Kristine Hansen

College: Orange Coast

Sport: Swimming

Class: Sophomore

Hansen, from Huntington Beach High School, came to Orange Coast hoping to specialize in the backstroke. But because teammate Brandi Kossub turned out to be among the best in the nation in that stroke, Hansen switched to freestyle and butterfly.

At the State meet last weekend, she was second in three individual events--the 50 freestyle (24.92), the 50 butterfly (27.31) and the 100 butterfly (59.54).

She was part of three relay teams that won titles. She swam the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay team that turned in a national record time of 3:59.88.

She was also part of the 400 freestyle team that set a state record with a time of 3:35.99. The 200 freestyle team she was a member of won in 1:39.28.

Hansen is the fourth member of OCC’s team to win the athlete of the week award this season.

OCC won the team title at the meet, its fifth in a row and ninth in the last 10 years for Coach Don Watson.

Other top performers:

Orange Coast’s Brandi Kossub set state and national records in the 50 backstroke (27.34 seconds) at the State swimming meet. She also set a state record in the 100 backstroke (58.54). Kossub, who was the athlete of the week last week, was also part of the 200 and 400 medley relay teams.

Stephanie Kramer of Golden West won the 50 breaststroke in 31.63 at the State meet.