TRACY CAULKINS: SHE'S NO. 1 - Swimming World Magazine

USS NATIONALS co,,,~Neither Gaines" powerhouse right nor Tony Corbisiero's early speedcould kayo Kostoff, as Jeff captured the 500 yard free in 4:19.38same events over metric distances. What's he doingswimming--and nearly winning--an event he had neverswam in a major competition of any kind before?"I just wanted to see if I could go a pretty good 500and give these other folks a little scare," Gaines grinnedplayfully while pointing a finger at the race's winner,Industry Hills' Jeff Kostoff."Actually," he continued, "the 500 fits in well withmy training for the 200. I don't want the race to becomea habit for me but it's a good diversion once in a while."The last time Gaines swam a distance freestyle at aU.S. Nationals was in Fort Lauderdale three summersago. He finished second to Mission's Brian Goodell inthe 400 meter freestyle (3:51.89 to 3:55.89), a timewhich ranked him eighth globally for the year.Kostoff's winning 4:19.38 at Gainesville was just offhis top-qualifying 4:19.13, which was a career best plusa 15-16 national age group record, breaking Kostoff'sold standard of 4:22.29 from California's North-SouthDual Meet last January. Gaines' 4:19.55 for second inthe finals was his career best.Mission's Bruce Hayes (4:19.68) was third with acareer best and Florida's John Hillencamp, NCAArunner-up a coupl e of weeks earlier, finished fourth(4:19.69). Next came Columbia's Tony Corbisiero(4:20.20) with his lifetime best while sixth was NCAAchamp Andy Astbury of Mission Viejo.Kostoff had fears before the race began that Gaineswould take the pace out so quickly he and the balance ofthe field would burn themselves up just trying to hangon. Indeed, Gaines was out in 1:41.02 for his first 200and had built almost a two-second advantage overHillencamp and Corbisiero (both at 1:42.97) by thispoint.Kostoff was 1:43.38 for his initial 200 and if Gaines t,-Swimming World/June 29