Women's Swimming's Gemmell punches ticket to Paris with fourth-place finish in 200 free final at U.S. Olympic Trials

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — University of Texas rising sophomore Erin Gemmell claimed her spot in the Paris Olympics by finishing fourth in the 200-meter freestyle final on Monday evening at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Gemmell qualified for the team as part of the 4x200 free relay with her fourth-place result.

In addition, rising junior Lydia Jacoby finished in third place in the final of the 100-meter breaststroke.

The top finisher in the individual swimming events at the U.S. Olympic Trials earns an automatic spot on the official Team USA roster, while the runner-up is considered a near lock to make the team as well. In the 200-meter freestyle, the top four finishers qualify for the 4x200 free relay.

Katie Ledecky (1:55.22) and Claire Weinstein (1:56.18) claimed the top two spots in the 200 free final, followed by Paige Madden in third (1:56.36). Gemmell took fourth in a time of 1:56.75.

Lilly King (1:05.43) and Emma Weber (1:06.10) finished one-two in the 100 breast final. Jacoby placed third with a mark of 1:06.37, just missing a spot in Paris by 0.27 seconds.

During Monday evening's 100-meter backstroke semifinals, rising sophomore Emma Kern placed 16th with a mark of 1:00.98. Leah Smith, who currently trains under Texas head coach Carol Capitani, placed fourth in the 400-meter individual medley final with a time of 4:39.87.

In Monday morning's prelims, Kern advanced to the 100-meter backstroke semifinals. Kern finished in 15th place with a time of 1:00.54.

Evening Session Results

100 back semis

16.Emma Kern 1:00.98

100 breast final

3.Lydia Jacoby 1:06.37

200 free final

4.Erin Gemmell 1:56.75

Morning Prelim Results

400 IM

16.Campbell Chase 4:48.58

25.Campbell Stoll 4:52.61