Northwestern University Athletics
Rose Represents USA Swimming in Cayman Islands
11/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Nov. 5, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Already recognized for her prowess in open water races, Northwestern junior swimmer Erica Rose (Cleveland, Ohio/Hawken School) recently had the opportunity to represent USA Swimming in the Caymen Islands.
Rose finished third among the female participants and seventh overall in the race held on Oct. 26. Her time of 1:01.20 was just four seconds behind the fifth-place finisher. The other two females that finished ahead of Rose were also members of the U.S. team. In all, there were 16 participants in the elite race-the eight Americans and eight representatives of the Caymen Islands.
Rose was one of four females, along with four males, to make the trip for the United States. The group arrived in the Caymen Islands on Oct. 24. The two days prior to the race consisted of practice in the ocean, sightseeing and shopping by the Americans. Friday night featured a dinner hosted by the sponsors of the race, followed by a fireworks display.
Saturday's race coinsided with the annual Pirates Week celebration that included a street festival in Stingray City.
Rose said the trip was an enjoyable experience and that open water swimming has become a hobby that she has found very enjoyable.
"I love it," Rose said. "I really like it more than pool swimming, although I enjoy being with teammates (at Northwestern). It's something you can do at an older age, as well," Rose said of swimming in open water. "I really like the travel part of it."
Rose is a three-time 5K national champion, having won titles from 1997-1999. She has also won the national 10K title each of the past two years. In May 2002, Rose became the first non-Chinese swimmer to win the annual Yangtze River Crossing in China. She followed the effort up with a September victory in the "10K for the USA" race in Atlantic City.
