After continuing a vigorous training regimen since the end of the college swim season, Kevlyn Richards (Gig Harbor, Wash.) was able to post a qualifying time for the 2012 United States Olympic Trials Saturday at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
Richards earned the qualifying time in the 100 meter breaststroke during the Last Chance for Glory Invitational hosted by the Issaquah Swim Team. She posted a time of 1:12.17, 2/100ths of a second below the qualifying time established by USA Swimming to advance to the trials in Omaha, Neb., June 25 through July 2, with Richards scheduled to compete Tuesday, June 26.
"I'm glad to finally make this cut, as this was my fourth attempt since March. It is the goal of many American swimmers to reach the Olympic Trials, and I am very lucky to have accomplished this goal this year," Richards said.
Richards just completed her junior season with the Seattle U swim team and will be one of the captains of the 2012-13 squad. She has the second-fastest time in program history in both the 100 yard breaststroke (1:03.46) and 200 yard breaststroke (2:18.56) and established the third-fastest time in the 200 yard individual medley (2:07.80) at the 2012 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in February.
She is also a strong student, picking up back-to-back Academic All-MPSF honors as a sport and exercise science major. She enjoyed a good amount of support during her attempt Saturday from her family and her coaches, as well as several teammates and other Redhawk student-athletes.
"Kevlyn did a great job with everything. She set her mind to making the trials and took every opportunity to make it happen. She never backed down and always kept it in her mind that this was going to happen, and it did. She really deserves this and it will be great to see her race in Omaha," Seattle U head swim coach Craig Nisgor said.
The Seattle University women's swim team will enter the Western Athletic Conference and will be eligible to compete at the NCAA Division I Championships for the first time in 2012-13.