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Swimmers hold their own in Championships
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Posted on Oct 09 2004
After going through the initial shock of competing against their idols, Saipan Swim Club’s Dean Palacios and Nina Mosley settled in and improved their previous best times in the 7th FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.
So far, Mosley has made it three-for-three in two days of competition at the Myrtha System pool installed at the Conseco Fieldhouse.
In the 50-meter breastroke held during the first day, for instance, Mosley shattered her old time by 2 seconds, making her new lifetime best, 37.29.
Palacios is not too far behind, resetting old marks in two of three events so far in the swimming meet.
In the very first day of the Championships, the Stanford University freshman put the CNMI on the map by finishing first in his heat, and by doing so, he was shown on the giant screen inside the venue.
The swim shaved off .5 seconds off his LTB in the 100m butterfly. And he did all that with the adjustment to college life and his new surroundings foremost in his mind, according to an e-mail from SSC coach Mike Stewart, who is accompanying Palacios and Mosley in the trip.
“Unfortunately, Dean has had to concentrate on his studies more then expected, so it has effected his training somewhat. However, he had such a good background of work this summer he is still able to perform quite well.”
Moreover, Stewart said the two kids have adjusted well after first being star-struck and awed by the enormity of the Championships.
“The atmosphere here is electric, unbelievable—a pool in a basketball arena. Nina and Dean looked stargazed the first day, however, they now realize there is work to be done, and they are swimming well.”
In a recent interview, Palacios’ mother, Margaret, said she is mighty proud of her son representing the CNMI in the Championships. She said she continues to marvel at her son’s ability to balance swim training and studies.
Mosley’s mother, Judy, for her part, said her daughter told her on the phone that she’s having the time of her life in Indiana. Mrs. Mosley said her daughter’s reaction on competing against the world’s best was excited and even bordered on being giddy.
