Freshman Tolar appears as team leader for Wildcat swim

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman freestyle swimmer Sarah Tolar practices at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center yesterday. Tolar will compete in the 50, 100, 200, and 500-yard freestyle events and also several relays this weekend at the Texas Invitational.

Though freshman Sarah Tolar is among national champions and an Olympic Medalist, over the first few meets of the season, she has made quite a name for herself.

In her last meet against Auburn, Tolar was a two event winner, placing first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.92) and 100 free (51.01), while finishing second in the 500 free. Currently, Tolar has the top time for the Wildcats in the 200 free event.

"Thus far, I have been really happy with my performances," she said. "Though I thought the adjustment from high school to the collegiate level was going to be difficult, it has gone really smoothly for me."

Tolar said that junior Trina Jackson and sophomore Lindsey Farella have really helped her make the transition into the UA swim program and college life as a whole.

"The older girls have been real leaders for me and the other freshman," Tolar said. "They have been a great force in helping us freshmen come together and be a part of the team.

We can watch them workout and have them show us the ropes," she said. "They have been in my position before and know what to expect."

Tolar said she is really enjoying the competition at the college level.

"Swimming at the collegiate (level) is all about adrenaline. There are not as many meets as in high school, which makes each of them very important," said Tolar. "They are much more exciting, which in turn helps me to swim faster."

Her main focus right now is making an impact with the team.

"I am going to swim as best as I can in each meet. I am not out for personal gains, but out to see that the team as a whole does really well," Tolar said.

Head coach Frank Busch said Tolar is relatively quiet.

"She doesn't say a whole lot," he said. "Sarah goes out, swims and does her part to contribute as an impact player on this team. In the future, she may come on as a team leader, but now Sarah is just playing the role that we want her too. She is playing that role perfectly," he said.

Tolar and the rest of the UA women's and men's swim teams are headed to the Texas Invitational this weekend. The meet features some of top teams from around the nation, all competing to qualify for the NCAA Championships in March. Tolar hopes this can be the site of further proving grounds.

"I think I can really help with the relays," she said. "I am just going to go out there and swim even harder than I have before. Hopefully it will be enough to help me qualify into the NCAAs at the end of the season."

At the Texas Invitational in Austin, Tolar is competing individually in the 50, 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events and will also play a role in several relays.

In high school, Sarah earned four varsity letters in swimming at Dobson High School in Mesa. As captain of that team, Tolar holds the high school state record in the 200 free (1 minute, 48.3 seconds). She also won the Mythical National Championships in 1996 in the 200 free and was third in the Spring 1998 Senior Nationals in the 100 free.

Coming to the university this fall, Tolar joined her sister Elizabeth, who is a junior double majoring in creative writing and photography. Sarah Tolar is currently undecided on a major.

"I love everything about the U of A," Tolar said. "So far, it has been a wonderful experience for me. I am glad I came here."

Keith Carmona can be reached via e-mail at Keith.Carmona@wildcat.arizona.edu.