Russell qualifies for Commonwealth Games

Junior Colin Russell earned the rare opportunity to represent his native country when he qualified for Canada's Commonwealth Games team during the nation's trials held Nov. 23-26 at Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria, B.C. \n"Wearing my country's colors and representing Canada for me is a great feeling," Russell said. "I love Canada and what it stands for. It's an honor." \nRussell was born in Barrie, Ontario, after which he moved to Florida and Spain and then returned to Canada to decide whether to attend a Canadian or American school. \nAs Russell contemplated where to attend college, he met another top Canadian swimmer, who advised him to attend an American school because the country features the world's top swimmers. \nAfter several recruiting trips, Russell settled on IU. \n"IU has a nice pool and Coach (Ray) Looze was a good recruiter," Russell said. "He seemed like the right person to help me swim fast."\nLast summer Russell competed in the World Championships, where he made the first national A-team. After the World Championships, he represented IU in the World University Games in Turkey. The Commonwealth Games was the next goal on Russell's list and it all started with the qualifying trials in November. \nThe trials are a four-day event, but Russell took care of business on the very first day, alleviating the pressure off himself to make the Canadian team in his other meets. He earned a spot on Canada's 400 LCM freestyle relay with a fourth-place finish in the 100 LCM. In prelims, Russell swam a time of 50.87, the fifth-fastest 100 LCM time in school history. He did himself one better in the finals of the meet, clocking the third-best time in school history with 50.46. In day two of the trials, Russell clinched third place in the 400 LCM freestyle with a time of 3:53.61, the eighth fastest time in IU history. Russell's unforgettable weekend culminated in a fourth-place finish in the 200 LCM freestyle at 1:49.97, the fifth-fastest time in school history. \n"It's nice to know that all my hard work over the years is paying off," Russell said. "My life is swimming and I have sacrificed a lot."\nRussell credited Looze and IU's swim program as instrumental in his opportunity to compete in the games. \n"Coach Looze tried hard to persuade the athletic director to allow me to swim in the Commonwealth Games," Russell said. "IU also trained me really well. The program offers 50 meter (the length of international meets) training which is good for speed work." \nRussell will participate in the 100 LCM, 200 LCM and 400 LCM in the Commonwealth Games, the same meets he swam during the trials. He will not only compete against swimmers from other countries, but will train with his own Canadian team, whom he says boasts of some of the best swimmers in the world. \nFor Russell, competing in the Commonwealth Games is the next rung on the ladder leading to the Olympic Games, something he came within one second of accomplishing in 2004. \n"It gives me another reason to keep training hard," Russell said. "It's a chance to prove myself. It's another step in making the Olympic team." \nThe timing of the Commonwealth Games coincides perfectly with the Big Ten Championships. The Big Ten Championships, being held in Bloomington this season, take place three weeks prior to the Commonwealth Games, allowing Russell to take part in double tapering -- something his coaches feel will be beneficial. \nRussell will taper for one week, train hard for the next couple of weeks and then taper again the third week. The double tapering helps Russell tap into his speed and ultimately swim better the second time.\nRussell also said his approach and preparation for the upcoming Games will change from his usual routine prior to IU meets.\n"Coach Looze, my father and I talked about my training program and changed it so that it allows me to get more speed work," Russell said. "(The program) will consist of more intensity rather than long miles of swimming. Plus, my endurance work and weight training will be different."\nMelbourne, Australia will play host to the 2006 Commonwealth Games and Russell said he expects to take full advantage of traveling to the "land down under."\n"A swimmer's career isn't long," Russell said. "I want to experience everything I can"