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S: .. , V Porenta preparing for Olyrnpic Trials By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion M iltonian Jennifer Pore nta aspires to compete in interna- tional waters. And recent improvements on smaller ponds have ensured the teenage swimmer wîll get a shot at achîeving that goal a little earlierthan expected. The I 5-year-old Milton Marlin veteran has made aerioua progreas in the 50 metre freestyle over the past teveral montha - to the point where she's now gearing up for an appearance at the Olympic Triait May 26 to June 4 in Montreal. The only local awimmer to ever reach this stage, Jennifer delivered her firat national qualifying time at December's Youth Cup Championahipa - stoppîng the dock in a personal beat and gold- medal winning 26.98 aecondt at the Etobicoke Olympium. Thrived aS provincials Three montha later at the same venue, ahe ahed more than three-tentba of a sec- ond off that mark with a 26.67s triumph at the Ontarjo Junior Short Courte Championthipa. Jennifer would have registered an even better time - of 26.52t - had a sime- keeping error not nullified the feld's firat race of the weekend. Heading into her biggest challenge to date. the local teen certainly doetn't rank herself among the top contendera to make the national tquad. But conaidering the amazing headway she't made in a relatively short period of time, it's impossible flot to already label her a winner. "I definitely didn't think I'd be here now," said Jennifer, who'll no doubt be one of the youngeat competitora at the Olympic Trials, with tome of the odds-on favouritea as much as twice her age. "I'm ture it'll be a little nerve-wracking, awimming againat aIl the people I look up to. But it'll be good experience for next lime. What maket her accompliahments aIl the more impretaive is that the freettyle wasn't slways ber event of choice. For the first few years of her swimming career, Jennifer devoted the lion'a thare of ber energy to the backstroke. But when ber progreta became stifled, coach Emil Dimitrov tteered her in a new direction - literally. Recalled Jennifer, "I wat loaing my edge. I juat needed a change." Extremely driven Since then, ber reaulta have been sur- passed only by her commitment - which includea at letat a dozen hours in the pool each week during the height of her com- petitive tesson. But as hard as she'a trained pbysically, Jennifer ttressed that being mentally pre- pared remaina the key to succett - espe- cially in shorter distance races. "Fifty metres doesn't give you any sime to let your mmd wonder. You have to be on the whole way." And although most swimmers would probably be content with the improvement already made, Jennifer feels she still has more to give. "I did a 26.87 in a long course relay recently, which worka out to a low 26 in short course," the explained. "Yeah, I can get better." Added Dimitrov, "Jennifer hat a good shot as the finals (top eight as Olympic TriaIt) and that would be a big highlight for her. Also she has an excellent shot as qualifying for this year's Commonwealth Games in Scotland. "Her improvements are nos surprising. She's been St the top of ber age class the lats swo or tbree years. Lately shes juat put eveytbing together." While there bas been littIe to stop ber progrets in the pool, the does have one dry land obstacle standing in ber way. The week-long tnp to Montreal will be fairly expensive. At a resuls, her family and friends are seeking a little financial support through penny drives and various other fund-raising efforts that' Il be held throughout the community over she com- ing weeks. Proceeds will also belp defray the cost of her voyage to Winnipeg for she senior national championsbipt in Auguts. File phots ty GRAHAM FAINE Jennifer Porenta le gearlng Up for her blggest challenge yet - the Olymple TrIals, whlch wlll be held May 26 ta June 4 In Montreal. BR stages big comeback By STEVE L.BLANC The Champion Nowhere in bigh school sports standings is there a column desig- nated for moralvictories. But Bishop Reding's softball seam might want to stant campaign- ing for one, after a remarkable comeback against cross-town pow- erhouse E.C. Drury Tuesday at Lions Park. Amid constant aftemoon drizzle, the much younger Royals rallied from seven and five-run deficita to tie the Spastans 12-12. This spoiled Dmry's hopes for a perfect regular tesson and pushed BR's record to 2-2-I. Melissa Sheppard provided the heroics for Reding. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, she stroked a two-run double that evened the couns for the last lime. The Royals' reversai of fortune began in the bottom of the fourth when tbey finally got to Drury's pitching staff with four runs on a handful of hits. Prom there they tumed a big double play in the flftb w add hope to their comeback bid. Natalie Dawkins delivered tome big relief pitching to furtber fuel BR. The right-handed hurler worked the final four innings - two of which sbe held the Spartans hitlets. Other standout contributors for the Royals were Carolyn Cosses, Tara Elkie, Alexandra Findley, Jamie Humphrey and Alison Kidd. Meanwhile, Melissa Park led offensively for Drury with a pair of runs and four RBI. Teammate Marion Jamieson scored three limes while driving in a couple of nins and scoring twice berselt was Jenn Williams. The tic, which marked BR's most memorable moment on the softball fleld in years, aIl but guar- anteed them a playoff bertb. The 4-0-I Spartans, neyer in dan- ger of missing post-season play, will now need to upstage the unheaten Georgetown Rebels in order to finish atop Halton Regions Ricbardson Division. That battle of league leaders is set for Thursday, May 25 as Lions Park. Game time is 3:30 p.m. 24 - Tha Canadean flhn,,,nfrn ~,frI,, Id.,, la snaa TS