2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Participant
JUNIOR SEASON (2007-08)
Sat out the season after transferring to LSU from Florida … Competed in four events at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE SEASONS (2005-07 AT FLORIDA)
A talented, versatile swimmer who qualified for the NCAA Championships twice and reached the finals at the 2007 national meet… Transfers to LSU from Florida and will be eligible to compete in 2008-09 … Earned All-SEC recognition in the 1,650 freestyle with a fourth-place finish at the 2006 SEC Championships (16:29.28) … Placed fifth in the 400-meter free at the 2006 ConocoPhillips U.S. Nationals (4:14.07) … Recorded a time of 4:13.51 in the prelims of that race and earned an invitation to the World University Games as a member of the U.S. National Team with that clocking … Boasts career top times of 4:45.80 in the 500 free, 16:21.57 in the 1,650 free, 2:00.67 in the 200 fly and 4:23.72 in the 400 individual medley … Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
PRIOR TO COLLEGE
School record holder in the 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free and 800-meter free at Granite Bay High School in Granite Bay, Calif. … Club swimmer for the Sierra Marlins coached by Jeff Pearson … 2002 Junior National champion in the 500 free, 1000 free and 1650 free … Qualified for Junior Nationals in the 200 butterfly, 400-meter free and 1500-meter free as well … Earned a fourth-place finish in the 800 free at the 2001 U.S. Open.
PERSONAL
Born July 26, 1987, in Woodland, Calif. … Parents are Dennis and Rebecca Cota … Has two brothers, Brian and Andrew … Majoring in mass communication.