High school hotshots

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Jan 2002

The 2001-2002 high school season promises to be a sizzler. In Florida, Gulliver Prep junior Christina Swindle, Swimming World's female High School Swimmer of the Year last season, blasted her own national independent school mark in the 50 yard free, clocking 22.39. She also swam the 100 in 49.39, just missing her prep standard of 49.33.

Kara Joyce of Pioneer H.S. in Michigan, set a national public school record in the same event. Joyce sped through the two-lapper in 22.73, lowering Kelly Bennett's 1999 mark by 2-- hundredths. Joyce also won the 100 (49.53p).

Rosary (Ill.) High's Mary Descenza shaved 2-hundredths off her own national independent school standard in the 100 fly, touching in 53.11. She set a second state mark in winning the 200 free (1:48.44, just ahead of New Trier's Jackie Goldman, 1:48.57).

For the latest in high school swimming, click on swiminfo.com, which is carrying complete coverage of all high school state meets.

People

Team Gaffney Conquers the Channel. Oregon's Karen Gaffney became the first person with Down syndrome to complete a crossing of the English Channel when she led a six-person relay across the treacherous 21-mile channel on July 24. Enduring cold water, jellyfish and kelp, and swimming over the wakes of freighters, the team arrived on the French shore in just over 14 hours. For more info on the swim and Karen's speaking schedule, log on to www.karengaffney-- foundation.com.

Kudos. Stanford's Misty Hyman and Georgia's Kim Black were named winners of the NCAA's "Today's Top VIII Awards." They are among six women and two men who will be honored at a dinner at the NCAA convention in Indianapolis, Jan. 13, for their athletic and academic achievement, character and leadership.

Also being honored in Indy that day will be swimming legend John Naber, one of six recipients of the NCAA "Silver Anniversary Award," which recognizes former studentathletes who have distinguished themselves since completing their college athletics careers 25 years ago. Past aquatic winners include three-time Olympian Dr. Gary Hall Sr. and Olympic diver Cynthia Potter.

Bonaire Winner.

Curacao's Vincent Van Rutten, 14, won the first-ever 5K Bonaire Eco-Swim, finishing in 1:13:00. The USA's Lauren Welting, 37, was the top woman (1:14:30).

Greek Deeked. Greece's Vasileios Demetis was given a mandatory life-- time ban by FINA after he tested positive for steroids for the second time.

Wachner Resigns. Linda Wachner, 55, stepped down as CEO of the troubled Warnaco Corp., parent company of Speedo.