Adrian, Hoelzer advance Friday in Olympic swim trials

OMAHA, Neb. — Nathan Adrian knows he's close to breaking the 22-second threshold in the 50 freestyle. He can feel it.

If the Bremerton native wants to advance to Saturday night's finals in the event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic swimming trials and have a shot at another event in Beijing, he's going to need to find a way to break that time barrier in Friday night's semifinal.

Cullen Jones, Ben Wildman-Tobriner and Gary Hall, Jr. established that during Friday morning's prelims. All three sprinted under 22 seconds, led by Jones (21.59) and Wildman-Tobriner (21.68), who both swam under Hall's eight-year American record (21.76).

"The race felt really good, but I know I have a lot better one still in me," said Adrian, who paused during his post-race interview to check how Race Club teammate Gary Hall was doing in his heat. "Tonight, I've got to go even faster and break that stupid 22 second barrier. I'm going to have to. I know it's in me."

Adrian finished in a three-way tie for fourth behind Hall (21.89) with a time of 22.05, slightly slower than his qualifying time of 22.01.

After making the Olympic team Thursday night as a member of the 400 freestyle relay, Adrian said he felt relaxed but excited to swim this morning.

"I'm just trying to make it in (100 free final) and have my fastest swim," Adrian said.

Hall, who has trained with and mentored Adrian over the past year at The Race Club, was rooting for his teammate to make the team last night.

"I am so proud of him," said Hall, who anointed Adrian as America's sprint freestyle future after his win last month at the Mutual of Omaha Swimvitational in this same pool. "When I saw him make that relay last night, I went to bed feeling good."

World Champion Margaret Hoelzer swam her first race in defense of her 2004 Olympic Trials title in the 200 backstroke with the third-fastest qualifying time, 2:10.19 of the moring. While the time was more than three seconds slower than her American record (2:07.16), Hoelzer said she felt very relaxed heading into Friday night's semifinals despite the fast swims by Elizabeth Beisel (2:07.44) and Hayley McGregory (2:08.76) in the morning.

"I saw both of their swims and they were fast, but I just wanted to swim fast enough to qualifying for semis and not use a ton of energy," said Hoelzer, who trains at King Aquatic. "This is definitely the race I'm most comfortable in, so I'm looking forward to a great race tonight."

Five other Seattle area swimmers competed in the 200 back prelims, led by 17-year-old Leona Jennings of Des Moines, who finished 34th in 2:15.71. Competing in her first Trials with the 50 freestyle still to swim Saturday, Jennings said she is enjoying her entire experience.

"The first time I walked on deck, I was a little bit intimidated, but once I swam a bit, I've definitely become more comfortable," said Jennings, who also swam the 100 backstroke earlier this week. "It's been a fun experience, and I hope I get to experience it again in four years."

Scott Rice also of Des Moines completed his Olympic Trials with a strong performance in the 100 butterfly, finishing 57th in 54.82, just off his best time (54.80). While he was disappointed with his swim in the 200 butterfly (29th in 2:01.47) earlier in the week, he said overall he's had a good time competing in his first Olympic Trials.

And he's learned a valuable lesson for the future: always swim fast.

"My 100 fly felt really good this morning, and the entire experience has been a lot of fun," Rice said. "I've learned a lot from this meet that I hope to use in my future swims."

Morning preliminary results from Seattle area swimmers:

Men's 50 Freestyle: 4. Nathan Adrian, Bremerton, 22.05; 75. Ryan Verlatti, Tacoma, 23.37.

Women's 800 Freestyle: 43. Andie Taylor, Issaquah.

Men's 100 Butterfly: 57. Scott Rice, Des Moines, 54.82.

Women's 200 Backstroke: 3. Margaret Hoelzer, King Aquatics, 2:10.09; 34. Leona Jennings, Des Moines, 2:15.71; 41. Erin Campbell, UW, 2:17.27; 45. Annemarie Thayer, Seattle, 2:17.80; 78. Dannica Brennan, King, 2:18.88; 80. Amber McDermott, Mill Creek, 2:19.24; 87. Andie Taylor, Issaquah, 2:20.01