The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women's swimmer Chang to represent South Korea in 2008 Beijing Olympics
04.18.2008 | Women's Swimming and Diving
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas junior swimmer Hee-Jin Chang captured the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events to earn a spot on the South Korean Olympic Team at her home nation's Olympic trials on April 18 and 19.
Chang (Seoul, South Korea) claimed the 50-meter freestyle on Thursday in 25.78 seconds before taking the 100-meter freestyle on Friday in 56.50.
At age 14, Chang represented South Korea at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, where she competed in the preliminary rounds of the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events.
"It's exciting anytime an athlete gets to represent her country at the Olympics," UT head women's swimming and diving coach Kim Brackin said. "It's a tremendous honor for her, and we're excited about her opportunity to represent South Korea in Beijing. We will do our best to prepare her for the Games."
Texas sophomore swimmer Susana Escobar is likely to join Chang at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Escobar (Queretaro, Mexico) clocked 4:49.95 in the 400 IM at the Stanford Grand Prix on April 6 and likely will earn an Olympic bid with that mark for her native Mexico.
