THIS SEASON: The top-ranked backstroker in the world, 1997-98 senior Lenny Krayzelburg is USC's top returning swimmer and a favorite not only at the NCAA Championships in March but at the World Championships in January. The American record holder in the 200m backstroke and a USC co-captain, he is also talented in the free and fly and can contribute in either event for the Trojans. In 1996-97: Krayzelburg finished off his 1996-1997 junior season by breaking the American record in the 200m back twice in August of 1997, first at the U.S.S. Nationals (1:58.04) and then at the Pan Pacific Championships (1:57.87) in Fukuoka, Japan. The record efforts helped him earn the 1997 Phillips Performance Award for best U.S. swim of the year (tied with Texas' Neil Walker). In addition to winning the 200m back at the Pan Pacs, Krayzelburg also won the 100m back in 54.43 (the third-fastest time ever) and took 16th in the 50m free (23.67). At the U.S.S. Nationals, Krayzelburg also won the 100m back (54.69, a world trials record) and took 24th in the 50m free (23.60). In March, Krayzelburg became a 5-time All-American at the NCAA Championships and won USC's first NCAA individual title since 1994 when he won the 200 back in 1:41.10. He took second in the 100 back in 46.55, a USC record. Krayzelburg also earned All-American honors as part of USC's fifth-place 400 medley relay, sixth-place 200 medley relay and eighth-place 200 free relay. Krayzelburg won Pac-10 titles in both the 100 (46.96) and 200 back (1:40.59, a Pac-10 and USC record) and took fifth in the 50 free (20.19). IN 1995-96: A transfer from Santa Monica City College, Krayzelburg added immediate quality depth in the backstroke events as a 1995-96 sophomore. He qualified for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he finished fifth in the 200m back (2:00.49) and 11th in the 100m back (56.27). At the NCAAs, he took 26th in the 100 back (50.20) and 28th in the 200 back (1:48.80). In August of 1996, Krayzelburg won the 100m and 200m back at the Long Course Nationals in Florida in 56.11 and 1:59.37, respectively. AT SMCC: Krayzelburg swam for Santa Monica (Calif.) City College for 1 year (1993-94) and was tabbed as the 1994 Athlete of the Year and California J.C. Swimmer of the Year. He won the 100 back (50.71) at the 1995 Summer Nationals Rookie Meet. At the 1994 J.C. State competition, he won the 200 back title and is the J.C. national record holder in that event. PERSONAL: He was born Sept. 28, 1975, in Odessa, Russia, and speaks fluent Russian. He was admitted to USC in the spring of 1996 after beginning training with the Trojan Swim Club. His parents, who are Russian, came to the United States 8 years ago. He gained U.S. citizenship in the summer of 1995. He completed his last 3 years at Fairfax High in Los Angeles (he graduated in June of 1993).
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