Lezak thrills swimmers

CORONA DEL MAR — A video on a projection screen showed footage of a memorable swim race of the 2008 Olympics at the clubhouse of the Harbor View Swim Team Monday.

An announcer was heard, “And, Jason Lezak is going to have to make up some ground.”

Just then children’s heads swiveled toward the corner of the room where Lezak himself was there, unassuming in shorts and a T-shirt. The kids became excited as the drama unfolded in the 400-meter freestyle during the video.

The buzz around the room continued to build, even more than when Coach Ted Bandaruk first introduced the Olympian. Everyone in the place knew the outcome, but still they cheered as Lezak gained on Frenchman Alain Bernard, the world-record holder in the 100-meter freestyle.

Lezak had trailed by a full body length before his anchor leg. But he came back to win amid the cheers, even during a video.

After the video ended and the room quieted, Lezak asked, “Did you guys like that race?”

Everyone shouted, “Yes!” And, with that Lezak delivered his message of perseverance, accomplishing goals and reaching dreams against great odds. Lezak, who grew up in Irvine, shared that he struggled as a swimmer during his youth, and even again when he was part of the Americans’ first loss in the 400 relay at the 2000 Games in Sydney Australia, and then a bronze finish in the event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

But he helped USA get back on top in 2008 and he won his first individual Olympic medal, a bronze in the 100 free.

In his quest to qualify for the 2012 London Games, Lezak, 33, trains daily. He also mixes in motivational speeches and visits to swim clubs at least twice a month, he said.

He also talks about his glory day in the 400 free relay.

“How does it feel to watch that video again,” a kid asked.

“I still get goose bumps,” Lezak said. “I can’t believe that’s me and I can’t believe that happened. Every time I watch it, it’s like the first time I’m watching it.”

He also explained that he thought he had started his leg too early and that he believed Team USA would be disqualified, but he kept on swimming. He even peeked once, a no-no in swimming, and saw that he was far behind with a little more than 50 meters remaining.

But he told the group he kept the negative thoughts out of his mind. He finished in a 46.07 split, faster than anyone had swam before, as the Americans finished in a world-record time of 3 minutes, 29.34 seconds for the gold medal.

That gold medal, Lezak said, was in his pocket, while he spoke to the children.

He spent nearly four hours with about 60 young swimmers, telling them of his stories. He then changed into his speedos and instructed the kids on various aspects.

Before an autograph and photograph session, Lezak had already captivated the group, especially 13-year-olds Charlie Rodosky and Charlie Coffman.

“Now I believe I can be a champion,” Rodosky said. “He was very interesting and inspirational.”

Coffman also came away motivated.

“That video was very inspiring,” Coffman said. “And to see him there made it better. Usually when I’m behind in a race, I don’t think I can come back, but Jason Lezak has inspired me that I can come back.”

The swimmers’ parents, especially the mothers, appeared starstruck to have an Olympic hero visit their neighborhood pool. Cameras flashed and home video recorders zoomed in as Lezak spoke, and again as he jumped in the pool to teach the swimmers.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for them to have [Lezak] speak to them,” said Julie Browman, the mother of swimmers Ford Secrist, 11, and Siena Secrist, 9. “The things he said were just great and it’s stuff we tell our kids all the time. But to have him say it, makes all the difference.”