1:03.72 (32.54)
13 Weaner, Tricia 17 Wsy Swimming-MA 1:03.92 1:03.73 847
r:+0.67 31.23 1:03.73 (32.50)
14 Silver, Helen 22 California Aquat 1:04.18 1:03.95 838
r:+0.64 30.95 1:03.95 (33.00)
15 McGregory, Hayl 20 Una Mvn-CA/Missi 1:04.22 1:04.36 822
r:+0.70 30.98 1:04.36 (33.38)
16 Lahey, Kristen 18 Trojan Swim Club 1:04.14 1:04.50 817
r:+0.66 31.13 1:04.50 (33.37)
=== C – Final ===
17 Thompson, Kathr 19 Tucson Ford Deal 1:04.43 1:04.07 833
r:+0.64 31.68 1:04.07 (32.39)
18 Bateman, Sarah 16 Patriot Aquatics 1:04.35 1:04.22 827
r:+0.61 31.14 1:04.22 (33.08)
19 Axtell, Andrea 19 Stanford Swimmin 1:04.43 1:04.27 825
r:+0.55 31.22 1:04.27 (33.05)
20 Smith, Kelsy 19 Marlins of Ralei 1:04.62 1:04.60 813
r:+0.58 31.73 1:04.60 (32.87)
21 Connolly, Jenni 16 Boilermaker Aqua 1:04.56 1:04.83 804
r:+0.58 31.60 1:04.83 (33.23)
21 Beck, Mary 14 Longhorn Aquatic 1:04.41 1:04.83 804
r:+0.71 31.86 1:04.83 (32.97)
23 Jennings, Leona 15 King-PN 1:04.54 1:04.87 803
r:+0.59 31.63 1:04.87 (33.24)
24 Pelton, Elizabe 12 Badger Swim Club 1:04.60 1:05.09 795
r:+0.61 31.36 1:05.09 (33.73)
