Nearly fifty swimmers from the University of Texas competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials throughout June.
The Olympic Trials took place June 15 through 23 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event marks the first time the sport was staged on a football field, drawing in record-breaking crowds.
Twenty-two women and twenty-five men from the University of Texas (UT) swim team qualified to compete amongst other swimmers at the trials to score a spot at the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
UT represented the most swimmers over any other college. Overall, eight swimmers from UT joined the team of fifty swimmers, moving on to represent the USA worldwide.
19-year-old Aaron Shackell kicked off the week by finishing first place in the 400-meter freestyle, earning him a place on Team USA. Shackell was born in Arlington and trains at UT. His teammate Carson Foster qualified shortly after, placing first in the 400- and 200-meter individual medley. Shane Casas made his first Olympic team, finishing second in the 200-meter individual medley behind Foster. Luke Hobson qualified by placing first place in the 200 free and earned a relay team spot. Former Tokyo Olympian Drew Kibler qualified for his second Olympic team as part of a relay. On the last day of trials, David Johnston finished second place in the 1500-meter freestyle, sending him to the Olympics.
19-year-old Erin Gemmell will represent Team USA on a relay. Alongside her is Regan Smith, a former Tokyo Olympian who dominated the trials, finishing first in the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly and qualifying for a relay.
Outside of the eight UT swimmers, more Texans will be representing the USA at the Olympics, including five-time Olympian Simone Manuel of Sugar Land.
Additionally, UT swim coaches Carol Capitani and Bob Bowman will join the team in Paris as coaches of Team USA.
Texas’ aquatics talent doesn’t stop at swimming. UT diver Alison Gibson will return for her second Olympics as part of the dive team after finishing second on the springboard during the diving trials. Joining her will be diver Kassidy Cook from The Woodlands.
The Summer Olympic Games will occur from July 26 through August 11 in Paris, France.
