ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996 TAG: 9603120034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS
SOURCE: Associated Press
JESSICA FOSCHI fails again in her bid, and has one chance remaining in the 800 freestyle on Monday.
Janet Evans won a trip to her third consecutive Olympics with a resounding victory over teen-age swimming rival Brooke Bennett, who had her six-race winning streak in the 400-meter freestyle snapped. Jessica Foschi again failed to make the Olympic team after a fifth-place finish Friday night.
Evans trailed Cristina Teuscher throughout the race before pulling away to victory with 30 meters remaining. Evans finished in 4 minutes, 10.97 seconds - well behind her world record of 4:03.85 set in the 1988 Olympics.
Teuscher was second in 4:11.59 and Trina Jackson third.
Bennett, the brash 15-year-old who has questioned Evans' courage, never threatened and finished fourth in 4:13.81.
Foschi, who battled for two months to compete in the U.S. trials for the Atlanta Games, also was never a factor. She was seventh at the halfway point and eventually moved up to take fifth in 4:13.84.
Evans became only the fourth American woman to make three Olympic teams. Only the top two finishers earn Olympic berths.
Foschi has a final chance to make the team in the 800 freestyle on Monday.
Even if she qualifies for Atlanta, Foschi's ability to compete remains uncertain pending a decision on her eligibility by FINA, the world governing body, following an earlier positive test for steroids. Her parents have sued U.S. Swimming and its board of directors.
In this most nerve-wracking American swim meet, Foschi said she was feeling happier and more comfortable as the week went on.
``I don't think it gets much easier. I definitely get more used to things,'' she said through a spokesman for U.S. Swimming.
Evans has been Foschi's most outspoken critic. Teuscher is also anti-drug, and she lost a gold medal in the 400 free in the 1994 World Championships to a Chinese swimmer later banned for a positive drug test.
Evans led the preliminary field in 4:11.77. Bennett was fourth in 4:13.84.
Teuscher was second and Trina Jackson third. Teuscher and Jackson already are on the Olympic team after finishing 1-2 in the 200 freestyle Thursday.
If Foschi is troubled by the hostility her presence has created, she doesn't discuss it. ``I just want to have fun. This is such a great experience,'' she said.
Evans criticized U.S. Swimming earlier this week for allowing Foschi to compete in the trials after the teen-ager tested positive for steroids in last summer's national championships.
The sport's governing body reversed its two-year ban on Foschi, and gave her a two-year probation, clearing the way for her to compete.
That irritated Evans, who called U.S. Swimming's decision ``a whole step backward.''
``I am ashamed and embarrassed to be part of an organization that can't stand up for what it believes in,'' she said.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB