Espernberger Earns Spot in 200 Fly Final Behind Personal-Best Effort

PARIS – It was a busy day at París La Défense Arena for Tennessee swimming, as junior Martin Espernberger advanced to the 200 fly final to highlight six Vols and Lady Vols competing on day four of the 2024 Olympic Games.

After posting the fifth-fastest time during prelims, the Linz, Austria native threw down a personal-best effort of 1:54.62 to secure his spot in Wednesday's final. Espernberger finished eighth in the semifinals after outpacing the ninth-place swimmer by just 0.02 seconds.

In a similarly tight semifinal, Lyubomir Epitropov from Bulgaria missed out on the 200 breast finals by 0.04 seconds after taking ninth with a 2:09.93 mark. Although he didn't advance, he's the first of two alternates who would slide in should individuals become unable to compete. This marked the second Olympic appearance for Epitropov, who finished 15th in the event at the Tokyo Games.

In the 100 free, Jordan Crooks (Cayman Islands) and Gui Caribe (Brazil) advanced to the semifinals in the event. Caribe finished 10th overall after throwing down a personal-best time of 48.03 and will be the second alternate for the event if anyone drops. Crooks held the No. 5 seed after prelims but finished 13th after posting a 48.10 effort. Both individuals will be back Thursday morning to swim the 50 free.

Two Tennessee newcomers competed in the 100 free prelims. Lamar Taylor, a six-time NCAA Division II National Champion, made his Olympic debut for the Bahamas, clocking 48.84 effort to finish 26th overall. Making her second career appearance at the Summer Games, Jillian Crooks from the Cayman Islands touched the wall in 56.15 to place 23rd. The incoming freshman was one of the top recruits in her class.

After winning bronze in the 100 breast Monday, Mona McSharry returns to the pool for the 200 breast prelims on Wednesday morning.

Olympic Swimming Schedule
Wednesday July 31
5:00 a.m. – Women's 200 Breaststroke Prelims (McSharry)
2:37 p.m. – Men's 200 Butterfly Final (Espernberger)
4:03 p.m. – Women's 200 Breaststroke Semifinals (McSharry)

Thursday August 1
5:00 a.m. – Women's 200 Backstroke Prelims (Rathwell)
5:18 a.m. – Men's 50 Freestyle Prelims (Caribe, Crooks)
6:05 a.m. – Women's 4x200 Free Relay Prelims (Mrozinski)
2:46 p.m. – Men's 50 Freestyle Semifinals (Caribe, Crooks)
3:11 p.m. – Women's 200 Breaststroke Final (McSharry)
3:19 p.m. – Women's 200 Backstroke Semifinals (Rathwell)
4:03 p.m. – Women's 4x200 Free Relay Finals (Mrozinski)

Friday August 2
5:00 a.m. – Men's 100 Butterfly Prelims (Mota)
5:17 a.m. – Women's 200 IM Prelims (Walshe)
2:30 p.m. – Men's 50 Freestyle Final (Caribe, Crooks)
2:36 p.m. – Women's 200 Backstroke Final (Rathwell)
3:00 p.m. – Men's 100 Butterfly Semifinals (Mota)
3:22 p.m. – Women's 200 IM Semifinals (Walshe)

Saturday August 3
6:52 a.m. – Women's 4x100 Medley Relay Prelims (McSharry, Toussaint)
2:30 p.m. – Men's 100 Butterfly Final (Mota)
3:01 p.m. – Women's 200 IM Final (Walshe)

Sunday August 4
1:26 p.m. - Women's 4x100 Medley Relay Finals (McSharry, Toussaint)

University of Tennessee Athletics

Espernberger Earns Spot in 200 Fly Final Behind Personal-Best Effort

Players Mentioned

Gui Caribe

Jordan Crooks

Lyubomir Epitropov

Martin Espernberger

Mona McSharry

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