Two SMU men’s swimmers qualify for Olympic trials

by PegNews wire

Two members of the SMU men's swimming team made U.S. Olympic trial cuts Thursday in Austin at the 2008 All-American Long Course Championships.

Shane Milu was the first Mustang to make the cut Thursday, swimming a lifetime-best 23.21 in the 50m free in the prelim round. In the finals Thursday night, Milu was slightly slower, clocking a 23.27, still over two tenths of a second inside the Olympic qualifying standard.

Brett Denham also made the cut in the 100m fly, swimming 55.46. Denham's time was over a tenth of a second faster than the Olympic cut and almost a full second faster than his prelim time. In the prelim round Thursday morning, Denham swam a time of 56.35, which was just three-quarters of a second outside the Olympic cut.

Mitchell Johnson, Nate Clark and Greg Doughty also swam Thursday, but did not qualify for the Olympic trials. Former Mustangs Justin Smith and Michelle Vlasakova competed Thursday as well, but didn't make the qualifying standard.

The 2008 All-American Long Course Championships continue Friday with prelims in the morning session and finals in the evening. Expected to compete for the Mustangs Friday are Johnson in the 100m breast, Milu and Clark in the 200m free. Smith will also swim the 200m free.

Source: SMU