University of Tennessee Athletics
#RoadToRio: Hannis Formally Joins Team USA
July 02, 2016 | Swimming & Diving
#SwimTrials16: Hannis Books Spot in Rio Games
OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee graduate Molly Hannis was officially nominated to Team USA in a ceremony to conclude the Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at CenturyLink Center.
Hannis earned her qualifying spot with a second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke Friday night. She and the entire U.S. swimming delegation will be honored during Sunday’s closing ceremonies.
The swimming competition at the Rio Games will be Aug. 6-13 at the Olympic Aquatic Stadium.
Saturday’s Prelim Roundup
Summer graduate Harper Bruens wrapped up her competitive swimming career with her best national meet. After recording career bests in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle earlier this week, Bruens put a bow on the meet with her top performance in the 50 freestyle. She took 25th overall in a time of 25.70 seconds.
Graduate Faith Johnson was 28th (25.76), rising junior Alex Cleveland was 89th (26.26), incoming freshman Erika Brown was 91st (26.30) and redshirt freshman Emily Allen was 173rd.
In the men’s 1,500 meters, Tennessee Aquatics pro Alex Meyer was 20th in 15:30.62. Rising junior David Heron was 28th in 15:33.66.
Friday’s Prelim Roundup
Rising sophomore Kyle DeCoursey kicked off the morning preliminaries with a victory in heat 12 of the men’s 50 freestyle, recording a career-best 22.64. DeCoursey swam his fastest time in both his events this week; he posted a 50.24 in the 100 freestyle.
Rising senior Tyler Mills dropped almost a second off his best time in the 100 butterfly to finish 35th overall in 53.85. The Johnson City, Tennessee, native had entered the event seeded 138th.
In the 800 freestyle relay, Morgan Dickson was 72nd (9:00.42).
Thompson Takes Gold in Caribbean
Graduate Cherelle Thompson won the 50-meter freestyle title at the Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships in a career-best and meet-record time of 25.90.
Thompson, from Trinidad and Tobago, has a FINA B-cut qualifying time for the Olympic. In order to make the Rio Games, she will have to be invited by FINA, the global aquatic governing body, and nominated by Trinidad and Tobago.
Players Mentioned
