Golden Gopher Kierra Smith has qualified for this summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after winning the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials. Her time of 1:06.93 was under the FINA "A" cut Olympic qualifying time, a lifetime best and a new Minnesota school long course record.
Smith will also have the opportunity to qualify in the 200-meter breaststroke this Saturday. Smith was a finalist at last summer's 2015 World Championships in the 200 breast, and won gold in the event at the 2015 Pan American Games. She took the 2015-16 collegiate season off to train for the Olympics, and is scheduled to return for her senior year this fall.
Fellow Canadian Gophers Breanne Siwicki and Lauren Lalumiere have also completed their first event at Trials. Siwicki finished 10th in the championship final of the 400-meter individual medley last night, with a time of 4:55.56. Lalumiere finished the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 2:07.32 for 41st place. Each are scheduled to compete in other events later this week.
