OMAHA, Neb. — Former LSU swimmer Kevin Braud swam the 100-meter backstroke on the second day of the 2008 United States Olympic Team Trials Monday, posting a time of 58.08 seconds in the event at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.
Braud, who wrapped up a fine collegiate career last season, became the second swimmer with LSU ties to compete at the prestigious U.S. Trials this week. Current Lady Tiger Stephanie Cota swam in the 400m individual medley and the 100m butterfly Sunday.
Cota, who had qualified for Monday’s 400m freestyle, chose not to race in the event as she turns her focus to the 200m free on Tuesday.
Day 3 of the Olympic Trials will begin Tuesday at 11 a.m. CT with the preliminary heats of the women’s 200m free, the men’s 200m fly and the women’s 200m IM. The semifinal and final rounds will start at 6:45 p.m. CT.
Live streaming video of the prelims will be available on NBC’s official Olympic Web site (www.NBCOlympics.com). The finals can be seen on the USA network (Channel 27 in Baton Rouge) at 7 p.m. CT.
Five more Olympic hopefuls earned roster spots on the second day of the U.S. Trials. Brendan Hansen and Mark Gangloff finished first and second, respectively, in the 100m breaststroke to claim Olympic berths. On the women’s side, Christine Magnuson clinched her first trip to the Olympics Games with a victory in the 100m butterfly. Elaine Breeden followed Magnuson in second to punch her ticket to Beijing, China.
Katie Hoff closed out Day 2 with her second event title of the trials. The native of Towson, Md., who shattered the world record in the 400m IM Sunday, won the 400m free to qualify for her second race in Beijing. Kate Ziegler took runner-up honors to capture her first Olympic trip.
Be sure to log on to www.LSUSports.net for daily updates from Omaha as current and former LSU swimmers compete on the country’s largest stage.
U.S. Olympic Team Trials ? Schedule for Tuesday, July 1
Preliminaries ? 11 a.m. CT
200 Free ? women (Stephanie Cota)
200 Fly ? men
200 IM ? women
Finals ? 6:45 p.m. CT
200 Free – women – semifinal
200 Free – men – FINAL
100 Back – women – FINAL
100 Back – men – FINAL
100 Breast – women – FINAL
200 Fly – men – semifinal
200 IM – women – semifinal