July 29, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. - Current Arizona State swimmers Pablo Abal and Carolyn Adel, as well as former Sun Devil Francisco Sanchez, will head to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada next week to compete in the Pan American Games.
Adel, a senior at ASU and three-time All-American, will be the first Sun Devil to hit the water when she swims the 400 meter individual medley for her native Surinam on Monday, Aug. 2. Adel is also slated to compete in the 200 freestyle (Tuesday, Aug. 3), 400 freestyle (Aug. 4) and 200 individual medley (Aug. 6).
"It's nice to represent your country knowing that people stand behind you," said Adel, who also took part in the 1996 Summer Olympics. "But there's also a lot of expectation, so it brings some pressure, too."
Sanchez, a 1999 Arizona State graduate who holds three school records, will also compete in four events, beginning with the 100 meter butterfly on Aug. 3. The 1996 Olympian from Venezuela also swims in the 100 freestyle (Aug. 4) and 50 free (Aug. 7) in addition to the 4 x 100 free relay on Aug. 5.
"The 100 fly is my best chance [for a medal]," said Sanchez, the 1996 NCAA champion in the 50 freestyle. "The freestyle sprints are going to be pretty tough because the Americans and Brazilians are the best sprinters in the world. But I'll try to do my best."
The Argentinian Abal will race against his former teammate in the 50 freestyle and is also scheduled to compete in the 100 backstroke on Aug. 6. Abal, who is entering his senior year at ASU, ranks among the school's top 10 all-time in both events.
For all swimming events at the Pan Am Pool a preliminary heat will be held in the morning followed by the finals at night.