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Former UA swimmer Amanda Beard nears the finish line during a competition last season at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Beard left the team before the beginning of this season to pursue a professional career.

Wednesday October 24, 2001

The University of Arizona women's swimming season begins a week from Friday, and as the Wildcats prepare for their upcoming meet against Wisconsin and Arizona State, they are without a familiar face on the starting blocks.

Amanda Beard, an Olympian and All-American, left the UA in the off-season to pursue a professional career.

Beard left Arizona with four school records in her two-year career as a Wildcat.

Last year at the NCAA National Championships, she claimed her second-consecutive individual title in the 200-meter breaststroke. Though her coaches and teammates didn't know it at the time, the race would prove to be her last in a Wildcat uniform.

Head coach Frank Busch said he realizes the loss for the team and the impact it will have on the upcoming season.

"You don't lose an NCAA champion and someone who is such an integral part of your team without some sort of consequence," Busch said. "We just have to figure out what to do without her."

Despite Beard's absence, Busch said he remains confident that the team will be able to succeed without her.

"Everyone will have to step up a little bit more. It's a challenge, and we'll figure it out," he said. "I (still) think the season looks very promising. We will compete hard all year long."

Beth Botsford, Beard's former Olympic and Wildcat teammate, agreed that the loss will be tough, but said she thinks the girls are taking the proper steps to make up for Beard's departure.

"In my three years of being here, these have been the toughest weeks of training that I've ever gone through," Botsford said. "It's been really intense, but it's really gotten everyone into shape and where we need to be."

While the team is doing everything it can to make up for the loss of Beard in the pool, it is also dealing with the loss of a great presence in the locker room.

"We're a really close team," Botsford said. "We're pretty much all friends, which is unique. Not only were we losing a teammate, but we were losing a friend."

As the lone Olympian remaining on the women's team, Botsford said the team is coming together this season without a traditional leader.

"I don't feel like I bring anything special to the team that someone else doesn't," she said. "Whether it's experience, point of view or insight, everyone contributes something that this team needs. That's what is so great about this team. There isn't one person who carries us. Everyone contributes to the success of the team."

Both Botsford and Busch agreed that Beard did what was best for her future by leaving early.

"She was presented with some amazing opportunities that she may never (have received) again," said Botsford. "She did what she thought was best, and we all want the best for her."

"I'm not sad," Busch said. "Opportunities were out there for her, and I understand that. There are no ill feelings. We wish her all the best."