Crocker home after record-setting swim

PORTLAND – A week after he swam the fastest 100-meter butterfly ever, in 50.98 seconds, Ian Crocker was home in Portland as part of his yearly 11/2-week break from swimming.

His interlude between the world swimming championships in Barcelona, Spain, and his return to the University of Texas included seeing family members, visiting the dentist to get his teeth cleaned, checking on his 1971 Buick and playing his acoustic guitar.

Within days, Crocker, 20, will load his dad’s old pickup and head to Texas. He will swim his final year of collegiate competition while continuing to train for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Though he won two gold medals and a silver while also setting a world record at the world championships, the Cheverus of Portland graduate said he won’t relive the glory of last week. He’ll merely break down his swim and take its useful parts for the future.

“The only thing to reflect on is what you did that worked and what you did that didn’t work,” Crocker said. “A year from now when the lights are up, this week doesn’t matter at all. That’s the way it is.”

Crocker, a Cheverus High School graduate, won a gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He became a swimming star at Texas but headed into the world championships as underdog in the 100 butterfly to American teammate Michael Phelps, who had beaten Crocker a year ago in the same event.

While Phelps was setting the championships ablaze with two gold medals and four world records early in the championships, Crocker sprang to the forefront with his upset in the 100 butterfly.

His college coach, Eddie Reese, also a U.S. national team coach, was shocked at the showing. Crocker swam the race in 50.98 seconds, eclipsing his goal of 51 seconds.

“That 50.98? If somebody had told me before that meet somebody would beat 51, I would’ve bet the house against it,” said Reese. “That was the swim of the meet, as far as time goes, the surprising victory of the meet because he beat Michael Phelps.

Crocker said he didn’t feel particularly well when he awoke that morning, nor did he feel great during warmups. But how you feel in swimming often doesn’t matter, he said.

“It’s time to perform whether you feel ready or not,” Crocker said. “Some of the best races I’ve had, I didn’t feel that great.”

Ian’s parents, Rick and Gail Crocker, marvel at their son’s progression.

“I remember the dripping-wet 8-year-old,” said Gail Crocker, holding her hand waist high to visualize his height then. “At 10 he said, ‘Mom, I’m going to get a college scholarship and go to the Olympics.’

“When he was on that Olympic podium and I visualize that 8- and then 10-year-old, that’s what’s phenomenal to me.”