Short Laps

Rally Girls

Nationals will be a crucial test for three women attempting comebacks, each of whom turned in impressive performances at July's L.A. Grand Prix.

Katie Hoff

After failing to qualify for worlds last summer, the three-time Olympic medalist (below) moved from Baltimore to Fullerton, Calif. In L.A. she swam 1:57.58 in the 200 free and 4:06.21 in the 400 free; both swims rank seventh in the world this year.

Dana Vollmer

She made her first Olympic trials in 2000 at 12 and her first Olympics at 16, but didn't qualify in '08. Her 57.39 in the 100 fly in L.A. is the best time in the world this year.

Kate Ziegler

The world-record holder in the 1,500 free, she missed the finals of the 400 and 800 frees in Beijing. After taking a year off from competition, she swam the 800 in L.A. in 8:25.89, the sixth-fastest time of the year.