…Dara Torres, Steve West, and Janet Evans may be soon joined by another Olympic Trials qualifier 40-and-over: Erica Braun out of Raleigh, North Carolina. This past weekend at Masters’ Nationals, she had a bit of a marathon weekend that included a National Age Group Record in the 100 IM of 57.95, and a 50-yard free time of 23.54. She also dropped over half-a-second from her 100 free with a 50.59. The Georgia Bulldog swimmer is just .03 seconds away from making an Olympic Trials cut in the long course 50 free, and one would imagine that this meet was simply her a few weeks into a taper that is aimed for the Charlotte Grand Prix. Watch those results to see if she can sneak a 26.39 to make the cut. If she’s dropping half-a-second off of her 100 yard free, one would imagine she’s got .03 in her 50…
…Though the official USOC Hall-of-Fame class of 2012 results won’t be announced until May 13th, Gary Hall Jr. is among one of the inductees in this year’s class. In his run at three Olympic Games, Hall won a total of 10 Olympic medals, which makes him one of only 9 Americans (and 8 swimmers from any country) in Olympic history to do so. In the process, he maintained an edge and personality of flare that made him one of the most popular personalities in the history of Olympic sports. We asked Gary about receiving the honor, and what it meant to him at the end of such a successful career.
“I’d like to start by thanking all of the many people that I swam with, and against. The outpouring of support through the voting process has been as moving as the induction itself.
Erika Braun qualified this morning in the 50 Free with a 26.32 at UNC Chapel Hill. It was awesome!
My favorite Gary Hall, Jr. moment was when a reporter asked him what his “race strategy” was for the LC 50. After looking at her for a moment, he said “Well, I thought I’d try to get to the wall first.”
So I have to share a very funny story. I received a call last Friday from the USOC, informing me that I would receive a call at 10 am on Monday letting me know if I’ve made the Hall of Fame cut. It’s a conference call with a few folks and they inform me that I made the Hall of Fame and then provided details about the induction ceremony in July. Of course I was ecstatic!
Exactly 6 hours and 7 minutes after receiving the call, my phone rings. It’s the USOC. They say, “We forgot to tell you… Don’t tell anyone!”
Ha! The funny thing is that I only told one person (my wife) in between those USOC… Read more »
Ain’t Saying.Just watch swimmers at meets and it is obvious…heard this swimmer charges for an autograph now.
When my swimmer was an age grouper we had the opportunity to meet Gary Hall Jr on Deck at a National Meet.Impressive.He went out of his way to speak with the young age groupers who were helping out on deck and behind the scenes.He was kind and generous when it came to answering questions from the kids and he signed many autographs…Amanda Beard was also there and was very generous with her time and attention to the age groupers, and the volunteers.Gary Hall Jr and Amanda Beard showed true leadership and class.
In sharp contrast another high profile swimmer scowled at anyone who looked at him and pitched a hissy fit when one of the kids spoke with him.Congratulations… Read more »
who was this other high profile swimmer?
I’m intrigued
Yeah! Do tell! 😉
Save Hall Jr.!
The swimming got more sad without him…
I still remember his Rocky Balboa costume…haha