The biggest transfer of this 2012 college swimming off-season has found her new home in Tucson, Arizona – former LSU Tiger Amanda Kendall has announced that she will use her final year of college eligibility in Arizona.
Kendall had a breakout start to her junior season in Baton Rouge. After a great summer that saw her final at Natioanls in the 100 free, she joined Team USA at the Pan Am Games where she won four gold medals. She also has six NCAA Honorable Mention All-American awards to her name.
But the season didn’t end as well as it began, as Kendall injured her hand just a few weeks before NCAA’s, was out for that meet, and ended up being removed from the LSU team.
But she’ll be looking for a fresh start under the lead of Eric Hansen at Arizona. This is a huge signing for the Wildcats, as it will fill in the hole left by the transfer of Aubrey Peacock to Auburn. With Kendall on the team alongside Margo Geer and the rest of a great sprint group, the Wildcats should have two A-Finalists at next year’s NCAA Championships in both sprint events – which bodes well for an overall team standing. That’s also a key to chipping away at the Cal dynasty out west; with Liv Jensen’s graduation, the sprints are the biggest area of concern for the Bears next season.
Kendall is also an outstanding butterflier, and could fill in a hole there where Arizona is short on depth.
Best Times, keeping in mind that these are all from the 2011 SEC Championships:
50 Free – 21.92
100 Free – 47.90
200 Free – 1:44.95
100 Fly – 52.14
LSU granted Kendall a full release to compete immediately outside of the SEC, so the presumption would be that if everything checked out on the other end, we’ll see her in the pool this in the desert.
She is back in the water racing, and still has an outside chance a relay berth for the Olympics. Back home in Virginia and training with her old club coach Peter Ward (also the head coach of George Mason), she looked solid coming off of injury with a 26.0 in the 50 free and a 56.9 in the 100.
Just because you are in college doesn’t mean you drink, take drugs, and party the night away…Most swimmers don’t do this.Some do find a way to do this and still perform in the pool, but I think it catches up with them at some point.Either in their grades,or in their performance.
So please don’t paint all college swimmers with the same brush.It is insulting to those who do set a standard of doing their best in school,in the pool, and being responsible teammates.Swimmers tend to be high achievers in all areas of their lives.Some I think have a hard time with the pressure and those are the ones that may self medicate.Sports Psychologists should be utilized more often if… Read more »
Arizona also picked up Woody Joye after he got kicked off of Texas’ team.
I tend to look at the glass half full. Sex? Drugs? Rock and Roll? Sounds par for the course in the college ranks these days, athletes or otherwise. Nothing new here. Are we hard on her because she parties or because she’s a female? It was always a double standard wasn’t it? I happen to think she’ll have a great year and keep everything under control.
sex and drugs and rock and roll . good luck with that oh and the small anger issue
Don’t forget about exploding drummers.
“maybe”
Hey if it works out…+40 points at NCAA’s
As pessimistic as I am, her addition may be quite a bit more than 40 points. I’ve watched her since her high school years and she is real good. She has the physical tools to be top 2 in 3 events at NCAAs. Her times show only a small piece of her talent level. It’s her head and lifestyle that will potentially hold her back.
She promised? Well then, why didn’t you say so? Sounds like a sure sign of a good thing.
Maybe with only one year left she promised Zona she would stay out of trouble. She has a third, maybe 4th chance – hopefully she makes the most of it and this will end as a nice turn around story. Go Cats, BEAR DOWN!!
I’m sure she will help relays next year and score big points but I have some concerns about the message hanson is sending to his new team, recruits, and the swimming community. Does poor behavior and decision making matter as long as you swim fast enough? I guess not at zona. Message received loud and clear.