Indiana University Athletics
Hesen Makes 100 Back Final at Olympic Trials
6/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
June 26, 2012
OMAHA, Neb. - Former Hoosier All-American and 2008 NCAA Champion Ben Hesen has qualified for the final in the 100-meter backstroke, highlighting day two of Hoosier action at the USA Swimming Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.
Hesen punched his ticket to the final with a time of 53.52 in the evening semifinal, placing him fourth heading into Wednesday's final. Northwestern alum Matt Grevers is the top qualifier (53.10), followed by David Plummer (53.24) and Nick Thoman (53.40). NBC will broadcast the final live from 8-9 p.m. ET.
Hesen had the fourth-fastest time in morning prelims, touching the wall in 54.21 to win his heat. Junior James Wells finished 63rd (57.33), with former Hoosier John Kevin Koehler posting a time of 59.34 (123rd).
Senior Ashley Specht placed 21st in the 100-meter breaststroke, clocking a time of 1:09.66. That was good for fifth in her heat, which featured world record holder Jessica Hardy. That is the second-fastest time in school history, just behind her mark of 1:09.33 set at the 201 Summer Nationals.
Senior Jim Barbiere placed 25th in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:50.39, followed by sophomore Steve Schmuhl in 39th (1:51.10). Former Hoosier Titus Knight posted a time of 1:52.78, good for 83rd, followed by IU alums Andrew Taylor (91st-1:53.21) and Koehler (94th-1:53.40).
Junior Lindsay Vrooman took fourth in her 400-meter freestyle heat with a time of 4:16.29, good for 36th overall. Incoming freshman Haley Lips was second in her 400 free heat, posting a time of 4:18.17 to rank her 45th. Sophomore Lauren Jordan placed 91st with a time of 4:22.71.
200 Freestyle
25. Jim Barbiere - 1:50.39
39. Steve Schmuhl - 1:51.10
83. Titus Knight - 1:52.78
91. Andrew Taylor - 1:53.21
94. John Kevin Koehler - 1:53.40
100 Breaststroke
21. Ashley Specht - 1:09.66
100 Backstroke
4. Ben Hesen - 53.52 (semifinal) (54.21 prelims)
63. James Wells - 57.33
123. John Kevin Koehler - 59.34
400 Freestyle
36. Lindsay Vrooman - 4:16.29
45. Haley Lips - 4:18.17
91. Lauren Jordan - 4:22.71
Players Mentioned
