Cardinals to Send Seven Swimmers to US Olympic Trials
June 11, 2008 | Swimming & Diving
June 11, 2008
After a strong showing at the Omaha Grand Prix, the University of Louisville swimming and diving team will send a program-record seven swimmers to the United States Olympic Trials June 29-July 6 at the Qwest Center in Omaha.
Liz Halet, Leslie VanWinkle, Anna Dishuck will represent the women, with Carlos Van Isschot, Chris Findorff, Doug Dietrich and Tim Collins stepping up on the blocks for the men. Volunteer coach Rachel Komisarz and Olympic gold medallist, will attempt to make her second US Olympic team.
"This is a big deal," said Arthur Albiero, U of L head coach. "Last Olympic Trials we were watching not competing in and this is a much better feeling to be on the deck and in the thick of the hunt."
At the Grand Prix, Liz Halet qualified in the 50-free with a time of 26.30 and teammate Carlos Van Isschot went 23.47 in the men's 50-free to qualify.
Louisville's leading point producer for the women and BIG EAST Swimmer of the Year, Leslie VanWinkle shaved time off her previous qualifying times with a lifetime best of time of 2:!7.97 in the 200-IM, fifth best time of the meet. Anna Dishuck, who is battling nagging injuries, did not improve her times, but has a qualifying time from earlier in the year.
Chris Findorff, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, qualified with a time of 23.44 in the 50-free and 51.98 in the 100-free. He transferred from Auburn last January. Incoming recruit Tim Collins of Columbus, Ohio qualified in the 100-fly and fellow frosh-to-be, Doug Dietrich, from Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, will swim the 200-fly.
U of L's Adam Madarassy, Andrei Radzionau and Vali Preda are slated to swim for Hungary, Belarus and Romania respectively at the Olympics pending final team selections. Preda qualified last summer in the World Championships as part of Romania's medley relays. U of L head coach Arthur Albiero will be in Beijing as a coach with the Romanian delegation.
