Jan. 17, 2003
Anna Kozlova's threepeat of Olympic berths seems well under control afterteaming with partner Alison Bartosik for the top preliminary score of 96.001on Friday at the 2003 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Synchronized Swimming Duet.The Santa Clara, Calif. pair, swimming a Spanish-themed technical routine inhonor of the upcoming World Championships in Barcelona, scored a 95.834 onFriday night to maintain the lead. The pair competed in the Duet FreeRoutine Preliminary earlier in the day, scoring a 96.167 for a three-pointlead over Sara Lowe and Stephanie Nesbitt at 93.000.
"We had a good swim today, but we always know we can do better," Bartosiksaid. "Anna and I have our sights set on winning a medal in the Olympics.This is the first step to making that dream come true."
Kozlova, 30, and Bartosik, 19, are considered a heavy favorite afterfinishing fourth in the 2002 World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. Kozlova alsofinished fourth in the 1992 Olympic duet event with Russia, and fourth induet at the 2000 Olympics for the United States.
The winner of Saturday's 5 p.m. final competition will be named the firsttwo U.S. athletes selected for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.Lowe, 18, and Nesbitt, 17, who scored bronze in duet at the 2002 JuniorWorld Championships, earned the day's second-best composite preliminary markof 92.917. In third is the Santa Clara pair of Janet and Jennie Culp fromLittleton, Colo. at 88.688.
Technical routines are weighted to 50 percent and combined with 50 percentof Friday's preliminary free routine to determine the eight finalists ineach event. In the final, the 50 percent free prelim score is replaced with50 percent of the final free routine score.
The Trials are exactly 573 days before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004Olympic Games. The early date is necessary to prepare the team to compete inthree major international events prior to the Games - the 2003 FINA WorldChampionships, 2003 Pan American Games, and 2004 Olympic Qualifying Open.Duet competition concludes at 5 p.m. Saturday. Trials tickets are availableat the door for $10 for adults, $7.50 for children and seniors, or bycalling at 800-325-6165 x4444. For more information, contact Brian Eaton,USSS Media Relations Director, at 317-414-7962.
2003 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Synchronized Swimming DuetPreliminary Composite Scores (50% tech. routine, 50% free prelim routine,determines seeding for finals)1, Alison Bartosik, Anna Kozlova, Santa Clara, 96.001. 2, Sara Lowe,Stephanie Nesbitt, Unaffiliated, 92.917. 3, Janet Culp, Jennie Culp, SantaClara, 88.668. 4, Annabelle Orme, Kim Probst, Walnut Creek, 88.084. 5,Rachel Rife, Rebekah Rife, Walnut Creek, 83.918. 6, Lacey Brooten, SallyWinchester, Univ. of Washington, 82.501.