March 20, 2003

Villanova junior swimmer Rebecca Koch, "Becky", is off to Auburn University for the 2003 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships. Koch, the 2003 Big East Most Outstanding Female Swimmer and one of the nation's top up-and-coming distance freestyle swimmers, will compete in the 500 yard freestyle, the 200 yard freestyle and the 1,650 yard freestyle at this year's NCAA Championships. She is seeded sixth overall in the 500 yard freestyle - the fifth fastest American in the event. Koch is also seeded 9th in the 200 yard freestyle and 18th in the 1,650 yard freestyle.

This week, Becky will be compiling a diary from the NCAA Championships in Auburn. Below is her first diary entry from the week.

Diary Entry 1

"Hello to all reading my diary. Yesterday we arrived in Auburn and it was quite a long day with all the traveling. The weather has been nice enough to wear shorts. We swam once last night and it went well. I felt a bit fatigued from the travel, but managed to pop off some fast times in practice.

Today, I swam twice. This morning, I did my main speed work and I felt fast in the water. Maddy and I spent the day watching television, while the coaches went to a coaches meeting. This afternoon, we got flowers sent to us from `Nova women's swimming. Thanks girls! This evening's swim was short. Tonight, I finally get to shave! I'm getting very anxious to swim tomorrow. Tomorrow, Maddy and I both swim the 500 freestyle. I will find out later this evening what heat I will be in. Rick says that I will be one of the fastest heats, so this should be exciting."