Top Swimmers go to Nationals
BY COLIN SMITH

In some sports, a second or two doesn’t make that much of a difference. But in swimming, every fraction of a second counts, as first-year swimmer Burt Betchart found out last Saturday.
Betchart missed Nationals by nine-tenths of a second. One of Oberlin’s most promising swimmers, he attended the Case Classic meet on Saturday, Feb. 17 in a final bid at National qualification. The annual meet has been dubbed the “Last Chance” meet, because it gives swimmers one final opportunity to get to Nationals.

Betchart came close to qualifying in December with a time of 47.44 in the 100 free, but went 48.02 on Saturday. National qualifying time was 46.99. Betchart also set a personal best in the 100 fly with 52.89, missing the qualifying time of 51.99 by less than a second.
Betchart had been battling illness for much of the season, which hampered his performance. If he stays healthy he should have an excellent chance at qualifying next year.
Oberlin will have two representatives at the National Division III Championship in Buffalo, NY from Mar. 15-17. Senior John Limouze will be making his fourth trip to the NCAA Championship, while junior Celeste Mercer will be making her second.

Limouze has improved each year at Nationals, finishing fifth in the 200 fly as a first-year, third as a sophomore, and first last year as a junior. He faces serious competition in the event this year from Tom Shane of Emory and Carlos Vega and Tom Rushton of Kenyon. These three have posted the three best times in the event this year, with Limouze posting the fourth best. However, Limouze defeated Vega and Rushton at the Conference Championship earlier this month.
“As a freshman I’d never been so nervous,” Limouze said of the value of experience in the National Championship. “Now I’m pretty relaxed.”

Last year, Mercer finished sixth in the 100 backstroke and was a consolation finalist in the 50 at Nationals after finishing third and sixth, respectively, in the events at the conference championship. This year, however, Mercer’s highest finish at the NCAC Championship was an eight in the 100 back.
“It’s a lot different this year,” Mercer said of going into Nationals. “I feel more confident. People who do well at the Conference tend to do poorly at Nationals.” 
Mercer summed up her goals for the championship by saying, “Best times. I hope to make the top eighth in the 100 back and the 100 fly.” 
Mercer will also compete in either the 50 free or the 200 IM. She has the 12th best time in the nation in 100 backstroke this year.