Down, but not out

Robert Margalis fails to qualify in the 400 freestyle, but he'll swim his two best events today.

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 10, 2000

INDIANAPOLIS -- Third place is good enough for bronze at most swimming events. It is good for nothing at the Olympic trials.

This was the lesson Robert Margalis learned in his first day at the trials. He had the right time, but the wrong place.

The St. Petersburg Aquatics swimmer cut four seconds off his career best in the 400 freestyle, but finished in third place. The top two swimmers in each event qualify for the 2000 Olympics.

"I did the one thing you don't want to do," Margalis said. "Finish third at the Olympic trials."

Margalis acted disappointed, but there was a hint of pleasure behind his eyes. The 400 free is not his best event. Based on the qualifying times coming in, he was not even supposed to make the finals.

Margalis, 18, is ranked fifth in tonight's 400 individual medley. He also expects to have a much better shot at the 1,500 meters later in the meet.

"How much more can you ask for? He did his lifetime best by four seconds," St. Petersburg Aquatics coach Fred Lewis said. "This definitely sets him up for the rest of the week. He knows he's there. He knows he's at his best, by an awful lot."

He also knows what to expect. Even though he has far less international experience than most of his peers, Margalis did not appear terribly intimidated by his first foray at the trials.

After he qualified in the morning preliminaries, Margalis spent the afternoon playing a computer game with SPA teammate Heather Skaggs.

"I said, "Hey, this is the Olympic trials for swimming, not for Game Boy,' " Lewis joked. "Let's concentrate on swimming for a few minutes."

Admonishments aside, Lewis said he sensed Margalis was a little nervous on Wednesday. The Game Boy, he said, was a good way to release tension. And now that he has one event behind him, the rest should be easier.

For his part, Margalis said he did not feel too anxious. His training has gone so well, he said he came here expecting success.

"I had heard a lot of stories about trials, about how intense it was," Margalis said. "When I got here, I had a feeling like it was just another meet. I had fun today. The races for me were fun."

He had a right to enjoy the races. His time in the preliminaries was two seconds better than he had ever done and his 3:50.68 in the finals was two seconds better than the preliminary time.

Margalis was never further back than fourth at any of the turns and was in second at 100 meters. The problem was he had to beat the American record of 3:48.06 to make the Olympics.

Klete Keller (3:47.18) and Chad Carvin (3:47.50) beat the record that stood for 12 years.

"I didn't know I was on pace for the record at all," said Keller, who overtook Carvin in the final lap. "I know I have the speed in the last 100 to make up a lot of ground. I know I can beat anybody in the last 100 meters."

The day got off to a good start for Margalis before he hit the pool. Tom Dolan, who has the fastest U.S. time this year, pulled out of the event to concentrate on the 400 individual medley.

That was one less favorite Margalis had to overcome.

"I was already thinking about making it even before Dolan dropped out," Margalis said. "After he did, I had even more confidence."

Margalis will have little time to dwell on Wednesday's race. He is due for the preliminaries of the 400 IM at 11 a.m. today. He gets a two-day break and then is scheduled to swim on the final four days of the trials.

"I usually have trouble getting going on the first day of a meet," Margalis said. "I typically get better as the meet goes on, so this was a good sign of what's to come this week."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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