COLLEGE SWIMMING: Whitehead closes out career with a splash

Hannah Whitehead was a six-time North Dakota all-state swimmer in high school for the Grand Forks KnightRiders, the East Grand Forks native's times began to plateau late in her prep career.

There were some doubts whether she had the ability to compete at a high level in college.

Grand Forks coach Bryan Walls was still a believer.

"She had a rough spell," Walls said. "But I knew she had something left in the tank. (Minnesota head swim coach) Kelly Kremer pulled me aside a couple of years ago and said there was a time when there were only two coaches who thought she could still do it -- me and him."

Walls and Kremer had it right as it turns out. Whitehead, now a senior at Minnesota, will compete in her fourth straight NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships when the event begins today in Auburn, Ala.

Whitehead, who graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High in 2008, will swim the 500 freestyle today and the 200 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay on Friday. Whitehead is one of 11 Minnesota swimmers to earn berths in the NCAA field.

Whitehead, a three-time All-American, earned a Big Ten title at the conference championships in exciting fashion last month.

"Hannah, as a senior, winning the 200 free from the outside lane was totally awesome," Minnesota women's coach Terry Nieszner said after the race. "Having a senior in the outside lane win it, that was just exhilarating. It certainly pumps up the team and it's just always nice to have a senior finish out their career as a champion."

From Lane 8, Whitehead out-touched the field by .19 seconds to help lead the Gophers to the Big Ten team title after finishing runner-up three straight years to Indiana.

"I really wasn't expecting to win," Whitehead said. "I was lucky just to get into the finals. But I knew I could go faster. I took out fast and tried to hang on."

Whitehead will wrap up her collegiate career this weekend. She will then attend the Olympic trials at the end of June in Omaha, Neb. The accounting and finance major plans to graduate in May and move back to Grand Forks.

But first, the nine-time state individual high school champion, would like to cap her collegiate career on a high note.

"Our team goal is to get eighth place," said Whitehead, whose team finished ninth a year ago. "I'm so glad I chose to go to Minnesota. I can't imagine (my career) being any better than it was."

Walls, who said Whitehead began to separate herself from her age group at about 8 years old, has also taken enjoyment in watching his former swimmer succeed at the NCAA level.

"I'm pretty proud of what she did here and what she's done there," Walls said. "When I look back, there are lots of fun things to remember. Most importantly with Hannah, she brought a work ethic to our program. I can't count on one hand in 10 years how many times she missed practice with me."

Walls also credited Whitehead for his team's penchant over the past decade to be successful in long distance races.

"She really demonstrated to our younger girls what hard work is," Walls said. "We've had girls come through here now that saw Hannah come in and work her butt off."

Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .