The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hersey claims 200m butterfly at USA Swimming National Championships
07.10.2009 | Women's Swimming and Diving
July 10, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS -- University of Texas rising sophomore Kathleen Hersey claimed the 200-meter butterfly Friday evening at the 2009 USA Swimming National Championships to earn a spot on the U.S. roster for this month's FINA World Championships to be contested in Rome, Italy.
Hersey (Roswell, Ga.), a 2008 Beijing Olympian in the 200m butterfly, captured the U.S. national title in a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 6.44 seconds, which would have been good for fourth place at the Beijing Olympics. Hersey narrowly trailed Stanford's Elaine Breeden at 150 meters before pulling away on the final 50 meters. UT rising sophomore Leah Gingrich (Enola, Pa.) added a win in the 200m butterfly "B" final in 2:10.42.
Texas rising sophomore Katie Riefenstahl (Blue Bell, Pa.) fared well in the 200m backstroke final, as she placed fifth overall in 2:10.36.
2009 USA Swimming National Championships
200m Butterfly
1. Kathleen Hersey - 2:06.44
200m Butterfly ("B" Final)
1. Leah Gingrich - 2:10.42
200m Backstroke
5. Katie Riefenstahl - 2:10.36