Kirks Make Big Splash

Bremerton’s Kirk sisters — Tara and Dana — competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. They’re the only sisters to swim for the U.S. in the same Olympics. Four years later, they’re ready to do it again.
Tara’s remained among the world’s best in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes, but Dana, a butterfly specialist, battled injuries throughout her Stanford career and seemed like a longshot to make the U.S. team for this summer’s Olympics in Beijing.

Dana, however, showed over the weekend that you can’t count her out. She posted a quick 51.92 while winning the 100 butterfly at the grand prix meet held in Long Beach, Calif, over the weekend. The time shows that she’s clearly ready to make a run for her second Olympic berth.
Tara, meanwhile, won the 100 breaststroke in 59.11. She’s the only American to ever get under 58 seconds (57.77) in that meet and she seems right on schedule.
Tara, an Olympic silver medalist in 2004 as a member of the medley relay, also won the 200 (2:07.94) in Long Beach. She’s definitely counting on being in Beijing.
“I’m half Chinese, so I get to go back and experience part of my cultural heritage,” Kirk said of the 2008 Olympics, which begin Aug. 8. “It’s going to be an amazing Olympics. I’ve seen some of the preparations. It’s going to be breathtaking. I’m so excited about it.”
The sisters, like all Olympic swimming hopefuls, are gearing their training toward the Olympic trials, which begin June 29 in Omaha, Neb.
It’s possible West Sound could have four Olympic swimmers. Freestyle specialists Emily Silver (Bainbridge) and Nathan Adrian (Bremerton) can’t be counted out. Because of relays, there’s extra spots for freestyle swimmers and both have a shot to make the team.
How cool would it be if all four made it to Beijing?