Go ahead, feel sorry for yourself. Think about what could be wrong with your life. Now, listen to the story of JulieAnne Fall from Dublin High (Calif.) and put it all in perspective.

Think about how difficult it must be to participate in a sport , monofin swimming , that doesn't get much notoriety. Think about what it takes to help get a sport Olympic consideration. More importantly, think about losing your best friend and biggest fan, your mother, to breast cancer. Now, realize you're only 15 years old.

Monofin swimming isn't exactly "on the map? when it comes to American sports. It involves putting both feet into a large fin and kicking those feet like a dolphin to build speed while keeping the arms in a streamline position.

"It is pretty similar to swimming," says Fall, who made the switch from swimming to monofin when she was 10. "You train the same way, but I think using the fin is harder. But it depends on the person."

Whether it is harder or not doesn't seem to matter to Fall. She knows that with this sport, just like any other, she must practice longer and harder than anyone else to be the best. Her coach, John Hoskins, thinks Fall is one of the top monofin swimmers in the country because of her strong-willed attitude to improve.

"She has a tremendous work ethic," boasts Hoskins. "She's out there sometimes twice a day, six days a week."

The hard work has paid off, with Fall getting to travel around the world for competitions. Winning is one thing, but being just 15 years old and getting to see the world is another.

She has been to Mexico, plans on going to Spain for the World Championships in October and made the trip to Hungary for the World Championships in 1996. There, she placed second among all junior monofin swimmers.

"I simply adore that medal. I'm not into bragging to other people what I've done, but that is one of my proudest memories," says Fall, who currently holds five American records in the senior division, eight American records in the junior division and five Pan-American records.

With the winning and the travel, it only seems fitting that Fall wants to reach the Olympic Games someday. However, as of now, monofin swimming is not an Olympic event. That doesn't get Fall down ? it just makes her work harder to get the sport the recognition she believes it deserves.

"I want fin swimming to become recognized and have lots of people out there competing," she says. "I want it to be an Olympic sport. Just to have a chance to go to the Olympics would fulfill some of my major dreams."

It would help fulfill some of her mother's dreams as well. Fall's mother also took part in fin swimming and was instrumental in helping Fall become a major player in the sport. She attended every competition, and Fall considers her mother her biggest fan and friend. Unfortunately, Fall lost her mother to breast cancer in January. While the last six months have been difficult on the entire family, Fall continues to persevere.

"She was really into seeing me and the sport succeed," says Fall. "She told me she wants me to continue to work at it. I look at that as something to motivate me now."