Seventeen Gator Swimmers Set to Compete at 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai
Friday, July 22, 2011 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Seventeen University of Florida current and former swimmers, along with program head coach Gregg Troy and associate head coach Martyn Wilby, are set to take on the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China, Sunday. Representing six different countries, including two or more competitors for the U.S., Great Britain and the Cayman Islands, the Gators will take to the water July 24th competing in the week-long swimming portion of the World Championships that commenced on July 16th and continue through July 31st. The event, held at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, marks the final key international meet before the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Florida and 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Swimming Team head coach, Gregg Troy, will serve as an assistant head coach for the U.S. Men's team during his time in Shanghai. Associate Head Coach Martyn Wilby will also be on deck for the Cayman Islands National Team.
When the U.S. National Team announcements were made in January, Florida student-athletes topped all other NCAA schools with three current NCAA swimmers on the roster in former Gator All-American Conor Dwyer, senior Teresa Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa.) and sophomore Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.).
Reigning USA Swimming Swimmer of the Year and Gator legend Ryan Lochte will join Dwyer on the men's team, placing four Florida swimmers on the U.S. National Team. The collection of Gator swimmers representing the U.S. ties with Georgia and Texas for second behind California's five.
Among UF's other competitors is senior Rodion Davelaar (Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles) and juniors Sara Lajnef (Tunis, Tunisia) and Sebastien Rousseau (Cape Town, South Africa). Sophomores Marcin Cieslak (Warsaw, Poland) and Hilda Luthersdottir (Hafnarfjordur, Iceland) will wrap-up the list of current Gators swimming in Shanghai.
Florida legends Gemma Spofforth, Jemma Lowe and Stephanie Proud will represent Great Britain. Spofforth looks to defend her 100 meter backstroke title after she took home the crown in world-record time (58.12) at the 2009 FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome, Italy. Shanghai marks the first time that Proud will compete in the World Championships for Great Britain.
Brothers Shaune and Brett Fraser will both swim for Cayman. The brothers have both captured the NCAA 200-yard free title, and helped Florida bring home the victory three consecutive years as Brett won in 2011, Dwyer in 2010 and Shaune in 2009.
Morning sessions are scheduled to take place from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. local time in Shanghai (9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET), while finals are slated for 6-8:30 p.m. (6-8:30 a.m. ET). Gator fans can get complete 2011 FINA World's coverage through OMEGA Timing by visiting their website here. For more information about the 14th annual FINA World Championships please click here.
GATOR ATHLETES AT 2011 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING
Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) - U.S.
Teresa Crippen (Conshohocken, Pa.) – U.S.
Marcin Cieslak (Warsaw, Poland) – Poland
Rodion Davelaar (Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles) - Netherlands
Conor Dwyer (Winnetka, Ill.) – U.S.
Brett Fraser (George Town, Cayman) - Cayman
Shaune Fraser (George Town, Cayman) – Cayman
Sara Lajnef (Tunis, Tunisia) - Tunisia
Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) – U.S.
Jemma Lowe (Hartlepool, England) - Britain
Hilda Luthersdottir (Hafnarfjordur, Iceland) - Iceland
Stephanie Proud (Durham, England) - Britain
Sebastien Rousseau (Cape Town, South Africa) – South Africa
Melani Costa-Schmid (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) – Spain
Gemma Spofforth (West Sussex, England) – Britain
GATOR COACHES ON DECK AT 2011 FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING
Gregg Troy –United States
Martyn Wilby – Cayman Islands
