Swimming: Prairie Ridge's Val Tarazi finishes 68th at Olympic Trials

Val Tarazi wanted to get the U.S. Olympic Trials experience.

This week, she has gotten it. And Monday morning, she finished second in her heat of the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.54 to finish 68th. Tarazi did not reach the semifinals.

“Feel strong, I mean it’s a big environment, a lot of pressure," Tarazi said. "I might not have gone best time but it’s still right on my best time so pretty happy with that.”

It wasn't her fastest time. That came in an Orlando time trial (1:10.87) that got her to the trials in Omaha, Nebraska. It wasn't her goal, which was getting in the low 1:10 mark.

But it was about more than that for Tarazi, the two-time Northwest Herald Girls Swimmer of the Year who will be a junior at Prairie Ridge in the fall. She wanted the experience of the event before she finishes high school, heads to college and makes her long-term run toward the same event four years down the road.

“Wow, it’s amazing," Tarazi said afterward. "I mean, it’s such a great environment to swim in. There’s no words to describe how you feel when you walk out and everyone’s cheering for you.”

It would have taken 1:08.54 to finish in the top 16 and reach the semifinals in the event. Tarazi plans to swim in a time trial on Tuesday afternoon. After a brief break, Tarazi then plans to compete again in early August at the Junior Nationals.

“Keep training hard, it’s all you can do,” Tarazi said.

Two swimmers that Tarazi had faced while winning the 100-yard breaststroke for an Illinois state title were also at the event. Champaign's Ema Rajic was 49th in 1:10.45 (second at state) and Rosary's Alexis Yager was 63rd in 1:11.31 (fourth at state).