COLUMBIA - MU swimmers Colleen Gordon and Bennett Clark were in Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday, competing in the final day of the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championship, the final course of Nationals before the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in swimming.
Gordon, a freshman from Missouri City, TX, whose personal best times in the 100 free (51.02) and 200 free (1.48.38) rank close to the Tigers’ all-time top five, achieved a new career best in the 1500 free. The time, 17.02.76, placed her in 26th. Missouri coach Brian Hoffer says that Gordon is extremely versatile, and he expects that her sophomore season will yield excellent results.
Junior Bennett Clark of St. Louis made a top-24 finish at last year’s Nationals meet in the 50 free, and was in the same event this year. He holds MU’s school record in the 100 free and 800 free relay, and is a 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifier. In the finals Saturday night, Clark found himself clocking a new lifetime best of 23.40, and his second 24th-place showing. This has placed Clark among the nation’s strongest sprinters.
“The team performed at a high level,” Hoffer said. “Bennett continues to become one of the best sprinters in the country. I’m also very pleased with Colleen and her lifetime best swim.”
According to the organizers’ press release, the event drew more than 1,000 swimmers, including top U.S. Olympians.