Evans Will Try to Put Youngsters in Their Place in 800 as Meet Begins

The Janet Evans Invitational swim meet begins at 5 p.m. today at USC with a single event--the 800-meter freestyle--but it is the race that showcases the strength among U.S. women.

Janet Evans has not lost in the 800 in eight years but will be challenged by Florida teen-agers Brooke Bennett, 15, and Trina Jackson, 17. Bennett finished third in the 800 at the World Championships in September and won the 400-meter freestyle at the Pan American Games in March. Jackson won the 800 at the Pan Am games, where Evans did not compete.

Chad Carvin, a Laguna Hills High graduate, is expected to challenge in the men’s 800. He is the American record-holder for 1,500 meters.

Other notable entrants in the four-day meet that ends Sunday are Kristine Quance, who won two medals at the 1994 World Championships; Chrissy Ahmann-Leighton, a ’92 Olympic gold medalist who is making a comeback after becoming a mother; Greg Burgess, a ’92 silver medalist in the 200 individual medley; Brad Bridgewater, who won the 200 backstroke at the Pan American Games, and Ron Karnaugh, a ’92 Olympian also trying a comeback.

Preliminary events will begin at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.