Staff Reports
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 21, 1997

Five UA swimmers named All-Americans

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat UA swimmers from left, Lindsay Farella, Shannon Hosack, Liesl Kolbisen, Trina Jackson, and Denali Knapp hang-out after practice yesterday. The five were recently named to the United States Swimming All-American Team.

With over two hours of swimming practice behind them and several minutes of waiting for one another to assemble as they finished their individual workouts, the five All-Americans clutched together yesterday and smiled just beyond the edge of the pool.

It was a brief smile, though, because they were exhausted from the day's work.

The five: seniors Shannon Hosack and Liesl Kolbisen, sophomores Trina Jackson and Denali Knapp and freshman Lindsay Farella were named to the United States Swimming All-America team for their improvement in the March 1997 National Championships.

"We actually had a nice conversation together," said Kolbisen as the five broke after posing for a couple of minutes in front of the camera. "We don't usually have time to talk."

Which is how it typically is for elite athletes.

To be named to the USS All-American team, one has to be in the nation's top eight in their individual events.

Jackson's times were fast enough to be honored in five different races; the 100 meter, 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle plus the 200m butterfly.

Kolbisen, Knapp and Farella had two each as well.

"They are awesome, that is for sure," said UA assistant coach Rick DeMont, who works with the sprint swimmers.

"They definitely form one of the strongest units we've had."

Head coach Frank Busch was out of town on a recruiting trip.

"It's always nice to be recognized," said Hosack who was honored for her time of 26.29 seconds in the 50m free.

Arizona has a long-time tradition of All-Americans. Busch has produced over 40 All-Americans in the women's side and over 50 on the men's side in his nine years.

Kolbisen and Hosack were members of the 1996 NCAA Champion 200m freestyle relay team. Jackson, who is from Jacksonville, Fla., won a gold medal in the 800m freestyle relay in the Atlantic Olympics.

"If they keep improving they could definitely keep the honors coming," DeMont said.

As for being an All-American in swimming being comparable to being one in basketball where the honor is considered the highest individual achievement, the five pondered the question and nodded. "I guess you could say it is, although it is weird to think about it that way," Kolbisen said.

United States All-American Team

50 meter freestyle (in seconds)
Lindsay Farella 26.10
Shannon Hosack 26.29
Liesl Kolbisen 26.39

100m freestyle
Lindsay Farella 55.99
Liesl Kolbisen 56.65
Trina Jackson 57.13

200m freestyle (in minutes)
Trina Jackson 2:01.83

400m freestyle
Trina Jackson 4:15.07

800m freestyle
Trina Jackson 8:40.72

200m backstroke
Denali Knapp 2:16.71

200m butterfly
Trina Jackson 2:13.07