With all the noise that surrounds a swim meet, most swimmers have a hard time hearing their cheering teammates.

But there is one member of the women's swim team who has been making a lot of noise of her own --freestyle specialist Deni Rudy.

"I inherited a deep voice from my father," Rudy said. "I love people cheering for me and I like to give it back to people. The excitement makes your adrenaline go."

Aside from being one of the most vocal members of the team, Rudy has been one of most consistent swimmers this season. The sophomore from Newark, Del., has emerged as one of the top sprinters on a team loaded with quality sprint freestylers, including All-American Fran McDermid.

"She's been real consistent as a sophomore," Coach Bob Krimmel said. "She seems to be getting better and better. I think she has more drive this year than her freshman year."

As a freshman, Rudy earned All-America status as a member of the 400-yard and 800-yard freestyle relay teams. Both relay teams placed third at the Big Ten Championships and qualified for the NCAAs.

As an individual competitor last year, Rudy finished third in the 100-yard freestyle at Big Tens, behind the record-setting performance of teammate McDermid.

This year, Rudy's goal is to qualify for NCAAs as an individual competitor, preferably in the 100 freestyle, in addition to taking first place as a member of a relay team at Big Tens.

"If I do my best and don't qualify for NCAAs, I'm not going to be upset," Rudy said. "I went on a relay team last year, and seeing some of the competition -- like Janet Evans and Summer Sanders -- I don't classify myself in their league yet. They're so fast."

Rudy said she is in better shape for the Big Tens this year due to an intensive training program. She never really trained too hard before entering college because she was afraid of burn-out.

"She's a better workout swimmer, and that goes along with her improvement," Krimmel said.

Rudy's biggest concern now is getting herself in the right frame of mind for Big Tens, which are only eight days away. Despite some solid times in the last two meets against American and LaSalle, Rudy says she is not quite where she wants to be.

"I'm definitely nervous," Rudy said. "We're not at our peak yet. We're in the middle of our taper. I still have a week to get myself focused."