Kory Finishes 21st at NCAAs

Harvard sophomore Deborah Kory re-established herself as the fastest Harvard swimmers ever in the 200-yard individual medley at the NCAA women's swimming championships in Minneapolis, Minn., this past weekend.

Unfortunately, here school-record time of 2:03.01 was good for...21st place.

1992 Olympic gold medalist Nicole Haislett won the event, illustrating the caliber of Kory's competition.

"There were a lot of Olympians there," Kory said.

Harvard's lone representative at the meet also placed 21st in the 400 IM and competed but did not place in the 200 breaststroke.

Haisletl and fellow Stanford undergraduate and 1992 Olympic gold medal-winner Jenny Thompson each won two individual events and several relays, as Stanford ran away with the overall team competition.

Florida finished second, while perennial swimming powerhouse Texas finished a disappointing third.

Kory--despite here record-breaking performance--was a little disappointed, too.

"I didn't do as well as I expected," Kory said. "I felt great on Thursday, but I became quite tired the next day."

The Dudley Co-op resident also had some bad luck. She drew an outside lance for the 400 IM, which hurt her perception of how the race was being swum.

"I went out too hard at the beginning, and I felt very tired and finished late," Kory said.

Although Kory had a tough time at the competition, she took the meet as a positive learning experience.

"Not that I am not satisfied [with the NCAA meet], but I am now hungry for more," Kory said. "I want to get back in the water, work harder, and get psyched up for the next two years."

Kory attributed part of her less than-spectacular performances in the 400 IM and 200 breast to her not being completely rested before the meet.

"I could have used another week [of rest]," Kory said.

This year was a major improvement over last year for Kory.

In 1992, she qualified as an alternate for the NCAA championships, but she could not attend the event because of of case mononucleosis.

"[This year] was a really great meet and a lot of fun," Kory said although she admitted that she felt a little disappointed for a while the event."

Kory was satisfied with her season overall. "I have become a faster swimmer and have a better understanding of myself," she said. "I have grown a lot emotionally as well."