Today she would find out if putting her college education on hold to practice was worth it. Today, she would find out if the crack-of-dawn practices, the cold water, the fatigued muscles were all for nothing. Today she would find out if she would be cut from the Olympic team.

Kendra Zanotto of Los Gatos has been involved with synchronized swimming since she was 12 years old. Not only is she one of the nation's top 11 Olympic hopefuls, she has already earned a place in representing the U.S. on the World Team and also in the Pan American games later this year.

At age 21, Zanotto has dedicated her life to training for the Olympics. Synchronized swimmers at this level undergo grueling cross training in order to be the best swimmers in the world. Unlike some sports, preparation for Olympic-level synchronized swimming consists of strength training, gymnastics, dance, aerobic training, and, of course, the swimming itself.

The Olympic squad makes it look easy, but there is a lot involved in making a performance look seamless. "It's a crazy sport," says Zanotto. "There are so many different dimensions to it." She explains that not only are you in full makeup and costume, but at the same time trying to remember your routine, have perfect timing, keep your body straight, and stay in sync with the other team members. All of this has to be done while upside down under water and remembering to smile when reaching the surface.

Zanotto has formed a strong bond with her teammates, many of whom she has been swimming with since she started with the Aquamaids, the synchronized swim club of Santa Clara. "I love everyone on the team. We spend so much time together that we are like sisters," says Zanotto, who prepares herself for how difficult it will be to see three members get cut from the Olympic team. "It's part of competition though, and we know what is involved."

Zanotto loves the sport and decided herself four years ago to become an Olympian. Not only did that involve hours of cross training each day, it also required her take a break from college, which she plans to go back to as soon as possible.

Travel is also a big part of carrying the responsibility of being a high-ranked synchronized swimmer. "I have gotten to travel a lot and I have enjoyed meeting a lot of great people," says Zanotto. Before the summer ends, the Olympic squad will have traveled to Colorado, Barcelona and also Rome, where Zanotto's family will meet her.

Zanotto also enjoys the creativity of the sport and the huge athletic ability that is needed. "On top of everything," says Zanotto, "I get to be an athlete."

World-class athletes in other sports particularly recognize this athletic ability. "Other athletes have a lot for respect for what we do. They are amazed at the flexibility and strength needed," says Zanotto. She also explains that although it may not be harder than some sports, there are more hours of training needed and more mental concentration. Laughing, Zanotto says, "I've seen different types of athletes try this and they have almost ended up drowning."

Photograph by Saori Yoneda Synchronized swimming is a demanding sport, but the rewards can be great.

Carver, a Saratoga resident, stands at the poolside with loud speaker in hand, watching 16 legs slice through the water with precision and explosive energy. To the untrained eye, it looks like a flawless performance. With cheers from the obviously impressed audience, the team looks to its coach after the music stops. "Can you do that one again, the one part that didn't work?" she asks. "That was three seconds too fast and will affect the technical side," she explains.

Precision is essential in this sport. Practicing one or two seconds of the program can result in hours of practice to get it perfect. Carver has an impressive coaching record to show for her perfection—previous Olympic coach, national coaching staff member, and also head coach of the Aquamaids. She was drafted as the head coach of the Aquamaids in 1984 and is known internationally for her coaching expertise and innovative choreography.

She admits that the hardest part of working with the girls is cutting three more team members from the squad in order to get the Olympic team. All but three of the girls are from the Santa Clara program, with two of them coming from Stanford and one from Riverside. "Having to eliminate any of them has to be the most painful thing in the world," explains Carver.

Carver says that she isn't the one who inspires the team, that in actuality coaches are the ones inspired by them. "These are the best of the best and they are motivating to you as a coach," says Carver. "You look at their fight and their desire to excel and are encouraged by their commitment to each other."

Carver explains that the U.S. team was atop the rankings at one time, but many of the team members have retired, forcing the United States to rebuild the team. "This team is bringing it back again," says Carver.

Carver also speaks highly of Zanotto's accomplishments as a swimmer, saying that Zanotto "never stops" even after having to overcome barriers such as scoliosis that can affect the spinal column. Keeping one's body aligned straight is one of the fundamental techniques in synchronized swimming and Zanotto has worked through this obstacle. "She truly carries the spirit of the Olympic games."

This sentiment is echoed by younger swimmers in the Aquamaids, which Zanotto helps coach in her free time. The Aquamaids train synchronized swimmers starting at age 7 where they are taught basic skills. Zanotto's 10-year-old sister, Khadija, is part of this team and is determined to follow in her sister's footsteps. While many youngsters that are "almost 11" dream about being a teacher or a doctor, the younger Zanotto also has a goal for her future. "I want to steal the gold back from Russia," says Zannoto with steadfast determination.

Khadija Zanotto worries that her older sister might not make the team. "I'm happy that she might go but I'm sorta' scared that she won't. I don't want to see her all down and everything," says the Khadija, who says her sister is her biggest role model. She is most impressed by the way her sister is so positive about everything she does and never gives up trying.

The younger Zanotto also has her own ideas on how to make it to the Olympics. "If people have a dream, they should not let anybody stop them—even if a bunch of boys say you can't, even if it's your own brother."

Photograph by Saori Yoneda Swimmers may get upside down, but they're always smiling.

The coach of the younger Aquamaids team, Jill MacInnes, says that "Khadija Zanotto is definitely an Olympic hopeful who would have the determination to make it." According to MacInnes, one thing is certain—even if Kendra Zanotto doesn't make the Olympic team, her younger sister probably will one day.

And for Kendra Zanotta, her day of judgment has come. Olympic judges have been flown in from around the country to watch the trials. Kendra Zanotto stands at the side of the pool with the other 11 Olympic hopefuls. All of the girls, as close as sisters, hold hands as the judges get ready to read off the names of those that have been chosen for the team. Two of them will not make the team. One more will be cut in the fall, leaving the official United States Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team. The swimmers freeze in place; their hearts race. The moment seems like hours.

"Kendra Zanotto," reads the judge from the list.

For now, she has made it and will have to survive one more cut in the fall in order to keep her spot and get to Athens in 2004.

For now, the rugged early-morning practices will continue.

And for now, the Olympic dream remains very much alive.

The Aquamaids will hold a water show at the International Swim Center Sept. 19­21 and 26­28. The Olympic team will be featured in the show. For information on obtaining tickets, call 408.369.9209 or visit www.Aquamaids.org.

Photograph by Saori Yoneda Young Khadija Zanotto of Los Gatos is considered a future star by the coaches of the Santa Clara Aquamainds.

The halls echo with some of the greatest names in the sport of swimming—Mark Spitz, Lynn Burke, Chris von Saltza, Karen Moe Thornton and Donna deVarona, among others. The list of Olympians and world class swimmers to come out of it is long and impressive.

In the year 2000, the Santa Clara Swim Center was officially renamed the George F. Haines International Swim Center in honor of the man who many consider to be one of the greatest swim coaches of all time. Training more than 50 Olympians, Haines' swimmers have won 35 Olympic gold medals, 11 silver, and seven bronze.

In addition to serving as a seven-time Olympic coach, Haines also guided his swimmers to numerous world records and helped to win 43 national championships. He also coached swimming at Santa Clara High School, where he helped lead them to 19 league championships. Haines later coached at UCLA and Stanford with impressive records, including being named coach of the year by the NCAA.

Haines was the founder of the Santa Clara Swim Club. Because of the overwhelming growth of the swim program under Haines' direction, the city of Santa Clara recognized the need for a larger facility. In July of 1967, the swim center was opened and was one of the first international swim centers. "There were no facilities like it," says Rick Hutchinson, superintendent of recreation in Santa Clara. "The facility draws swimmers from all over the world."

Hutchinson explains that though Haines retired in the mid-'70s, the city recently put up a bronze bust of him in the swim center to honor his work and to acknowledge his swimming legacy. Haines has since retired to the Sacramento area and no longer coaches.

The International Swim Center in Santa Clara has churned out world class swimmers since its beginning. Not only does it have a world-class synchronized swim team, it has also been home to many swimming and diving champions, as well as regularly hosting international swim meets.

Hutchinson says that not only is the center training world class athletes, it also brings in revenue for the city which helps to pay for its upkeep. "What people don't see is that every time you have a swim meet, the world comes. They spend their money at our hotels and restaurants and in our city," says Hutchinson. He also says that a hotel occupancy tax goes back to the city as revenue. "It's a win-win for everyone," he says.

The center also offers adult swimming, senior swimming programs and swim lessons for children. "We are proud of it," says Hutchinson. "We are happy to have people come and enjoy the facilities with their families."

—Monika Downey