Katie Hoff, swimming

Sports Digest: Towson's Hoff win's women's high-point award in California

Olympians Katie Hoff of Towson and Matt Grevers of Lake Forest, Ill., took home the women's and men's high-point award Monday at the Southern California Grand Prix in Long Beach, Calif., and Michael Phelps of Fells Point took home a gold medal in the 100-yard butterfly on the final night of competition. Phelps won in 45.68 seconds, beating out Japan's Masayuki Kishida (46.32) and Grevers. Phelps won three of his five events in Long Beach and claimed 16 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series points. Hoff finished second in the women's 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 55.43 seconds; Ariana Kukors of Auburn, Wash., won in 1:55.05. Hoff was third in the 100 fly in 53.37; Dana Vollmer won in 51.42, followed by Felicia Lee in 52.71.

Sports Digest: Phelps, Hoff win 400 IM gold at Southern California GP

Michael Phelps, who lives in Fells Point, and Katie Hoff of Towson won gold medals Sunday night at the Southern California Grand Prix in Long Beach. Phelps held off Japan's Hidemasa Sano in the 400-yard individual medley to take home his second gold of the meet. Phelps finished in 3 minutes, 38.42 seconds; Sano's time was 3:39.63. Hoff won the 400IM in a meet-record-4:04.39, edging Ariana Kukors (4:06.04). Hoff was second in the 200 freestyle, finishing in 1:44.48; Dana Vollmer of Granbury, Texas, won in 1:43.29, and Elizabeth Pelton of Ruxton was third in 1:45.52.

Sports Digest: Phelps, Hoff among U.S. team members for Duel in the Pool

Fells Point resident Michael Phelps and 35 other top American swimmers were picked by USA Swimming to compete against a squad of European swimmers at the 2009 Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool in Manchester, England, on Dec. 18-19. The event, which will be broadcast on NBC on Dec. 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m, will star Olympic gold medalists Phelps, Rebecca Soni, Ryan Lochte and Aaron Peirsol. Towson's Katie Hoff will also compete for the U.S. team. This year's event takes on a new format with Team USA facing a team composed of the top swimmers from Great Britain, Germany and Italy.

Hoff 'super-motivated' about leaving Baltimore

Olympic swimming medalist Katie Hoff is changing coasts in an effort to jump-start her stagnant career.

Sports Digest: Hoff leaving Baltimore for Fullerton, Calif.

Olympic swimmer and Towson resident Katie Hoff has decided to leave the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where she has trained since 2003, for a Fullerton, Calif., training center to prepare for the 2012 Games in London, coach Bob Bowman said Tuesday. Hoff, 20, who competed in the Beijing Olympics, winning a silver and two bronze medals, has been in a bit of slump recently and will be leaving Baltimore in mid-September to focus on making the London Olympics, Bowman said. "In many ways it would be like going away to college for her, something she's never done. ... This will be something to giver her a spark, to start new and reinvent herself," Bowman said. Hoff and Bowman reached the decision for her to switch coaches, and coasts, this past weekend, he said. "My main concern is that Katie is happy and successful. This would be a great place for her to do it.," Bowman said. Hoff could not be reached for comment in time for this edition.

Pelton the next big thing?

Neither Michael Phelps nor Katie Hoff swam Friday at U.S. nationals. Phelps had to pull out of the 100-meter freestyle with neck pain, and Hoff withdrew from her final two events, putting an end to a meet where she never felt right physically or mentally. And yet North Baltimore Aquatic Club still had plenty to thump its chest about, thanks to a happy-go-lucky 15-year-old who seems to be emerging as the next big thing in American swimming.

For Hoff, a difficult swim at U.S. nationals

For several days leading up to the U.S. nationals, Katie Hoff swore she felt better. Sure, a respiratory illness earlier this month had wiped her out, forcing her to nearly drop out of a meet in California, and she was coughing nonstop. But with rest, she said, she felt like herself again. She was ready to prove she was still one of the world's elite swimmers.

Sports Digest: Former Hoff coach Yetter named Auburn assistant

Paul Yetter, who worked at North Baltimore Aquatic Club since 2001 and was an assistant coach with the 2008 U.S. women's Olympic team, has been named an assistant coach with the Auburn swimming and diving program. At NBAC, Yetter coached Katie Hoff, who during the 2007-08 season set 11 American records in nine different events and won three Olympic medals before switching to Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach, after the Games. Yetter was an assistant at NBAC under Bowman before becoming the lead coach at the club's Harford County site from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, Yetter has served as the club's senior elite coach. Before joining NBAC, Yetter was head coach at Bel Air Aquatic Club.

Candus Thomson: Late check-in for big catch

In sports, we mostly write about the winners. Have an off day, finish off the podium, maybe you'll be listed in the fine print, but probably not.

Demanding Bowman puts Hoff through paces

The day that Katie Hoff realized the Second Act of her swimming life had truly begun, she was struggling to finish a workout at Meadowbrook Athletic Club. Her muscles were shaking, pleading with her brain to give the order to quit. She was so emotionally strung out, she fell to the ground and started to bawl.

Sports Digest: Hoff wins 200 free; Martin earns rare pole

American record-holder Katie Hoff won the 200-meter freestyle at the Austin (Texas) Grand Prix in 1 minute, 58.39 seconds. Hoff, of Towson, edged out Kara Lynn Joyce by more than a second. ... Mark Martin (187.045mph) claimed the pole for tomorrow's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his first since 2001. ... Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero inadvertently revealed that he is 34 years old, not 33, as listed in the team's media guide. ... Mark Sweeney, whose 175 pinch hits rank second in major league history, announced his retirement and joined the Dodgers' coaching staff. ... Y.E. Yang shot a 5-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead halfway through the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. ... Bernhard Langer shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif. ... Andy Roddick beat Marco Chiudinelli, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (5), to move the United States into a 1-1 tie in its opening-round Davis Cup tie with Switzerland in Birmingham, Ala.

Sports Digest: Hoff wins twice in Mo.; Stanford beats Wie by 3

Towson's Katie Hoff won two events on the second day of the Missouri Grand Prix on in Columbia. Hoff won the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 13.21seconds. Hoff also finished first in the 400 freestyle, nearly two seconds ahead of the competition.

Switching coaches, Hoff will work with Bowman

Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff confirmed last night that she has decided to change coaches, saying she'll be working exclusively with Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach.

'His words were golden'

Jim McKay probably would have been a little embarrassed that an entire ballroom of people made such a fuss in his honor last night at the Hilton Baltimore.

Sports Digest: Chinese gymnasts' ages in Sydney looked into

China's gold-medal gymnasts aren't the only ones whose ages are getting a closer look. International gymnastics officials' investigation into the eligibility of the Chinese women's team in Beijing has been expanded to include members of the 2000 squad, which won the bronze medal in Sydney, the Associated Press reported. Officials are examining whether Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, in particular, were old enough to compete.

Sports Digest: Heels' Barnes remains in critical condition

Allison Barnes (C. Milton Wright), a sophomore freestyle swimmer for North Carolina, remains in critical condition after being hospitalized last week, according to a statement from her parents, Keith and JoEllen. Barnes, 19, swam for the same North Baltimore Aquatic Club program that produced Olympians Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff. She was also a cross country star at C.Milton Wright and graduated in 2007. Tar Heels teammates and coaches noticed that Barnes was struggling during practice Tuesday and immediately called 911. She was taken by ambulance to a university hospital. Her parents also said, "Our family continues to covet your prayers for Allison during this journey, and we hope soon to be able to speak to you with encouraging news."

Bel Air's Barnes in hospital

Bel Air native and University of North Carolina swimmer Allison Barnes remained hospitalized yesterday after experiencing "some level of distress" during practice the day before, a university athletic spokesman said.

With work done, time for fun in sun

The Sun's Olympic correspondents, Rick Maese and Kevin Van Valkenburg, are blogging to each other at baltimoresun.com/olympicsblog. An excerpt:

Out of gas, Hoff sinks

Katie Hoff looked exhausted when she pulled herself out of the pool yesterday inside the Water Cube. She was the last competitor in her 800-meter freestyle heat to climb onto the pool deck, and her expression was one of weary disappointment.

Concerns on Hoff's times fair, but 2 medals not bad

The Sun's Olympic correspondents, Rick Maese and Kevin Van Valkenburg, are blogging back and forth to each other at baltimoresun.com/olympicsblog. An excerpt:

Hoff bronzed again

Katie Hoff won her third medal of the 2008 Olympics, swimming the anchor for the United States on the 800-meter freestyle relay and helping the Americans to a third-place finish today behind Australia and China.

Where only swimmers' best will do

The home of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club doesn't look like much.

Rick Maese: A full morning

6:45 a.m.: In separate rooms in separate quarters of the Olympic Village, Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff wake up for the biggest, the busiest and the most demanding day either will face at the Olympics. Swimming in two finals in a single session is an arduous task. Only a handful of swimmers have ever attempted it.

Looking a bit peaked

Maybe all this simply was too much for Katie Hoff.

Today’s highlights

ALL-AROUND COMEBACK: China's Yang Wei should do well in the men's all-around gymnastics finals after a disappointing fall cost him in 2004. 8 p.m., chs. 11, 4

Rick Maese: Hoff shows she has guts

You can easily measure the distance between gold and silver. In heartbreaking fashion, for Katie Hoff today, it amounted to just .07 of a second.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

CONTINUING TO MAKE A SPLASH: Michael Phelps comes back for more in the 200-meter freestyle (scheduled for 10:16p.m.). Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff and Aaron Peirsol are other headliners in the pool. Chs. 11, 4

Medal winners

Yesterday

SWIMMING

Men

400M Individual Medley

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

IT BEGINS FOR PHELPS, HOFF: Swimming is one of two sports NBC insisted on having in prime time for U.S. audiences. The other was gymnastics. Michael Phelps of Rodgers Forge goes for gold medal No.1 tonight in the 400-meter individual medley between 10 and 11p.m. It might be the most challenging of the eight races he plans to swim because of anticipated competition from U.S. teammate Ryan Lochte. Katie Hoff of Towson also swims the 400 IM tonight and faces a challenge from Australia's Stephanie Rice. Hoff is seeking her first Olympic medal. Chs. 11, 4

Baltimore's other champ

For now, Katie Hoff is content to be the other swimmer from Baltimore, the one not named Phelps, the one without the massive public relations machine and Olympic gold.

Hoff 'in control and ready to go'

If karma counts for anything, Katie Hoff deserves to win a gold medal at these Olympics.

Competitive drive fuels Phelps, Hoff

Michael Phelps did not grow up a dreamer of small dreams. His reach, even from a very young age, always managed to exceed his grasp, as poet Robert Browning once wrote.

Phelps, Hoff up to the challenge

It was supposed to be Rivalry Night at the U.S. Olympic swim trials last night.

On Making Swimming History

Olympics will shine Phelps-like spotlight on Hoff

In the universe of hypotheticals, the most popular impossibility buzzing around the pool is this:

U.S. Olympic Trials

Few are multitasking at U.S. Olympic trials

Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff don't swim in every event at the U.S. Olympic trials. It just seems that way.

Hoff races to finish

In the eyes of the world, Katie Hoff has always been a great swimmer. That was obvious, even when she was 14 years old.

U.S. Olympic trials

Hoff is all business

At some point over the past several years - it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when - Katie Hoff figured out a way to channel all her nervous pre-race energy into a frenetic, yet disciplined, routine.

Hoff again on top of the world

In March, when Australia's Stephanie Rice broke Katie Hoff's world record in the 400-meter individual medley, Hoff wanted to jump back in the pool and offer an immediate rebuttal.

Rick Maese: Smutz is getting back in the swim

Whether it's on the medal stand or on the starting blocks, the movement is nearly the same. The long athlete bends over, head deliberately bowed - ready for a medal or ready for the water.

Hoff puts value in staying humble

Katie Hoff doesn't do cocky. And unlike the way some elite athletes try to come off as humble, it's not an act.

Hoff to coach, take classes at Loyola

Olympian Katie Hoff will join the Loyola swimming coaching staff this fall, the school announced yesterday.

Phelps, Hoff have busy trials schedules

In the competitive run-up to the U.S. Olympic swimming team trials, Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff carried a heavy workload.

Swimming

Hoff takes cake with best times

For four days, the menu has been propped up in Katie Hoff's hotel room, opened to the picture of a gooey slice of cheesecake smothered in caramel and chocolate.

Swimming

Phelps, Hoff warm up for trials

The pieces of Katie Hoff's aquatic Chinese puzzle are beginning to come together. One stroke strengthens another. Distances seem to shrink. A skill honed gets her closer to her goal: the starting blocks in Beijing.

Hoff, Phelps aim to relax

With about three weeks to go before the competition to determine the U.S. Olympic swimming team, elite athletes like Katie Hoff and Michael Phelps don't have to turn heads at the final Grand Prix meet this weekend.

Swimming

Phelps returns to attend NBAC fundraiser

Michael Phelps showed up at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center last night and climbed into the pool.

NBAC coach Yetter honored by U.S. Olympic Committee

With his best swimmer poised to go to the Beijing Olympics in four months and a stable of younger athletes in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond, Paul Yetter has an eye for talent and the ability to nurture it.

Swimming

FINA reaffirms its approval of controversial Speedo suit

The great swimsuit competition pitting Speedo against other high-end manufacturers is over.

Swimming: Toyota Grand Prix

Hoff wins 2 more in prep for Olympic trials

In the span of 42 minutes last night, Towson's Katie Hoff won two gold medals and a silver at the Toyota Grand Prix competition.

Hoff is right from start

When Katie Hoff finished the 400-meter individual medley last night, everyone assumed she just had set a U.S. Open record. It was announced over the public address system at the Ohio State Grand Prix, the crowd roared, and a representative from USA Swimming tried to congratulate her.

Missouri Grand Prix

Hoff's gold standard

Six events, five gold medals.

Missouri Grand Prix

Hoff makes her mark

Katie Hoff took two more gold medals yesterday at the Missouri Grand Prix and $20 from Michael Phelps.

'Shocked' Hoff sets U.S. mark in 400 free

When Katie Hoff was less than two pool lengths into the 400-meter freestyle final yesterday, everyone at the Missouri Grand Prix - including the swimmer - sensed something special might be happening.

On swimmer Philip Scholz

Rick Maese: Loyola athlete charting course for Paralympics

There's just something about the water in Baltimore. Maybe you knew that already, but it's worth repeating. The water here, it enables you to do almost anything. Michael Phelps sprang from these waters. Katie Hoff, too. But the swimming story I hope we'll all be able to appreciate this summer is Philip Scholz's quest to represent the United States in the Paralympics.

Hoff again named SportsWoman of Year

For earning 11 medals last year in international and national swimming competition, Towson's Katie Hoff has been named 2007 SportsWoman of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Sports Digest: Sports Digest

• Swimming // Katie Hoff of Towson set two American records at last night's North Baltimore Aquatic Club Christmas Meet at the Naval Academy. She finished the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:10.77, beating the old record by 11 seconds. She had a time of 1:53.77 in the 200 IM.

Swimming

Phelps, Hoff honored as best U.S. swimmers

Michael Phelps won a leading three Golden Goggles awards, including Male Athlete of the Year, on Sunday night when USA Swimming honored the year's top American performers.

Special Olympics

World Games Wetzler's pinnacle

The walls at Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in Mount Washington are adorned with poster-sized portraits of past and future champions who cut their competitive teeth there. But while the record-breaking performances of world-class athletes such as Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff garner most of the swimming facility's attention, another Meadowbrook member recently enjoyed his moment in the spotlight.

Ravens vs. Rams: The picks

Marylanders to watch in '08

Badminton

'Confident' Hoff looks toward Beijing

Katie Hoff has seen the future.

Phelps, Hoff awash in gold

Baltimore's best swimmers traveled to the Midwest and spurred high hopes for what they might accomplish a year from now in the Far East.

No gold, no worry for Hoff, Phelps

For a pair of the nation's top swimmers, the chlorine that was in the air in the Indiana University Natatorium proved to be much thicker than any competitive tensions.

Sports Digest: Sports Digest

U.S. women set record in 4 x 200

The veteran Olympian -- a gold-medal winner and a world-record holder -- was nervous. The American's 4 x 200 freestyle relay team didn't look good in qualifying, was stuck in Lane 8 after barely making the final and now a tired Natalie Coughlin was going to have to put together a strong swim in the opening leg, or the U.S. might be in trouble.

Hoff handles nerves, gets her feet wet

Swimming

World class acts

At 17, Katie Hoff and Kimmie Meissner are already Olympic veterans, each making her mark by bending water to her will.

Swimming

Phelps finishes meet with 100-meter wins

Michael Phelps capped a dominating three days at the Missouri Grand Prix last night with victories in the 100-meter butterfly and the 100 backstroke, and Katie Hoff added two victories.

Swimming

Phelps gets 2 more wins at U.S. Open

Two-time Olympian Michael Phelps of Rodgers Forge won two events yesterday at the U.S. Open Swimming Championships, giving him six gold medals during the three-day meet at Purdue's Boilermaker Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.

Swimming

Hoff sets record in winning 400 IM

Katie Hoff of Towson broke a 19-year-old meet record on the way to winning the 400-meter individual medley last night at the U.S. Open Swimming Championships at Purdue's Boilermaker Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, Ind.

Sports Digest: Sports Digest

Pan Pacific Championships

Phelps breaks record in 200 IM

Fueled by a big defeat to teammate Aaron Peirsol a night earlier, Michael Phelps responded with a world-record win for his fifth gold medal at the Pan Pacific Championships last night.

Peirsol tops Phelps, sets record

Aaron Peirsol defeated Michael Phelps by 2.37 seconds and set a world record in the 200-meter backstroke at the Pan Pacific Championships last night.

Phelps explores at Pan Pacific

While Ian Thorpe remains off the international stage, Michael Phelps is busy experimenting in the pool.

Different strokes for Hoff, Phelps

As the sun went down Saturday night, bringing the USA Swimming National Championships to a close, two of the world's best swimmers attempted to unwind in two distinctly different ways.

Winning strokes for Hoff, Phelps

IRVINE, Calif. // Standing at the starting blocks last night at the U.S. nationals, roughly 45 minutes apart, Katie Hoff and Michael Phelps couldn't have looked more different had they tried.

Phelps, Hoff make big splash at UltraSwim meet in Charlotte

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps of Rodgers Forge won the 200-meter butterfly yesterday at the Charlotte (N.C.) Ultra- Swim, and Katie Hoff of Towson set her third meet record in winning the 400-meter freestyle.

Faces of the future

If the average person were to walk up to Katie Hoff tomorrow and explain in a calm and rational voice that, at age 16, after the year she has had, Hoff might have earned the right to call herself the best female swimmer in the world, her reaction would likely be something like this: nervous laughter, some significant eye rolling, plenty of blushing, then most importantly, denial, denial, denial.

USOC honors Hoff as '05's best

Not that long ago, people were calling Towson teenager Katie Hoff the future of swimming in the United States. Not anymore. The title of future prodigy no longer fits. After spending the past year collecting records and medals at a furious pace, Hoff has suddenly become a star in the present tense, not the future one.

Hoff's world-class effort wins gold medal in 200 IM

MONTREAL - When the national anthem started to play last night, Katie Hoff took a deep, cleansing breath. And then another. She swallowed hard, then bit her lower lip. Was it really real, she may have wondered? Was there actually a gold medal dangling from her neck?

Athens Olympics

Debilitating start decks Hoff in 400 IM

ATHENS - Katie Hoff's Olympic debut was a disaster.

Phelps' 1st real Athens dip dripping with anticipation

While Baltimore sleeps, Michael Phelps will begin his quest to make Olympic history.

Hoff takes down Olympian Beard for win in 200 IM

LONG BEACH, Calif. - For those of you keeping score at home, it's 8-5, with the rest of the U.S. leading the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.

Hoff, 15, captures 400 medley, Athens spot

LONG BEACH, Calif. - As the finalists paraded for the women's 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, the sound system blared a version of "American Woman."

Hoff, 15, can end suspense quickly

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A little over six weeks ago, Katie Hoff dived into a chilly and choppy pool up the coast at the Santa Clara International and announced the feasibility of her making the U.S. Olympic team.

Athens Olympics

It's fast lane for 15-year-old

Blue is for first, red is for second ...