The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Chang places 32nd in 100m free at Beijing Olympics
08.13.2008 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Aug. 13, 2008
BEIJING -- University of Texas rising senior Hee-Jin Chang became the third member of the 2008-09 Texas women's swimming and diving team to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Wednesday when she placed 32nd in the 100-meter freestyle.
Representing her native South Korea, Chang took fourth in the third preliminary-round heat in 55.96 and placed 32nd overall in the 48-swimmer field. Chang is competing in her second Olympiad after swimming in the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a 14-year-old. Chang will compete in the 50m freestyle preliminary round on Friday, Aug. 15.
In Beijing, Chang is part of a three-member contingent from the 2008-09 Texas women's swimming and diving team that features junior Susana Escobar representing Mexico and freshman Kathleen Hersey representing the United States. Escobar has competed in the preliminary rounds of the 400m IM and the 400m freestyle, and Hersey has reached the finals of the 200m butterfly, which will air live Wednesday on NBC at 9:42 p.m. Central.
POST-RACE QUOTES
UT senior Hee-Jin Chang
On her Olympics experience: Wow, everyone is so fast at this meet! The Water Cube is amazing, although I miss the TSC (Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center) very, very much. My warm-up time was a bit frustrating since there are about 1,010 swimmers competing in The Water Cube. There is a warm-down pool in the back -- 50 meters, 10 lanes -- but it still feels really crowed. But, having fellow Longhorns win medals and break records has been a great source of energy! With Kim Brackin, Kirsty Coventry and Susana Escobar here along with so many Longhorns from the men's team and other familiar faces, I have been able to enjoy the games to the fullest extent.
