The Oregon State swim team will compete in Long Beach, Calif., this week at the Pac-10 Championships.

Freshman heads to Long Beach

One of three top-10 finishing freshman, swimmer headsto a Pac-10 championship

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 2/14/07

For Anna Crandall, swimming at the Pacific-10 Championships is going to be a dream come true.

"I think a year ago I wanted to imagine it because I wanted to be in this position," Crandall said "But I never knew what it would be like actually being here."

Crandall, a freshman on the OSU swim team, is heading to Long Beach, Calif., for the conference's championship meet.

"I am a little bit nervous, because as a freshman I've never done this before," Crandall said. "I really want to perform well for my team; I'm just a little nervous about what might happen."

The Salt Lake City native has excelled in her first season for the Beavers. The strong debut for Crandall has already given her two national 'B' qualifying times. Crandall's times in the 200-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley put her in contention to grab one of the 30 national spots not filled by 'A' qualifiers.

The opportunity to compete in a conference championship for such a prestigious swimming conference was one of the reasons Crandall became a Beaver.

"I'm really excited," Crandall said. "When I was looking at colleges I knew I wanted to swim Pac-10's because it's one of the best conferences in the nation, so I'm really excited to accomplish that and actually be here ready to compete.

Crandall is part of a strong freshman class for OSU that features three swimmers with all-time top-10 finishes at OSU in different events. Joining Crandall in the record books are freshmen Brittney Iverson and Megan Evans.

"The future of our team is in the hands of our freshman and sophomore class right now," said coach Larry Liebowitz. "We have some people who are willing to do the work, step up and get the job done."

Crandall, along with three other Oregon State swimmers, have 'B' qualifying times. Joining Crandall are swimmers Felicia Castaneda, Saori Haruguchi and Kayla Rawlings.

The four swimmers along with the rest of the OSU team look for a strong showing at the Pac-10 meet. Liebowitz feels that any one of his swimmers can compete for a spot at nationals.

"There's a whole slew of girls that I think are really going to step forward and do impressive things," Liebowitz said. "If we have a good Pac-10, it will be probably the best year since I've been here."

The Beavers are at a disadvantage come conference meet time for not having a diving team. Oregon State, along with University of Washington and Washington State, only field swim teams, and without diving points, OSU, UW and WSU can finish in seventh place at best. During the regular season the Beavers were victorious against WSU but were defeated by UW.

The meet will place the Beavers in the same pool as some of the top swimmers in the nation. Pac-10 swimmers account for just over 50 of the NCAA 'A' qualifiers on the season. Of the nine Pac-10 schools competing in swimming, all six schools with diving programs rank in the Top 25.

"The Pac-10 meet is so tough," Liebowitz said. "Just to make it to the finals means you are probably going to make it to the NCAA championships this year. I think it's going to be a great meet. I believe it is the best conference meet in the country."

The Beavers hope to do well at the conference championship, but also just wish to perform to the level they know they are capable of.

"We just need to go there, race hard, support each other and have a good time," Liebowitz said. "I think if we swim the way we've been training, then we are going to get the kinds of swims we are hoping for."

Oregon State looks to compete against some of the best swim teams in the nation as the Beavers begin the Pac-10 Championships on today in Long Beach. The meet concludes with final heats on Sunday. The swimmers and teams who qualify will then compete at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., starting on March 8.