WAITING IN LINE - Kate Ziegler

Swimming World Magazine, Jun 2005 by Lohn, John

Will 16-year-old Kate Ziegler be the next breakthrough distance swimmer to challenge the records of Janet Evans?

In a never-ending process, the swimming world is always searching for that next star, the special individual who can inherit the torch from the previous generation. In that quest, it is commonplace for a young talent to receive considerable hype, including favorable comparisons to earlier standouts.

That's exactly what's happening with 16-year-old Kate Ziegler, who is drawing comparisons with Janet Evans.

From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, Evans raised the bar in distance swimming. Her 400 and 1500 free records are 17 years old. Her 800 free standard has stood for 16 years.

At the very least, Ziegler is a promising youngster who has packaged a 10-month stretch-beginning with last summer's Olympic Trials and continuing through April's World Championship Trials-that suggests a dynamite future.

"Everything has been such a great experience," she said. "I'm happy that I've had some success, and going to Montreal (for the World Championships this summer) is the icing. It's all been such a dream. I've achieved a lot so quickly, but I really haven't had the time to look back at it all."

AN IMPRESSIVE RESUMÉ

Representing The Fish and coached by Ray Benecki, the Great Falls (Va.) ace is the complete package, versatile from the 400 to the mile. She's excelled in short course as well as long course. Her recent accomplishments serve as proof:

* At her first Olympic Trials, Ziegler walked away from Long Beach (Calif.) with a fourth-place finish in the 800 free and a fifth-place showing in the 400.

* Three months after the Trials, Ziegler enjoyed a breakthrough at the international level when she collected a silver medal in the 800 free at the World Short Course Championships in Indianapolis.

* In February, Sippy Woodhead's 25-year-old American record in the short course 800 meter free was wiped off the books as Ziegler clocked 8:16.32 during a World Cup victory in New York.

* During her scholastic season for Bishop O'Connell High, Ziegler established a national independent school record in the 500 yard free when she touched the wall in 4:37.67.

* A few weeks later, she set a pair of 15-16 national age group records at the Southern Zone sectionals. En route to a time of 15:40.89 in the 1650 yard free, Ziegler also took down the 1000 free standard with a split of 9:25.51. Her 1650 mark was just off Evans' American record of 15:39.14, while her 1000 was the fastest 1000 split ever and only 2-hundredths off Evans' AR.

* Most recently, Ziegler earned a bid to the World Championships by winning the 800 and 1500 free at the U.S. Trials with times of 8:34.83 and 16:26.59.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

While she won a pair of events at the World Championship Trials, Ziegler admits to lacking the ideal training for an international selection meet. After failing to qualify for the World Championships in the 400 free, Ziegler knew she had to deliver in the 800.

"I was definitely feeling the schedule," Ziegler said of her high-intensity stretch. "I didn't get the training I wanted, so I was nervous. But I set a goal of making the World Championship team, and I was going to do anything it took to make it."

This summer, the likes of France's Laure Manaudou and Japan's Ai Shibata will be factors in Montreal. Still, there's reason to believe Ziegler is capable of landing a podium position, perhaps the top perch.

"I don't see myself on the same level as the great American distance swimmers," Ziegler said, her modesty shining through. "I'm just glad to compete against the best. It's nice that people have compared me to (Janet Evans), but she's the greatest ever. "

One day, maybe the same will be said about Kate Ziegler.

John Lohn is SwimmingWorldMagazine.com's newsmaster and a sportswriter for the Delaware County Daily Times.