HANNIS, DIRADO AIMING HIGH: LOCAL SWIMMERS HEADING TO U.S. TRIALS, AIMING FOR SPOTS AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimming as a true freshman, Allie Davis made the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships with the Purdue University swim team.

The former Empire great was strong enough her first year out of Windsor High to be a top starter for Purdue. Davis was seventh in scoring for the Boilermakers at the Big Ten Conference finals and swam on the 800-yard freestyle relay team that competed in the NCAA championships.

"The year went really well," Davis said. "It was definitely hard. The atmosphere was intense and it brings out the best in you."

Dropping times in all events, Davis put in more pool time and took to the college-level conditioning and weight training.

"It was definitely a big change. But we get through it together," Davis said. "The team is really big on the whole family thing. We're so team oriented."

At the Big Ten finals, Davis swam three freestyle events -- the 1650, 500 and 200 -- with the best finish a third in the 200 free consolation final. Her time in the 500 free consolation final was third best ever at Purdue.

Davis, 18, also was on the 800 free relay team that finished third in the Big Ten consolation finals with the third best time in program history. That team reached the NCAA championships.

"Being at the NCAAs was pretty big and definitely awesome," Davis said.

Next season Davis aims to reach the NCAA meet as an individual as well as on relays. Her best shots are the 500 free and 1650 free. "It's not just going to happen," she said. "You have to make it happen."

Next for Davis will be the U.S. Open, in Irvine, which begins July 30.

YAMAUCHI SWIMMER OF YEAR

Empire standout Sophia Yamauchi was named swimmer of the year in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation this collegiate season.

The junior at UC Santa Barbara won two events -- 200 individual medley and 200 breaststroke -- and swam on two winning relays, the 200 and 400 medley events.

Her impressive conference championship meet capped another standout season for the former Montgomery High swimmer.

A Mid-Major All-American, the Gauchos standout enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore. With hard work in the pool and weight room, Yamauchi qualified for the Olympic Trials last summer.

A breakout college campaign has Molly Hannis aiming for the world swim championships.

Another super season for Maya DiRado puts her in position for this year's biggest international competition.

Two of the Empire's great prep swimmers look for peak performances in the U.S. trials at Indianapolis later in June. Qualify and they earn spots in Barcelona.

"I've had such a really good year. I'm shooting for my best times," said Hannis, from Santa Rosa High.

Having competed in several international competitions, DiRado wants to add the world championships to her resume.

"It would be really awesome. I need to stay happy and relaxed to swim my best," said DiRado, from Maria Carrillo.

Following successful NCAA seasons, Hannis and DiRado are swimming long-course meets to prepare for the trials. The NCAA All-Americans are confident going into the U.S. meet.

Following a strong sophomore season with the University of Tennessee team, Hannis is spending another summer in Knoxville to prepare for the trials.

"I've found a more efficient way to swim," she said. "I tweaked little things in my stroke. It's easier for me to swim faster."

Fast, indeed, as Hannis swam to four All-American honors. Highlights included winning the NCAA consolation finals in the 100 breaststroke, a fifth place in the 200 breast consolation finals, and swimming on two Tennessee relay winners. The Volunteers' 200 medley relay time was just off the American record.

"That's the ultimate goal, to win a national championship," Hannis said.

The one disappointment came in the 100 breast, reminding Hannis how the NCAA meet challenges athletes. While seeded second, she missed qualifying for the finals by one spot. Then she followed with the meet's third fastest time in the consolation finals.

"I just had a bad morning in qualifying. That's definitely motivation for next year," Hannis said.

At the Southeastern Conference finals, Hannis took second in the 100 breast, first in the 200 medley relay and third in the 400 medley relay.

"I did make some nice strides. The coaching really helped me," Hannis said.

Contributing in a huge way to Tennessee's women placing third at the NCAA championships, Hannis wants to make a great year even better.

"It's been amazing," she said. "I'm really excited. I definitely have a shot."

Also among the best in the NCAAs is DiRado. Relaxed and reeling in great times going into the national trials, she wants to reach another international meet.

"Training's been going really well," DiRado said. "I just feel a lot stronger in the water."

All-American in six NCAA events this season, DiRado again is one of the nation's best in multiple events. Highlights at the NCAA championships included second in the 400 individual medley, third in the 400 IM and a pair of fourth places, in the 400 medley relay and 800 free relay.

At the Pac-12 Conference finals, DiRado claimed a title in the 400 IM and 800 free relay, with a second in the 200 back. Yet she still has not peaked. DiRado is a veteran of international competition and wants more.

At the 2011 World University Games, in China, she won the 400 individual medley. Three times DiRado has competed with the U.S. national junior team in the world finals, including at Barcelona in 2010. She wants to get back to Spain.

"It would be pretty awesome," DiRado said. "I feel like I've put myself in the best position possible."

International meets put a premium on distance training, preparing swimmers for longer pools. Pace and strong legs are the goals.

"I've got the endurance. It's nice to get in the rhythm of the meet," DiRado said.

So good is this pair that they competed at the U.S. Olympic trials last summer.

Hannis plans to swim two more seasons and aim for the next Olympics. She sat out freshman year as a redshirt to prepare for major college swimming. On track to graduate in 2015, she would go into graduate studies to remain eligible and train for the 2016 Summer Olympic games.

Scheduled to graduate next spring, DiRado has not decided whether to train for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The next meet matters most.

You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.