This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It wasn't quite a "Hoosiers" moment, one where Utah swim coach Greg Winslow measured the pool. There was no doubt, though, that walking into a facility like Stanford's brought some apprehension to the Ute swimmers.
Yet, instead of shrinking from the moment — the first of many more like it in the powerful Pac-12 — Utah embraced and used the motivation for improvement.
The Utes set 15 school records in 2012 and, as a byproduct of hard work, qualified eight athletes to the Olympic Trials, which begin June 25 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.
"This is a big step forward for our program," said Winslow, now in his fifth season at Utah. "I saw it sort of building ... and I knew I'd have some kids fired up and ready to go."
Four had been the most at any one time that Utah had sent to the Olympic Trials. And with a couple more meets on tap, odds are good that Utah could send as many as 14 competitors.
Even better, this year, there is a good chance that sophomore Traycie Swartz, who will swim in three events, could actually qualify for the U.S. Olympic team as part of a relay team. Her time in the 100 meter free is on the cusp of being good enough to finish in the top four, which would put Swartz on a relay.
"Then you are looking at a medal," Winslow said.
For Swartz, who swam at the Olympic Trials as a 16-year-old and was part of the U.S. Junior Team, her biggest hurdle will be self-belief.
"When I was there in '08, I was scared and didn't know how to react," said the Chandler, Ariz., native. "I didn't know how to handle it. Now, I'm more experienced at big meets. Now I can really focus on what I need to do."
Focus and hard work has been the hallmark of this aquatic Utah team. Improvement happened with the quality of recruits, better training and the attitude of not worrying about the competition.
Swimming in the Pac-12 made a huge difference. Instead of shrinking from some of the best collegiate swimmers in the nation and swimming down to expectations, Utah focused on itself — and improved.
"I don't think there was a time we were shellshocked about the Pac-12," said senior Major Robinson. "We just tried to let the chips fall where they may. We beat three teams in Pac-12."
Robinson is the poster boy for what the Utah swim program accomplished this season. The senior from Missoula, Mont., had always come up just short of swimming fast enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
At a recent meet at Purdue, Robinson missed a qualifying time in the 200 backstroke by three-tenths of a second, which is nothing.
"It made me mad," he said. "In the afternoon race, I dropped the hammer midway through and never looked back."
Winslow labeled his swimmers as the Rocky Balboas of the Pac-12.
"We have been working on this since I came here," Winslow said. "The team getting better and better and better."
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Ute swimmers aiming for London
Here are the Utah Utes who have qualified so far for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials:
Karson Applin • 100 Fly
Ken Tiltges • 50 Free, 100 Free
Nick Soedel • 100 Free
Major Robinson • 200 Back, 100 Back
Traycie Swartz • 50 Free,100 Free
Hannah Caron • 100 Fly
Natalie Edge • 50 Free
Kristina Evans • 50 Free