The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MUCH more mature and focused, she is expected to make her second appearance at the Olympics - this time as the only swimmer in the Bahamian contingent.

But Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace said she's eager to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, July 27 to August 12.

The 21-year-old is slated to swim in the heats of the 100 free on Wednesday, August 1. If she advances, the semifinals is scheduled for that same night. The final, however, will be on Thursday, August 2.

Without any rest, Vanderpool-Wallace is expected to race in the heats and semifinals of the 50 free on Friday, August 3. The final is set for Saturday, August 4.

"In 2008 (in Beijing, China), I really didn't know what to expect. I was in awe when I went there," said Vanderpool-Wallace, who just missed getting into the semifinals.

"This year, I know what to expect. I know what I have to do, so I hope to be better prepared to compete this time around."

Vanderpool-Wallace, a 21-year-old who just completed her tenure at Auburn University, came home over the weekend where she turned in best swim performances in her specialties in the 15-and-over girls 100 meter freestyle in 55.17 seconds and the 50 free in 25.57.

"It was a good performance. I just wanted to sharpen up whatever details I needed to work on before I go to London," she said. "So I was pleased with what I did."

The performances were not her season's best, but without the type of competition she experienced on the collegiate scene, Vanderpool-Wallace said she will satisfy for her times posted.

"I know there are still some areas that I need to work on, but over the next few weeks, I will be concentrating on those aspects," she said.

One of them is her speed.

But Vanderpool-Wallace is not concerned about where she's at right now. She is confident that, in time, she will definitely be ready to step into the pool and compete with her counterparts around the world.

"I'm glad that I'm not ranked in the top eight. I would rather go in as an underdog where no one expects me to come and be a force to reckon with," she said.

"I know I have a lot to improve on and, in time, I will be right where I need to be so that I can perform at a very competitive level when I get in London."

Having qualified for both the 100 and 50 free, which will be contested in that order at the Games, Vanderpool-Wallace said she's not putting more emphasis on one over the other, but rather will give it her best shot in the two.

Last year, Vanderpool-Wallace had a great showing at the FINA World Championships and she's looking forward to duplicating the feat at the Olympics this year as a double threat in two events.

"I'm really excited that I got the chance to be able to go back and compete again this year," Vanderpool-Wallace said. "FINA really made it hard for the qualifying standards for everybody.

"So to be able to go back and be in a position to compete in both events, is a great feeling. I'm really pleased that I will have the opportunity to do so."

This year, Vanderpool-Wallace was campaigning with team-mates Alana Dillette, Alicia Lightbourne and Ariel Weech for a chance to qualify for the women's 4 x 100 freestyle relay.

However, FINA made a ruling that in addition to the team having to produce one of the top 16 times in the world, each member of the team would also have to qualify for an individual event.

With Vanderpool-Wallace as the only qualifier, it made the team's bid that much more difficult.

On top of that, they failed to crack the top 16 after giving it two gallant efforts in meets in Canada. "We tried as hard as we could. We took advantage of every opportunity that was presented to us," she said.

"I'm happy with the girls. I'm happy with what we did. At the end of the day, we can say that we tried. I think everybody is pretty happy with what we did. I don't know if the Bahamas ever had a team that came so close to qualifying. So I think it motivated all of us for the future."

Now going as the sole representative in swimming, Vanderpool-Wallace said she's not putting any more pressure on herself than is warranted because she achieved her goal which was to qualify.

"I'm going to be sad that none of my team-mates are going to be there with me," she said.

"But I'm not going to feel any pressure at all. I just want to go there and do the best that I can. I don't want to say that I'm going to get a medal, but at the same time, if I can swim my best and it gets me into the finals, who knows what will happen then."

Vanderpool-Wallace will have to take one important omen into the Olympics with her. Her collegiate coach, Brett Hawke, has been granted permission by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to work the sidelines for her.

"The good thing is that he's been working with me for the past four years," Vanderpool-Wallace said. "So he knows everything about me, so it's good that he will be there to coach me at the Games."

Although she's the only team member in swimming, Vanderpool-Wallace said she will have some other company with members of the track and field team that competed on the 2008 Olympic team.

"I know those athletes who competed then but the new competitors, I really don't know them," she said. "But we are going to be in the training camp prior to going into the Games Village, so that's a good time for me to get to know everybody."

In the meantime, Vanderpool-Wallace has returned to Auburn where she will continue her training with Hawke in preparation for a second Olympic appearance.