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After winning the NCAA Championship in the 200-meter butterfly, Haruguchi failed to qualify for the Olympics in that event. Haruguchi qualified for the Japanese team in the 400-meter individual medley.

Haruguchi swims against world

Swimmer Saori Haruguchi represents her native Japan in Beijing at the 2008 Summer Olympics, swimming in the 400-meter individual medley

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 10/28/08

The last year has been a very successful one for senior swimmer Saori Haruguchi as she earned an NCAA Championship and a spot on the Japanese Olympic swimming team.

For Haruguchi, the 2008 collegiate swim season read like her own personal records list as the native of Fukuoka, Japan continued her storied career at OSU. School swim records were shattered as Haruguchi knocked off the oldest swim record at OSU with her 50.59 second performance in the 100-meter freestyle.

Haruguchi's name went onto the record list in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter backstroke, 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter freestyle. After all those records came the chance to compete for an NCAA Championship. In the pool, Haruguchi set more school records in the 200-meter individual medley and 400-meter individual medley, as well as breaking her own record in the 200-butterfly.

The 200-butterfly brought more rewards for Haruguchi, who swam the event in 1:52.39 earning her third All-America title and the NCAA title.

"Last year my goal was to make the Olympic team," Haruguchi said. "In order to do that I felt I should win the NCAA title, and I did that."

Step one in her quest to make the Olympic team was accomplished; next Haruguchi competed in the Japanese Olympic trials. Although she won her NCAA title in the 200-butterfly, it was the 400 individual medley in which Haruguchi qualified for the team. At the trials, Haruguchi won the 400 individual medley in 4:39.94.

"I didn't make the national team for 200 fly though," Haruguchi said. "I made it for 400 IM so it was kind of random."

After making the team, it was on to camp for Haruguchi who was used to the fun atmosphere at practices in Corvallis. It was a different situation in Japan as the coaches prepared the swimmers for a chance at a medal.

"Culture-wise, we have totally different views of swimming," Haruguchi said. "The Olympics are very intense. Swim camp was all intense stuff; we didn't have fun. It's all about training, and they are very serious. It was like business, so I was like 'wow, this is serious.'"

Haruguchi was, like many swimmers, unable to participate in Opening Ceremonies once in Beijing due to the closeness in time to the first swimming races. The proximity of the Olympic Village to the Bird's Nest made it possible to enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of a dorm room.

"I just stayed in the village," Haruguchi said. "I could see the fireworks and hear it. The first fireworks, I thought it was a bomb."

The Olympic Village, the home for athletes during the games, was not only the setting of meals and meetings with other athletes but also a place of beauty. Chinese architecture and influences could be seen around the complex and were appreciated by the rookie Haruguchi and the veterans of the Japanese team.

"All the swimmers went to Sydney Olympics and Athens. They said Beijing's village was the best," Haruguchi said. "It was really beautiful. The games were just one amazing experience that I will never forget. Living in the village and meeting people from all over the country and different sports was just so much fun."

In Beijing, Haruguchi was unable to explore the Chinese city but was able to take in other sporting events. After swimming was completed, Haruguchi was able to take in baseball and track and field; it was, however, track and field that impressed Haruguchi most.

"Track and field was really crazy," Haruguchi said. "The Bird's Nest was really huge, and the people were huge, too. I feel like those are the Olympians."

The setting of track and field near the end of the games was one of the two most architecturally appealing venues for the Beijing games. The Water Cube was home for swimming and diving competitions.

"In Beijing, I think they have very amazing architecture," Haruguchi said. "The Water Cube and the Bird's Nest, I felt like they were just a little toy. It was a really nice pool and the best pool I have been to."

Inside of the large cube is where Haruguchi was set to compete in the 400 individual medley. Haruguchi was slated to compete in Heat Four against one of Australia's top swimmers, Stephanie Rice.

Though she finished seventh in the heat, Haruguchi started very strong in her first Olympic race. After the first 50-meters, Haruguchi was in second before taking the lead for the next 100 meters. It was in meter 250 that Haruguchi drifted out of a qualifying spot and eventually into seventh.

"I didn't really feel like, 'Oh my gosh this is the Olympics,'" Haruguchi said. "I felt like it was just one trip, just another competition."

Casey Grogan, sports editor
sports@dailybarometer.com