Pitzer Senior Looking to Repeat as All-American at NCAA Swimming Championships

Although Ben Komer has been comfortable in the water since he was 6 months old -- his mother owns and operates Leahi Swim School in Honolulu -- he didn't take swimming seriously until just a few years ago.

"I played water polo for two years and swam for my school's club team for one season, but didn't enjoy it," says the 22-year-old psychology and art major. "For the rest of my high school athletic career, I paddled Hawaiian canoes. It wasn't until I got to Pitzer that I decided to join the Pomona-Pitzer swim team."

Since joining the team in his freshman year, the Pitzer senior has, pardon the pun, made a big splash.

"Ben was the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Male Swimmer of 2000 and has dominated the sprints here in our conference for three years," says Sagehens swimming Coach Gary Troyer. "He is the team captain and provides excellent leadership for our small squad."

At the recent SCIAC championships, Komer won the 50-meter freestyle in a time of :20:90, and the 100-meter freestyle in :46.28 - a school record. He was again named Male Swimmer of the Year by the conference coaches. He will compete later this month at the NCAA Division III Nationals at the Miami University of Ohio, and is looking to repeat as an All-American.

Komer, who serves as vice president of his family's swim school, will return to Hawaii after graduation. He eventually will take over the business, but swimming will be his main