Double time for UW synchronized swimming duet at Olympic trials

KENMORE — It looks like some hybrid of martial arts and sign language, but don't be alarmed if Sally Winchester and Lacey Brooten drive up next to you flapping their hands rhythmically in the car.

They're just practicing.

The pair will represent Washington in the U.S. Olympic trials of the synchronized-swimming duet tomorrow and Saturday at the King County Aquatic Center. The competition will determine the first two U.S. Olympians for the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece.

But there are a couple of snags when it comes to college students Winchester, a junior, and Brooten, a freshman. For one, they just became duet partners this season. And second, they just finished learning their long routine last Thursday.

Not exactly the way you want to enter an Olympic event.

"It's the hardest routine I've ever done in my whole life," said Brooten of the routine set to a lively, violin-infused beat. "But it's the best routine I've done, which makes it better.

"I never thought I'd be able to compete in something like this. It's been really exciting and everybody will be able to come see. But it's also pretty stressful."

Brooten wasn't supposed to be in this situation. Winchester swam with Jennifer Arenz and qualified for the trials with the University of Washington junior. Together they placed seventh at the U.S. collegiate synchronized-swimming championships for the second consecutive season and finished 20th at the U.S. nationals — their first time competing in the major event.

At the beginning of this season Winchester, Arenz and Brooten thought they'd form a trio while Winchester and Arenz remained a duet. But injuries to Arenz's shoulder and knee knocked her out of competition. Now she's coaching with their club team, Seattle Synchro, and watching Brooten swim in her place.

Because of the swap and a U.S. Olympic Committee provision that athletes have at least six months' notice of trials procedures, which Winchester and Brooten originally did not have, the duet had to petition their entry into this weekend's event. They were awarded a place last week.

"It's sad; Jenny and I worked so hard for this," said Winchester, who has swum on a club team with both women for four years. "I just feel bad for her that Lacey and I have this great opportunity and she doesn't. She's at practice and we still hang out, but it's not the same as having her in the water doing the workouts with you. We miss her a lot."

If it weren't for Brooten's long, wavy blond hair and grayish eyes, you'd think she and Winchester are twins, an advantage in synchronized swimming. When their coach, Khadija Strong, first saw Brooten four years ago she thought she would be a perfect match for Winchester.

"It's our long-lost duet that we've always wanted to put together," Strong said. "They match physically, especially their legs."

Added Brooten: "Yeah, she's always getting us mixed up and calling us different names. It's even worse with our caps on."

Despite returning to class this week, Winchester and Brooten have been packing in double practices and private sessions in preparation for the Olympic trials. They are the first to tell you that their chances are slim, however.

Due to injuries, all six pairs entered will automatically advance to the finals Saturday night. Native Russian Anna Kozlova, 30, is the favorite in the field along with her new partner, Alison Bartosik, 19, of Santa Clara, Calif. Kozlova is trying to become her sport's first three-time Olympian. She placed fourth in the 1992 and 2000 Games, the former as a Russian citizen. The United States hasn't won Olympic gold in the duet since 1992.

"My grandmother has been broadcasting to everyone that we're going to have another Olympian in the family," said Brooten, whose grandfather is Washington alum Robert Will, a 1948 Olympic gold-medal-winning rower. "I keep saying, 'No, no, that's not going to happen. Then she says, 'Not with that attitude it's not.' "

Actually, their attitude doesn't need to be adjusted. Winchester and Brooten are simply being realistic. All Kozlova does is swim. Winchester and Brooten have jobs together at Speedo, are involved in their studies and hope to swim only through college.

As far as carrying on the legacy of Seattle natives Tracie Ruiz-Conforto and Candy Costie, who won duet gold at the 1984 Olympic Games?

"We're looking at it more as an experience," Winchester said. "I'm expecting (the competition) to be really exciting, but I'm not willing to give up everything in my life just to pursue it (being an Olympian)."