July 2, 2012
OMAHA, Neb. -
Jessica Hardy secured her third event in London by winning the 50-meter freestyle in the last women's event of the eight day U.S. Olympic Trials on Monday night at the CenturyLink Center. The former California star clocked a time of 24.50 to defeat a field that included five-time Olympic star Dara Torres, who placed fourth (24.82), as well as Golden Bear alum Madison Kennedy, who finished fifth (25.10) and out of the Olympics.
Hardy, who won the 100-meter freestyle final on June 30, will swim the 50 and 100 frees and 400-free relay in the Olympics.
Cal and U.S. Olympic head coach Teri McKeever will bring five Bears to London: incoming freshman Rachel Bootsma (100 backstroke), alumna Natalie Coughlin (400-free relay), Hardy, senior Caitlin Leverenz (200 and 400-individual medleys) and alumna Dana Vollmer (100 butterfly and 400-free relay).
In all, nine Cal women will swim in the 2012 Olympics. They include junior Stephanie Au (Hong Kong, who will swim the 100 and 200 backstrokes), alum Hannah Wilson (Hong Kong, 100 free), new alum Sara Isakovic (Slovenia, 200 free and 100 fly) and alum Lauren Boyle (New Zealand, 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 800-free relay).
