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Berens A Pro In Post-Bare-Butt Times

May 13, 2010  - Craig Lord

The Charlotte Observer today highlights the nature - as far as one man was concerned - of a good deal of that supposed "increase" in publicity for "swimming" that shiny suit supporters loved to talk about last year. 

In an article charting the journey of Ricky Berens it notes that the swimmer stood out for two reasons in the past couple of seasons: sickness and the guts to swim on and help his college win the big one - and a bare butt introduced to the much wider world courtesy of one of those ever-so-fragile and expensive suits that were prone to pop. 

Berens will race for the first time as a "pro" from this week at the Charlotte meet, including the 200m free up alongside Michael Phelps and Peter Vanderkaay. The 22-year-old was ill (in that stomach-bug scare that delayed NCAAs) when what the paper described as "the biggest swim meet of his collegiate life" back in March but still helped Texas to the team championship.

On the popped suit, the paper says: 

"And Berens became a temporary Internet sensation because of a busted swimsuit. The last item made the most news. Berens got serious air time on several major networks, was interviewed by Tyra Banks on her show and racked up millions of mouse clicks worldwide - all because of a swimsuit that ripped open at the world championships last July."

It adds: "It could take Berens 30 to 45 minutes to put on one of those skin-tight suits. He wasn't fond of them, but felt like he had to wear one to be competitive."

Berens recalled the relay that had world-media super troupers trained on him for a while: "My suit ripped down the back after the first person dove in." But he kept his mind on the job and, as the paper puts it "swam under a full moon".

Now, Berens, working towards a finance degree graduation in December, aims to get noticed for other reasons - and will chase the money on the way. The Charlotte UltraSwim boasts a $50,000 pirze-money purse, for starters, with Berens able to accept money for the first time free of college rules. 

"They joke in swimming that you're not really a pro until you actually win some money. I hope that happens this weekend for me," Berens told the paper.

The start sheet at Charlotte is world-class deep and wide. Cullen Jones, Ryan Lochte, Aaron Peirsol, Rebecca Soni and Natalie Coughlin are among dozens of USA team members set to compete over the next four days.

The meet boasts an athlete-fan interface: an expanded autograph zone is to be found alongside a "Foundation Tent," where seven of the Olympic gold medalists will showcase foundations that they support.