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Three UVA swimmers qualify for Friday finals at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

Chris Graham

Virginia swimming divingThree Virginia swimmers advanced to finals at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on Thursday night.

The fifth day started with the women’s 100-meter freestyle, featuring UVA’s Kate Douglass and incoming freshman Gretchen Walsh. Douglass was eighth in 54.62 to advance to the semifinals. Walsh finished 28th in 55.91.

Douglass continued her success at trials, advancing to the 100-meter freestyle finals that will be held on Friday night, finishing seventh in 54.14.

Another incomer for the Cavaliers, Jack Aikins, finished third in the men’s 200-meter backstroke prelims with a time of 1:57.57. Aikins advanced to the finals on Friday night with a 1:57.50 in the semifinals to finish fifth.

Sean Conway swam two events in the prelims on Thursday. Conway started his day finishing 32nd in the men’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:02.28. He followed that with the men’s 200-meter individual medley, finishing 34th in 2:03.25.

The night concluded with Ella Nelson advancing to the women’s 200-meter breaststroke finals. Nelson had the second-fastest time in prelims, clocking in at 2:25.35 to make the semifinals. Nelson improved on her time in the semifinals with a 2:24.80 to place fourth and advance to the finals.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].