At 41, Dara Torres rules pool

OMAHA -- They blasted "American Woman" over the public-address system Friday night after 41-year-old Dara Torres took what had been an intriguing storyline and turned it into a comeback story for the aged.

This mother of a 2-year-old girl looked like a kid again herself -- waving an American flag on the pool deck -- in making an unprecedented fifth Olympic team, winning the 100-meter freestyle in 53.78 seconds at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Natalie Coughlin, the U.S.-record holder, was second in 53.83.

"I was shocked when I touched the wall," Torres said. "I couldn't see the scoreboard. What does that say? They need to make those numbers bigger for people my age. I'm shocked. I don't think it's hit me yet, a fifth Olympic team. . . . I don't think it's sunk in yet. I'm thrilled."

Torres needed a moment to collect herself before facing the media. She thought about Edward, her late father, who passed away a year and a half ago before she could tell him about her comeback plans.

"I was feeling he was with me in that race and really feeling him at the end," Torres said.

"I was trying to hold a brave face while I was out there because I didn't want anyone to see me crying."

Depending on what happens in the upcoming 50 freestyle, Torres could potentially drop the 100 from her Olympic program. But, on this night, she relished holding her daughter Tessa during the awards ceremony on the pool deck. This was Torres' first Olympic trials in eight years.

One other musical adjustment might need to be made to the trials program, however. "American Woman" might have to be changed to "American Women."

Not only did Torres deliver the bombshell moment of the trials, there was another resurgent sidekick on the deck, a yin to the Torres' yang, in the form of 26-year-old Amanda Beard, the Irvine native who made her fourth Olympic team Friday night after placing second in the 200 breaststroke in 2:25.13 behind Rebecca Soni's 2:22.60.

"I knew I could make the team, but I knew it was a longshot," Beard said. "I came in here with not a lot of training under my belt, not feeling 100% ready to go.

"Fortunately, it worked out fine, and I think my experience helped me out. The crowd was extremely loud and noisy right before we walked out, and I love that. I thrive off that. I thrive off the pressure and the stress, and I have so much fun with that. For other girls, that can be intimidating."