Swimmer from Virginia Catholic high school sets new U.S. record

Published: 2005-12-13

FAIRFAX, Va. (CNS) -- Kate Ziegler, a senior at Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School in Arlington, broke a 16-year-old U.S. record in the 1,000-yard freestyle Dec. 11. Ziegler's time of 9 minutes, 24.80 seconds surpassed the mark of 9:25.49 set in 1989 in Chapel Hill, N.C., by Janet Evans, considered the greatest women's distance swimmer in U.S. history. The new record has to be accepted by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, before it becomes official. It was apparent about halfway through her race at the Tom Dolan Invitational at George Mason University in Fairfax that Ziegler was on pace for something special. She swam the first 500 yards in a blistering time of 4:40.76. Fellow swimmers, coaches and spectators rose to their feet during the final 200 yards to cheer Ziegler on to victory. A group of younger swimmers crowded around her after the race waiting to get her autograph.

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