IU's Vaziri in spotlight after defeating Olympic swimmers

After coming to IU with many accolades, IU swimmer Leila Vaziri is now achieving greatness and competing at a level beyond her wildest dreams. \nVaziri has had a couple of earth shaking moments in a busy couple of months. First came the Eric Namesnik Grand Prix in Ann Arbor, Mich., where she stunned the world by beating Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Natalie Coughlin in the 100 LCM backstroke title. Just three weeks later she defended her title against famous Olympian swimmer Katie Hoff. \nVaziri has been swimming since a young age but this was by far the best moment in her career.\n"(These last two) races have given me a shot at glory and changed my life," Vaziri said.\nVaziri's swimming career started on a high note. In high school she won three state championships and made four national cuts. Vaziri then came to IU and as a freshman placed as high as third in the 100-meter backstroke. Other highlights her freshman year included competing at the Olympic trials and winning All-American honors in four different relays. \nHer sophomore year was highlighted by winning the CollegeSwimming.com National Collegiate Swimmer of the Week award on January 24. She also received Big Ten Swimmer of the Week for February 1 and won the 100-meter backstroke title at the Big Ten Championships, as well as five All-American Awards at the NCAAs. \nShe continued to improve her junior year as she won Big Ten Swimmer of the Week once more. She also scored IU's season best times in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke and won 22 event titles before achieving her previously mentioned victories over Olympic competitors.\nIU Swimming Coach Ray Looze credits Vaziri's unheralded success to several different factors.\n"(Her success) has been a collaborative effort," said Looze. "She has worked well with our coaching staff and (assistant) Coach (Mike) Westphal has really helped her achieve success." \nVaziri's recent performance has also inspired her to try out for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.\n"As a result of (these recent races) I will try to qualify for the Olympics," Vaziri said. "It is hard to qualify for the Olympic team but I will certainly try my hardest."\nVaziri, though, was quick to point out she will not be down if she misses out on the Olympics.\n"Swimming is about the journey, and I will not stress out if I don't do well," she said. \nSwimming captain and fellow teammate Susanna Ernst said she couldn't be happier for Vaziri and noted it has inspired her to try to swim better herself.\n"I am so excited for her and (the swimming team) has always known she had it in her to do well," said Ernst. "She also inspires me to do well since we are training partners."\nVaziri said she thinks her success is just beginning and the next couple years will bring great things for her.\n"You can never tell (how well you are going to do) but I feel in great shape and am mentally focused and can't wait to see what happens next," she said.