Coughlin earns Olympic berth

By Jennifer Starks
Bay Area News Group

OMAHA, Neb. - From all outward appearances, Natalie Coughlin was a picture of tranquillity and composure as she strode to the starting blocks for Tuesday night's 100-meter backstroke final at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Somewhere inside the Qwest Center, though, her parents weren't feeling so collected. Instead, Jim and Zennie Coughlin were glued to their seats, battling a raging case of the jitters and hoping for the best. Never mind that their daughter is one of the premier swimmers in the world. Never mind that she's the current world-record holder or defending world champion.

When a trip to the Olympic Games is on the line, there is little relief.

"I hate this meet," Jim Coughlin said with a smile. "I love it, but I hate it."

In a matter of seconds, Coughlin gave her parents - and, perhaps more important, herself - a big reason to exhale. Coughlin, a Cal graduate, qualified for her second Olympic Games in world-record fashion, powering to the wall in 58.97 seconds and lowering the bar on a record she set the day before.

Coughlin earns Olympic berth....