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Smutz Places Sixth, Linn Wins B Final at USA Swim Meet

Successful day one for the Mids at national meet

	Jennie Spencer

March 29, 2006

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - Members of the Navy swimming programs enjoyed a strong opening day at the USA Swimming Spring Championship Thursday as Joe Smutz (Sr., Marriottsville, Md.) placed sixth in the championship final and Mike Linn (Sr., Newhall, Calif.) won the consolation final to place ninth overall in the 100-meter freestyle event.

The championship is being contested at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash., and included in the field are Olympians and both national and world champions.

"Mike swam beautifully and really set the tone for the evening," said Navy men's assistant coach Adam Kennedy. "After seeing how Mike started things off, Joe did not disappoint with his swim."

Smutz posted a time of 52.24 during the championship final of the 100 free, which was won by Dale Rogers with a clocking of 50.38.

"I was really stoked when I found out I was in the championship final," said Smutz, who was named the 2006 Patriot League Swimmer of the Meet at the league championship. "My two goals coming into today were to make the final and achieve an Olympic Trials cut time. I was very pleased to accomplish one of the two.

"I think I swam the first 75 meters tonight better than I did this morning, but I just didn't have enough left over the final 25 meters. It was still a good closing time, but not what I needed."

Linn entered the consolation final as the top-seeded swimmer in the race and made his ranking hold up by winning the race in a time of 51.67. His clocking topped that of second-place finisher Sean Sussex by over one-quarter of a second (51.94).

"I was a little more relaxed tonight than I was at the start of some of the other national meets I have competed in," said Linn, who holds the Navy record in the 100 freestyle. "Instead of worrying about things while on the blocks I was able to focus more on the race itself. I started the race off with a very good pace and then was able to bring it home over the last 50 meters.

"Even though I didn't make an Olympic Trials cut time in the event I was very happy with my time and overall placing."

The morning trial heats saw Smutz record a time of 51.98, while Linn posted a time of 52.29. Also swimming in the trial heats in the event for Navy was Alex Oldenkamp (Coppell, Texas), who placed 49th with a time of 54.69.

Navy's Jennie Spencer (Fr, Smithburg, W. Va.) made her first appearance at the championship by placing 43rd in the trial heats of the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:22.26.

"Jennie did very well today," said Navy women's head coach John Morrison. "This is the first time she is swimming at a major competition and against a field of this caliber. The experience she gained today is invaluable and we are excited to see how it carries over in the 100 backstroke later in the meet."

Thursday's schedule of racing for the Mids features Smutz in the 200 freestyle, Kelly Zahalka (Fr., Richmond, Va.) in the 400 individual medley and the Navy men's 800 freestyle relay team.

"It was a great first day for us and we can't wait until Thursday and the remainder of the meet," said Kennedy.

"All of us are very happy with how today went and we are ready to go over the next couple of days," said Smutz.

The championship concludes Saturday.