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Former Excelsiorite qualifies for Olympic trials
By KIM SIMMONS
Standard Sports Editor
Many people from Excelsior Springs and surrounding areas may be very familiar with the Waller name (if not from the name of the local Waller truck company that is based out of Excelsior, maybe from some of the names behind the family-owned business). Bob and Kathy Waller and their children, Courtney and Rachael, lived in Excelsior years ago before moving to Liberty.
Rachael has shared a piece of the national spotlight this week as a competitor at the ongoing USA Olympic Swimming Team Trials being held in Omaha, Neb. What many may not know is that her road to such a prestigious spot in the world of swimming began right here in Excelsior where, as a toddler, she took lessons at the Rainbow Swim Club. Rachael also attended school at Isley and Elkhorn elementary schools.
The young swimmer began competing at age 10, and she eventually became a team member of the prestigious Kansas City Blazers. She continued to swim competitively until she left for college at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. According to Kathy, USC has a longstanding reputation for both academic and athletic excellence.
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Rachael Waller is a senior at the University of Southern California.
(Photo from USC web site) |
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Rachael (who is now a senior) has taken full advantage of every opportunity she has been given at USC - both academically and athletically as a member of the university's Trojan swimming and diving team. In fact, she qualified for and competed in the NCAA D-I National Championships her freshman, sophomore and junior years and is an NCAA All-American. She is also a member of the PAC 10 All-Academic Honorable Mention Team and was recently recognized as an outstanding USC scholar athlete when she was honored as a "David X. Marks Scholar." Rachael has also served two years as a representative on the USC chapter of the NCAA's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and is committed to serving again during her upcoming senior year.
But for now, Rachael is focused on her commitment to her team at the biggest meet of her life - in what is probably the biggest venue of her life. In fact, more than 1,200 swimmers are competing for less than 30 spots on the U.S. Olympic team. According to Kathy, crowds are averaging over 12,000 at the finals - a number that is breaking records for past U.S. time trials.
The Wallers, who have been at the meet all week long, are particularly happy that the trials are being held at the Quest Center in Omaha.
"We are thrilled to have such an important event held here in the Midwest," Kathy said, adding that a large group of friends and family from the area have also been on hand to cheer for Rachael at the meet. "This meet is incredibly fast and exciting. In fact, this meet is generally a faster one than the Olympics. They (the facilatators of the Omaha arena and organizers of the time trials) have done a fabulous job."
Rachael competed in the 100m Fly early this week, coming in with a qualifying time of 1:02.24. Although she improved that mark with a time of 1:01.66 (a PR/Personal Record), she didn1t qualify for the finals.
"In a sport where only the top two finishers in each individual event actually make the Olympic team, simply qualifying for the trials is something all competitive swimmers aspire to from a very young age," remarked Kathy prior to the race.
Rachelle also swam in the 200m Freestyle and recorded another PR (2.03.04) which qualifies her for the U.S. Open meet to be held later this year. At press time, she had yet to compete in the 100m Freestyle.
From her first lessons at a small local pool in her hometown of 10,000 to her impressive performances at an arena filled with 12,000 cheering fans, Rachael Waller has certainly made a name for herself every stroke of the way. It's exciting to know that it's a name with roots in Excelsior.Congratulations to the entire Waller family on behalf of the Excelsior Springs community.
(Watch The Standard for further coverage.)
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