Rachel Bootsma dares to dream her Olympic dream

Article by: RACHEL BLOUNT , Star Tribune
Updated: May 22, 2012 - 10:33 PM

High school senior Rachel Bootsma has big plans for this summer as she builds on her position as one of the best young swimmers in the country.

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d44332211Feb. 11, 1211:34 PM

I may not be a mathematician, but the times in this paragraph don't make any sense to me! __________ "she is built for the backstroke. Her career-best time of 59.65 in the 100 back is about three-fourths of a second shy of Coughlin's American record of 58.94, and it is the fastest ever swum by an American girl in the 17-18 age group. In both the 50 and 100 backstroke, Bootsma is among the swiftest American women of all time, while her 100-yard backstroke time of 50.76 makes her the third-fastest woman ever in that event" ____________________________ Is her backstroke 50 or 59 seconds?

fa11manFeb. 12, 12 5:46 AM

Wow, what an amazing young woman (and great article, too)! I'm a fan, as I'm sure anyone else will be if they've read the article. Rachel, you've got the weight of us all in your corner - get 'em! I want to see you on the podium in London.

mexpatFeb. 12, 12 7:32 AM

Re: d44332211's post: I think they are referring to yards vs. meters.

keaton12Feb. 12, 12 9:07 AM

Good luck to this young lady and congratulations on her successes.

colonel715Feb. 12, 1210:09 AM

Go Rachel!

dorkeemnFeb. 12, 12 2:25 PM

As Mexpat points out there are two different swimming courses - yards (short course) and meters (or long course) - Short course is used in MN HS and winter club swimming. Long course meters is typically summer and more often than not, outdoors (there are a few 50 meter indoor pools in MN (U of M, Rochester and maybe 1 more). Times in the LC (meters) are typically slower for 2 reasons, 1) longer course 2) fewer turns to get pushes off the wall.

beepFeb. 12, 12 5:34 PM

"...she understands that her drive, confidence and years of grueling training do not guarantee a place on the team." This where the U.S. Olympic Trials fail U.S. athletes, miserably!! You can be the best in the world, have national and world records as far as the eye can see. But, if you have one bad race, one bad turn, have a cold...you are out and have no hope to be in the Olympics and represent America in the Olympics. It's a horrible system and needs change NOW!

craigtcassFeb. 12, 12 5:45 PM

I look forward to following her progress at the London games, the World's Capital, this summer.

SeaSharkFeb. 12, 12 7:09 PM

Thanks to the Strib for green lighting this series documenting Rachel Bootsma's pursuit of her Olympics dream, and for entrusting the feature to astute staffers Rachel Blount and Brian Peterson. Bootsma seems supremely prepared for the challenge by intellect, athletic ability, attitude, and a clearly defined adult maturity. Good luck, Rachel.

exasperatedFeb. 12, 12 7:31 PM

As mexpat and dorkeemn point out, yards and meters are very different courses. The Olympics are always in meters, so the upper fifties times will be key.

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Rachel Bootsma dares to dream her Olympic dream

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