Holly Harper at ConocoPhillips Junior Nationals

Holly
Harper, of the Virginia Gators Swim Club, out of Charlottesville,
Virginia, under the tutelage of Head Coach JJ Bean, competed in the USA
Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championships and USA Swimming Team
National Trials, at the Avery Aquatics Center at Stanford University in
Stanford, California, from August 2-6, 2011.  The rising senior at
Albemarle High School qualified for this meet in the 100 backstroke and
200 backstroke, the backstroke being her signature stroke.  At this
meet, Holly competed with and against the best swimmers in the United
States. Holly also competed in the USA Swimming ConocoPhillips Junior
National Championships, also at Stanford University, the following week.
 She qualified for this meet in the 100 and 200 backstroke, the 100
free style and the 100 butterfly. In both meets, Holly swam very well,
achieving several personal bests.  Her performance was highlighted by
earning a spot in the “A” final of the 100 meter backstroke at the
Junior Nationals, and an eventual tenth place finish, among nearly 200
entries in that event.  The vast majority of competitors at Nationals
were accomplished collegiate athletes as well as Olympians.  Holly was
among the handful of high school swimmers competing at the Nationals.
 These meets also provided her the chance to meet with several coaching
staffs from universities which she is considering attending. Holly has
had considerable success at recent high profile meets.  She placed
second in both the 100 back and the 100 free in the Virginia AAA State
Championship meet, and made the finals at both the NCSA Junior National
Championships and the Charlotte Ultraswim, which is part of the USA
Swimming Grand Prix Series.  The trip to California and competing
against these top athletes was a wonderful way to end a tremendous year
of swimming.