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Xiao's Swimming Excellence A Product of Genes, Hard Work

Bill Alden

To help understand Xiao Ying Zhao's startling success this summer for the Nassau Swim Club Lemmings, one needs to go back to the 1983 Chinese national swimming championships.

It was at that meet that Si Pe Le, Xiao's mother, won the country's 200-meter butterfly title.

Xiao, 12, is following in her mother's championship footsteps as she took the Princeton Area Swimming and Diving Association (PASDA) Division I title in the girls' 12-and-under 50-yard fly in a meet record time of 28.08.

Xiao also won the PASDA 50-yard freestyle title (26.84) and moved way up in age class to help Nassau win the girls' 17-and-under 100-yard freestyle relay.

But while good genes help explain the excellence exhibited by the precocious Xiao, that's only part of the story.

"I've worked harder this season, I think I have been swimming more yards than in the past," explained Xiao. "I pay a lot of attention to my technique and kick. My coaches have pushed me a little extra this summer."

Xiao, who swims year-round in the X-Cel swim program where her mother is one of the coaches, said a typical workout this summer has included a warm-up, kick-and pull drills, a distance set for about an hour and then some sprints.

Her extensive preparation means that Xiao doesn't dwell on race times when she is in the starting blocks. "I just focus on my technique, turns, and start," said Xiao, explaining her approach to racing.

Nassau coach Bruce Nystrom knows that he has something special on his hands in Xiao. "I only see these kids in the summer but she's one of those youngsters that every time you see her there is a very sizeable improvement," explained Nystrom.

"The genes are certainly there and I'm sure her work ethic is very good. Where it's all going to end for her you never know, it's too early too tell."

While Xiao has dazzled just about everyone who has seen her swim, she isn't sure that her mom is too impressed by her prowess. "She doesn't seem that satisfied with me," said Xiao with a sheepish grin. "She expects me to work harder and get faster."

Xiao plans to meet those expectations as she progresses in her swimming career. "I'm going to keep swimming, it's so beneficial for you," asserted Xiao, who said she plans to swim in high school and college.

"I keep really healthy from swimming. Most sports are dangerous, you can get hurt but swimming is not one of them. I just think it's really nice to be in the water."