The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England — This is probably the most difficult period for swimmer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace.

As the lone Bahamian competitor for swimming at the 2012 Olympic Games, the Auburn University senior has been sitting on pins and needles waiting for her splash in the Aquatic Center on Wednesday when she contests the preliminaries of the women’s 100 metres freestyle. Her specialty in the 50 free will follow in two days.

“I know that I have all these guys and girls behind me supporting me and whether they are on the pool deck or not, I know they will be cheering for me in the village or at practice,” said Vanderpool-Wallace, who has been relying on friends she has been acquainted with and those she is just getting to meet for the first time.

“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure for me. I just have to go out there and perform.”

All year long as she completed her four-year tenure at Auburn, Vanderpool-Wallace has been doing just that - performing. At one point, she had the fastest time of all collegians, but fell short of winning the NCAA Championship title at the end of the season. Notwithstanding that she’s going to compete against competitors who are not in college, Vanderpool-Wallace is confident that she can be a contender, not just for an appearance in the final, but possibly on the medal podium as well.

“Just best times and swim as fast as I’ve trained for,” she said when asked about her expectations. “I really don’t want to put any pressure on myself about winning a medal because that is when you get overwhelmed and try to do too much. I’m just going to focus on my lane and go out there and do the best that I can.”

It has been an interesting stay for Vanderpool-Wallace in the Games Village with the track team, considering that they have been on different time frames in terms of their practice sessions. But whenever the opportunity presents itself, Vanderpool-Wallace said she looks forward to hanging out with the other team members.

“Swimming is first, so I know that they are going to support me and once I’m done, I’m going to support them,” Vanderpool-Wallace said.

If there’s any consolation for Vanderpool-Wallace, she has her coach Brett Hawke from Auburn by her side each step of the way. Hawke, along with Lionel Moreau, have been working with Vanderpool-Wallace to get her prepared for her second appearance in the Olympics.

“It’s been great, very relaxed atmosphere with the Bahamas team,” Hawke stated. “You have some great athletes on the team, very focused, so that has helped as we come together as one team.”

Having spent a great deal of time at Auburn grooming Vanderpool-Wallace for this moment, Hawke said: “She’s very relaxed for the Olympic Games. She has practiced harder than I’ve ever seen her practice. She’s in great shape physically and mentally, she’s ready to go.”

Once she takes care of her business in the pool, Hawke said he doesn’t see why Vanderpool-Wallace should not only emerge as the first Bahamian to make a final, but hopefully also get at least one chance to ascend the dais to collect the first medal in swimming for the Bahamas.