Cottrell Moves Up in 100-Breast Final; Harting Gains 200-Fly Final at Olympic Trials
June 28, 2016 | Swimming & Diving
Comerford swims in 200-free semi-finals
Another day of racing is in the books for the University of Louisville Cardinals at the Olympic Trials Tuesday night in Omaha, Neb.
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The Cardinals had one finalist compete tonight when junior Andrea Cottrell gained one spot in the ranking to finish fifth in the 100-breast with a time of 1:07.59, her second best time ever. The event was won by Indiana University's Lilly King with a 1:05.20 and Katie Meili taking the other spot with a 1:06.07.
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"It is really a special moment," said Cottrell. "I am not really happy with the time but I think I have grown so much as a swimmer and a person. I have learned from every single swim and made changes. Four years ago I was in the very first heat and now in 2016 I am in the finals. It is completely amazing. If you had told me four years ago I'd be here today, I would have thought you were crazy."
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Another Cardinal gained a final as freshman Zach Harting dropped one second from his morning personal best and qualified 6th for tomorrow's final in the 200-meter butterfly with a 1:56.99. Michael Phelps is the top qualifier in the event going into the finals with a 1:55.17. Â
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"I knew I could go faster tonight. I had nervous jitters this morning," It was a matter of doing it right tonight. Tomorrow anything can happen. Tomorrow we will try to stick to the same race plan. Tomorrow we are racing for a spot in the Olympics.Â
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In the 200-free semi-finals, freshman Mallory Comerford put up a  1:59.24 4 for a new personal best. She was  seventh in her heat and 13th overall. Â
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With a new personal best in the 200-IM, Rachael Bradford was 18th overall and was the second alternate for tonight's semi-finals. She won heat 7 with a time of 2:15.88.
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"It shows our hard work and not just physically but mentally. We train hard and smart and that is a killer combo," said Harting, when asked about the Cardinals' success at the trials.
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The Cardinals had one finalist compete tonight when junior Andrea Cottrell gained one spot in the ranking to finish fifth in the 100-breast with a time of 1:07.59, her second best time ever. The event was won by Indiana University's Lilly King with a 1:05.20 and Katie Meili taking the other spot with a 1:06.07.
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"It is really a special moment," said Cottrell. "I am not really happy with the time but I think I have grown so much as a swimmer and a person. I have learned from every single swim and made changes. Four years ago I was in the very first heat and now in 2016 I am in the finals. It is completely amazing. If you had told me four years ago I'd be here today, I would have thought you were crazy."
Â
Another Cardinal gained a final as freshman Zach Harting dropped one second from his morning personal best and qualified 6th for tomorrow's final in the 200-meter butterfly with a 1:56.99. Michael Phelps is the top qualifier in the event going into the finals with a 1:55.17. Â
Â
"I knew I could go faster tonight. I had nervous jitters this morning," It was a matter of doing it right tonight. Tomorrow anything can happen. Tomorrow we will try to stick to the same race plan. Tomorrow we are racing for a spot in the Olympics.Â
Â
In the 200-free semi-finals, freshman Mallory Comerford put up a  1:59.24 4 for a new personal best. She was  seventh in her heat and 13th overall. Â
Â
With a new personal best in the 200-IM, Rachael Bradford was 18th overall and was the second alternate for tonight's semi-finals. She won heat 7 with a time of 2:15.88.
Â
"It shows our hard work and not just physically but mentally. We train hard and smart and that is a killer combo," said Harting, when asked about the Cardinals' success at the trials.
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Players Mentioned
Free/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
Breastroke
/ Swimming & Diving
Fly/IM
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