SYDNEY, Australia — LSU’s junior swimmer, Mandy Leach, finished in 13th place Monday in the women’s 200-meter freestyle at the 2000 Olympic Games here at the Aquatic Center in Sydney, Australia.
“Mandy turned in two outstanding swims today,” said LSU head coach Jeff Cavana. “She is a very talented athlete and I’m glad that she was able to participate in the Olympics and compete the way that she did.”
In the opening heat of the 200-meter freestyle event, Leach finished with a time of 2:01.05 to qualify for the final round of the competition. In the final, Leach swam an outstanding 2:00.60 to finish as the 13th-best performer in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2000 Olympics.
Leach, a native of Harare, Zimbabwe, qualified for the Zimbabwe Olympic team earlier this summer in the 200-meter freestyle competition. She led the Lady Tigers last season in four of the six freestyle events with the 200-meter race being her strongest.
Mandy Leach and the LSU swimming and diving teams will open the season October 6 on the road in Tuscaloosa, Ala., at the Southeastern Conference Quad Meet. The Tigers will take on Auburn, Alabama, and Arkansas.