24 Hoosiers vie for US Olympic spots

Omaha, Neb., isn’t necessarily a popular summertime destination, but that won’t stop several IU swimmers from making the \ntrip there.\nFrom June 29 through July 6, 24 Hoosiers will be competing in the 2008 Olympic Swim Trials with hopes of making a trip to Beijing this summer. IU currently has four divers competing in the diving trials in Indianapolis, which goes through June 22.\nWhile this is the first Olympic trial for several of the swimmers, sophomore Ashley Jones has done it once before.\n“I kind of know what to do,” Jones said. “It’s the fastest meet in the world. It’s exciting to be a part of that. It’s cool, but I don’t try to let it get to me.”\nAlthough Jones has experience in the event, Olympic trials rookie and sophomore Presley Bard worries she might be taken by the atmosphere, too.\n“It’s going to be hard to not get caught up in the action,” Bard said. “I’m just going to have to stay focused on racing and myself.”\nBoth the men’s and women’s teams have spent the last few months training heavily, including a training trip to Mexico. While the training has been intense, senior Todd Patrick is hoping his stellar NCAA season will help him as well.\n“I’m feeling pretty good,” Patrick said. “I had a good college season so I’m just going to ride that out, I hope.”\nPatrick has been training with fellow senior Ben Hesen, who won the national title in the 100-yard backstroke during the regular season. While the two are both competing for a roster spot, Patrick said that his partner’s victory would be just as sweet.\n“We thrive off seeing someone else do good,” Patrick said. “We really go off of each other.”\nHesen’s success for the past few seasons has helped bring him to this year’s trials. Although this is his first time vying for an Olympic spot, Hesen said he likes being in the limelight and looks forward to \nthe competition.\n“This will definitely be the largest crowd,” Hesen said. “I just look at it as the biggest opportunity in a swim meet that I can find.”