University of Tennessee Athletics
Connolly Punches Ticket to U.S. Olympic Team for Paris Games
June 23, 2024 | Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
INDIANAPOLIS – Erika Connolly (Brown) earned her spot on the U.S. Olympic Team as a member of the 400 free relay squad during the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials over the last week at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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The U.S. will bring six athletes to compete on the relay squad at the 2024 Olympics. Relay teams are determined based on a swimmer's performance during the corresponding individual event. In the case of the 400 free relay, the 100 free determines who the United States will place on its squad.
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A former Lady Vol, Connolly threw down a mark of 53.86 during finals to tie for sixth with UT Pro Group member Catie Deloof. They then competed in a swim-off to determine who would claim the last relay spot, and Connolly touched the wall in 53.76, her fastest mark of the trials, to claim the victory by just .04 seconds.
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Connolly also earned a spot in the 100 free finals by way of a swim-off following the semifinals, defeating Anna Moesch with a time of 53.92.Â
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The LVFL will make her second appearance at the Summer Games in Paris after helping the U.S. bring home two medals at the 2020 Olympics. On Rocky Top, she experienced one of the most decorated careers in program history, claiming 22 All-America certificates and an incredible 18 SEC titles.Â
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Connolly's qualification makes her the 13th UT athlete to punch their ticket to Paris, and the only one for the U.S. national team. She will become the first Lady Vol swimmer to compete for the United States in two or more Olympics and joins Fabiola Molina, Martina Moravcikova and Kira Toussaint as the only female swimmers to compete at multiple Olympics. In addition, Connolly is the 15th female former Tennessee athlete to compete at multiple Olympics on behalf of the United States across all sports.
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For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee swimming & diving's journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, visit the Path to Paris page along with following @Vol_SwimDive on social media.
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The U.S. will bring six athletes to compete on the relay squad at the 2024 Olympics. Relay teams are determined based on a swimmer's performance during the corresponding individual event. In the case of the 400 free relay, the 100 free determines who the United States will place on its squad.
Â
A former Lady Vol, Connolly threw down a mark of 53.86 during finals to tie for sixth with UT Pro Group member Catie Deloof. They then competed in a swim-off to determine who would claim the last relay spot, and Connolly touched the wall in 53.76, her fastest mark of the trials, to claim the victory by just .04 seconds.
Â
Connolly also earned a spot in the 100 free finals by way of a swim-off following the semifinals, defeating Anna Moesch with a time of 53.92.Â
Â
The LVFL will make her second appearance at the Summer Games in Paris after helping the U.S. bring home two medals at the 2020 Olympics. On Rocky Top, she experienced one of the most decorated careers in program history, claiming 22 All-America certificates and an incredible 18 SEC titles.Â
Â
Connolly's qualification makes her the 13th UT athlete to punch their ticket to Paris, and the only one for the U.S. national team. She will become the first Lady Vol swimmer to compete for the United States in two or more Olympics and joins Fabiola Molina, Martina Moravcikova and Kira Toussaint as the only female swimmers to compete at multiple Olympics. In addition, Connolly is the 15th female former Tennessee athlete to compete at multiple Olympics on behalf of the United States across all sports.
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For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee swimming & diving's journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, visit the Path to Paris page along with following @Vol_SwimDive on social media.
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