University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Men's Swimmers Qualify For 2016 Olympic Trials
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
PITTSBURGH – Following impressive showings at the 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships in August, senior Luke Nosbisch and sophomore Zach Lierley have already met qualifying times for the 2016 Olympic Trails that will take place in Omaha, Neb from June 26 to July 3, 2016.
“Qualifying for the Olympic trials is like grabbing the gold ring,” said head coach Chuck Knoles. “It’s a ticket to be able to compete for a spot on the Olympic team. I am excited that we already have two student-athletes that have qualified less than two months into the process.”
During their first opportunities to qualify for the Olympic Trials, both Nosbisch and Lierley achieved the time standard set by USA Swimming, which was announced by the organization on Sept. 18.
In the 200-meter breaststroke, Nosbisch, who was seeded 50th before the event, finished 26th in a time of 2:15.89 – a full 2.5 seconds faster than the qualifying time of 2:18.39. Lierley qualified for the Trails in the 200-meter backstroke with a 29th place performance in 2:03.14. His time beat the qualifying time by 0.65 seconds.
More Pitt swimmers will have the opportunity to qualify as the year goes on, as long as they achieve the qualifying standard in a USA Swimming sanctioned, observed or approved competition between July 30, 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Trials entry deadline.
Three Pitt swimmers competed at the last Olympic Trials in 2012, including Nosbisch, who made his first appearance at the event. Lierley’s older brother Jon Lierley also participated in the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Pitt opens its season on Friday, Oct. 3 with the annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage. The following week on Saturday, Oct. 11, the Panthers officially begin the 2014-15 campaign when they host Atlantic Coast Conference member Duke for a dual meet.
