Gamecocks Continue U.S. Olympic Trials
OMAHA, Neb. (USC SID) — Four more Gamecocks were in action on Monday as the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials continued at CenturyLink Center. Current student-athletes Jonathan Boland, Kersten Dirrane and Taylor Worrell made their Trials debuts, while alumnus Michael Flach swam the first of his three races in Omaha.
Of the four, Flach finished highest, checking in 44th in the men’s 200 freestyle, while Dirrane showed the biggest improvement, placing 27 spots above her seed in the women’s 100 breaststroke.
QUOTING HEAD COACH MCGEE MOODY
“Today was good for us. The main takeaway from this morning is that we’re still adjusting to the environment, and we have some young swimmers still getting over the nerves that come with racing in a meet this big. Jonathan and Kersten both had good swims on a big stage. We have a chance for more good swims tomorrow, and we’re getting excited for the rest of the meet.”RECAP
Former NCAA All-American Michael Flach was the first swimmer with Gamecock ties in the pool on Monday. Now swimming for Club Wolverine out of Michigan, the Gamecocks alumnus took 44th in the men’s 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.89.
Dirrane was in action in the women’s 100 breaststroke, her first of two events in Omaha. The rising junior posted a time of 1:12.10, going fourth in her heat and 89th overall. She finished 27 spots higher than her seed time.
Boland was out next, swimming the men’s 100 backstroke. The rising senior took fourth in his heat, swimming a time of 57.14, good for 94th overall.
The last Gamecock to take the pool on Monday was Taylor Worrellswimming the women’s 400 freestyle. The Westampton, N.J., native placed 99th, with a swim of 4:26.56.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
Flach is back in the pool on Tuesday for his signature event, the 200 butterfly, and rising sophomore Emma Barksdale also continues her Olympic Trials run after a scorching 14th-place finish Sunday in the 400 IM. She will swim the 200 IM, with prelims starting at 11 a.m. ET. The first Gamecock will be in the pool at approximately 11:37 a.m., and fans can watch live streaming through the NBC Sports Live Extra app.
