For Hoff, a difficult swim at U.S. nationals

For several days leading up to the U.S. nationals, Katie Hoff swore she felt better. Sure, a respiratory illness earlier this month had wiped her out, forcing her to nearly drop out of a meet in California, and she was coughing nonstop. But with rest, she said, she felt like herself again. She was ready to prove she was still one of the world's elite swimmers.

By Kevin Van Valkenburg | kevin.vanvalkenburg@baltsun.com

July 8, 2009