Women hope to make splash as Big Ten championships begin

Many people want the chance to see the world, but few get do so while pursuing other dreams as well.\nSophomore Tina Gretlund got that chance, traveling around the world as a member of Denmark's national swimming team.\nBut her world is centered on Bloomington this weekend for the Big Ten Swimming Championships, which begin at 11 a.m. today and run through Saturday. \nWhile she was in Denmark, her native country, a close friend was swimming at Southern Methodist University. Coach Dorsey Tierney, now IU's women's swimming coach, was an assistant at SMU. \nWhen Gretlund's friend returned to Denmark, she brought Tierney with her. While Tierney was on vacation, she met Gretlund.\nThen, competing in Florida, she ran into Tierney again.\n"While I was in Florida, Coach came down and pitched the (IU) program to me," Gretlund said. "I took an opportunity that would otherwise not be offered to me in Denmark. You see, we don't have things like this at home. In Denmark, you are never both a student and an athlete for a university. But here, I get to do something I love while I get my education."\nAnd IU loves having her. \nGretlund brings experience and natural talent to the pool, Tierney said. In her freshman year, Gretlund set school records in the 400-yard individual medley, the 200-yard butterfly, 800-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle and medley relays. \nGretlund came to IU ranked in the top 100 in the world in the individual medley. Being a world-class competitor helped her earn her teammates' respect.\n"Tina has such confidence in herself," sophomore Anne Williams said. "She's been to national and international meets. These experiences have given her the poise that some of us struggle to get."\nCompared to high-powered competition in the past, the Big Tens could be just another meet for Gretlund.\nBut she said that's not the case.\n"Nothing could be farther from the truth," Gretlund said. "That's not the way it works in swimming. \nYou've been preparing for this all year. It's not just another meet."\nShe said she has high expectations for herself -- and the team -- at the Big Ten meet. \n"As a team, I expect that we finish in the top five, and, personally, I'd like to win the 200 fly," Gretlund said. "Though that will be tough, Northwestern has two very fast girls swimming for them, Merritt Adams, who won the event last year, and Rachel Johnson."\nGretlund is not the only one expecting great things at the meet; Tierney agrees.\n"Tina experienced some inconsistencies in her training last year, so I don't think she reached her full potential," Tierney said. "Once she felt comfortable she improved greatly in her second semester."\nExpecting Gretlund to step up for the Big Ten Championships is not unreasonable. \nLast year, Gretlund recorded her season-best times in two of the three events she swam.