June 28, 2012

UCLA alumna Kim Vandenberg advanced to the finals of the 200 Butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. after posting the No. 4 time in the semifinals Thursday evening. Vandenberg placed second in heat 2 with a time of 2:09.79.

Vandenberg, who won Olympic bronze in 2008 in the 800 Free Relay, will compete in Friday's final at 6:12pm PT. She had the fastest time in the heats, clocking in at 2:08.78.

Several other Bruins competed in the 200 Butterfly heats. Bianca Casciari just missed out on qualifying for the semifinals, placing 18th in a time of 2:12.95. Yasi Jahanshahi was 22nd (2:13.23), just ahead of Noelle Tarazona, who finished 23rd in a time of 2:13.33. Anna Senko clocked in at 2:14.48 (36th place). Incoming freshman Katie Kinnear swam a 2:16.44 (60th), while her classmate Megan Rankin swam in a time of 2:19.19.

On Wednesday, Senko placed 20th in the 200 IM (2:16.44), while Tarazona was 54th (2:19.04). Andrea Reigel was 55th (2:19.06), and incoming freshman Arlyn Upshaw clocked in at 2:22.14.

In the 100 Breaststroke on Tuesday, former Team Bruin swimmer Amanda Beard placed 10th in a time of 1:07.92. Team Bruin swimmer Keri Hehn finished 18th (1:09.49), while Allison Gargalikis placed 65th (1:11.77). Emily Weir swam a 1:12.70.

Four Bruins raced in the 100 Backstroke on Tuesday. Kinnear finished 50th (1:03.39), and Reigel was 63rd (1:03.60). Annie Stefanec (1:04.50) and Emily Andelson (1:05.91) also competed. Also on Tuesday, in the 400 Freestyle, Rankin placed 50th (4:18.97), and incoming freshman Katy Campbell placed 61st (4:19.85).

In Monday's action, seven Bruins raced in the 100 Butterfly. Vandenberg was the top finisher at 14th (59.24). Kinnear placed 24th (1:00.17), followed by Senko at 26th (1:00.31), Jahanshahi at 41st (1:00.72), Casciari at 50th (1:00.87), Tarazona at 53rd (1:01.12). Stephanie Christofferson had a time of 1:02.58. Additionally, in the 400m IM, Rankin placed 33rd (4:51.79), and Tarazona was 57th (4:55.56).

Action resumes on Friday with Cynthia Fascella and Kathryn Murphy competing in the 100 Freestyle and Hehn competing in the 200 Breaststroke.