Douglas High's Rigdon signs with UNR

Douglas High's Charlene Rigdon once ruled out the University of Nevada. Fortunately, she listened to her mother.

Rigdon took the advice of her mother, Linda, to take a visit to Nevada and the Douglas High senior decided to sign a letter of intent to compete in swimming at the school.

"I actually ruled out UNR a long time ago," Rigdon said. But she changed her mind after visiting the school.

"I love the school," Rigdon said. "I really, really like the coaches. I just knew I wanted to go there. I just really liked it there. I just really fell in love with it."

Other schools that recruited Rigdon included Louisiana State, Colorado State, San Jose State and Washington.

Rigdon has advanced to the state high school championships three straight years. Last year as a junior, Rigdon set a state record with a time of 58.04 seconds in winning the 100-yard backstroke.

She improved on her Northern Nevada record of 58.30 in winning at state. She also set a Northern Nevada record with a time of 24.94 in the 50 freestyle when she won at zone. She ended up second in the state in the 50 free last year.

Her goal for state this season is obvious. "I want to go back this year and do even better," said Rigdon about lowering her 100 back time and winning the 50 free state title.

Rigdon continued to blossom during this past summer. At the Santa Clara Invitational, Rigdon qualified for the junior nationals in the 100- and 200-meter backstrokes. At the junior nationals, she qualified for the United States Olympic trials in the 100 back.

While she didn't do as well as she wanted to at the Olympic trials, Rigdon said,

"It was the most awesome experience of my life. I think that helped out a lot with recruiting."

Rigdon should compete in backstroke, freestyle and relay events at Nevada. She said her goal is to eventually advance to the NCAA championships and to make the 100 back finals at the 2004 Olympic trials.

"I think they're doing a really good job building up the program," said Rigdon about Nevada. All the girls there are really nice. I just want to help the team out and do well."