Tehachapi has own future Olympian
Tehachapi has own future Olympian
By: LaNelle Thompson
Description: 9-year-old swimmer competes in Junior Olympics
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Each time 9-year-old Elizabeth Pulido wins another blue ribbon or award in Junior Olympics in various meets across central California, she is closer to attaining her life goal of swimming for the USA in the World Olympics.
Elizabeth glows when she speaks of bringing back a gold medal that will make her country proud. At the March 17 through 19 short-course Junior Olympics, Elizabeth was honored with the 2005 Central California long-course Junior Olympics high point award for children 8 years and younger.
At Junior Olympics event, held at the Bakersfield College Aquatic Center and hosted by the Bakersfield Swim Club in March, Elizabeth competed with young people from 32 swim clubs. The teens came from cities and counties throughout California: Bakersfield, Clovis, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Santa Maria, Monterey County, Tule Nations Tritons, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Escondido and others were just a few. Team sizes ranged from 85 athletes from larger cities down to one swimmer from small cities. TVA offered five athletes.
Elizabeth competed in nine events over the three-day meet with three events each day. She qualified for girls age 10 and younger events in the 50-yard butterfly, the 100-yard backstroke, the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard individual medal. Elizabeth received six medals in total and reached pool records on each of her events, meaning Elizabeth beat all previous timed records in her age group.
Elizabeth speaks highly of her present coach of one year, Gunther Niklas, as well as
Leanna Delgadillo, who was her coach for three years and Todd Kalk, her coach for one year.
The effort and dedication it takes to excel at the Junior Olympics level of the sport is expensive and demanding. In preparation for swimming championships that lead to the World Olympics, swimmer’s families must also be dedicated. Many hours traveling from swim meets, the many costs of motels, meals and such is no little factor in a swimmer obtaining his or her goals. A Junior Olympics participant must be a USA registered swimmer, paying an annual membership fee of $65. For each event there is a $6 pool charge, a $3 charge for each time trial, $8 for relays and, if one registers online, there is a 44 charge for each event the one enters.
Elizabeth will now be traveling to Bakersfield three days each week to train further to
obtain her ultimate dream. The TVA suspends swim practice at the end of March in Tehachapi. However, this young lady cannot suspend her training. Let’s watch as this young lady excels in life.
If I sound partial, it is for good reason: Elizabeth is my adopted granddaughter.
Elizabeth’s first experience in the water came when she was 7 months old. She began to swim in competition when she was 5 years old with the Tehachapi Valley Aquatics. (TVA). She shares her love for the sport with friends and her dedication shows in the many hours a week she trains for competition.
Elizabeth’s parents’ Jose and Martha Pulido, who support their children’s love for
swimming, have two other children who have been winners in past TVA competitions. Jose Jr., who now attends aviation school in Los Angeles, was an active competitor for three years. Daughter Arely competed for four years and will now swim for the Tehachapi High School swim team practicing five days a week.
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