Sixteen Gator Swimmers Set to Compete in 2008 U.S. Open
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | Women's Swimming & Diving
A total of 16 University of Florida swimmers are representing the Gators at the 2008 U.S. Open in Minneapolis, Minn., at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The U.S. Open, which commenced Tuesday, continues through Aug. 2 and will serve as the selection meet for the 2009 World University Games, to be held from July 2-7, 2009, in Belgrade, Serbia.
The highest placing athlete in each event who will be enrolled as a full-time university student through Jan. 1, 2009, will to be invited to the World University Games Team. All UF athletes are set to represent their club teams at the U.S. Open.
In day one preliminary action, soon-to-be junior Clark Burckle (Louisville, Ky.) clocked in at 2:14.89 in prelims of the 200-meter breast, a fourth-place seat, which sets him up to compete in the 'A' Final of the event Tuesday evening.
In distance freestyle action, three Gator women, Liz Goldson (Glen Cove, N.Y.), Laurabeth Guenthner (Wellington, Fla.) and Madison Parker (Biloxi, Miss.)will engage in timed finals of the women's 800-meter freestyle. UF men Eric Shrestha (Tallahassee, Fla.), Logan Storie (Corvallis, Ore.) and Scott Thompson (Birmingham, Mich.) will additionally participate in timed finals of the men's 1500-meter freestyle, also set for Tuesday evening.
Gators at the U.S. Open
| Student-Athlete | Hometown |
| Jenne Ballatore | Gainesville, Fla. |
| Kristen Beales | Arlington, Va. |
| Clark Burckle | Louisville, Ky. |
| Kyle Coan | Plantation, Fla. |
| Elizabeth Goldson | Glen Cove, N.Y. |
| Laurabeth Guenthner | Wellington, Fla. |
| Alex Martin | Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. |
| Stephanie Napier | Chattanooga, Tenn. |
| Stacey Nedrud | Melbourne Beach, Fla. |
| Madison Parker | Biloxi, Miss. |
| Eric Shrestha | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Logan Storie | Corvallis, Ore. |
| Scott Thompson | Birmingham, Mich. |
| Rex Tullius | Port Orange, Fla. |
| Bobby Walsh | Virginia Beach, Va. |
| Lindsey Woodward | Assonet, Mass. |
The meet will follow the traditional schedule of morning prelims and evening finals with the morning sessions starting each day at 9 a.m. and evening finals beginning at 6 p.m. For complete live results, visit http://www.starswimming.org/results/usaswimming/index.htm. Please visit www.GatorZone.com for results following finals each evening.
-UF-
